2022/Sunday Worship - January 16, 2022_transcript.txt

[0.00 --> 20.60]  I raise a hallelujah in the presence of my enemies.
[20.60 --> 33.60]  I raise a hallelujah louder than the unbelief.
[33.60 --> 39.60]  I raise a hallelujah.
[39.60 --> 44.60]  My weapon is a melody.
[44.60 --> 53.60]  I raise a hallelujah.
[53.60 --> 56.60]  Heaven comes to fight for me.
[56.60 --> 64.60]  I'm gonna sing in the middle of the storm.
[64.60 --> 70.60]  Louder and louder, you're gonna hear my praises roar.
[70.60 --> 76.60]  Up from the ashes, hope will arise.
[76.60 --> 85.60]  Death is defeated, the King is alive.
[85.60 --> 100.60]  I raise a hallelujah with everything inside of me.
[100.60 --> 108.60]  I raise a hallelujah.
[108.60 --> 112.60]  I will watch the darkness flee.
[112.60 --> 123.60]  I raise a hallelujah in the middle of the mystery.
[123.60 --> 128.60]  I raise a hallelujah.
[128.60 --> 131.60]  I'll raise a hallelujah.
[131.60 --> 135.60]  I feel you lost your hold on me.
[135.60 --> 142.60]  I'm gonna sing in the middle of the storm.
[142.60 --> 148.60]  Louder and louder, you're gonna hear my praises roar.
[148.60 --> 149.60]  leels roar.
[149.60 --> 154.60]  Up from the ashes, hope will arise.
[154.60 --> 162.60]  Death is defeated, the King is alive.
[162.60 --> 166.14]  Sing a little louder
[166.14 --> 169.94]  In the presence of my enemies
[169.94 --> 172.14]  Sing a little louder
[172.14 --> 176.20]  Louder than the unbelief
[176.20 --> 177.96]  Sing a little louder
[177.96 --> 181.66]  My weapon is a melody
[181.66 --> 184.02]  Sing a little louder
[184.02 --> 187.84]  Heaven come to fight for me
[187.84 --> 189.60]  Sing a little louder
[189.60 --> 193.80]  In the presence of my enemies
[193.80 --> 195.38]  Sing a little louder
[195.38 --> 199.64]  Louder than the unbelief
[199.64 --> 201.42]  Sing a little louder
[201.42 --> 205.02]  My weapon is a melody
[205.02 --> 207.40]  Sing a little louder
[207.40 --> 211.52]  Heaven come to fight for me
[211.52 --> 212.92]  Sing a little louder
[212.92 --> 216.20]  I'm gonna sing
[216.20 --> 219.20]  In the middle of the storm
[219.20 --> 222.24]  Louder and louder
[222.24 --> 225.56]  You're gonna hear my praises roar
[225.56 --> 228.40]  Up from the ashes
[228.40 --> 231.16]  Hope will arise
[231.16 --> 233.92]  Death is defeated
[233.92 --> 237.40]  The King in the Rise
[237.40 --> 245.20]  Grand Heaven from the ash
[247.50 --> 248.16]  Our greatchs
[248.16 --> 248.60]  Have a great day
[248.60 --> 249.78]  We were peaceful
[249.78 --> 250.72] ée
[250.72 --> 267.12]  The Grand Earth has quaked before
[267.12 --> 273.94]  Moved by the sound of His voice
[273.94 --> 280.16]  And seas that are shaken and stirred
[280.16 --> 286.72]  Can be calmed and broken for my regard
[286.72 --> 292.24]  And through it all, through it all
[292.24 --> 295.32]  My eyes are on you
[295.32 --> 299.48]  And through it all, through it all
[299.48 --> 300.98]  It is well
[300.98 --> 307.04]  And through it all, through it all
[307.04 --> 310.08]  My eyes are on you
[310.08 --> 312.50]  And it is well
[312.50 --> 315.60]  With me
[315.60 --> 331.66]  Far be it from me to not believe
[331.66 --> 338.66]  Even when my eyes can't see
[338.66 --> 344.76]  And this mountain that's in front of me
[344.76 --> 351.38]  Will be thrown into the midst of the sea
[351.38 --> 357.44]  And through it all, through it all
[357.44 --> 360.48]  My eyes are on you
[360.48 --> 364.10]  And through it all, through it all
[364.10 --> 365.60]  It is well
[365.60 --> 371.82]  And through it all, through it all
[371.82 --> 374.88]  My eyes are on you
[374.88 --> 377.88]  And it is well
[377.88 --> 381.82]  It is well
[381.82 --> 386.20]  So let go, my soul
[386.20 --> 389.56]  And trust in Him
[389.56 --> 391.52]  The waves and wind
[391.52 --> 396.58]  Still know His name
[396.58 --> 400.62]  So let go, my soul
[400.62 --> 403.62]  And trust in Him
[403.62 --> 405.00]  The waves and wind
[405.00 --> 410.78]  Still know His name
[410.78 --> 415.08]  So let go, my soul
[415.08 --> 417.84]  And trust in Him
[417.84 --> 419.52]  The waves and wind
[419.52 --> 422.86]  Still know His name
[422.86 --> 424.82]  The waves and wind
[424.82 --> 427.04]  Still know His name
[427.04 --> 434.04]  The waves and winds still know His name.
[437.04 --> 448.04]  And it is well with my soul.
[448.04 --> 450.04]  Sing it out.
[450.04 --> 464.04]  It is well with my soul.
[465.04 --> 479.04]  It is well with my soul.
[479.04 --> 484.04]  It is well.
[484.04 --> 492.04]  It is well with my soul.
[492.04 --> 493.04]  Sing it out.
[493.04 --> 495.04]  It is well.
[495.04 --> 499.04]  Oh, it is well.
[499.04 --> 502.04]  It is well.
[502.04 --> 515.04]  It is well with my soul.
[515.04 --> 518.04]  Good morning, everyone.
[518.04 --> 520.04]  Welcome to church this morning.
[520.04 --> 526.04]  Those of you who are here, those of you who are joining us online this morning, it is good to see so many faces.
[526.04 --> 530.04]  And I don't know, later I will check out the YouTube views and see those faces too, I guess.
[530.04 --> 534.04]  We are gathered here today to hear God's word, to sing His praises.
[534.04 --> 538.04]  Of course, I've got a couple of announcements this morning before we begin.
[538.04 --> 548.04]  The first is an announcement for anybody who was in choir this past Christmas season, but also this past whenever season, the past two, three, five years.
[548.04 --> 553.04]  If you have music at home or folders at home, can you please return those to Mark?
[553.04 --> 554.04]  Mark is somewhere.
[554.04 --> 555.04]  There he is.
[555.04 --> 556.04]  He's on the piano.
[556.04 --> 557.04]  Bring them to Mark.
[557.04 --> 558.04]  You can give it to him at church.
[558.04 --> 560.04]  You can put it in his mailbox in the back there.
[560.04 --> 562.04]  You don't have to drop by his house.
[562.04 --> 563.04]  Like, we can leave the poor guy alone that way.
[563.04 --> 565.04]  But like, bring it to church.
[565.04 --> 566.04]  Bring the music back to him there.
[566.04 --> 569.04]  And then we can kind of make a collection and go from there.
[569.04 --> 570.04]  The second is for youth.
[570.04 --> 574.04]  Youth tonight, if you're in grades nine to 12, we have HCBC tonight.
[574.04 --> 577.04]  So come on out at seven o'clock for Belgic Confession and Catechism.
[577.04 --> 579.04]  We'll see you then.
[579.04 --> 582.04]  I am going to invite you all to rise.
[582.04 --> 585.04]  I believe we're doing God's greeting right now, right?
[585.04 --> 587.04]  I didn't have...
[587.04 --> 590.04]  All right.
[590.04 --> 596.04]  God's greeting this morning comes to us from Revelation chapter one, where it says this.
[596.04 --> 597.04]  Please receive God's greeting.
[597.04 --> 603.04]  Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven
[603.04 --> 609.04]  spirits that are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness,
[609.04 --> 614.04]  the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
[614.04 --> 616.04]  And all God's people said, amen.
[616.04 --> 617.04]  Take a moment.
[617.04 --> 620.04]  We're not going to shake hands, but take a moment, give some winks, some nods, look around,
[620.04 --> 622.04]  say hi, take 30 seconds to do that.
[622.04 --> 624.04]  Text some people if you're at home as well.
