diff --git "a/2024/Sunday Worship, October 27, 2024_transcript.txt" "b/2024/Sunday Worship, October 27, 2024_transcript.txt" new file mode 100644--- /dev/null +++ "b/2024/Sunday Worship, October 27, 2024_transcript.txt" @@ -0,0 +1,2117 @@ +[0.00 --> 4.04] To leave the God I love +[4.04 --> 7.06] Here's my heart, Lord +[7.06 --> 9.72] Take and seal it +[9.72 --> 13.96] Seal it for Thy courts above +[13.96 --> 17.62] Here's my heart, Lord +[17.62 --> 20.36] Take and seal it +[20.36 --> 25.08] Seal it for Thy courts above +[30.00 --> 53.76] Water you turned into wine +[53.76 --> 58.30] Open the eyes of the blind +[58.30 --> 61.30] There's no one like you +[61.30 --> 66.26] None like you +[66.26 --> 72.00] Into the darkness you shine +[72.00 --> 76.80] Out of the ashes we rise +[76.80 --> 79.30] There's no one like you +[79.98 --> 85.38] None like you +[85.38 --> 89.22] Our God is greater +[89.22 --> 91.64] Our God is stronger +[91.64 --> 96.30] God you are higher than any other +[96.30 --> 98.76] Our God is healer +[98.76 --> 100.66] Awesome in power +[100.66 --> 101.98] Our God +[101.98 --> 104.98] Our God +[104.98 --> 117.72] Into the darkness you shine +[117.72 --> 121.98] Out of the ashes we rise +[121.98 --> 124.98] There's no one like you +[124.98 --> 126.98] There's no one like you +[126.98 --> 128.98] None like you +[128.98 --> 134.90] Our God is greater +[134.90 --> 136.98] Our God is stronger +[136.98 --> 140.98] God you are higher than any other +[140.98 --> 143.98] Our God is healer +[143.98 --> 145.94] Awesome in power +[145.94 --> 146.94] Our God +[146.94 --> 147.94] Our God +[147.94 --> 148.94] Our God +[148.94 --> 149.94] Our God +[149.94 --> 152.94] Our God is greater +[152.94 --> 153.94] Our God is stronger +[153.94 --> 154.94] Our God is stronger +[154.94 --> 158.94] God you are higher than any other +[158.94 --> 159.94] Our God is healer +[159.94 --> 160.94] Awesome in power +[160.94 --> 161.94] Our God +[161.94 --> 162.94] Our God +[162.94 --> 163.94] Our God +[163.94 --> 164.94] Our God +[164.94 --> 165.94] Our God +[165.94 --> 166.94] Our God +[166.94 --> 167.94] Our God +[167.94 --> 179.92] Our God +[179.92 --> 184.78] And if God is for us +[184.78 --> 203.78] ?!" +[203.78 --> 208.52] Than what could stand against +[208.52 --> 219.40] Than what could stand against +[219.40 --> 228.80] Our God is greater, our God is stronger +[228.80 --> 233.38] God, you are higher than any other +[233.38 --> 237.72] Our God is healer, awesome and power +[237.72 --> 241.34] Our God, our God +[241.34 --> 247.08] Our God is greater, our God is stronger +[247.08 --> 251.68] God, you are higher than any other +[251.68 --> 256.02] Our God is healer, awesome and power +[256.02 --> 260.24] Our God, our God +[260.24 --> 263.70] And if our God is for us +[263.70 --> 266.00] Then who could ever stop us +[266.00 --> 268.28] And if our God is with us +[268.28 --> 270.20] Then what could stand against +[270.20 --> 272.86] And if our God is for us +[272.86 --> 275.16] Then who could ever stop us +[275.16 --> 277.48] And if our God is with us +[277.48 --> 282.14] Then what could stand against +[282.14 --> 291.20] What could stand against +[291.20 --> 295.38] What could stand against +[295.38 --> 297.22] Then who could ever stop us +[297.22 --> 300.58] Come on, hallucinate for us +[301.34 --> 305.34] So far +[305.34 --> 335.32] Oh, my God. +[335.34 --> 365.32] Oh, my God. +[365.34 --> 367.34] Oh, my God. +[367.34 --> 369.34] Oh, my God. +[369.34 --> 371.34] Oh, my God. +[371.34 --> 373.34] Oh, my God. +[373.34 --> 375.34] Oh, my God. +[375.34 --> 377.34] Oh, my God. +[377.34 --> 379.34] Oh, my God. +[379.34 --> 381.34] Oh, my God. +[381.34 --> 392.08] Michael and Maria, someone said they thought they saw you +[392.08 --> 395.96] Giving names to babies this world never knew +[395.96 --> 401.14] I'm sure by now you've found your great-grandparents +[401.14 --> 403.54] And some friends like Dave and Aaron +[403.54 --> 406.66] I bet you've met Moses too +[406.66 --> 412.70] We never knew how much our hearts could hurt until we lost you +[412.70 --> 415.26] I know we didn't really lose you +[415.26 --> 417.72] That's just how it feels down here +[417.72 --> 422.88] And right now it seems we'll never understand God's higher ways +[422.88 --> 427.22] But we are trusting Him until the day we do +[427.22 --> 432.30] And He will carry us just like He carries you +[432.30 --> 437.44] So Michael and Maria, we'll see you soon +[437.44 --> 444.02] Oh, this is a long, hard journey +[444.02 --> 448.86] We travel in the blink of an eye +[448.86 --> 454.16] Oh, without this hope we have in Jesus +[454.16 --> 458.16] There's no way on earth we could survive +[458.16 --> 461.16] We never would survive +[461.16 --> 475.50] No, we didn't really know how much we loved you until we lost you +[475.50 --> 487.56] No, we didn't really know how much we loved you until we lost you +[487.56 --> 490.26] I know we didn't really lose you +[490.26 --> 492.48] It's just how it looks from here +[492.48 --> 497.72] And right now it seems we'll never understand God's higher ways +[497.72 --> 501.86] We are trusting Him until the day we do +[501.86 --> 507.72] And He will carry us just like He carries you +[507.72 --> 512.72] And if we believe His promises are true +[512.72 --> 519.72] And Michael and Maria, I know we'll see you soon +[519.72 --> 549.70] I know we'll see you soon +[549.72 --> 579.70] But we'll see you soon +[579.72 --> 601.72] Turn your eyes upon Jesus +[601.72 --> 603.72] Turn your eyes upon Jesus +[603.72 --> 615.72] Look full in His wonderful face +[615.72 --> 629.72] And the things of earth will grow strange +[629.72 --> 641.72] The light of His glory and grace +[641.72 --> 647.72] O soul, are you weary and troubled? +[647.72 --> 653.72] No light in the darkness you see +[653.72 --> 659.72] There's light for a look at the Savior +[659.72 --> 665.72] And life more abundant and free +[665.72 --> 671.72] To death and to life everlasting +[671.72 --> 677.72] He passed and we follow Him there +[677.72 --> 683.72] O us and no more have dominion +[683.72 --> 689.72] For more than conquerors we are +[689.72 --> 701.72] O turn your eyes upon Jesus +[701.72 --> 711.72] Look full in His wonderful face +[711.72 --> 723.72] And the things of earth will grow strange +[723.72 --> 727.72] In the light of His glory and grace +[727.72 --> 739.72] In the light of His glory and grace +[739.72 --> 743.72] His words shall not fail you +[743.72 --> 745.72] He promised +[745.72 --> 751.72] Believe Him and all will be well +[751.72 --> 757.72] Then go to a world that is dying +[757.72 --> 763.72] His perfect salvation to tell +[763.72 --> 775.72] O turn your eyes upon Jesus +[775.72 --> 785.72] Look full in His wonderful face +[793.72 --> 815.72] Good morning everyone +[815.72 --> 819.72] Welcome to church +[819.72 --> 823.72] Special welcome if you are a guest among us this morning +[823.72 --> 825.72] My name is Chris +[825.72 --> 827.72] I'm one of the pastors here at Emmanuel +[827.72 --> 831.72] And it's all of our unique opportunity +[831.72 --> 833.72] To gather together in this place +[833.72 --> 835.72] In this time +[835.72 --> 837.72] With all the things that have been happening in our lives +[837.72 --> 841.72] To take a moment and to come into the presence of God together +[841.72 --> 843.72] That's really what worship is +[843.72 --> 845.72] Gathering with God's people +[845.72 --> 847.72] In God's presence +[847.72 --> 850.72] And so this morning as we enter into that presence +[850.72 --> 852.72] We invite you to open up your heart +[852.72 --> 853.72] To the leading of the spirit +[853.72 --> 855.72] To open up your ears to the voice of God +[855.72 --> 859.72] And to bask in His glory together +[859.72 --> 863.72] Before we begin our worship with song and prayer +[863.72 --> 865.72] We have got a couple announcements we'd like to make +[865.72 --> 868.72] And the first of which is just a few notes +[868.72 --> 872.72] About the on-goings of life here at Emmanuel +[872.72 --> 874.72] And so you've been hearing announcements +[874.72 --> 878.72] About our Mexico mission trip and team +[878.72 --> 880.72] And registration for that is open +[880.72 --> 882.72] It's available online +[882.72 --> 885.72] If you get the e-bulletins that is in there +[885.72 --> 888.72] If you are curious about the Mexico mission trip +[888.72 --> 890.72] And don't receive the e-bulletin +[890.72 --> 893.72] You can grab either myself or Pastor Kevin or Brandon +[893.72 --> 895.72] If he's here somewhere this morning +[895.72 --> 896.72] I don't see him right now +[896.72 --> 900.72] We'll happily connect you to the details on that +[900.72 --> 902.72] For those of you who are interested +[902.72 --> 905.72] In the Mexico mission trip +[905.72 --> 907.72] And the registration for all of that +[907.72 --> 910.72] There's going to be a meeting next week after church +[910.72 --> 913.72] To bang out some of those details +[913.72 --> 915.72] And make you aware of the kinds of things +[915.72 --> 917.72] That are happening with that +[917.72 --> 919.72] And so just mark your calendars for that +[919.72 --> 924.72] Tonight the youth will gather for 2020 +[924.72 --> 926.72] That's 630 that's here at church +[926.72 --> 928.72] And then next Saturday +[928.72 --> 931.72] We have an opportunity to gather +[931.72 --> 935.72] With different worshipers from our congregation +[935.72 --> 937.72] With the community at Sunridge +[937.72 --> 939.72] Which is a retirement living facility +[939.72 --> 940.72] Up the hill from us +[940.72 --> 942.72] We send a small team in there +[942.72 --> 944.72] We worship with them for a little bit +[944.72 --> 945.72] From two to three or so +[945.72 --> 947.72] And they kind of just hang out +[947.72 --> 948.72] You're invited to join them +[948.72 --> 950.72] As they lead that there +[950.72 --> 952.72] And then lastly +[952.72 --> 953.72] Next Sunday +[953.72 --> 956.72] Is the first Sunday of the month +[956.72 --> 958.72] And so the pre-service prayer group +[958.72 --> 960.72] Will also be meeting before worship +[960.72 --> 962.72] And so that will start at 9 o'clock +[962.72 --> 963.72] In the library +[963.72 --> 964.72] For those of you who are interested +[964.72 --> 965.72] In meeting for prayer +[965.72 --> 967.72] The pre-service prayer +[967.72 --> 968.72] Before worship together +[968.72 --> 971.72] Those are all the announcements on my list +[971.72 --> 972.72] I'm going to look at my wife +[972.72 --> 974.72] Who usually gives me an extra one +[974.72 --> 975.72] And Pastor Kevin +[975.72 --> 