[624.04 --> 625.04]  Just a moment.
[625.04 --> 626.04]  Jesus.
[626.04 --> 639.04]  Hope of the nations.
[639.04 --> 653.44]  Jesus, hope of the nations, there is none like you, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours.
[654.10 --> 660.72]  All the nations you have made shall come and bow down before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.
[661.50 --> 666.38]  For you are the great and do wondrous things, for you alone are God.
[669.04 --> 670.04]  Amen.
[682.98 --> 697.04]  Jesus, hope of the nations, Jesus, comfort for all who mourn, you are the source of heaven's hope on earth.
[698.04 --> 705.60]  Jesus, light in the darkness, Jesus, truth in each circumstance.
[707.04 --> 712.48]  You are the source of heaven's light on earth.
[712.48 --> 720.48]  In history you lived and died, you broke the chains, you rose to life.
[721.48 --> 734.48]  You are the hope living in us, you are the rock in whom we trust, you are the light shining for all the world to see.
[734.48 --> 744.48]  You rose from the dead, conquering fear, our prince of peace, drawing us near.
[744.48 --> 750.48]  Jesus, our hope living for all who will receive.
[751.48 --> 753.48]  Lord, we believe.
[753.48 --> 775.48]  Jesus, hope of the nations, Jesus, comfort for all who mourn, you are the source of heaven's hope on earth.
[775.48 --> 783.48]  Jesus, light in the darkness, Jesus, truth in each circumstance.
[783.48 --> 791.48]  Jesus, light in the darkness, you are the source of heaven's light on earth.
[792.48 --> 799.48]  Jesus, light in the darkness, you are the hope living in us.
[799.48 --> 814.48]  You are the rock in whom we trust, you are the light shining for all the world to see.
[814.48 --> 822.48]  You rose from the dead, conquering fear, our prince of peace, drawing us near.
[823.48 --> 829.48]  Jesus, our hope living for all who will receive.
[830.48 --> 833.48]  Lord, we believe.
[834.48 --> 837.48]  Lord, we believe.
[838.48 --> 842.48]  Lord, we believe.
[844.48 --> 867.48]  Lord, we believe.
[867.48 --> 872.78]  Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring.
[875.56 --> 880.20]  Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe.
[880.52 --> 882.42]  We live for you.
[890.04 --> 895.18]  Jesus, the name above every other name.
[897.48 --> 902.68]  Jesus, the only one who could ever sing.
[905.08 --> 909.68]  Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe.
[909.86 --> 911.94]  We live for you.
[913.06 --> 915.50]  Oh, we live for you.
[918.60 --> 923.70]  Holy, there is no one like you.
[923.70 --> 926.70]  There is none beside you.
[927.48 --> 932.68]  Open up my eyes in wonder.
[932.68 --> 936.56]  And show me who you are.
[936.56 --> 940.30]  And fill me with your heart.
[940.30 --> 948.30]  And lead me in your love to those around me.
[948.30 --> 955.50]  Jesus, the name above every other name.
[955.50 --> 968.70]  Jesus, the name above every other name.
[968.70 --> 976.58]  Jesus, the only one who could ever sing.
[976.58 --> 981.78]  Jesus, the only one who could ever breathe.
[981.78 --> 982.98]  We live for you.
[982.98 --> 983.18]  Jesus, the only one who could ever breathe.
[983.18 --> 984.98]  We live for you.
[984.98 --> 985.98]  Jesus, the only one who could ever breathe.
[985.98 --> 986.98]  We live for you.
[986.98 --> 988.98]  Oh, we live for you.
[988.98 --> 997.18]  Holy, there is no one like you.
[997.18 --> 1000.18]  There is none beside you.
[1000.18 --> 1005.38]  Open up my eyes in wonder.
[1005.38 --> 1009.58]  And show me who you are.
[1009.58 --> 1014.02]  And fill me with your heart.
[1014.02 --> 1021.58]  And lead me in your love to those around me.
[1021.58 --> 1039.78]  And I will build my life upon your love.
[1039.78 --> 1050.98]  It is a firm foundation.
[1050.98 --> 1058.78]  And I will put my trust in you alone.
[1058.78 --> 1065.78]  And I will not be shaken.
[1065.78 --> 1073.78]  And I will build my life upon your love.
[1073.78 --> 1079.78]  It is a firm foundation.
[1079.78 --> 1088.78]  And I will put my trust in you alone.
[1088.78 --> 1094.78]  And I will not be shaken.
[1094.78 --> 1100.78]  Holy, there is no one like you.
[1100.78 --> 1104.78]  There is none beside you.
[1104.78 --> 1110.78]  Open up my eyes in wonder.
[1110.78 --> 1114.78]  And show me who you are.
[1114.78 --> 1118.78]  And fill me with your heart.
[1118.78 --> 1128.78]  And lead me in your love to those around me.
[1128.78 --> 1135.78]  Lord, we gather before you to worship you.
[1135.78 --> 1138.78]  We sing praises of your greatness.
[1138.78 --> 1142.78]  That you are worthy of all the praise we could ever bring.
[1142.78 --> 1145.78]  There is no one like you, oh God.
[1145.78 --> 1148.78]  We sing of how we will build our foundation.
[1148.78 --> 1151.78]  The foundation of our life on your love.
[1151.78 --> 1153.78]  How we will put our trust in you alone.
[1153.78 --> 1156.78]  And we will not be shaken.
[1156.78 --> 1163.78]  How often, oh Lord, do we leave this place and leave our awareness of you at the door.
[1163.78 --> 1168.78]  How often do we enter back into the fear, the anger, the pain, the heartache,
[1168.78 --> 1170.78]  forgetting who you are.
[1170.78 --> 1174.78]  Forgetting who we are in you.
[1174.78 --> 1179.78]  Those who know you, who know your name, put their trust in you.
[1179.78 --> 1183.78]  For you, oh Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
[1183.78 --> 1188.78]  Let your name be on our lips, both in our need and in our joys.
[1188.78 --> 1193.78]  That we may find you always there beside us to give us hope and strength.
[1193.78 --> 1195.78]  In your name we pray, amen.
[1195.78 --> 1196.78]  We pray, amen.
[1196.78 --> 1197.78]  We pray, amen.
[1197.78 --> 1198.78]  But every name is God.
[1198.78 --> 1199.78]  We pray, amen.
[1199.78 --> 1200.78]  Thank you, amen.
[1200.78 --> 1201.78]  Thank you.
[1201.78 --> 1204.78]  To every pulling another digestion,甜 from nai rs need oundred chysine.
[1204.78 --> 1214.78]  Thanks, amen.
[1214.78 --> 1216.28]  Amen.
[1216.28 --> 1228.44]  If you but trust in God to guide you
[1228.44 --> 1234.70]  And place your confidence in Him
[1234.70 --> 1240.86]  You'll find Him always there beside you
[1240.86 --> 1246.64]  To give you hope and strength within
[1246.64 --> 1253.86]  For those who trust God's changeless love
[1253.86 --> 1261.42]  Build on the rock that will not move
[1261.42 --> 1269.28]  Only be still and wait His pleasure
[1269.28 --> 1275.28]  In cheerful hope, with heart content
[1275.28 --> 1282.70]  He fills your need to fullest measure
[1282.70 --> 1289.62]  With what discerning love has sent
[1289.62 --> 1296.52]  Doubt not our inmost wants are known
[1296.52 --> 1303.52]  To Him who chose us for His own
[1303.52 --> 1311.52]  Pray and keep His ways unswerving
[1311.52 --> 1317.52]  Offer your service faithfully
[1317.52 --> 1324.52]  And trust His word, though undeserving
[1324.52 --> 1331.52]  You'll find His promise true to be
[1331.52 --> 1338.52]  God never will forsake in need
[1338.52 --> 1345.52]  To a soul that trusts in Him
[1345.52 --> 1346.52]  Indeed
[1346.52 --> 1349.52]  Indeed
[1349.52 --> 1351.52]  Amen.
[1379.52 --> 1398.32]  I know for sure all of my days are held in your hand, crafted into your perfect plan.
[1398.32 --> 1411.92]  You gently call me into your presence, guiding me by your Holy Spirit.
[1411.92 --> 1424.78]  Teach me, dear Lord, to live all my life through your eyes.
[1424.78 --> 1430.60]  I'm captured by your holy calling.
[1431.60 --> 1440.10]  Set me apart, I know you're drawing me to yourself.
[1440.82 --> 1444.66]  Lead me, Lord, I pray.
[1444.66 --> 1460.48]  Take me, mold me, use me, fill me.
[1460.48 --> 1469.30]  I give my life to the potter's hand.
[1469.30 --> 1479.12]  Call me, guide me.
[1479.12 --> 1485.12]  Lead me, walk beside me.
[1485.12 --> 1495.32]  I give my life to the potter's hand.
[1495.32 --> 1506.94]  Beautiful Lord, wonderful Savior, I know for sure.
[1506.94 --> 1520.48]  All of my days are held in your hand, crafted into your perfect plan.
[1522.48 --> 1530.94]  You gently call me into your presence, guiding me by.
[1530.94 --> 1546.64]  Your Holy Spirit, teach me, dear Lord, to live all my life through your eyes.
[1546.64 --> 1552.64]  I'm captured by your holy calling.
[1552.64 --> 1561.50]  Set me apart, I know you're drawing me to yourself.
[1561.50 --> 1566.34]  Lead me, Lord, I pray.
[1566.34 --> 1582.34]  Take me, mold me, use me, fill me.
[1582.34 --> 1590.34]  I give my life to the potter's hand.
[1590.34 --> 1620.32]  Take me, Lord, I pray.
[1620.34 --> 1622.50]  You may be seated.
[1622.50 --> 1643.16]  Good morning.
[1643.16 --> 1646.92]  Good morning.
[1646.92 --> 1648.92]  Good morning.
[1648.92 --> 1653.20]  Today, this week's offering is to support the operations and ministries and missions
[1653.20 --> 1656.48]  of our church by supporting our budget.
[1656.48 --> 1661.34]  And the special offering today is for the World Renew Food Grains Bank.
[1661.34 --> 1665.82]  Next week, the offering will be for the budget as well as for the Gateway Hope Shelter here
[1665.82 --> 1667.36]  in our neighbourhood.
[1667.36 --> 1671.32]  So World Renew, as many of you know, is a CRC organisation that has an account with the
[1671.32 --> 1672.32]  Canadian Food Grains Bank.
[1672.32 --> 1679.46]  And they can draw on that and then support various projects and so forth that they have
[1679.46 --> 1680.88]  all around the world.
[1680.88 --> 1686.32]  They are currently quite busy because of COVID-19 and the shortages in various parts of the world,
[1686.32 --> 1690.32]  the droughts, the war, the conflict and so forth.
[1690.32 --> 1696.60]  So, currently, the Canadian government is matching donations four to one, which is amazing.
[1696.60 --> 1701.60]  So, your gift will go five times as far as it would normally.
[1701.60 --> 1706.96]  So, we are quite thrilled by that.
[1706.96 --> 1711.32]  If you want more information as to exactly where they're busy, there is a link in the
[1711.32 --> 1717.36]  bulletin that you can click on and that will take you to their website and you can update
[1717.36 --> 1719.60]  yourself if you're more curious.
[1719.60 --> 1726.60]  Proverbs 22, verse 9 states, The generous will themselves be blessed for they share their
[1726.60 --> 1728.60]  food with the poor.
[1728.60 --> 1739.32]  And Matthew 10, verse 8, Jesus commands, Freely you have received, so freely give.
[1739.32 --> 1744.42]  As we play through the offering song instrumentally, the words will follow along on the screen and
[1744.42 --> 1748.36]  we invite you to reflect on them during the offering.
[1748.36 --> 1749.36]  that, Isaiah 8, Jesus shows the beautiful.
[1749.36 --> 1750.62]  Inmudic Illumaticλε归 is bigger, wherever you are .
[1750.62 --> 1754.36]  So, today, I come forward to providing a grant of truth as you can hear from the
[1754.36 --> 1755.36]  points that you have received resources online.
[1755.36 --> 1758.36]  Now, if you have read through the offering, there is a number of questions that sent down
[1758.36 --> 1760.36]  ?
[1760.36 --> 1763.36]  The多少 money for the Lu Toldurianhay investigationtypeics
[1763.36 --> 1765.36]  will be JOSHUAWitations sitcom .
[1765.36 --> 1768.36]  As a emperor店 broadcast Bitcoin and SophiaAN College of Christmas
[1768.36 --> 1769.36]  , It's��assishcer Vanessa Campionário
[1769.36 --> 1770.98]  and haunted Aunque desta miss place as you can see
[1771.36 --> 1772.36]  The mindedões that were drawn into in our country in??
[1772.36 --> 1775.36]  Thevidemmentomedic tipos of the lighthouse are prepared.
[1775.36 --> 1777.36]  Amen.
[1805.36 --> 1807.36]  Amen.
[1835.36 --> 1837.36]  Amen.
[1865.36 --> 1867.36]  Amen.
[1895.36 --> 1897.36]  Amen.
[1925.36 --> 1927.36]  Amen.
[1927.36 --> 1929.36]  Amen.
[1929.36 --> 1931.36]  Amen.
[1931.36 --> 1933.36]  Amen.
[1933.36 --> 1935.36]  Amen.
[1935.36 --> 1937.36]  Amen.
[1937.36 --> 1939.36]  Amen.
[1939.36 --> 1943.36]  Good morning.
[1943.36 --> 1949.36]  If you're four and under, come on up for the children's blessing.
[1949.36 --> 1959.36]  And I have a few little questions for you guys to introduce today's lesson in children's worship time.
[1959.36 --> 1965.36]  Oh man, there's lots of you guys today. Church is really full today. That's kind of nice.
[1965.36 --> 1969.36]  I have some questions for you guys, as usual.
[1969.36 --> 1972.36]  I wasn't organized enough to get this on the screen.
[1972.36 --> 1974.36]  Do you guys know who this lady is?
[1974.36 --> 1976.36]  The Queen.
[1976.36 --> 1978.36]  That was quick.
[1978.36 --> 1981.36]  All right, Queen Elizabeth. Let's see. Let's see another picture.
[1981.36 --> 1983.36]  That is Queen Elizabeth.
[1983.36 --> 1985.36]  Do you know who this guy is?
[1985.36 --> 1988.36]  Not the king, thankfully.
[1988.36 --> 1989.36]  Yeah.
[1989.36 --> 1991.36]  Huh?
[1991.36 --> 1995.36]  Anyone know who this guy is?
[1995.36 --> 1998.36]  A church man? Not quite.
[1998.36 --> 2001.36]  We don't know him because of that.
[2001.36 --> 2004.36]  Is he a man who works in a big office?
[2004.36 --> 2007.36]  He does work in a really big office.
[2007.36 --> 2011.36]  Oh, he's not a doctor. That's an important person, too.
[2011.36 --> 2013.36]  This is the Prime Minister of Canada.
[2014.36 --> 2016.36]  Prime Minister Trudeau. Right?
[2017.36 --> 2019.36]  That's one more picture. Who's this guy?
[2021.36 --> 2022.36]  Pastor Chris.
[2022.36 --> 2024.36]  He's also an important guy.
[2024.36 --> 2025.36]  Do you know what is one thing?
[2025.36 --> 2026.36]  I picked up some pictures.
[2026.36 --> 2028.36]  These are all different leaders.
[2028.36 --> 2030.36]  From who?
[2030.36 --> 2031.36]  Leaders of people.
[2031.36 --> 2034.36]  Leaders of important things.
[2034.36 --> 2038.36]  Do you guys know of any leaders in your life?
[2038.36 --> 2039.36]  Pastor Chris is in your life.
[2039.36 --> 2041.36]  We see him all the time.
[2041.36 --> 2043.36]  Who are other leaders in your life?
[2043.36 --> 2044.36]  God.
[2044.36 --> 2046.36]  God is a huge leader in our life.
[2046.36 --> 2047.36]  Who's another leader?
[2047.36 --> 2049.36]  Your mom and dad.
[2049.36 --> 2054.36]  Oma and Opa are leaders in many ways.
[2054.36 --> 2057.36]  Jesus is an amazing leader.
[2057.36 --> 2059.36]  What do you think, Malachi?
[2059.36 --> 2061.36]  Grandma and grandpas are leaders.
[2061.36 --> 2063.36]  Did you have one, Ila?
[2063.36 --> 2066.36]  Auntes and uncles can be leaders.
[2066.36 --> 2068.36]  Others may be teachers.