976.72] Who usually gives me one +[976.72 --> 977.72] Nope, we're good? +[977.72 --> 978.72] Then I'm going to invite you +[978.72 --> 979.72] As you are able +[979.72 --> 980.72] As you are able +[980.72 --> 981.72] And where you are to stand +[981.72 --> 982.72] We can be gathered up together +[982.72 --> 984.72] In the presence of God +[990.72 --> 991.72] As we gather together +[991.72 --> 993.72] We are indeed in the presence of God +[993.72 --> 994.72] And so we mark that first +[994.72 --> 996.72] By receiving his greeting +[996.72 --> 998.72] Where God speaks to us +[998.72 --> 999.72] Inviting him +[999.72 --> 1001.72] Inviting us into his presence +[1001.72 --> 1002.72] And then we turn +[1002.72 --> 1004.72] And we extend that greeting +[1004.72 --> 1005.72] To one another +[1005.72 --> 1006.72] And so I invite you +[1006.72 --> 1007.72] To turn to those around you +[1007.72 --> 1009.72] After I give the greeting +[1009.72 --> 1011.72] And pass the peace of Christ +[1011.72 --> 1012.72] Saying the peace of Christ +[1012.72 --> 1013.72] Be with you +[1013.72 --> 1014.72] Or the Lord be with you +[1014.72 --> 1016.72] This is more than just good morning +[1016.72 --> 1018.72] This is an act of worship together +[1018.72 --> 1020.72] And so we mark God's presence here +[1020.72 --> 1021.72] In our midst +[1021.72 --> 1022.72] Receive the greeting then +[1022.72 --> 1023.72] Of our good God +[1023.72 --> 1028.72] Grace, mercy, and peace to you +[1028.72 --> 1029.72] From God our Father +[1029.72 --> 1031.72] From the Lord Jesus Christ +[1031.72 --> 1033.72] His Son and our Savior +[1033.72 --> 1035.72] Through the presence and power +[1035.72 --> 1036.72] Of the Holy Spirit +[1036.72 --> 1037.72] Amen +[1037.72 --> 1038.72] Amen +[1038.72 --> 1039.72] Amen +[1068.72 --> 1073.72] Our call to worship this morning +[1073.72 --> 1076.72] Is found in Psalm 34 +[1076.72 --> 1081.72] I will extol the Lord at all times +[1081.72 --> 1084.72] His praise will always be on my lips +[1084.72 --> 1087.72] I will glory in the Lord +[1087.72 --> 1089.72] Let the afflicted hear and rejoice +[1089.72 --> 1092.72] Glorify the Lord within me +[1092.72 --> 1095.72] Let us exalt his name together +[1095.72 --> 1097.72] Let us sing together +[1097.72 --> 1099.72] Let us sing together +[1099.72 --> 1100.72] Let us sing together +[1100.72 --> 1118.52] Jesus, hope of the nations +[1118.52 --> 1124.20] Jesus, comfort for all who mourn +[1124.20 --> 1131.06] You are the source of heaven's hope on earth +[1131.06 --> 1134.58] Jesus, light in the darkness +[1134.58 --> 1139.02] Jesus, truth in each circumstance +[1139.02 --> 1146.36] You are the source of heaven's hope on earth +[1146.36 --> 1150.50] In history you lived and died +[1150.50 --> 1155.76] You rose to chains, you rose to life +[1155.76 --> 1159.74] You are the hope living in us +[1159.74 --> 1163.80] You are the rock in whom we trust +[1163.80 --> 1170.50] You are the light shining for all the world to see +[1170.50 --> 1175.84] You rose from the dead, conquering fear +[1175.84 --> 1179.88] Our Prince of Peace, drive us here +[1179.88 --> 1186.22] Jesus, our hope living for all who will receive +[1186.22 --> 1189.84] Lord, we believe +[1189.84 --> 1201.08] Jesus, hope of the nations +[1201.08 --> 1206.94] Jesus, comfort for all who mourn +[1206.94 --> 1213.66] You are the source of heaven's hope on earth +[1213.66 --> 1217.50] Jesus, light in the darkness +[1217.50 --> 1222.08] Jesus, truth in each circumstance +[1222.08 --> 1229.36] You are the source of heaven's light on earth +[1229.36 --> 1233.76] In history you lived and died +[1233.76 --> 1239.04] You broke the chains, you rose to life +[1239.04 --> 1243.08] You are the hope living in us +[1243.08 --> 1247.18] You are the rock in whom we trust +[1247.18 --> 1254.04] You are the light shining for all the world to see +[1254.04 --> 1259.42] You rose from the dead, conquering fear +[1259.42 --> 1263.52] Our Prince of Peace, drive us near +[1263.52 --> 1269.52] Jesus, our hope living for all who will receive +[1269.52 --> 1273.78] Lord, we believe +[1273.78 --> 1277.78] Lord, we believe +[1277.78 --> 1281.94] Lord, we believe +[1281.94 --> 1311.92] Lord, we believe +[1311.92 --> 1341.90] Lord, we believe +[1341.90 --> 1371.88] Lord, we believe +[1371.88 --> 1373.88] Jesus died for me +[1373.88 --> 1375.88] Jesus died for me +[1375.88 --> 1379.88] Yes, He died for me +[1379.88 --> 1384.88] Who the Son sets free +[1384.88 --> 1389.88] Oh, is free indeed +[1389.88 --> 1393.88] I'm a child of God +[1393.88 --> 1397.88] Yes, I am +[1397.88 --> 1399.88] I am +[1399.88 --> 1401.88] I am +[1401.88 --> 1403.88] I am +[1403.88 --> 1405.88] I am +[1405.88 --> 1407.88] I am +[1407.88 --> 1409.88] I am +[1409.88 --> 1411.88] I am +[1411.88 --> 1413.88] I am +[1413.88 --> 1415.88] I am +[1415.88 --> 1417.88] I am +[1417.88 --> 1419.88] I am +[1419.88 --> 1421.88] I am +[1421.88 --> 1423.88] I am +[1423.88 --> 1427.88] I am +[1427.88 --> 1429.88] I am +[1429.88 --> 1431.88] I am +[1431.88 --> 1433.88] I am +[1433.88 --> 1435.88] I am +[1435.88 --> 1437.88] I am +[1437.88 --> 1441.88] I am +[1441.88 --> 1443.88] I am +[1443.88 --> 1445.88] I am +[1445.88 --> 1447.88] I am +[1447.88 --> 1449.88] I am +[1449.88 --> 1450.88] I am +[1450.88 --> 1451.88] I am +[1451.88 --> 1453.88] I am +[1453.88 --> 1454.88] I am +[1454.88 --> 1455.88] I am +[1455.88 --> 1457.88] I am +[1457.88 --> 1459.88] I am +[1459.88 --> 1463.88] I am +[1463.88 --> 1467.88] I am +[1467.88 --> 1469.88] I am +[1469.88 --> 1471.88] I am +[1471.88 --> 1475.88] I am +[1475.88 --> 1481.88] I am +[1481.88 --> 1483.88] I am +[1483.88 --> 1493.88] I am +[1493.88 --> 1501.76] In my Father's house, there's a place for me. +[1502.46 --> 1506.56] I'm a child of God. +[1507.02 --> 1510.76] Yes, I am. +[1512.10 --> 1513.52] I invite you to take a seat. +[1513.52 --> 1515.52] Amen. +[1522.76 --> 1527.18] We've been reading through the letters to the churches in Revelation +[1527.18 --> 1530.30] through a Bible study called Bible Study Fellowship. +[1530.94 --> 1536.50] And I was struck with what Jesus was saying to the church in Philadelphia, +[1536.66 --> 1537.94] and so I thought I'd read that part. +[1538.54 --> 1539.98] To the church in Philadelphia, +[1539.98 --> 1544.02] to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, +[1544.88 --> 1547.34] These are the words of him who is holy and true, +[1547.76 --> 1549.40] who holds the keys of David. +[1550.06 --> 1551.80] What he opens, no one can shut. +[1552.58 --> 1554.70] What he shuts, no one can open. +[1555.14 --> 1556.02] I know your deeds. +[1556.78 --> 1560.08] See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. +[1560.62 --> 1562.62] I know that you have little strength. +[1563.32 --> 1566.12] You have kept my word and have not denied my name. +[1566.12 --> 1570.10] And those last two lines are what I was focusing on. +[1571.18 --> 1574.28] You have kept my word and never denied my name. +[1575.42 --> 1579.96] There are so many ways the culture that we live in are asking us, +[1580.60 --> 1586.46] maybe even demanding us not to acknowledge who Jesus is. +[1587.24 --> 1590.18] They're attempting us to look elsewhere for life's answers, +[1591.06 --> 1593.74] telling us there's so many different ways to the Father, +[1593.74 --> 1596.44] challenging us to fit into our culture. +[1597.34 --> 1598.48] They're saying things like, +[1598.54 --> 1599.08] You deserve it. +[1599.20 --> 1601.08] You deserve the good things in life. +[1602.00 --> 1603.28] I find, for me anyway, +[1603.34 --> 1606.16] these things really are easy to creep into your life +[1606.16 --> 1608.36] because it's just so pervasive around us. +[1609.12 --> 1611.92] Ideas that can change even the motivation of your heart. +[1612.68 --> 1613.74] And it ends up, +[1613.74 --> 1617.38] Boy, I hate it when I get emotional. +[1618.90 --> 1624.42] But it ends up putting yourself on the throne. +[1627.56 --> 1628.96] I've also lost my place. +[1631.44 --> 1631.82] So, +[1632.08 --> 1634.26] we need to be a people +[1634.26 --> 1636.88] that put Jesus first, +[1637.58 --> 1639.72] that stand up for the name of Jesus. +[1639.72 --> 1639.84] Jesus. +[1640.54 --> 1641.48] What struck me was, +[1641.60 --> 1642.82] if you truly love someone, +[1643.08 --> 1644.72] you will never deny knowing them, +[1645.14 --> 1646.56] but you will stand with them. +[1647.34 --> 1650.46] And you'll cherish the words that they speak to you. +[1651.42 --> 1652.40] Let's bow our heads. +[1655.00 --> 1655.56] Father, +[1656.84 --> 1658.92] strengthen us by your spirit. +[1660.70 --> 1663.58] Forgive us for allowing the culture we live in +[1663.58 --> 1665.34] to influence our thinking. +[1665.34 --> 1668.60] Forgive us when we haven't stood for you, +[1669.22 --> 1671.18] when we haven't cherished your words +[1671.18 --> 1673.02] or spent time talking with you. +[1674.02 --> 1676.50] And even though we may have little strength, +[1676.74 --> 1680.10] will you help us keep your words deep within our hearts? +[1681.14 --> 1682.04] Holy Spirit, +[1682.16 --> 1683.86] help us to prove our love for Jesus +[1683.86 --> 1685.66] by standing for his name. +[1686.42 --> 1688.68] In Jesus' powerful name we pray. +[1689.00 --> 1689.36] Amen. +[1692.62 --> 1693.94] Would you stand with us +[1693.94 --> 1695.12] as we sing these last two? +[1695.34 --> 1714.04] Here is love vast as the ocean, +[1714.86 --> 1718.34] loving kindness as the flood. +[1719.22 --> 1723.64] When the prince of life are at sun, +[1723.64 --> 1728.96] Shed for us his precious blood +[1728.96 --> 1739.94] Here is love lost as the ocean +[1739.94 --> 1744.64] Loving kindness as a flood +[1744.64 --> 1748.64] When the prince of life our ransom +[1748.64 --> 1753.62] Shed for us his precious blood +[1753.62 --> 1757.80] Who his love will remember +[1757.80 --> 1762.96] Who can cease to sing his praise +[1762.96 --> 1766.96] He can never be forgotten +[1766.96 --> 1772.76] Throughout his eternal days +[1778.76 --> 1782.76] On the mount of crucifixion +[1782.76 --> 1787.76] Fountains open deep and wide +[1788.32 --> 1792.10] Through those muggings of God's mercy +[1792.10 --> 1796.10] Float a vast and gracious tide +[1796.10 --> 1801.10] Praise and love like mighty rivers +[1801.10 --> 1806.10] Heart incessant from above +[1806.10 --> 1810.44] Heaven's peace and perfect justice +[1810.44 --> 1815.56] Gives the guilty world in love +[1815.56 --> 1819.54] Who his love will not remember +[1819.54 --> 1824.10] Who can cease to sing his praise +[1824.10 --> 1829.10] He can never be forgotten +[1829.10 --> 1833.44] Throughout his eternal days +[1833.46 --> 1842.78] Under his eternal days +[1842.78 --> 1844.86] driving home +[1844.86 --> 1846.78] He can never be forgotten +[1846.78 --> 1850.78] He can never be forgotten +[1850.78 --> 1870.62] We are a moment, you are forever +[1870.62 --> 1878.20] Lord of the ages, God before time +[1878.20 --> 1884.84] We are a vapor, you are eternal +[1884.84 --> 1894.12] Love everlasting, reigning on God +[1894.12 --> 1900.64] Holy, holy Lord God almighty +[1900.64 --> 1907.64] Worthy is the Lamb who was slain +[1908.20 --> 1914.64] Lion's praises, honor and glory +[1914.64 --> 1920.64] Be unto your name +[1920.64 --> 1928.20] Be unto your name +[1928.20 --> 1934.64] We are the broken, you are the healer +[1935.50 --> 1941.64] Jesus, Redeemer, mighty to save +[1941.64 --> 1948.56] You are the love song, we'll sing forever +[1948.56 --> 1956.64] Vowing before you, blessing your name +[1957.20 --> 1963.38] Holy, holy Lord God almighty +[1963.38 --> 1969.64] Worthy is the Lamb who was slain +[1969.64 --> 1976.90] Highest praises, honor and glory +[1976.90 --> 1982.64] Be unto your name +[1982.64 --> 1989.64] Be unto your name +[1989.64 --> 1996.90] Holy, holy Lord God almighty +[1996.90 --> 2002.64] Worthy is the Lamb who was slain +[2002.64 --> 2008.90] Highest praises, honor and glory +[2008.90 --> 2014.64] Be unto your name +[2014.64 --> 2021.90] Be unto your name +[2021.90 --> 2027.90] Be unto your name +[2027.90 --> 2038.34] Good morning +[2038.34 --> 2041.92] My name is Mike and I serve as a deacon here on behalf of the church family +[2041.92 --> 2045.88] And I am just highlighting a few of our ways to give today +[2045.88 --> 2049.64] So we're going to take a moment to give of our financial gifts on behalf of this family +[2049.64 --> 2053.22] So the first is to the church budget and the ministries of this church +[2053.22 --> 2058.32] And if you have a donation there you can stick it in a little envelope or indicate such on the check and such +[2058.32 --> 2061.22] The second one is to the benevolence fund +[2061.22 --> 2063.72] And we actually had a few questions this week about that +[2063.72 --> 2070.30] But the benevolence fund is kind of the pot of money that the deacons use to help people out practically +[2070.30 --> 2073.96] So the deacons of course are happy to serve on behalf of this church +[2073.96 --> 2076.96] To connect people to resources, sit with people, visit people +[2076.96 --> 2079.08] Try to organize some of that on behalf of the family +[2079.08 --> 2083.44] But this is the pot of fun that is used to help out people when they need groceries +[2083.44 --> 2085.12] Or access to counselling +[2085.12 --> 2086.94] Or to other basic needs +[2086.94 --> 2088.94] That they or their families are feeling +[2088.94 --> 2092.08] So I just want to lean into this a little bit this morning +[2092.08 --> 2095.28] Because that fund is actually running a little bit empty +[2095.28 --> 2098.84] There's been a lot of needs in the last six months or so +[2098.84 --> 2102.02] And we're coming into usually what is +[2102.02 --> 2104.68] A more trying time for a lot of families in Langley +[2104.68 --> 2107.68] So we have some need there +[2107.68 --> 2110.66] So we thank you so much for your generosity +[2110.66 --> 2113.40] I know there's a lot of people in this church who give to this fund regularly +[2113.40 --> 2117.14] And the deacons are doing their best to make the best use of it +[2117.14 --> 2118.80] So thank you for that +[2118.80 --> 2120.76] And if you ever have questions about what the deacons do +[2120.76 --> 2122.78] Please let us know +[2122.78 --> 2126.48] But again, thank you for your generosity this morning towards these two needs +[2126.48 --> 2148.96] I have a maker +[2148.96 --> 2155.96] He knows my name +[2155.96 --> 2157.96] He knows my every thought +[2157.96 --> 2159.96] He knows my name +[2159.96 --> 2165.96] He knows my every thought +[2165.96 --> 2169.96] He knows my every thought +[2169.96 --> 2184.96] He sees each fear that falls +[2184.96 --> 2188.96] And hears me when I call +[2188.96 --> 2195.96] I have a father +[2195.96 --> 2201.96] He calls me his own +[2201.96 --> 2207.96] He'll never leave me +[2207.96 --> 2213.96] No matter where I go +[2213.96 --> 2214.96] He knows my name +[2214.96 --> 2216.96] He knows my name +[2216.96 --> 2220.96] He knows my every thought +[2220.96 --> 2224.96] He knows my every thought +[2224.96 --> 2230.96] He sees each fear that falls +[2230.96 --> 2234.96] And hears me when I call +[2234.96 --> 2235.96] When I call +[2235.96 --> 2253.96] He hears me when I call +[2253.96 --> 2259.96] He hears me when I call +[2259.96 --> 2265.20] And hears me when I call +[2289.96 --> 2311.90] So this morning, we're going to start by just thinking about if we've ever made a mistake. +[2312.36 --> 2314.00] Has anybody ever made a mistake? +[2315.20 --> 2317.08] A few of you have made a mistake. +[2317.30 --> 2318.62] I have definitely made a mistake. +[2318.62 --> 2321.54] You know what? Sometimes you might, you don't have to raise your hand, +[2321.66 --> 2326.00] but you might have think of a time when you kind of did something bad and maybe you got in trouble. +[2326.68 --> 2330.26] I can think of that when I was a kid or even when I was an adult. +[2331.24 --> 2337.06] Has anyone ever done something so bad that they were put in prison? +[2339.28 --> 2341.34] No, not any of you guys. Anybody? +[2342.38 --> 2343.42] No one's been in prison? +[2344.36 --> 2346.44] No? No one's been in prison. +[2346.44 --> 2346.54] No one's been in prison. +[2347.24 --> 2353.64] Well, you'd have to do something pretty serious if that was your consequence in our world to go into prison. +[2353.80 --> 2357.18] And today in children's worship, we're going to talk about Joseph. +[2357.40 --> 2359.60] We know that. We've been talking about Joseph for a few weeks. +[2359.74 --> 2366.28] But the funny thing about Joseph is he got put into prison and he didn't actually do anything wrong. +[2366.28 --> 2368.92] That would be pretty scary. +[2369.46 --> 2373.68] So that's what our theme is today and we're going to be talking about how God is with us +[2373.68 --> 2376.22] and able to use us no matter where we are. +[2376.80 --> 2382.40] So let's stand up and we'll do our blessing and then we'll head off and learn more about that story together. +[2396.28 --> 2414.26] Good morning. +[2414.82 --> 2420.06] My name is Ken. I'm an elder here at Emanuel and I'll be leading us in our church family prayer this morning. +[2420.06 --> 2422.96] As we were singing that last song, it kind of hit me a little bit. +[2423.02 --> 2424.00] He knows my name. +[2424.42 --> 2425.22] I was just thinking about that. +[2425.34 --> 2431.28] How cool would it be if someone real popular or famous, I'm going up to them and get the moment to meet them and actually greet them. +[2431.38 --> 2433.48] And before I even say hello, they say, oh, hi, Ken. +[2433.90 --> 2436.40] Like, oh, yeah, that would be such an amazing experience. +[2436.48 --> 2441.36] And yet God, the maker of the universe, the creator of everything, knows each one of our names. +[2441.60 --> 2442.78] He knows our every thought. +[2443.00 --> 2444.76] He sees each tear that falls. +[2445.18 --> 2446.34] And he hears us when we call. +[2446.34 --> 2450.82] I thought, wow, that's a great call for us to come together and call out to him in prayer. +[2450.94 --> 2452.16] So let's do that together this morning. +[2454.14 --> 2459.66] Lord our God, it is humbling to think that we can not only approach you in prayer, +[2460.04 --> 2464.24] but that your spirit intercedes for us when we do not know what we ought to pray for. +[2465.04 --> 2466.90] Lord, you search us and you know us. +[2467.38 --> 2468.98] You know when we sit and when we rise. +[2469.46 --> 2471.12] You know our thoughts from afar. +[2471.56 --> 2474.18] You discern our going out and our lying down. +[2474.18 --> 2477.56] You are familiar with all our ways. +[2478.30 --> 2481.52] And before a word is on our tongues, Lord, you know it completely. +[2482.56 --> 2486.12] Lord, you call us out to not be anxious about anything, +[2486.40 --> 2489.06] but in every situation, by prayer and petition, +[2489.50 --> 2492.00] with thanksgiving, to present our requests to you. +[2492.70 --> 2494.96] Lord, we confess that we often forget to do this. +[2495.54 --> 2498.40] When we are wrestling with our anxious thoughts, Holy Spirit, +[2498.96 --> 2500.88] help us fall to our knees in prayer +[2500.88 --> 2503.46] and approach your throne of grace with confidence. +[2504.62 --> 2507.14] Lord, we thank you for every good and perfect gift. +[2507.66 --> 2509.84] We thank you for our church family here at Emmanuel. +[2510.64 --> 2512.10] We thank you for our families. +[2512.78 --> 2515.24] We thank you for shelter, food, clean water, +[2515.38 --> 2517.74] and all the provisions that we often take for granted. +[2518.68 --> 2521.14] We thank you for jobs, health, and friends. +[2521.70 --> 2525.10] And above all, Lord, we are grateful for the righteousness we are given in Jesus +[2525.10 --> 2526.78] through your death and resurrection. +[2526.78 --> 2530.80] Lord, when we are discouraged, when we think all is lost, +[2531.30 --> 2533.26] help us start to count our many blessings, +[2533.64 --> 2536.18] and we'll once again see you at work in so many ways. +[2537.26 --> 2541.08] Lord, you are the one who forgives all of our sins and heals our diseases. +[2541.62 --> 2543.22] And we lift up those in our congregation +[2543.22 --> 2545.72] who are dealing with health challenges of various kinds. +[2546.66 --> 2548.84] We pray a prayer of praise with Judy Verstig +[2548.84 --> 2551.36] as she had open-heart surgery to fix a leaking valve +[2551.36 --> 2552.74] and that it was successful, Lord. +[2553.14 --> 2555.42] And we pray for full recovery for Judy. +[2555.42 --> 2558.46] We also lift up Louise Condos +[2558.46 --> 2561.00] as she navigates her diagnosis of Bell's palsy. +[2561.58 --> 2564.14] Lord, we pray for quick and complete healing for Louise +[2564.14 --> 2565.96] and patience for her in this time. +[2566.98 --> 2568.04] Lord, we lift up Ashley +[2568.04 --> 2570.20] as she embarks on a lengthy chemo treatment +[2570.20 --> 2571.54] for the cancer in her body. +[2572.38 --> 2574.58] Lord, please be with her husband, herself, +[2574.78 --> 2576.92] and her four kids as they navigate this journey. +[2577.36 --> 2580.30] And we ask, Lord, that you give her strength and complete healing. +[2581.52 --> 