[2068.36 --> 2071.36]  We even have worship leaders in front of the church.
[2071.36 --> 2073.36]  Lots of people who lead.
[2073.36 --> 2076.36]  What makes a good leader?
[2076.36 --> 2078.36]  This could be interesting.
[2078.36 --> 2080.36]  What makes a good leader?
[2080.36 --> 2084.36]  Who helps the team out?
[2084.36 --> 2086.36]  That is such a good answer.
[2086.36 --> 2089.36]  What are other things that make a good leader?
[2089.36 --> 2093.36]  Jesus helps people be good leaders for sure.
[2093.36 --> 2095.36]  What are other characteristics?
[2095.36 --> 2098.36]  Are they people who are in charge of stuff?
[2098.36 --> 2099.36]  Yeah.
[2099.36 --> 2102.36]  Do leaders do everything by themselves?
[2102.36 --> 2104.36]  They are not supposed to, right?
[2104.36 --> 2106.36]  They are supposed to have followers.
[2106.36 --> 2108.36]  They are supposed to have a team.
[2108.36 --> 2109.36]  Yeah.
[2109.36 --> 2114.36]  So, another characteristic about a leader is someone who is also very patient.
[2114.36 --> 2115.36]  That's a tricky one.
[2115.36 --> 2120.36]  So, we are going to talk a lot more today in children's worship time about good leading
[2120.36 --> 2123.36]  and about patient leaders.
[2123.36 --> 2125.36]  What's that, Hayley?
[2125.36 --> 2126.36]  What does that mean?
[2126.36 --> 2128.36]  What does that mean?
[2128.36 --> 2129.36]  What does that mean?
[2129.36 --> 2130.36]  What does that mean?
[2130.36 --> 2131.36]  What does that mean?
[2131.36 --> 2132.36]  Is it that leaders need water?
[2132.36 --> 2133.36]  Oh!
[2133.36 --> 2134.36]  Yeah.
[2134.36 --> 2135.36]  Sometimes leaders need water too.
[2135.36 --> 2136.36]  That's right.
[2136.36 --> 2137.36]  Yep.
[2137.36 --> 2138.36]  Yep.
[2138.36 --> 2139.36]  They keep hydrated.
[2139.36 --> 2141.36]  Another great characteristic of a leader.
[2141.36 --> 2142.36]  Sure.
[2142.36 --> 2146.36]  Why don't we stand and we'll do the children's blessing and then we'll talk more about patience
[2146.36 --> 2153.92]  and leadership in children's worship time. All right, arms up, extend to the
[2153.92 --> 2161.10]  congregation, ready? The Lord be with you. All right, let's go to children's worship time.
[2176.36 --> 2194.54]  Good morning. So my name is Ken, and I'm an elder here at Emanuel, and it's good to be
[2194.54 --> 2197.66]  gathered together this morning. I see so many people that I haven't seen in a while,
[2197.66 --> 2202.24]  so it's good to see us all here this morning. And for those online, just like every other Sunday
[2202.24 --> 2206.70]  morning, we have the opportunity to gather together and come to our Lord in prayer. And
[2206.70 --> 2211.98]  as a community, we can bring our thanks to God and our concerns and our petitions to our
[2211.98 --> 2215.56]  Lord. And so let's gather our hearts and minds together, and let's do that right now as we
[2215.56 --> 2223.60]  come to God in prayer. Our Father in heaven, our Savior Jesus, Holy Spirit, we come to you
[2223.60 --> 2228.46]  with our hearts lifted up again to the knowledge and the wonder of the grace you work in our lives.
[2228.46 --> 2234.26]  Our Lord and our God, you are holy, almighty, and everlasting, the creator and sustainer of
[2234.26 --> 2240.14]  everything. And the reality that we can approach you as we are now is such an amazing and overwhelming
[2240.14 --> 2247.12]  display of grace. As we have sung your praises this morning and have been reminded again how you never
[2247.12 --> 2252.92]  fail to hold us fast, even when we get distracted by ourselves, our hearts are moved to overwhelming
[2252.92 --> 2259.04]  joy and thanksgiving for everything you do and have done for us. And we turn to you with our
[2259.04 --> 2263.60]  trials and burdens, knowing again that you work all things together for our salvation.
[2264.88 --> 2269.22]  We thank you, Lord, for the opportunity we have to gather together as a congregational family,
[2269.54 --> 2274.72]  both here in person and online. We thank you for this body of believers who care for each other
[2274.72 --> 2280.18]  and support each other and work together to declare the salvation we know with our community here in
[2280.18 --> 2284.84]  Langley and the extended communities that we are part of through each member of Emmanuel.
[2285.88 --> 2292.24]  We pray that you work through us with the power to give us boldness and to help us live lives and
[2292.24 --> 2298.40]  speak truth of the gospel to the people we encounter day to day. Lord, we pray for all the ministries of
[2298.40 --> 2303.48]  our local church body and of our denomination, that you will bless these ministries and use them for
[2303.48 --> 2308.80]  your kingdom glory. We thank you for the heart of service and support for the ministries of Emmanuel
[2308.80 --> 2314.76]  that you have instilled in our congregation. We ask that you help us continue to bring our first
[2314.76 --> 2321.36]  fruits of our time, resources, and our hearts to you. We pray, Lord, for the leadership of Emmanuel,
[2321.94 --> 2327.82]  for the pastors and staff, and for the leadership of the Christian Reformed denomination. Please grant
[2327.82 --> 2333.62]  them all wisdom and the hearts tuned to your will to lead your church in a ministry to a world that
[2333.62 --> 2339.66]  often seems to be turning away from its God and creator. We also pray, Lord, for the leaders of
[2339.66 --> 2345.66]  our country, of our provinces, municipalities, and of our health authorities, as they have a very
[2345.66 --> 2350.74]  difficult task of navigating and leading through the current challenges. Grant them wisdom, Lord.
[2351.80 --> 2356.58]  We pray for those in our congregation who are sick with COVID at this time and with other ailments.
[2357.08 --> 2362.68]  We pray, Lord, that you bring physical healing and let each person feel your nearness and presence,
[2362.68 --> 2367.72]  especially for those who need to isolate or maintain distance from loved ones.
[2369.44 --> 2373.54]  Lord, we have a number of congregation members, too, who have recently lost loved ones.
[2374.12 --> 2379.10]  We grieve together with them, Father, and we think of especially Jeff and Karine Muller and Rick and
[2379.10 --> 2383.88]  Sam Wolders' families with the passing of Jeff's dad and Sam's brother-in-law, George Muller.
[2384.64 --> 2389.12]  And be especially near to Rick and Sam Wolders, as shortly after George Muller passed,
[2389.12 --> 2394.54]  Rick's sister Barb also passed away. Have an extra measure of grace on their lives, Lord.
[2395.48 --> 2401.56]  And we pray also for Bob and Louise Viss with the passing of Louise's mom in Ontario. We pray for
[2401.56 --> 2407.50]  each of these people for your comfort and support to come in their lives and for your continued comfort
[2407.50 --> 2413.34]  for those who have lost loved ones longer ago and still grieve and miss them. We also pray,
[2413.34 --> 2418.70]  Father, for those who have been through difficult events recently. We pray for the flood recovery
[2418.70 --> 2423.06]  taking place throughout our province and in Abbotsford, that you would bless the work of
[2423.06 --> 2428.82]  everyone that is helping with the cleanup and repairs. Lord, please use this catastrophe. Let
[2428.82 --> 2434.02]  it build your kingdom and help it unite churches together as we come together to support the efforts.
[2434.02 --> 2440.66]  We pray also for Kevin and Colleen Breedsfeld, Lord, nephew to Marilyn Heinen, who were in a very
[2440.66 --> 2447.02]  serious car accident this week. Help them recover quickly and fully. We pray for those in missions.
[2447.56 --> 2452.48]  We lift up Jared Alcoma, who's traveling to Costa Rica to Bible College in Cape and Ray for four months
[2452.48 --> 2459.02]  of leadership development and mission training. We pray, Father, that during this time he would grow,
[2459.02 --> 2464.00]  that Jared would become a disciple for you, and that you would use Jared and prepare him for the
[2464.00 --> 2471.10]  many ways that you will call him to use his skills and leadership that he is learning at this time.
[2472.40 --> 2477.74]  And we pray, Lord, for those who have loved ones who have turned away from you. We ask that you work
[2477.74 --> 2484.70]  in their hearts and draw them near to you again. Help us to continue to pray and to continue to hold out
[2484.70 --> 2491.04]  our thoughts and prayers for these people. Lord, we pray for those who are struggling with mental health
[2491.04 --> 2496.64]  as well, with addictions, chronic pain and illness, and so many other daily challenges.
[2497.38 --> 2503.78]  We ask for your healing and restoration in each of their lives. Lord, we all face trials, and we all
[2503.78 --> 2507.76]  have temptations that can disrupt our lives and distract us from living our lives for you.
[2508.62 --> 2513.30]  And we come together and ask you, Lord, to lead us away from temptation, that you would deliver us from
[2513.30 --> 2519.86]  the evil one who wants to snare us in his traps of deceit. Hold us to the truth that the kingdom is
[2519.86 --> 2525.94]  yours, all the power is yours, and all of the glory is yours, God, forever and ever. We pray these things
[2525.94 --> 2528.04]  in the name of our Savior Jesus. Amen.
[2528.04 --> 2555.10]  Good morning, everyone.
[2555.10 --> 2562.76]  Good morning, everyone. We are going to continue our sermon series today through the book of Exodus,
[2562.98 --> 2569.14]  and we're going to be looking at Exodus chapter 3 this morning, the story of Moses and the burning bush.
[2569.90 --> 2573.34]  So I encourage you, pull out your Bibles, your phones, whatever you've got with you, you can turn
[2573.34 --> 2579.86]  to that right now. And as you turn to that in your Bibles, though, we are going to look at how we got here
[2579.86 --> 2586.00]  in the story of Scripture. So strap yourself in, sit back, keep your arms and legs inside the sanctuary
[2586.00 --> 2589.62]  or your living room or wherever you're sitting, because we're going to go full throttle
[2589.62 --> 2593.86]  through Genesis and the first couple chapters of Exodus, and we're going to do it in 300 words, and we're going to do it
[2593.86 --> 2597.78]  quickly. So here we go. God created the heavens and the earth. However,
[2598.30 --> 2601.44]  humanity sinned and brought in brokenness to this world.
[2601.44 --> 2608.58]  God kicked mankind out of the garden, and they began to work, and they began to multiply, and they kept sinning.
[2608.98 --> 2616.04]  Generations went by, and humanity's sin grew and grew and grew, and so God flooded the world, killing everyone
[2616.04 --> 2621.82]  but Noah and his family. God then made a promise that he was going to save the world a different
[2621.82 --> 2627.50]  way, and it all started with a man named Abraham. He would become the start of a nation,
[2627.50 --> 2632.96]  and that nation would become great. God would be their God, and they would be his people, and from
[2632.96 --> 2641.32]  them the world would be saved from sin and brokenness forever. Abraham had a son Isaac. Isaac had a son
[2641.32 --> 2649.84]  Jacob. Jacob had 12 sons, one of whom was Joseph, and Joseph was sold by his brothers to Egypt as a slave.
[2650.04 --> 2655.74]  He went through a whole ton of stuff in Egypt and ended up actually saving them from a giant famine years
[2655.74 --> 2664.14]  later. Joseph's extended family of 70 fled to Egypt to escape this famine, reunited with Joseph, and settled
[2664.14 --> 2671.70]  down. And then over 400 years, this family of 70 people grew to a number so large that the Pharaoh,
[2671.90 --> 2680.02]  the Egyptian Pharaoh got nervous, so nervous that he issued a decree telling the Egyptian soldiers to kill
[2680.02 --> 2686.10]  all of the Israelite boys and drown them in the river. But as we heard last week in the first chapter of
[2686.10 --> 2692.84]  Exodus, Moses was spared from this. He was put inside of a basket and floated down the river where Pharaoh's
[2692.84 --> 2700.74]  daughter found him and raised him in the palace. Then in Exodus chapter 2, when Moses was about 40 years old,
[2700.80 --> 2706.78]  he witnesses an Egyptian man beating an Israelite, and when he thought no one was looking, he murdered
[2706.78 --> 2712.80]  this Egyptian man and hid the body. But soon he was called out by an Israelite for doing so.
[2713.18 --> 2720.20]  This terrified Moses, and he fled into the wilderness, running away from Egypt. He met a man there named Jethro.
[2720.36 --> 2726.88]  He married one of his daughters. He had a son, and he started to live his life as a shepherd, which he did that
[2726.88 --> 2732.74]  for 40 years as well. And then we get to our text today. You all still with me?
[2732.74 --> 2740.22]  Perfect. Okay, so Exodus 3, verses 1 to 14. We read this.
[2741.42 --> 2747.08]  Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the
[2747.08 --> 2753.76]  flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the
[2753.76 --> 2760.66]  Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that the bush was on fire,
[2760.66 --> 2766.02]  but it did not burn up. So Moses thought, I will go over and see this strange sight, why the bush does
[2766.02 --> 2771.36]  not burn up. When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush,
[2771.56 --> 2779.10]  Moses, Moses. And Moses said, here I am. Do not come any closer, God said. Take off your sandals,
[2779.34 --> 2784.62]  for the place where you are standing is holy ground. Then he said, I am the God of your father,
[2784.62 --> 2792.32]  the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. At this, Moses hid his face because he was
[2792.32 --> 2799.88]  afraid to look at God. The Lord said, I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard
[2799.88 --> 2806.30]  them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come
[2806.30 --> 2812.56]  down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of the land into good and
[2812.56 --> 2818.44]  spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey, the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites,
[2818.66 --> 2824.06]  Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the
[2824.06 --> 2832.30]  way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now go, I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people,
[2832.38 --> 2839.30]  the Israelites, out of Egypt. But Moses said to God, who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring
[2839.30 --> 2846.36]  the Israelites out of Egypt? And God said, I will be with you. And this will be a sign to you that it
[2846.36 --> 2851.26]  is who I have sent you, that is I who has sent you. When you have brought the people out of Egypt,
[2851.64 --> 2858.46]  you will worship God at this mountain. Moses said to God, suppose I go to the Israelites and say to him,
[2858.82 --> 2864.52]  the God of your fathers, your fathers has sent me to you. And they asked me, what is his name?
[2864.52 --> 2873.72]  Then what shall I tell them? God said, I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites.
[2874.42 --> 2879.24]  I am has sent me to you. The word of the Lord.
[2883.64 --> 2892.26]  Moses encounters God. He sees a burning bush. And he notices that it isn't burning up, and so he
[2892.26 --> 2899.80]  investigates. And as he's looking at this weird sight, God himself speaks from the bush to Moses.
[2900.80 --> 2907.90]  That's a cool story. It's a huge moment, too, in the grand narrative of God's redemption plan in
[2907.90 --> 2916.10]  scripture. And it's also a story that teaches us that when we encounter God, we are called to action.
[2917.72 --> 2922.06]  Now let's look at this encounter. Moses checks out the burning bush, and then God speaks to him. God
[2922.06 --> 2928.44]  tells him to take off his sandals, and then in verse 6, God introduces himself, which is a really nice
[2928.44 --> 2933.98]  thing to do when you're meeting someone in person for the first time. So God says, I am the God of your
[2933.98 --> 2941.46]  father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And then at the end of our text, too,
[2941.50 --> 2948.84]  when Moses asks, who should I tell them sent me? God responds similarly, and he says, I am who I am.
[2948.84 --> 2964.36]  Tell them I am has sent me to you. I am. I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I am who I am. That's how God
[2964.36 --> 2974.96]  introduces himself to Moses. Not I was. See that? Not I was the God of Abraham, because Abraham is long gone
[2974.96 --> 2988.98]  at this point. But God isn't. I am the God of Abraham. I am who I am. God is constant. He is unchanging. His character is true.
[2989.30 --> 2997.42]  His promises are certain. He is and was and is to come. And no matter where you are in that, whether it is now,
[2997.42 --> 3007.08]  or was, or will be, it is always I am with God. God always is. Him saying I am is not actually some
[3007.08 --> 3014.38]  sort of code that we need to dig into, though we definitely could. God is God. Always. Never swerving,
[3014.50 --> 3022.26]  never changing. In this day, in days past, in days future, God always is. And our language kind of fails
[3022.26 --> 3028.52]  fails us here. And our minds can't fully comprehend that God existed before time began,
[3028.52 --> 3036.98]  and he will exist when time ends. And he continues to exist both inside and outside of time as we know it.