2583.42] We also pray, Lord, for those who are grappling +[2583.42 --> 2586.20] with the challenges and changes that come with aging bodies. +[2586.96 --> 2588.86] Please be with those who are shut in +[2588.86 --> 2590.96] and cannot be with us in person on Sundays. +[2591.58 --> 2595.04] We pray that they can feel your presence in their lives +[2595.04 --> 2597.10] and a sense of community from a distance. +[2598.38 --> 2599.78] We pray for caretakers. +[2600.46 --> 2602.90] Lord, give them energy and strength to care for loved ones +[2602.90 --> 2605.98] and help them get respite from time to time as well. +[2606.94 --> 2609.72] And Lord, we lift up our leaders in all levels of government, +[2609.72 --> 2612.32] in our schools and institutions, and in your church. +[2612.82 --> 2615.94] Please help them recognize that all authority comes from you +[2615.94 --> 2619.40] and that your will sets the standard for everything we do. +[2620.28 --> 2623.36] Lord, when we slip or step out of alignment with your will, +[2623.76 --> 2625.14] we ask for your forgiveness, +[2625.54 --> 2628.26] and we praise you for working all things together +[2628.26 --> 2630.56] for your glory despite our shortcomings. +[2631.66 --> 2633.58] And Lord, as we open your word this morning +[2633.58 --> 2634.60] and hear your message, +[2634.94 --> 2636.68] we pray that you speak through Pastor Kevin +[2636.68 --> 2638.58] that all gathered together here +[2638.58 --> 2640.88] would grow in our knowledge and faith in you +[2640.88 --> 2642.54] and go out into our week, +[2642.80 --> 2644.08] renewed to share the gospel. +[2644.54 --> 2646.48] We pray all these things in Jesus' name. +[2646.96 --> 2647.16] Amen. +[2663.16 --> 2664.48] Good morning, everyone. +[2664.48 --> 2668.94] Today we're going to be continuing our sermon series +[2668.94 --> 2671.08] on Joseph, the son of Jacob. +[2671.70 --> 2673.86] If you've been with us the past few weeks, +[2674.24 --> 2676.82] perhaps you recall the story up until this point. +[2677.42 --> 2679.18] Joseph, at the beginning of this story, +[2679.30 --> 2680.76] rather untactfully, +[2681.30 --> 2684.70] describes some dreams he has to his family, +[2685.30 --> 2687.82] saying that they will eventually bow down to him. +[2688.90 --> 2691.18] Well, that straight up ticked off his brother's plenty, +[2691.38 --> 2693.98] and him already being the favorite brother of the batch, +[2693.98 --> 2695.86] they decide that they want to kill him. +[2695.98 --> 2697.94] But cooler heads prevail, +[2697.94 --> 2701.80] and they end up instead selling him into slavery. +[2702.62 --> 2704.02] The brothers then trick their dad +[2704.02 --> 2705.66] into thinking that Joseph has died, +[2705.76 --> 2708.98] and Jacob then mourns for the loss of his son +[2708.98 --> 2710.38] for many, many days. +[2710.92 --> 2714.40] Meanwhile, Joseph was sold in Egypt +[2714.40 --> 2715.76] to a man named Potiphar, +[2715.84 --> 2717.14] who was an official to Pharaoh. +[2717.68 --> 2720.48] That's where we're picking the story up today, +[2720.48 --> 2722.66] in Genesis chapter 39. +[2722.98 --> 2724.20] So as always, I invite you, +[2724.44 --> 2725.26] open up your Bibles, +[2725.38 --> 2726.82] have them open in front of you. +[2727.00 --> 2728.46] If you want to use your Bible apps, +[2728.50 --> 2729.76] that's totally cool as well, +[2730.06 --> 2731.56] but you keep those open with you, +[2731.58 --> 2733.18] as we'll be referencing back. +[2733.44 --> 2735.04] We're going to be reading the entire chapter, +[2735.46 --> 2736.36] Genesis 39, +[2736.60 --> 2737.80] so please follow along with me. +[2738.88 --> 2741.04] Genesis 39, 1 to 23, says this. +[2741.86 --> 2744.22] Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. +[2745.10 --> 2746.52] Potiphar, an Egyptian, +[2746.52 --> 2748.28] who was one of Pharaoh's officials, +[2748.40 --> 2749.42] the captain of the guard, +[2749.82 --> 2751.70] bought him from the Ishmaelites, +[2751.82 --> 2752.90] who had taken him there. +[2753.92 --> 2755.04] The Lord was with Joseph, +[2755.18 --> 2756.20] so that he prospered, +[2756.20 --> 2758.44] and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. +[2758.90 --> 2761.02] When his master saw that the Lord was with him, +[2761.14 --> 2763.02] and that the Lord gave him success +[2763.02 --> 2764.16] in everything he did, +[2764.74 --> 2767.14] Joseph found favor in his eyes, +[2767.50 --> 2769.24] and became his attendant. +[2770.42 --> 2772.40] Potiphar put him in charge of his whole household, +[2772.40 --> 2776.58] and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. +[2776.88 --> 2778.94] From the time he put him in charge of his household +[2778.94 --> 2780.86] and all that he owned, +[2780.94 --> 2783.32] the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian +[2783.32 --> 2785.32] because of Joseph. +[2786.06 --> 2788.64] The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, +[2788.84 --> 2790.22] both in the house and in the field, +[2790.80 --> 2794.16] so Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph's care. +[2794.86 --> 2795.72] With Joseph in charge, +[2795.78 --> 2797.46] he did not concern himself with anything +[2797.46 --> 2799.26] except the food that he ate. +[2800.50 --> 2801.92] Now Joseph was well built, +[2801.92 --> 2802.46] and handsome, +[2802.62 --> 2803.62] and after a while, +[2803.98 --> 2806.50] his master's wife took notice of Joseph +[2806.50 --> 2807.58] and said, +[2807.84 --> 2808.78] Come to bed with me. +[2809.70 --> 2810.68] But he refused. +[2811.14 --> 2811.96] With me in charge, +[2812.02 --> 2812.44] he told her, +[2812.48 --> 2814.28] my master does not concern himself +[2814.28 --> 2815.28] with anything in the house. +[2815.54 --> 2816.48] Everything he owns, +[2816.56 --> 2817.82] he's entrusted to my care. +[2818.30 --> 2821.08] No one is greater in this house than I am. +[2821.30 --> 2823.22] My master has withheld nothing from me +[2823.22 --> 2824.46] except you, +[2824.76 --> 2825.90] because you are his wife. +[2826.88 --> 2830.14] How then could I do such a wicked thing +[2830.14 --> 2831.98] and sin against God? +[2833.00 --> 2835.06] And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, +[2835.14 --> 2837.20] he refused to go to bed with her, +[2837.62 --> 2839.18] or even be with her. +[2840.40 --> 2842.68] One day he went to the house to attend to his duties, +[2842.68 --> 2844.56] and none of the household servants were inside. +[2844.90 --> 2846.82] She caught him by his cloak and said, +[2847.08 --> 2848.18] Come to bed with me. +[2848.18 --> 2851.08] But he left his cloak in her hand +[2851.08 --> 2852.76] and ran out of the house. +[2853.56 --> 2855.94] When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand +[2855.94 --> 2856.82] and ran out of the house, +[2856.98 --> 2858.70] she called to her household servants, +[2858.82 --> 2859.04] Look! +[2859.34 --> 2860.06] She said to them, +[2860.18 --> 2861.90] This Hebrew has been brought to us +[2861.90 --> 2863.12] to make sport of us. +[2863.54 --> 2865.62] He came in here to sleep with me. +[2866.02 --> 2866.74] But I screamed. +[2867.02 --> 2868.30] When he heard me scream for help, +[2868.36 --> 2869.64] he left his cloak beside me +[2869.64 --> 2870.76] and ran out of the house. +[2871.76 --> 2873.34] She kept his cloak beside her +[2873.34 --> 2874.56] until his master came home. +[2874.56 --> 2876.88] Then she told him this story, +[2877.38 --> 2878.92] That Hebrew slave you brought us +[2878.92 --> 2880.56] came to me to make sport of me. +[2880.70 --> 2882.20] But as soon as I screamed for help, +[2882.44 --> 2884.04] he left his cloak beside me +[2884.04 --> 2885.34] and ran out of the house. +[2886.56 --> 2888.22] When his master heard this story, +[2888.56 --> 2890.14] his wife was telling him, saying, +[2890.56 --> 2892.36] This is how your slave treated me? +[2892.46 --> 2894.00] He burned with anger. +[2895.08 --> 2896.22] Joseph's master took him +[2896.22 --> 2897.36] and put him in prison, +[2897.52 --> 2899.64] the place where the king's prisoners were confined. +[2900.86 --> 2902.72] But while Joseph was there in the prison, +[2902.84 --> 2903.96] the Lord was with him. +[2903.96 --> 2905.04] He showed him kindness +[2905.04 --> 2906.08] and granted him favor +[2906.08 --> 2908.02] in the eyes of the prison warden. +[2908.46 --> 2910.00] So the warden put Joseph in charge +[2910.00 --> 2911.76] of all those held in the prison, +[2911.96 --> 2913.12] and he was made responsible +[2913.12 --> 2914.50] for all that was done there. +[2914.96 --> 2916.16] The warden paid no attention +[2916.16 --> 2917.66] to anything under Joseph's care +[2917.66 --> 2919.70] because the Lord was with Joseph +[2919.70 --> 2921.00] and gave him success +[2921.00 --> 2922.30] in whatever he did. +[2923.32 --> 2924.32] The word of the Lord. +[2927.64 --> 2929.72] So we've covered the narrative to this point, +[2929.80 --> 2931.08] but let's quickly remember perhaps +[2931.08 --> 2933.30] what we've learned these past few weeks +[2933.30 --> 2934.60] from this story. +[2934.74 --> 2935.36] So at first, +[2935.76 --> 2937.54] we learned that there is always hope +[2937.54 --> 2940.32] because God has victory over the future. +[2941.22 --> 2943.26] We know that at the end of this story, +[2944.12 --> 2945.40] Joseph's dreams that he had +[2945.40 --> 2946.42] at the beginning of the story +[2946.42 --> 2947.06] do come true, +[2947.18 --> 2949.12] and we know that at the end of history, +[2949.46 --> 2951.80] God's plans for eternity will play out. +[2952.54 --> 2953.88] Through God's sovereignty, +[2954.10 --> 2956.30] meaning through his complete authority +[2956.30 --> 2958.74] over everything that he has created, +[2959.26 --> 2961.46] God already has victory over the future, +[2962.08 --> 2963.64] even over our future, +[2964.26 --> 2965.18] so we can have hope. +[2966.38 --> 2967.20] And then last week, +[2967.24 --> 2969.66] we learned that God is always at work. +[2970.70 --> 2972.58] We should remember meanwhile, +[2972.98 --> 2973.74] if you recall. +[2974.30 --> 2975.64] In the trials we face, +[2975.82 --> 2976.98] when things seem rough, +[2977.30 --> 2979.22] even if we never see or comprehend +[2979.22 --> 2980.24] what God is up to, +[2980.90 --> 2982.76] God is always at work. +[2982.76 --> 2985.90] When suffering enters our world, +[2986.60 --> 2989.26] and suffering can mean so many things. +[2989.80 --> 2991.52] There's suffering on like a macro level, +[2991.58 --> 2992.70] on a global front, +[2993.12 --> 2993.26] right, +[2993.30 --> 2994.64] like war and persecution, +[2995.00 --> 2995.80] and then there's suffering +[2995.80 --> 2996.66] that's more localized, +[2997.50 --> 3000.02] things like grief and anxiety. +[3001.28 --> 3002.80] Suffering can be hard to define +[3002.80 --> 3005.16] because we all experience it so differently +[3005.16 --> 3006.80] and in unique ways, +[3006.92 --> 3007.88] but in some ways, +[3007.92 --> 3009.22] it isn't hard to define it all +[3009.22 --> 3010.90] because we've all gone through it. +[3012.00 --> 3013.26] Perhaps some of us +[3013.26 --> 3014.32] are going through it right now. +[3016.24 --> 3017.32] But as we suffer, +[3017.72 --> 3019.34] we can be certain of our future +[3019.34 --> 3022.12] because it is victorious in Jesus Christ, +[3022.72 --> 3024.24] and we can know that God +[3024.24 --> 3025.82] is working in our circumstances, +[3025.82 --> 3028.48] even if we can't or we'll never see it. +[3029.72 --> 3031.40] That's how so far we've held up +[3031.40 --> 3033.10] God's sovereignty and our suffering. +[3033.10 --> 3036.10] And so now, today, +[3036.24 --> 3037.28] we get to this story. +[3038.40 --> 3039.30] Chapter 39. +[3040.66 --> 3041.92] It's a rough story, +[3042.60 --> 3043.20] isn't it? +[3044.00 --> 3046.30] It can even make the blood boil a little bit. +[3046.74 --> 3048.66] This Joseph just can't catch a break. +[3048.82 --> 3050.30] He's hated by his brothers, +[3050.70 --> 3052.24] he's thrown into a well, +[3052.52 --> 3053.64] he's sold to traitors, +[3053.88 --> 3055.76] he's then sold into slavery in Egypt, +[3056.00 --> 3056.80] and then today, +[3056.98 --> 3058.72] he is falsely accused of a crime +[3058.72 --> 3060.18] that he did everything in his power +[3060.18 --> 3060.92] to not commit, +[3060.92 --> 3063.18] and he gets chucked into prison anyways. +[3065.02 --> 3066.48] This guy does everything right +[3066.48 --> 3068.54] and then gets all the blame. +[3070.02 --> 3071.42] I remember in elementary school, +[3072.00 --> 3073.70] there was this bully in our school +[3073.70 --> 3074.96] who was a year younger than me, +[3075.28 --> 3076.06] and he wasn't big, +[3076.10 --> 3077.44] I was actually quite a bit bigger than him, +[3077.54 --> 3079.18] so he was pretty easy to ignore, +[3079.46 --> 3080.64] and he was younger already, +[3081.22 --> 3082.72] so I could ignore him most of the time. +[3083.74 --> 3084.60] But then one day, +[3084.68 --> 3086.44] I saw him shove this +[3086.44 --> 3089.44] pretty small, timid little kid over +[3089.44 --> 3090.66] who was even younger than him. +[3090.92 --> 3093.82] And I knew this kid was timid, +[3093.88 --> 3094.94] I knew he was soft-spoken, +[3095.60 --> 3098.02] and I was kind of a conflict avoider back then, +[3098.06 --> 3099.44] I still am today to some degree, +[3099.78 --> 3100.94] but that set me off. +[3101.90 --> 3103.10] And I went after him, +[3103.32 --> 3104.66] and I grabbed him by the shoulders, +[3104.88 --> 3105.86] and I pulled him down, +[3105.98 --> 3107.02] and I pinned him to the ground, +[3107.02 --> 3108.96] and I don't really remember much else, +[3109.48 --> 3110.96] except that a crowd gathered, +[3111.20 --> 3112.30] and then a teacher came, +[3112.38 --> 3113.38] and then the crowd dispersed, +[3113.74 --> 3115.22] and I was the only one who got in trouble. +[3115.22 --> 3119.82] I was the only one who got sent to the office that day, +[3119.90 --> 3120.64] and I was frustrated, +[3120.72 --> 3122.62] because I thought my vigilante justice +[3122.62 --> 3123.66] was well-deserved. +[3124.18 --> 3125.48] It was well-warranted, +[3125.82 --> 3128.54] but I was the only one who got in trouble for it. +[3129.62 --> 3131.86] See, the concept of being falsely accused +[3131.86 --> 3133.92] is why movies like Double Jeopardy, +[3134.04 --> 3134.80] or The Fugitive, +[3135.04 --> 3136.52] or Shawshank Redemption +[3136.52 --> 3138.26] are so popular. +[3138.26 --> 3142.12] When someone's falsely accused, +[3142.40 --> 3144.52] our sense of justice just spikes, +[3144.94 --> 3146.36] and it becomes dramatic, +[3146.46 --> 3147.68] and it lights a fire in us +[3147.68 --> 3149.08] to see the good ones win. +[3150.38 --> 3152.48] And this story about Joseph does just that. +[3152.56 --> 3153.82] We read about how Joseph +[3153.82 --> 3155.54] was nothing but faithful to God, +[3155.78 --> 3157.76] was nothing but faithful to his master, +[3158.12 --> 3158.90] Potiphar even. +[3160.18 --> 3161.72] But just because Joseph +[3161.72 --> 3164.34] was well-built and handsome, +[3165.06 --> 3166.14] which, by the way, +[3166.66 --> 3167.90] is going to be the title of my autobiography, +[3168.26 --> 3169.52] when I start to write it. +[3170.32 --> 3171.40] Well-built and handsome, +[3171.52 --> 3172.56] the Kevin Lobert story. +[3173.64 --> 3174.96] It's my book, it's my title, +[3175.02 --> 3176.34] and you shouldn't be laughing so hard. +[3177.68 --> 3178.94] No, because he was a good man, +[3178.98 --> 3180.22] and he was easy on the eyes, +[3180.38 --> 3182.22] Potiphar's wife starts to hit on him. +[3183.22 --> 3184.02] But he refuses. +[3185.36 --> 3187.00] Eventually, she gets a little bit more physical, +[3187.16 --> 3188.16] and so Joseph runs away, +[3188.24 --> 3189.40] but leaves evidence behind. +[3189.48 --> 3190.20] So she gets mad, +[3190.26 --> 3191.18] she lies to her husband, +[3191.54 --> 3192.66] and Joseph's thrown in jail. +[3194.70 --> 3196.34] See, the story should irk us. +[3196.34 --> 3199.44] It should ignite a plea for justice. +[3200.84 --> 3204.22] But because this story is so anger-inducing, +[3204.52 --> 3206.30] it also causes us to miss +[3206.30 --> 3208.02] some very important information. +[3210.08 --> 3212.28] We miss the bookends to this story +[3212.28 --> 3213.74] because the middle of it +[3213.74 --> 3215.68] is so compelling. +[3216.56 --> 3218.12] It irks us so much. +[3219.10 --> 3220.04] The story starts, +[3220.38 --> 3221.06] and it ends, +[3221.26 --> 3223.02] with focal points for us today. +[3223.02 --> 3225.16] But we often just blow right over it, +[3225.20 --> 3226.24] even though it's central +[3226.24 --> 3228.08] to this entire narrative of Joseph. +[3229.52 --> 3231.52] The bookends to this story really matter, +[3232.20 --> 3234.86] and they provide our God hint this morning +[3234.86 --> 3236.02] in our suffering. +[3236.94 --> 3237.58] Find them with me. +[3237.64 --> 3238.04] Verse 2. +[3239.28 --> 3240.54] Verse 2, it says this. +[3241.52 --> 3243.24] The Lord was with Joseph. +[3244.68 --> 3246.18] And then at the end of all of this, +[3246.26 --> 3247.48] verse 21, take a look. +[3247.48 --> 3250.34] The Lord was with him. +[3252.98 --> 3254.60] Even in all of the hardships +[3254.60 --> 3255.96] that Joseph was going through, +[3256.84 --> 3257.92] God was there. +[3259.04 --> 3260.08] He was with him. +[3261.38 --> 3262.84] That's our God hint today. +[3263.00 --> 3265.10] You are not alone. +[3265.10 --> 3270.22] As Joseph was thrown into a well, +[3270.74 --> 3272.26] as he was sold into slavery, +[3272.76 --> 3274.06] even as he was sent to prison +[3274.06 --> 3275.62] for a crime he did not commit, +[3276.38 --> 3279.18] the Lord was with him always. +[3281.94 --> 3284.02] See, even in our hardships, +[3285.20 --> 3286.80] even when life seems unfair, +[3286.96 --> 3288.90] even when things are unjust to us, +[3288.90 --> 3291.04] even when we find ourselves suffering, +[3291.58 --> 3293.98] we can be certain that we are not alone. +[3295.10 --> 3298.00] Now, it's easy for me to say +[3298.00 --> 3299.00] from up here, right? +[3300.22 --> 3301.02] And that's fair. +[3301.88 --> 3302.88] Like, I would never stand +[3302.88 --> 3303.90] in front of you all today +[3303.90 --> 3305.54] and say, I understand +[3305.54 --> 3306.86] what all of you are going through. +[3307.40 --> 3308.18] Of course I can't. +[3309.90 --> 3311.26] Some of you have gone through +[3311.26 --> 3313.00] or are going through health concerns +[3313.00 --> 3314.62] that I've never had to endure. +[3316.36 --> 3318.22] Some of you have suffered loss +[3318.22 --> 3318.92] in your life +[3318.92 --> 3321.60] that I have never had to experience +[3321.60 --> 3322.74] and cannot comprehend. +[3322.74 --> 3325.88] Some of you have walked +[3325.88 --> 3328.00] barefoot through hell and back +[3328.00 --> 3329.70] and have witnessed loved ones +[3329.70 --> 3331.58] crumble and fall +[3331.58 --> 3333.80] or have broken down yourselves +[3333.80 --> 3335.56] because of the context +[3335.56 --> 3336.80] that you find yourselves in. +[3338.50 --> 3340.52] And all I can do is sit and listen +[3340.52 --> 3341.68] and be present with you +[3341.68 --> 3342.50] and pray with you, +[3342.90 --> 3344.78] but I can't understand +[3344.78 --> 3345.82] the depths of your suffering +[3345.82 --> 3346.38] or your pain. +[3346.38 --> 3349.72] So if you're sitting there thinking, +[3350.58 --> 3351.32] yeah, Kevin, sure, +[3351.46 --> 3352.34] but you don't know. +[3353.34 --> 3353.78] You're right. +[3354.48 --> 3355.62] I haven't gone through +[3355.62 --> 3356.84] the same things that you have. +[3357.34 --> 3359.20] And I would never claim to know +[3359.20 --> 3361.16] what you are going through. +[3361.16 --> 3364.36] But I can say +[3364.36 --> 3366.16] with certainty +[3366.16 --> 3367.90] because of the power +[3367.90 --> 3369.50] and authority of God's Word +[3369.50 --> 3371.36] that in those dark times +[3371.36 --> 3372.44] that you faced, +[3372.54 --> 3374.24] the times that I cannot comprehend, +[3375.44 --> 3377.86] the Lord was with you. +[3379.10 --> 3380.14] While the depths +[3380.14 --> 3381.18] and the pain +[3381.18 --> 3382.14] and the suffering +[3382.14 --> 3383.22] that you've gone through +[3383.22 --> 3383.68] was deep, +[3383.94 --> 3385.14] our living God +[3385.14 --> 3386.26] went through them with you. +[3387.24 --> 3387.98] He was there. +[3387.98 --> 3390.92] That's the big idea today. +[3391.86 --> 3393.28] You are not alone. +[3394.56 --> 3396.96] God is with you always. +[3399.52 --> 3401.00] When Joseph was a slave, +[3401.12 --> 3401.76] God was with him. +[3402.52 --> 3403.68] And he prospered. +[3404.62 --> 3406.36] When Joseph was sent to prison, +[3407.42 --> 3408.44] God was with him. +[3409.04 --> 3410.44] And he was granted favor. +[3412.92 --> 3414.18] God was with Joseph +[3414.18 --> 3415.18] even in slavery +[3415.18 --> 3416.66] and in imprisonment. +[3417.02 --> 3417.32] However, +[3417.32 --> 3417.80] there's something +[3417.80 --> 3418.86] that needs your attention