[3038.52 --> 3045.50]  He has always been. He always will be. There is nothing more constant, more present, more consistent
[3045.50 --> 3056.56]  than God. I am who I am. And what's more from this introduction is that by introducing himself as the God of Moses'
[3056.82 --> 3065.82]  fathers, of Abraham, of Isaac, of Jacob, God is reminding Moses of the covenant promises he made to Abraham
[3065.82 --> 3073.72]  and his descendants. God says, I am Abraham's God, the God of your fathers. I am the God of the covenant promises
[3073.72 --> 3081.00]  I made, the promise where you will be my people and I will be your God. This has been true and is still true.
[3081.88 --> 3087.90]  And this will always be true. That was the covenant God made with his people. And Moses and the Israelites,
[3088.66 --> 3095.78]  by this introduction, were being invited into this promise. I am who I am.
[3095.78 --> 3105.22]  Moses encountered God, and then God called him into action. Verse 10, God says to Moses,
[3105.46 --> 3110.98]  I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.
[3112.96 --> 3120.16]  When we encounter God, we are called into action. But Moses didn't love that idea, though. He didn't
[3120.16 --> 3123.94]  love that idea. So throughout chapter 3 and then into chapter 4, which we didn't even read,
[3123.94 --> 3130.10]  he comes up with a whole bunch of excuses about why he shouldn't go, why he shouldn't listen to this
[3130.10 --> 3138.82]  call to action. Just listen to some of them. He says, who am I? What shall I say? What if they doubt me?
[3140.10 --> 3146.00]  I can't speak in front of people. Finally, he actually just says to God, no, send someone else.
[3146.00 --> 3153.92]  A long time ago, many moons ago, I heard a teaching on this text where the teacher commented that he
[3153.92 --> 3159.88]  found it so strange and so ridiculous that Moses, after seeing and hearing the voice of God,
[3160.94 --> 3165.88]  would come up with all these excuses to not do what God says. And maybe you sit here, maybe you agree
[3165.88 --> 3170.12]  with that. I mean, I kind of did. I mean, God has literally just introduced himself to Moses,
[3170.12 --> 3175.72]  Moses. And Moses instantly starts saying, nah, no, no, I'm gonna, I'm not gonna do that. Like,
[3175.74 --> 3183.62]  how can he do that? God was just speaking to him. Like, just listen, man. But we're all guilty of this,
[3183.66 --> 3190.76]  aren't we? I mean, sure, God hasn't spoken to us through a burning bush, per se, at least not that
[3190.76 --> 3199.26]  I've heard of here in this church. But he does encounter us all the time. We hear his voice for
[3199.26 --> 3210.62]  sure every week. And I pray and hope every day. We have God's word. We have, we have access to God's
[3210.62 --> 3217.38]  voice whenever we crack the cover of this book, whenever we flip through its pages. We hear God's
[3217.38 --> 3224.88]  voice every time we read its words. We have the ability to sit down and listen and wait in God's
[3224.88 --> 3233.54]  presence anytime we wish to. God's word, the Bible, this is his way of encountering his people. And
[3233.54 --> 3239.18]  it's not the only way either, of course. God uses all sorts of means to speak to us, to speak to his
[3239.18 --> 3245.60]  people. Dreams and visions still happen to some. We hear, we hear podcasts we'll listen to. We watch
[3245.60 --> 3252.26]  pastors online. We read devotionals. God uses other people to speak his words into our lives as well,
[3252.54 --> 3258.64]  be them pastors or elders, friends, teachers, parents, siblings, colleagues, strangers even.
[3259.56 --> 3266.56]  But when God speaks to us, when God speaks to us, whether it's through a podcast or through a person,
[3267.26 --> 3274.88]  it is only from God if it is rooted here, in this book, in his word. This is where we encounter God.
[3274.88 --> 3280.58]  Whether we're reading it to ourselves, whether we're testing what other people say to us,
[3280.58 --> 3288.78]  or whether we're hearing it in church or online, wherever we may be. This is God's voice for those
[3288.78 --> 3296.24]  who believe. And so when God encounters us here, when God's word calls us into action,
[3296.24 --> 3309.82]  what do we do? Do we make excuses like Moses? When the Bible teaches us to lead or to love or to pray or to
[3309.82 --> 3316.32]  declare his name or to live into the lives of those around us or to serve his body,
[3316.32 --> 3325.50]  what do we say? I'm not spiritual enough to do that. I wouldn't know what to say to them right now.
[3326.02 --> 3330.36]  That's too awkward. I can't do that here. I'm not really good at public speaking. I'm not going to
[3330.36 --> 3337.12]  do that in front of church. You know what? God just sent someone else. They're the same excuses.
[3337.12 --> 3344.88]  They're the same excuses as Moses. We make the same ones. God's voice might not come out of a bush to us,
[3344.88 --> 3352.48]  but it may as well be just as clear to us because God's word calls us to action.
[3352.48 --> 3363.96]  When he calls us to action, do we listen or do we make excuses? When he calls you to action,
[3364.80 --> 3368.02]  do you listen or make excuses?
[3371.32 --> 3377.84]  Now, God's response to Moses' excuses are awesome, though, and we'll look at them right now. So
[3377.84 --> 3381.82]  throughout chapter 3 and into chapter 4, and I encourage you later today or this week,
[3381.82 --> 3387.56]  please pick up your Bibles. Read chapter 4. It's a good one, too. It's further conversation
[3387.56 --> 3392.80]  between God and Moses here. But God promises two things that will combat Moses' excuses.
[3393.94 --> 3398.98]  First, in verse 12 of our text, which we read today, God promises him that he will go with Moses.
[3399.84 --> 3406.64]  Moses doesn't need to worry about his status, his qualifications, his nature, or anything like
[3406.64 --> 3414.76]  that because no matter what, God was going to be with him. Now, this plays out in all of the ways
[3414.76 --> 3420.20]  that God—this plays out in all sorts of ways as God walks alongside of Moses and his people throughout
[3420.20 --> 3425.00]  the rest of this book. And we'll no doubt get to a whole bunch of these texts and passages later,
[3425.06 --> 3430.50]  but I'll give you a little bit of a teaser. God goes with them. He guides them, his people, as a cloud
[3430.50 --> 3436.52]  of smoke. He protects them as a pillar of fire. He provides for them in the desert, in the wilderness
[3436.52 --> 3442.78]  with manna and with water. He grants them status as a nation and gives them victories over the evil
[3442.78 --> 3451.92]  nations around them. Over and over and over, God is with his people. And that is still true today.
[3451.92 --> 3458.92]  No matter what you are facing in this world today, no matter what the opposition, no matter what the
[3458.92 --> 3465.78]  grief, no matter what the struggles, no matter what the anxieties, no matter what is going on in your
[3465.78 --> 3479.08]  life right now, God is with you. And God is calling you. He will be with you. Do not be afraid. He will be
[3479.08 --> 3486.58]  with you. God's covenant promise that he will be our God and we will be his people was true with Abraham,
[3486.88 --> 3495.46]  was true with Moses, and it's true today. God has always kept up that end of the promise. Always. The
[3495.46 --> 3502.56]  Holy Spirit has come down to guide and protect you. God, our Father, provides for us in ways that we may not
[3502.56 --> 3509.74]  even notice or care to acknowledge our status, our identities, they are rooted in God's covenant
[3509.74 --> 3516.46]  promises to us. And we are called now children of God. We are called heirs of the throne through Jesus
[3516.46 --> 3524.80]  Christ. And we are born again out of this world. God is with us no matter where we are, no matter how we
[3524.80 --> 3533.10]  feel, no matter what obstacles we are up against. So no matter what excuse we give for not following,
[3533.82 --> 3541.04]  God is still with us. But there was something else God provided Moses in the midst of all these excuses.
[3541.20 --> 3547.60]  Actually, it was someone else. In Exodus 4 verses 14 through 16, after Moses tells God that he's not
[3547.60 --> 3554.02]  really a good public speaker, he can't do this job, God sends Moses' own brother Aaron, saying he'll be with
[3554.02 --> 3562.94]  you two. He's a good speaker. You can do this together. God gave Moses a community to do this
[3562.94 --> 3571.58]  job. God's given us this gift too. We have the church. We have each other. You may think that you
[3571.58 --> 3576.38]  don't have what it takes to do whatever action God is placing on your heart right now. You may think
[3576.38 --> 3582.06]  that you don't have what it takes to do whatever it is God is calling you to do. But you have me,
[3582.06 --> 3588.74]  and you have Pastor Chris, and you have Daryl, and you have John, you've got Ken, you've got other John.
[3589.16 --> 3593.66]  We've got each other. Like, look around right now. Actually, just do it. Look around right now. Look
[3593.66 --> 3599.18]  across this room online. Flip through the directory. Look beside you. Look behind you. This is who God
[3599.18 --> 3607.10]  has given you to do the job that he is calling you to do. He has given us each other so that we can help
[3607.10 --> 3613.42]  each other, that we can support one another to do what it is God calls us to do. We may have excuses
[3613.42 --> 3621.40]  for not wanting to follow God's plan, but we can help each other. While we can look at this passage,
[3621.50 --> 3626.22]  and we can be told that we're like Moses because we make excuses for what we're called to do, maybe
[3626.22 --> 3633.20]  some of us today need to hear that we actually need to be more like Aaron. We need to be there for
[3633.20 --> 3639.58]  someone. We need to help them trust a little bit more. We need to help them lead people a little
[3639.58 --> 3645.98]  bit better. You have to help them serve this community a little bit more fruitfully. Help them
[3645.98 --> 3652.00]  in their biggest time of doubt and need. Maybe the biggest challenge for some of us today is that we
[3652.00 --> 3659.90]  need to realize we are not alone in whatever it is God is calling us to do. Or maybe one of the biggest
[3659.90 --> 3665.94]  challenges we got today is that you are being called to be Aaron to the Moseses in your life.
[3669.20 --> 3677.30]  So Moses encountered God. We encounter God. Moses made excuses. We also make excuses. God promised to
[3677.30 --> 3683.30]  be with Moses and gave him a community to support him. And God promises to be with us and gives us a
[3683.30 --> 3690.74]  community to support one another. But there is more. While I said we are we are like Moses where we make
[3690.74 --> 3696.84]  excuses and we're like Aaron where we can be there for someone, really in this story we are the Israelites.
[3698.70 --> 3705.48]  We are God's people, the Israelites, but we need saving from captivity. God's people, the Israelites,
[3705.60 --> 3710.58]  they were held captive in Egypt. They needed saving from them, but we also need saving from
[3710.58 --> 3715.14]  captivity. That was the whole point of this passage, really. God was coming down to save his people.
[3715.74 --> 3720.74]  Verse 8 says, I have come down to rescue them from the hands of the Egyptians and to bring them out of
[3720.74 --> 3727.86]  the land and into a good and spacious land. Coming out of this Christmas season, though, I think the
[3727.86 --> 3736.06]  parallel has been a little bit more obvious than normal. That's what God did for us, too. Jesus came down
[3736.06 --> 3744.40]  from heaven. He made himself of no reputation. He became human in order to save all of us, all of us
[3744.40 --> 3753.36]  from our captivity. Jesus came to live this perfect life that none of us have lived up to living. And then
[3753.36 --> 3759.18]  he died a very brutal and very cruel death that we all deserved, and he did that in our place.
[3759.18 --> 3766.56]  And he did that in order to wear the sin and the brokenness that burdens us all and to bring it with
[3766.56 --> 3773.96]  him to die. It doesn't end there, because on the third day, Jesus rose again from the dead, leaving sin
[3773.96 --> 3782.80]  and brokenness behind, and he did all of that in order to free us from the captivity of sin and brokenness
[3782.80 --> 3789.60]  in this world. We are held captive to sin and brokenness, aren't we? We're captive to fear.
[3790.28 --> 3799.20]  We're captive to pain. We're captive to addiction. We're captive to worry or frustration or anxiety
[3799.20 --> 3805.24]  or grief. We are captive to so many things that hinder us from living.
[3805.24 --> 3815.72]  But God came down to free us from that captivity. Jesus lived and died and rose again to ultimately free us
[3815.72 --> 3823.04]  from the burden of sin and brokenness. Now, you will find that you will still worry.
[3823.98 --> 3829.88]  You may still be anxious. You may still battle addiction. A lot of us are grieving.
[3829.88 --> 3844.54]  A lot of us struggle with sin and brokenness, but those things are not who you are anymore because of
[3844.54 --> 3850.82]  the power of Jesus Christ. You, we, all of us have been made new. So while we may struggle with the sin
[3850.82 --> 3859.50]  and brokenness in this world, it does not define you anymore because you are defined by Christ's love,
[3859.50 --> 3868.46]  grace, and mercy. Jesus defines who we are. His mercy for us, his grace for us, his love for us.
[3869.88 --> 3879.98]  And that is why when Jesus encounters you and encounters us, and when we are called into action,
[3881.12 --> 3889.06]  things like fear and worry and addiction aren't excuses anymore. While we still battle them,
[3889.50 --> 3899.34]  they don't stand in our way. We have all been made right by God through Jesus Christ. Amen?
[3900.38 --> 3905.92]  Sermon's not done. Back to the story of the burning bush, though. I just thought that that was a good
[3905.92 --> 3910.94]  amen part. I think we needed that rooted into our hearts there. So Moses makes excuses,
[3910.94 --> 3918.04]  excuses. But after his encounter with God, he does obey. In fact, he becomes one of the greatest
[3918.04 --> 3923.94]  examples of faith that we have in God's Word. I am going to conclude here, so I'm not going off on a
[3923.94 --> 3928.48]  whole new tangent here. That wasn't such a big trick. I want you, though, to lean into this. I'm
[3928.48 --> 3932.78]  going to conclude with this passage here. We're going to read a passage in Hebrews, and I want you to
[3932.78 --> 3940.14]  really listen to how the author of Hebrews here describes Moses' faithful response to God's calling
[3940.14 --> 3948.32]  on him and to action. So Hebrews 11 verses 24 to 27 says this, by faith, Moses, when he had grown up,
[3948.68 --> 3956.34]  refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of
[3956.34 --> 3966.10]  God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. Listen to this. He regarded disgrace for the
[3966.10 --> 3974.52]  sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.
[3976.18 --> 3984.56]  By faith, he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger. He persevered because he saw him who is invisible.
[3986.34 --> 3992.66]  Hebrews says Moses knew it was better to be disgraced for the sake of Jesus Christ
[3992.66 --> 3999.32]  centuries before Jesus came to earth, who he only knew, who Moses only knew by the name I am.
[4000.18 --> 4003.88]  But he knew it was better to be disgraced for the sake of Jesus Christ than anything else.
[4005.10 --> 4012.94]  In fact, being publicly disgraced in the name of Jesus was more valuable to Moses than all of the
[4012.94 --> 4017.58]  treasures in Egypt, which he would have known how much value there was growing up in the palace.
[4018.96 --> 4025.54]  And so when God called him to action, despite the original excuses, Moses faithfully obeyed,
[4025.96 --> 4034.06]  and he followed God. He saw him who was invisible. He encountered God, and he listened to the call of
[4034.06 --> 4041.90]  action. And in spoiler alert, God went on to use Moses to save his people from the Egyptians. And stay
[4041.90 --> 4046.88]  tuned for the rest of the story. We'll pick all of that apart. So I leave you with this. I leave you
[4046.88 --> 4056.08]  this to ponder. We have been saved. Jesus has come, and he's guaranteed our glorious, eternal inheritance
[4056.08 --> 4062.62]  if we just put our faith in him. And now we can encounter God each and every time we open up his word.
[4062.62 --> 4068.66]  But an encounter with God is always a call to action.
[4070.76 --> 4073.68]  So what actions are being placed on your heart this morning?
[4074.92 --> 4076.54]  Is it an action of forgiveness?
[4077.86 --> 4082.24]  Is it a nudge to step out of your comfort zone and pray over someone?
[4082.84 --> 4083.74]  Perhaps someone's?
[4085.30 --> 4088.06]  Are you being called to declare the gospel
[4088.06 --> 4091.42]  in an environment that maybe is a little bit hesitant to hear that?
[4093.06 --> 4096.90]  Are you being challenged to serve in a local agency here in this community,
[4097.12 --> 4098.94]  to serve the least of these in our neighborhood?
[4099.70 --> 4103.78]  Or perhaps being called to serve in a ministry or committee here in this church?
[4105.18 --> 4108.88]  Is God placing it on your heart right now to give more of your time,
[4108.88 --> 4110.92]  more of your money, more of your energy,
[4111.08 --> 4113.78]  more of your resources to his kingdom purposes,
[4114.24 --> 4116.40]  rather than our own life's initiatives?
[4118.06 --> 4120.56]  I can't answer these questions for you,
[4120.62 --> 4123.90]  but I do implore you to ask them of yourselves and answer them.
[4124.46 --> 4126.68]  Because God has promised to be with you.
[4127.46 --> 4129.78]  He's given you this community to support you.
[4131.40 --> 4133.16]  Are you prepared to take action?
[4134.78 --> 4137.80]  When God encounters us, whenever we open his word,
[4137.84 --> 4141.38]  like we did today, he calls us to action.
[4143.36 --> 4144.44]  So what's your move?
[4145.34 --> 4146.08]  Let me pray.
[4148.06 --> 4154.62]  Father God, we encounter you each and every time we open up this word.
[4154.62 --> 4160.20]  And as you encountered Moses in the burning bush and called him to action to save your people from Egypt,
[4160.34 --> 4162.26]  God, you call us to action.
[4162.62 --> 4163.66]  You call us to love.
[4164.12 --> 4165.20]  You call us to serve.
[4165.78 --> 4166.92]  You call us to give.
[4167.52 --> 4169.68]  Lord, you call us to all sorts of things.
[4169.78 --> 4170.94]  And so often, Lord,
[4171.46 --> 4174.46]  we either ignore it or we come up with excuses for it.
[4174.46 --> 4177.22]  But God, right now, I ask for your Holy Spirit.
[4177.54 --> 4182.26]  God, may your Spirit be present in this place to all who are listening right now.
[4182.34 --> 4186.72]  God, may you imprint on our hearts what it is you are calling us to do.
[4187.14 --> 4190.62]  What actions are you calling us to move forward with, God?
[4190.62 --> 4196.42]  And will you give us the courage to know that we have been made new in Christ
[4196.42 --> 4202.24]  and we can go forward fulfilling these callings on our life because you are with us.
[4202.98 --> 4205.06]  So God, whatever is on our hearts right now,
[4205.12 --> 4207.72]  whatever call to action you are placing in front of us,
[4208.10 --> 4210.56]  may we step forward faithfully,
[4211.04 --> 4212.30]  knowing that you are with us
[4212.30 --> 4214.62]  and that there is a community here to support us.
[4214.62 --> 4218.74]  And so God, we lift all of this up to you in your name.
[4219.40 --> 4219.70]  Amen.
[4231.50 --> 4232.84]  Join us in song.
[4244.62 --> 4262.50]  Let me be as gold and precious silver.
[4262.50 --> 4266.70]  Purify my heart.
[4266.70 --> 4271.40]  Let me be as gold.
[4271.40 --> 4274.60]  Pure gold.
[4274.60 --> 4280.06]  Refine as fire.
[4280.06 --> 4285.76]  My heart's one desire
[4285.76 --> 4291.32]  Is to be holy.
[4293.44 --> 4298.02]  Set apart for you, Lord.
[4298.02 --> 4303.48]  I choose to be holy.
[4303.48 --> 4310.78]  Set apart for you, my master.
[4310.78 --> 4316.44]  Ready to do your will.
[4320.44 --> 4324.90]  Purify my heart.
[4324.90 --> 4327.90]  Cleanse me from within.
[4327.90 --> 4328.90]  Cleanse me from within.
[4328.90 --> 4332.14]  And make me holy.
[4332.14 --> 4336.56]  Purify my heart.
[4336.56 --> 4340.94]  Cleanse me from my sin.
[4340.94 --> 4344.10]  Deep within.
[4344.10 --> 4347.70]  Refine as fire.
[4347.70 --> 4352.04]  My heart's one desire.
[4352.04 --> 4352.70]  My heart's one desire.
[4352.70 --> 4353.70]  My heart's one desire
[4353.70 --> 4360.18]  Is to be holy.
[4360.18 --> 4367.32]  Set apart for you, my master.
[4367.32 --> 4372.10]  Ready to do your will.
[4372.10 --> 4373.10]  Amen.
[4402.10 --> 4411.76]  And not just God goes with you, but Neil goes with you, and Brenda goes with you, and Enoch goes with you, and Rick goes with you.
[4412.54 --> 4419.32]  Know that we are here for one another to support each other and to fulfill God's calling on our lives.
[4420.24 --> 4424.70]  And now hear God's parting blessing, the priestly blessing from number six.
[4426.50 --> 4429.26]  The Lord bless you and keep you.
[4429.26 --> 4434.00]  The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you.
[4434.44 --> 4439.56]  The Lord turn his face toward you and grant you his peace.
[4440.20 --> 4440.80]  Amen.
[4440.80 --> 4461.54]  Why should I fear men when you made the heavens?
[4461.54 --> 4469.66]  Why should I be afraid when you put the stars in place?
[4470.10 --> 4475.54]  Why should I lose heart when I know how great you are?
[4475.54 --> 4483.54]  Why should I give up when your plans are full of love?
[4484.54 --> 4489.70]  In this world we will have trouble.
[4489.70 --> 4504.70]  You shine brighter than the brightest star.
[4504.70 --> 4512.48]  Your love purer than the purest heart.
[4512.70 --> 4523.70]  You shine filling us with courage and strength to follow you.
[4523.70 --> 4530.70]  Why should I fear men when you put the stars in place?
[4530.70 --> 4535.70]  Why should I fear men when you made the heavens?
[4535.70 --> 4543.70]  Why should I fear men when you put the stars in place?
[4543.70 --> 4550.70]  Why should I lose heart when I know how great you are?
[4550.70 --> 4551.70]  Why should I give up when you put the stars in place?
[4551.70 --> 4557.70]  Why should I give up when your plans are full of love?
[4557.70 --> 4558.70]  Why should I give up during the stars in place?
[4558.70 --> 4559.70]  Why should I use for the stars in place?
[4559.70 --> 4560.70]  Why should I Witcher 3 and the Beneathición come true?
[4560.70 --> 4562.24]  Why should I show people for the stars in place?
[4562.24 --> 4563.70]  Why should I plywood when I saw you after theschaften pieces?
[4563.70 --> 4564.18]  Why should I have any secondo?
[4564.18 --> 4565.18]  Why should I muse Dochen be mettre in place?
[4565.18 --> 4566.18]  For the stars above the board when you misunderstood?
[4566.18 --> 4567.14]  stewing us who must have Strgilaspe Tsu Efe
[4567.14 --> 4568.32]  And what you should live in city hallé
[4568.32 --> 4569.34]  by hand in order in the troubled world?
[4569.34 --> 4570.56]  Why should I concurrent call your love?
[4570.56 --> 4571.46]  Why should I melt Peter better?
[4571.80 --> 4572.86]  Why should I� 노래�et DES 돌�itue me if God is suffering to the 냄f only?
[4572.86 --> 4573.96]  Why should I continue to absorb you?
[4573.96 --> 4575.08]  Why should I submit your children be afraid when I rush in place?
[4575.08 --> 4576.16]  Why should I enter them?
[4576.16 --> 4583.36]  Brighter than the brightest star, your love.
[4583.76 --> 4590.44]  Purer than the purest heart, you shine.
[4590.44 --> 4599.44]  Filling us with courage and strength to follow you.
[4599.44 --> 4607.04]  In this world we will have trouble.
[4609.44 --> 4612.96]  But you have overcome the world.
[4616.12 --> 4621.62]  You have overcome the world.
[4621.62 --> 4633.66]  You shine brighter than the brightest star, your love.
[4633.66 --> 4640.68]  Purer than the purest heart, you shine.
[4640.68 --> 4648.62]  Filling us with courage and strength to follow you.
[4648.62 --> 4658.44]  You shine brighter than the brightest star, your love.
[4658.44 --> 4665.80]  Purer than the purest heart, you shine.
[4665.80 --> 4673.92]  Filling us with courage and strength to follow you.
[4673.92 --> 4683.74]  Purer than the purest heart, you shine.
[4683.74 --> 4693.56]  Purer than the purest heart, you shine.
[4693.56 --> 4711.38]  Purer than the purest heart, you shine.
[4711.38 --> 4741.36]  guitar solo
[4741.38 --> 4771.36]  guitar solo
[4771.38 --> 4773.38]  guitar solo
[4801.38 --> 4803.38]  guitar solo
[4831.38 --> 4833.38]  guitar solo