here. +[3418.92 --> 3419.30] Something that needs +[3419.30 --> 3420.34] all of our attention here. +[3420.40 --> 3422.04] It's easy to look at the story +[3422.04 --> 3422.92] and read it and think, +[3423.00 --> 3424.08] oh, God was with him +[3424.08 --> 3425.56] and gave him favor. +[3426.28 --> 3427.54] Oh, God was with him +[3427.54 --> 3428.84] and gave him kindness +[3428.84 --> 3429.76] and prosperity. +[3430.34 --> 3431.84] As if God's presence +[3431.84 --> 3432.86] must include +[3432.86 --> 3434.14] some kind of prosperity +[3434.14 --> 3434.90] in your life. +[3436.10 --> 3437.16] And we can read the story +[3437.16 --> 3438.30] and we can falsely conclude +[3438.30 --> 3439.30] that if prosperity +[3439.30 --> 3440.22] is not present, +[3440.58 --> 3441.22] well, then God +[3441.22 --> 3442.32] must not be present either. +[3443.54 --> 3444.90] But that's just not true. +[3444.90 --> 3447.66] prosperity and presence +[3447.66 --> 3448.46] don't correlate. +[3449.58 --> 3449.98] Remember, +[3450.08 --> 3451.08] even in this story, +[3451.58 --> 3452.96] even in this story, +[3453.26 --> 3454.56] Joseph was still a slave. +[3455.32 --> 3456.68] He was still a prisoner. +[3457.38 --> 3458.40] He was still out +[3458.40 --> 3459.34] of his father's house. +[3459.58 --> 3460.26] He was still living +[3460.26 --> 3460.76] in a land +[3460.76 --> 3461.76] that was foreign to him. +[3463.64 --> 3465.40] And so favor and prosperity, +[3465.66 --> 3466.56] even in this context, +[3466.64 --> 3467.14] is relative. +[3467.14 --> 3470.10] But the Lord was with him. +[3471.66 --> 3472.98] Prosperity does not correlate +[3472.98 --> 3473.78] with presence. +[3473.88 --> 3475.36] The Bible has so many examples +[3475.36 --> 3476.38] of God's presence +[3476.38 --> 3477.46] with his people +[3477.46 --> 3478.90] despite a complete lack +[3478.90 --> 3479.56] of prosperity. +[3480.34 --> 3481.82] Think of people like Elijah +[3481.82 --> 3482.90] or Jeremiah +[3482.90 --> 3484.02] or Ruth. +[3484.20 --> 3484.98] There's lots more. +[3486.24 --> 3487.54] Joseph was favored by God. +[3487.62 --> 3487.80] Yes, +[3488.12 --> 3489.36] even in his suffering. +[3491.66 --> 3493.16] By his faithfulness, +[3493.24 --> 3494.20] he garnered favor +[3494.20 --> 3495.36] in both Potiphar's house +[3495.36 --> 3496.34] and in prison. +[3496.34 --> 3497.92] But earlier in the story, +[3498.44 --> 3499.80] God was present with him still, +[3500.06 --> 3500.66] even when he was +[3500.66 --> 3501.54] in the bottom of that well. +[3503.66 --> 3504.34] In his richest +[3504.34 --> 3505.28] and in his poorest, +[3505.42 --> 3506.00] his abundance +[3506.00 --> 3506.78] and his loss, +[3506.84 --> 3507.46] in his blessing +[3507.46 --> 3508.50] and his suffering, +[3508.78 --> 3509.94] God was with Joseph. +[3511.08 --> 3512.02] Even after he was +[3512.02 --> 3512.88] falsely accused, +[3513.04 --> 3514.14] when no one believed him, +[3514.28 --> 3515.02] and he was lonely +[3515.02 --> 3515.60] once again, +[3516.42 --> 3517.30] Joseph was in fact +[3517.30 --> 3517.82] not alone. +[3520.72 --> 3521.92] I've never been a slave +[3521.92 --> 3522.62] or a prisoner. +[3522.76 --> 3523.02] Apparently, +[3523.12 --> 3523.64] none of our kids +[3523.64 --> 3524.44] have ever been prisoners +[3524.44 --> 3524.84] either. +[3526.34 --> 3527.44] But I do think +[3527.44 --> 3528.56] loneliness is something +[3528.56 --> 3529.96] that we can all relate to. +[3531.78 --> 3532.48] I know I've had. +[3532.50 --> 3533.20] I've had an experience +[3533.20 --> 3533.68] in my life +[3533.68 --> 3534.38] where I was very lonely. +[3534.50 --> 3535.14] There was this season +[3535.14 --> 3536.02] in life where I felt +[3536.02 --> 3536.88] incredibly alone. +[3537.00 --> 3537.84] It was the year +[3537.84 --> 3538.62] after I graduated +[3538.62 --> 3539.34] from high school. +[3539.58 --> 3541.06] I did all my schooling +[3541.06 --> 3542.46] in Victoria, B.C. +[3542.84 --> 3543.88] and I moved from Victoria +[3543.88 --> 3544.46] to Edmonton +[3544.46 --> 3545.42] right after I graduated. +[3546.24 --> 3547.16] I needed a job +[3547.16 --> 3547.64] and I ended up +[3547.64 --> 3548.56] finding one pretty quick +[3548.56 --> 3549.82] at a local grocery store, +[3549.88 --> 3550.50] but my job +[3550.50 --> 3551.68] was to stock shelves +[3551.68 --> 3552.74] and face the groceries, +[3552.90 --> 3553.64] turn the labels out +[3553.64 --> 3554.52] so everyone could read them. +[3554.52 --> 3555.62] And I had to do that job +[3555.62 --> 3556.82] from 11 p.m. +[3556.98 --> 3558.04] until 8 a.m. +[3558.04 --> 3558.94] That was my shift. +[3559.42 --> 3560.12] And my schedule +[3560.12 --> 3560.84] was not like +[3560.84 --> 3561.68] a consistent one. +[3561.76 --> 3562.18] It wasn't like +[3562.18 --> 3562.94] I worked four days +[3562.94 --> 3563.64] and had two off +[3563.64 --> 3564.28] or five days +[3564.28 --> 3564.80] and two off. +[3565.00 --> 3565.52] It was like +[3565.52 --> 3566.58] I worked two, +[3566.68 --> 3567.22] got one off, +[3567.28 --> 3567.64] worked three, +[3567.72 --> 3568.18] got one off. +[3568.22 --> 3568.68] I could never +[3568.68 --> 3569.76] readjust my schedule +[3569.76 --> 3571.12] and so I didn't see +[3571.12 --> 3571.98] the light of day +[3571.98 --> 3572.96] because it was Edmonton +[3572.96 --> 3575.44] for like six months. +[3577.18 --> 3578.36] The job was fine, +[3579.36 --> 3580.58] but because my schedule +[3580.58 --> 3581.28] was so irregular, +[3581.44 --> 3582.36] the only people I saw +[3582.36 --> 3583.10] was the two dudes +[3583.10 --> 3584.14] that I stocked shelves with +[3584.14 --> 3584.70] and they were both +[3584.70 --> 3585.64] kind of grumpy old men +[3585.64 --> 3586.10] who just wanted +[3586.10 --> 3587.10] to punch in and punch out. +[3587.52 --> 3588.92] They were not conversationalists. +[3589.50 --> 3590.78] I could barely go to church. +[3591.36 --> 3592.92] I knew nobody in the city. +[3593.62 --> 3594.26] I couldn't even really +[3594.26 --> 3595.10] see my own family. +[3596.48 --> 3597.48] And for half a year, +[3597.54 --> 3598.60] I barely talked to anyone. +[3599.34 --> 3600.26] It was very lonely. +[3601.26 --> 3602.44] I was probably depressed. +[3603.78 --> 3604.66] It was a very, +[3604.80 --> 3605.74] very hard season for me. +[3605.74 --> 3608.16] I'd gone from a very +[3608.16 --> 3611.36] super social grade 12 grad year +[3611.36 --> 3612.92] with lots of activities +[3612.92 --> 3614.96] to nothing. +[3617.16 --> 3618.38] It was strange though +[3618.38 --> 3619.68] because during that time, +[3619.78 --> 3621.32] my faith in God +[3621.32 --> 3622.72] actually grew. +[3623.44 --> 3624.32] And some of this +[3624.32 --> 3626.34] I'm realizing in retrospect. +[3627.42 --> 3630.10] But my prayer life grew. +[3630.28 --> 3631.40] I wasn't talking to anyone, +[3631.52 --> 3632.54] so God became someone +[3632.54 --> 3633.20] that I spoke to. +[3633.58 --> 3634.86] I started opening my Bible +[3634.86 --> 3635.62] a little bit more +[3635.62 --> 3636.64] because the world around me +[3636.64 --> 3637.86] was very small, +[3638.10 --> 3639.52] so I had no reason not to. +[3641.36 --> 3642.14] I'm not sure +[3642.14 --> 3642.82] I would have said this +[3642.82 --> 3643.18] back then, +[3643.24 --> 3644.08] but I know with the gift +[3644.08 --> 3644.56] of retrospect +[3644.56 --> 3645.92] that even though +[3645.92 --> 3646.70] I was lonely, +[3646.82 --> 3647.94] I knew God was there. +[3649.20 --> 3650.66] I desired Him more. +[3650.78 --> 3651.70] I leaned into +[3651.70 --> 3652.66] His presence more. +[3652.86 --> 3654.56] And it didn't make things good. +[3654.96 --> 3656.36] Life still sucked for me then. +[3658.86 --> 3659.80] But God was there. +[3659.80 --> 3661.10] And I do remember +[3661.10 --> 3662.28] in the midst of that loneliness, +[3662.88 --> 3664.20] God's presence was tangible. +[3664.82 --> 3665.44] He was with me. +[3665.50 --> 3667.84] I was never actually alone. +[3668.04 --> 3670.68] See, God is always with us. +[3674.32 --> 3676.08] God's presence in our lives, +[3676.56 --> 3678.88] it means we can be bolstered up +[3678.88 --> 3679.88] to face the suffering +[3679.88 --> 3681.34] that we endure with courage. +[3681.54 --> 3682.32] Now, I'm not saying +[3682.32 --> 3683.40] that I faced that season +[3683.40 --> 3684.44] of loneliness with courage, +[3684.44 --> 3685.66] but I do think +[3685.66 --> 3686.80] a more mature version of me +[3686.80 --> 3687.22] eventually, +[3687.68 --> 3688.32] like right now, +[3688.40 --> 3689.50] might be able to do that. +[3691.00 --> 3692.78] Because Scripture tells us we can. +[3693.98 --> 3695.28] In fact, Paul tells us +[3695.28 --> 3696.20] that with Christ, +[3696.32 --> 3697.52] we can even delight +[3697.52 --> 3698.68] in our suffering. +[3700.42 --> 3700.84] Isn't that something? +[3700.94 --> 3702.18] Read 2 Corinthians 12, +[3702.24 --> 3703.10] verses 9 to 10 +[3703.10 --> 3703.86] with me for a moment. +[3704.20 --> 3705.34] 2 Corinthians 12, +[3705.82 --> 3707.04] 9 to 10 says this, +[3707.04 --> 3708.78] But he said to me, +[3708.86 --> 3710.64] My grace is sufficient for you, +[3710.88 --> 3712.18] for my power is made +[3712.18 --> 3713.48] perfect in weakness. +[3713.48 --> 3714.86] Therefore I, +[3714.92 --> 3716.04] and this is Paul speaking, +[3716.16 --> 3717.60] Therefore I will boast +[3717.60 --> 3718.60] all the more gladly +[3718.60 --> 3719.44] about my weaknesses +[3719.44 --> 3721.04] so that Christ's power +[3721.04 --> 3722.12] may rest on me. +[3722.94 --> 3723.58] And hear this, +[3723.90 --> 3724.76] That is why, +[3725.20 --> 3726.18] for Christ's sake, +[3726.60 --> 3728.88] I delight in weaknesses, +[3729.60 --> 3730.80] in insults, +[3731.14 --> 3732.06] in hardships, +[3732.52 --> 3733.78] in persecutions, +[3734.34 --> 3735.22] and in difficulties. +[3735.94 --> 3737.66] For when I am weak, +[3738.38 --> 3740.22] then I am strong. +[3741.62 --> 3743.40] For Christ's sake, +[3743.48 --> 3744.70] we can delight +[3744.70 --> 3745.60] in weaknesses, +[3746.22 --> 3746.82] insults, +[3747.04 --> 3747.48] hardships, +[3747.74 --> 3748.36] persecutions, +[3748.44 --> 3749.06] and difficulties. +[3751.00 --> 3752.34] Now as Josh or Chris +[3752.34 --> 3753.24] would have me point out, +[3753.32 --> 3754.54] the Greek word for delight +[3754.54 --> 3755.38] here is important. +[3756.28 --> 3757.24] The Greek word +[3757.24 --> 3758.50] is eudokio, +[3758.86 --> 3759.68] which to me sounds like +[3759.68 --> 3760.44] some sort of Pokemon, +[3760.66 --> 3761.76] but it actually means +[3761.76 --> 3763.02] to be content +[3763.02 --> 3765.56] or to choose as better. +[3765.56 --> 3767.72] So Paul is saying +[3767.72 --> 3769.12] to be content +[3769.12 --> 3770.66] in our suffering. +[3771.48 --> 3772.02] Or rather, +[3772.30 --> 3773.52] to choose the suffering +[3773.52 --> 3774.18] that we face +[3774.18 --> 3775.10] knowing that it is better +[3775.10 --> 3775.56] for us +[3775.56 --> 3777.02] because when we are weak, +[3777.36 --> 3778.84] we allow Christ's presence +[3778.84 --> 3780.04] or Christ's power +[3780.04 --> 3781.58] and Christ in general +[3781.58 --> 3782.52] to be the focal point +[3782.52 --> 3783.12] in our lives. +[3783.90 --> 3784.78] When we suffer, +[3784.88 --> 3786.08] we can lean into Christ +[3786.08 --> 3787.12] because we know +[3787.12 --> 3788.30] he suffered. +[3788.30 --> 3790.64] I think sometimes +[3790.64 --> 3791.20] we forget +[3791.20 --> 3792.42] just how much suffering +[3792.42 --> 3793.56] Jesus had to endure. +[3793.86 --> 3794.00] See, +[3794.06 --> 3795.54] he lived this perfect life, +[3795.58 --> 3796.42] a life that you and I +[3796.42 --> 3797.04] fail to live +[3797.04 --> 3797.92] each and every day +[3797.92 --> 3799.00] and then Jesus died +[3799.00 --> 3800.64] an unbelievably +[3800.64 --> 3802.58] excruciating death +[3802.58 --> 3803.54] that we deserve +[3803.54 --> 3804.32] because of our sin +[3804.32 --> 3804.94] and brokenness. +[3805.94 --> 3807.14] And he bore the weight +[3807.14 --> 3809.34] of all of human sin +[3809.34 --> 3811.02] throughout all of human history +[3811.02 --> 3811.68] on his shoulders. +[3811.80 --> 3812.52] Think about that. +[3812.52 --> 3814.96] bearing the wrath of God +[3814.96 --> 3816.28] for the weight +[3816.28 --> 3817.14] of the sin +[3817.14 --> 3818.04] of humanity +[3818.04 --> 3819.16] throughout history. +[3820.84 --> 3822.48] He was flogged, +[3823.76 --> 3824.08] beaten, +[3824.74 --> 3825.32] stripped, +[3826.10 --> 3826.74] stabbed, +[3827.00 --> 3827.34] pierced. +[3827.40 --> 3828.72] He was hung on a cross. +[3829.42 --> 3830.34] He suffocated. +[3831.54 --> 3832.78] He was forsaken. +[3835.44 --> 3838.40] Jesus knew suffering. +[3838.40 --> 3842.74] But he also knows +[3842.74 --> 3843.50] victory. +[3844.68 --> 3845.80] Because three days later +[3845.80 --> 3847.46] he rose triumphantly +[3847.46 --> 3848.06] from the grave +[3848.06 --> 3848.68] and now through +[3848.68 --> 3849.50] the Holy Spirit +[3849.50 --> 3851.78] Jesus is with us +[3851.78 --> 3853.56] in our suffering too. +[3853.98 --> 3854.92] Jesus reigns +[3854.92 --> 3855.76] on the throne +[3855.76 --> 3856.88] over all creation +[3856.88 --> 3858.64] and yet he sits with us +[3858.64 --> 3859.64] when we suffer +[3859.64 --> 3861.40] knowing what pain +[3861.40 --> 3862.22] and suffering +[3862.22 --> 3863.08] and loneliness +[3863.08 --> 3863.84] feels like +[3863.84 --> 3865.12] because he lived it too. +[3866.36 --> 3867.36] He understands +[3867.36 --> 3869.00] what we're going through +[3869.00 --> 3872.08] and he is constantly present. +[3874.24 --> 3875.20] Taking delight +[3875.20 --> 3875.84] in our suffering +[3875.84 --> 3876.78] means to choose +[3876.78 --> 3877.98] to see Jesus +[3877.98 --> 3879.06] in the midst +[3879.06 --> 3879.82] of hard times +[3879.82 --> 3881.72] because he is there. +[3882.64 --> 3883.64] It's not that we have +[3883.64 --> 3884.30] to rejoice +[3884.30 --> 3885.12] in our suffering +[3885.12 --> 3887.94] but we sure can persevere +[3887.94 --> 3889.16] knowing that we are not alone. +[3890.46 --> 3891.82] God is present +[3891.82 --> 3892.62] just like he was +[3892.62 --> 3893.18] with Joseph. +[3893.18 --> 3897.60] One of the ways +[3897.60 --> 3898.72] that God is present +[3898.72 --> 3899.70] in our lives +[3899.70 --> 3901.04] is through his people +[3901.04 --> 3901.86] through the church. +[3903.54 --> 3904.40] If the church +[3904.40 --> 3905.38] is Christ's body +[3905.38 --> 3906.78] and if we have +[3906.78 --> 3907.60] the Holy Spirit +[3907.60 --> 3908.66] in us +[3908.66 --> 3910.68] we are a means +[3910.68 --> 3911.88] or we are a picture +[3911.88 --> 3913.30] of God's presence +[3913.30 --> 3914.10] here in this world. +[3914.86 --> 3915.56] The church +[3915.56 --> 3916.46] is a way +[3916.46 --> 3918.60] that God's presence +[3918.60 --> 3919.12] is revealed +[3919.12 --> 3919.74] in this world. +[3920.34 --> 3921.56] On a macro level +[3921.56 --> 3922.26] if you look +[3922.26 --> 3922.82] throughout history +[3922.82 --> 3923.44] you can see this. +[3923.54 --> 3924.16] God's presence +[3924.16 --> 3925.36] is evident +[3925.36 --> 3926.38] everywhere +[3926.38 --> 3927.26] because of the work +[3927.26 --> 3928.26] of his people +[3928.26 --> 3929.58] or sorry +[3929.58 --> 3930.58] because of his work +[3930.58 --> 3931.46] through his people. +[3932.28 --> 3933.02] God's people +[3933.02 --> 3933.42] Christians +[3933.42 --> 3934.14] they've initiated +[3934.14 --> 3934.94] so many things. +[3935.34 --> 3935.82] Orphanages +[3935.82 --> 3936.40] hospitals +[3936.40 --> 3937.22] medical systems +[3937.22 --> 3937.78] universities +[3937.78 --> 3938.36] crisis +[3938.36 --> 3939.84] intervention agencies +[3939.84 --> 3941.82] refugee initiatives +[3941.82 --> 3942.62] homeless shelters +[3942.62 --> 3943.48] rehab centers +[3943.48 --> 3944.92] so many things +[3944.92 --> 3945.60] in this world +[3945.60 --> 3947.72] God initiated +[3947.72 --> 3948.40] through his people. +[3948.80 --> 3949.18] We see them +[3949.18 --> 3949.60] every day +[3949.60 --> 3950.44] we use them +[3950.44 --> 3951.02] every day. +[3951.02 --> 3953.82] God's presence +[3953.82 --> 3954.96] visible in the midst +[3954.96 --> 3955.48] of suffering. +[3956.98 --> 3958.38] But we can zoom in +[3958.38 --> 3959.42] and see it locally too. +[3960.06 --> 3961.46] Zoom into this place here. +[3962.14 --> 3962.76] I could tell you +[3962.76 --> 3963.64] countless stories +[3963.64 --> 3964.22] of you +[3964.22 --> 3965.24] of God's people +[3965.24 --> 3966.12] here at Emmanuel +[3966.12 --> 3968.14] being present +[3968.14 --> 3969.68] in the midst +[3969.68 --> 3970.24] of suffering. +[3971.02 --> 3971.96] Whether it's +[3971.96 --> 3972.70] prayers +[3972.70 --> 3973.92] or lament services +[3973.92 --> 3974.62] it's meals +[3974.62 --> 3975.22] for people +[3975.22 --> 3976.88] it's care groups +[3976.88 --> 3978.10] it's labor +[3978.10 --> 3978.70] and time +[3978.70 --> 3979.30] and energy +[3979.30 --> 3980.20] and service. +[3981.94 --> 3982.46] There's +[3982.46 --> 3983.62] so much +[3983.62 --> 3984.94] giving +[3984.94 --> 3986.04] of ourselves +[3986.04 --> 3987.42] being God's +[3987.42 --> 3987.76] presence +[3987.76 --> 3988.36] in the midst +[3988.36 --> 3989.20] of each other +[3989.20 --> 3990.58] who are going +[3990.58 --> 3991.06] through hardships. +[3991.30 --> 3992.24] You are his hands +[3992.24 --> 3992.64] and feet. +[3993.14 --> 3993.98] You are being used +[3993.98 --> 3995.40] by our Holy Father +[3995.40 --> 3996.58] to be his presence +[3996.58 --> 3997.70] in the face of hardships +[3997.70 --> 3998.88] here in Langley. +[3999.14 --> 4000.06] The benevolence fund +[4000.06 --> 4001.30] that you just gave to +[4001.30 --> 4002.18] is doing that. +[4002.48 --> 4002.98] The deacons +[4002.98 --> 4003.82] are doing this work. +[4003.90 --> 4004.28] The elders +[4004.28 --> 4005.08] are doing this work. +[4005.38 --> 4006.30] All of the ministries +[4006.30 --> 4007.36] here are doing this work. +[4007.36 --> 4008.26] It is happening. +[4012.60 --> 4013.76] But we also know +[4013.76 --> 4014.46] that this narrative +[4014.46 --> 4015.48] is not always true. +[4017.84 --> 4018.94] Yes, that is one +[4018.94 --> 4020.12] glorious side +[4020.12 --> 4020.60] of the coin. +[4022.02 --> 4022.82] But there are +[4022.82 --> 4023.72] so many stories +[4023.72 --> 4024.46] throughout history +[4024.46 --> 4026.90] of the church +[4026.90 --> 4027.64] not being +[4027.64 --> 4028.24] God's hands +[4028.24 --> 4028.64] and feet. +[4029.48 --> 4029.86] In fact, +[4030.20 --> 4030.92] many people +[4030.92 --> 4031.44] who have walked +[4031.44 --> 4032.50] away from the church +[4032.50 --> 4033.10] do so because +[4033.10 --> 4033.60] the church +[4033.60 --> 4034.64] has hurt them +[4034.64 --> 4035.54] so badly. +[4037.42 --> 4038.30] This is also +[4038.30 --> 4038.86] the reality +[4038.86 --> 4039.46] of history. +[4043.06 --> 4043.62] Unfortunately, +[4044.94 --> 4047.08] just like prosperity +[4047.08 --> 4048.28] is not a sign +[4048.28 --> 4049.26] of God's presence, +[4050.46 --> 4051.62] sometimes the actions +[4051.62 --> 4052.32] of Christians +[4052.32 --> 4053.60] sure make God +[4053.60 --> 4054.40] seem far away. +[4056.40 --> 4056.86] Christians are +[4056.86 --> 4057.38] as fallible +[4057.38 --> 4057.84] as anyone. +[4058.56 --> 4059.92] Sin entangles +[4059.92 --> 4060.70] us all +[4060.70 --> 4061.12] and anyone +[4061.12 --> 4061.68] is capable +[4061.68 --> 4062.18] of hurting +[4062.18 --> 4062.64] and harming +[4062.64 --> 4063.28] those around them. +[4063.28 --> 4064.48] Just as suffering +[4064.48 --> 4065.60] touches us all +[4065.60 --> 4066.56] so does the ability +[4066.56 --> 4067.84] to hurt others. +[4069.68 --> 4070.40] There's a saying +[4070.40 --> 4070.68] out there, +[4070.74 --> 4071.46] maybe some of you +[4071.46 --> 4071.86] have heard it, +[4071.90 --> 4072.52] many, many of you +[4072.52 --> 4073.00] have heard it. +[4073.72 --> 4074.46] Hurt people +[4074.46 --> 4075.82] hurt people. +[4076.36 --> 4077.14] We heard that one +[4077.14 --> 4077.46] before? +[4077.84 --> 4078.44] Hurt people +[4078.44 --> 4079.58] hurt people. +[4081.46 --> 4082.36] But if everyone +[4082.36 --> 4082.90] is hurt, +[4084.28 --> 4085.66] that means we all, +[4085.74 --> 4086.26] no matter what +[4086.26 --> 4086.74] we believe, +[4086.82 --> 4087.32] have the ability +[4087.32 --> 4088.00] to hurt people. +[4088.00 --> 4089.42] It's not a justification +[4089.42 --> 4090.38] for our actions. +[4090.52 --> 4091.62] Please don't hear that. +[4092.22 --> 4093.24] But it is a reason +[4093.24 --> 4094.36] why we see this. +[4094.42 --> 4095.06] And while the church +[4095.06 --> 4095.98] is a place +[4095.98 --> 4096.64] that should be +[4096.64 --> 4097.64] the presence of God, +[4097.78 --> 4099.00] it can also be a place +[4099.00 --> 4099.60] where suffering +[4099.60 --> 4100.32] is experienced. +[4100.88 --> 4101.58] And that makes +[4101.58 --> 4102.32] a sermon like this +[4102.32 --> 4102.80] difficult. +[4103.74 --> 4105.04] Because on the one hand, +[4105.30 --> 4106.40] I know that the church +[4106.40 --> 4107.40] is a picture of God's +[4107.40 --> 4108.22] presence here on earth. +[4109.22 --> 4110.04] We see it. +[4110.12 --> 4110.68] We've seen it +[4110.68 --> 4111.34] throughout history. +[4113.12 --> 4114.30] But on the other hand, +[4115.06 --> 4116.14] I know that the church +[4116.14 --> 4116.74] has been a place +[4116.74 --> 4117.72] that has compounded +[4117.72 --> 4118.48] and even created +[4118.48 --> 4119.18] hurt as well. +[4122.56 --> 4123.18] And yet, +[4123.30 --> 4124.74] Scripture tells us +[4124.74 --> 4125.90] to delight +[4125.90 --> 4127.12] in our suffering. +[4129.28 --> 4129.68] How? +[4132.34 --> 4133.62] Well, maybe this place, +[4134.54 --> 4135.12] maybe church, +[4135.22 --> 4136.26] maybe this place, +[4136.62 --> 4137.22] although it can +[4137.22 --> 4138.32] bring hurt, +[4138.40 --> 4139.08] maybe it's a place +[4139.08 --> 4139.78] we lean into. +[4140.74 --> 4141.70] Because people here, +[4141.78 --> 4142.50] all of us, +[4142.88 --> 4143.86] are broken too. +[4144.42 --> 4144.66] Right? +[4145.12 --> 4146.18] And in our brokenness, +[4146.18 --> 4147.34] it maybe means +[4147.34 --> 4148.26] we belong together. +[4149.70 --> 4151.08] If we are all hurt, +[4151.14 --> 4152.44] maybe we can hurt together. +[4153.30 --> 4154.16] If the church +[4154.16 --> 4154.88] is a place +[4154.88 --> 4155.60] where hurt people +[4155.60 --> 4156.08] are welcome, +[4156.52 --> 4157.82] and sinners are welcome, +[4158.10 --> 4159.16] and broken people +[4159.16 --> 4159.64] are welcome, +[4159.92 --> 4160.72] and if church +[4160.72 --> 4161.84] is a place +[4161.84 --> 4163.54] where these same people +[4163.54 --> 4164.52] can offer love +[4164.52 --> 4165.40] and support +[4165.40 --> 4166.78] and care for one another, +[4167.74 --> 4168.82] maybe it's a place +[4168.82 --> 4170.54] where you can come. +[4171.54 --> 4172.36] All of you, +[4172.42 --> 4173.00] in your pain, +[4173.16 --> 4173.74] and your suffering, +[4173.84 --> 4174.22] all of you, +[4174.22 --> 4174.84] your whole story, +[4174.90 --> 4176.30] maybe it's a place, +[4177.02 --> 4177.94] and more importantly, +[4178.04 --> 4178.96] maybe it's a people +[4178.96 --> 4181.18] that you can lean into +[4181.18 --> 4181.68] as well. +[4183.60 --> 4184.84] You can be a part of it. +[4185.74 --> 4187.02] You can be a part of us. +[4187.26 --> 4188.78] Maybe in our hurt, +[4188.92 --> 4189.76] maybe in our suffering, +[4189.88 --> 4191.92] maybe the broken vessels +[4191.92 --> 4194.44] found here at Emanuel CRC +[4194.44 --> 4196.72] or in the church global +[4196.72 --> 4199.08] are the exact kind of people +[4199.08 --> 4200.20] that will resonate with you. +[4200.20 --> 4205.06] Maybe God can use even us +[4205.06 --> 4206.24] to help you, +[4206.74 --> 4209.30] or maybe God could use +[4209.30 --> 4211.26] even you to help us. +[4213.02 --> 4213.90] Because like I said, +[4213.96 --> 4214.74] history has shown us +[4214.74 --> 4215.86] that while the church +[4215.86 --> 4216.60] has been a place +[4216.60 --> 4217.38] that has hurt people, +[4218.12 --> 4219.80] it is also a place +[4219.80 --> 4220.80] that has transformed +[4220.80 --> 4221.94] the world and culture +[4221.94 --> 4222.84] that we live in, +[4224.04 --> 4224.98] transformed people +[4224.98 --> 4226.38] in this room here today. +[4226.38 --> 4229.50] Church matters. +[4230.26 --> 4231.64] Community matters. +[4233.88 --> 4234.96] The rest of my story +[4234.96 --> 4236.66] actually shares this too. +[4236.80 --> 4237.98] That was a rough year +[4237.98 --> 4238.46] in Edmonton. +[4238.56 --> 4239.28] It was a lonely year +[4239.28 --> 4239.76] in Edmonton. +[4239.88 --> 4241.04] I didn't have community +[4241.04 --> 4241.88] for a long time, +[4242.48 --> 4243.40] but then I started +[4243.40 --> 4244.40] to go to church. +[4244.58 --> 4245.38] It was put on my heart +[4245.38 --> 4245.96] to do that no matter +[4245.96 --> 4246.80] how tired I was +[4246.80 --> 4247.86] or how bright the sun was. +[4248.94 --> 4249.72] And so I started going +[4249.72 --> 4250.42] to church a little bit +[4250.42 --> 4250.90] more frequently. +[4251.76 --> 4253.04] I started seeing my family +[4253.04 --> 4254.38] a little bit more regularly. +[4255.10 --> 4255.74] Through that family, +[4255.74 --> 4256.58] I got a new job. +[4256.66 --> 4257.32] No more night shifts. +[4257.38 --> 4258.20] I was working days. +[4258.96 --> 4259.62] I got to be part +[4259.62 --> 4260.62] of the community more. +[4260.74 --> 4261.82] I got to see God's people +[4261.82 --> 4262.68] a little more regularly. +[4262.82 --> 4264.26] My cousin visited once +[4264.26 --> 4264.96] for dinner and he brought +[4264.96 --> 4265.42] his girlfriend, +[4265.56 --> 4266.62] who I had never met before. +[4266.76 --> 4267.28] They're married now. +[4267.32 --> 4267.88] They live in Michigan. +[4269.46 --> 4271.26] And his girlfriend at the time +[4271.26 --> 4272.32] was talking to us at dinner +[4272.32 --> 4273.12] and she asked what I was +[4273.12 --> 4273.92] going to be doing next year. +[4273.94 --> 4274.60] I said, oh, I'm probably +[4274.60 --> 4275.40] going to go to King's. +[4275.46 --> 4276.90] I want to do Christian education. +[4277.20 --> 4278.06] I can live at home +[4278.06 --> 4278.72] and just commute. +[4278.82 --> 4279.24] It'll be great. +[4279.58 --> 4280.18] And she's like, oh, +[4280.20 --> 4281.18] you seem like the kind of person +[4281.18 --> 4282.18] who would desire community +[4282.18 --> 4283.28] and want to live on campus. +[4283.28 --> 4283.96] And I was like, +[4283.96 --> 4286.22] oh, I am that kind of person. +[4287.20 --> 4288.44] And so through very little +[4288.44 --> 4289.20] words of her own +[4289.20 --> 4290.22] and very little convincing, +[4290.48 --> 4291.86] I signed up and registered +[4291.86 --> 4292.52] to go to Redeemer. +[4292.68 --> 4293.92] I went there with no plan. +[4294.40 --> 4295.06] I had no idea +[4295.06 --> 4295.74] what I was going to take +[4295.74 --> 4296.86] and I know not a soul there, +[4296.94 --> 4297.50] but I went +[4297.50 --> 4299.82] to live on campus. +[4302.10 --> 4303.12] God used Redeemer +[4303.12 --> 4303.80] to bring me here, +[4303.88 --> 4304.34] to Emmanuel. +[4304.58 --> 4305.76] God, through his people, +[4305.88 --> 4306.30] are the reason +[4306.30 --> 4306.94] that I'm here today. +[4307.04 --> 4308.20] I made some amazing +[4308.20 --> 4308.72] friends there. +[4308.78 --> 4309.80] I had people pointing me +[4309.80 --> 4310.44] to Jesus there. +[4310.44 --> 4311.82] I met my wife there. +[4311.82 --> 4313.34] They directed me +[4313.34 --> 4314.20] to where I am today. +[4314.32 --> 4315.12] They directed me +[4315.12 --> 4315.64] to Jesus. +[4318.12 --> 4319.34] Through his people, +[4319.92 --> 4321.00] God brought me here. +[4321.06 --> 4321.58] It's the reason +[4321.58 --> 4322.26] I'm here today. +[4323.58 --> 4324.10] And here, +[4324.24 --> 4325.10] so many people +[4325.10 --> 4326.10] continue to point me +[4326.10 --> 4326.64] to Christ. +[4327.68 --> 4328.30] They continue +[4328.30 --> 4329.34] to walk alongside me +[4329.34 --> 4330.16] when I struggle, +[4330.96 --> 4332.16] when I go through hard times. +[4332.20 --> 4332.58] And maybe, +[4332.78 --> 4334.40] maybe that's the right place +[4334.40 --> 4335.04] to end today. +[4337.20 --> 4338.72] The Lord was with Joseph. +[4340.34 --> 4340.78] Always. +[4340.78 --> 4343.36] And he's with us too. +[4344.28 --> 4345.22] By his spirit, +[4345.30 --> 4346.70] in his word that we read, +[4347.34 --> 4348.44] and through his church. +[4350.62 --> 4351.64] So what do we take away +[4351.64 --> 4352.10] from this? +[4353.86 --> 4354.20] I think, +[4354.28 --> 4354.88] I hope +[4354.88 --> 4356.32] that we can remember, +[4356.46 --> 4357.14] even in the midst +[4357.14 --> 4358.04] of the darkest suffering +[4358.04 --> 4358.52] we go through, +[4358.56 --> 4359.34] that we are not alone. +[4360.26 --> 4361.62] That God is with us. +[4363.52 --> 4364.52] And so however, +[4365.14 --> 4366.66] whatever capacity we have, +[4367.32 --> 4369.32] let's lean into that presence. +[4369.42 --> 4370.36] Are we leaning in, +[4370.36 --> 4371.34] or are we pulling away? +[4372.62 --> 4373.86] He's with you always, +[4373.96 --> 4374.68] but are you with him? +[4375.20 --> 4375.76] That could mean +[4375.76 --> 4377.08] a whole host of things. +[4378.00 --> 4379.10] But how are you leaning +[4379.10 --> 4380.52] into God's presence today? +[4381.86 --> 4382.60] For Joseph, +[4382.96 --> 4385.00] he kept living his life +[4385.00 --> 4386.28] faithfully +[4386.28 --> 4387.50] to the God that he served. +[4388.58 --> 4389.52] He knew he couldn't +[4389.52 --> 4390.16] sin against God, +[4390.20 --> 4390.88] and so he didn't. +[4390.98 --> 4392.10] And yet he suffered for it. +[4394.86 --> 4395.30] For us, +[4395.34 --> 4395.78] that could look like +[4395.78 --> 4396.32] all sorts of things. +[4396.40 --> 4396.84] Maybe for us, +[4396.84 --> 4397.42] it's reaching out +[4397.42 --> 4398.10] to someone here +[4398.10 --> 4399.34] or elsewhere, +[4399.34 --> 4400.58] even if your impulse +[4400.58 --> 4402.08] is to withdraw +[4402.08 --> 4403.92] rather than press in. +[4404.42 --> 4405.02] Maybe for you, +[4405.12 --> 4406.02] it's to worship +[4406.02 --> 4406.82] a little bit more. +[4407.68 --> 4408.82] Even in your daily rhythms, +[4408.94 --> 4410.70] maybe that's in a musical way +[4410.70 --> 4412.08] or prayerful ways +[4412.08 --> 4413.56] or devotional ways +[4413.56 --> 4414.72] or playful ways +[4414.72 --> 4416.16] or relational ways +[4416.16 --> 4417.54] or sacrificial ways. +[4418.82 --> 4419.70] Maybe it just means +[4419.70 --> 4420.86] worshiping a little bit more, +[4421.94 --> 4423.04] making that a focal point +[4423.04 --> 4423.54] of your life. +[4423.54 --> 4426.22] Maybe it means +[4426.22 --> 4427.60] finding your God places. +[4427.90 --> 4429.72] What I mean by that is +[4429.72 --> 4431.22] I mentioned earlier +[4431.22 --> 4431.90] that I grew up +[4431.90 --> 4432.44] on the island. +[4432.58 --> 4434.58] I spent 13 or 14 years +[4434.58 --> 4435.22] in Victoria. +[4435.76 --> 4436.72] And on our drive to school +[4436.72 --> 4437.50] every single morning, +[4437.58 --> 4438.24] we kind of crested +[4438.24 --> 4440.06] this hill on the way, +[4440.20 --> 4441.64] and we had a really nice view +[4441.64 --> 4442.28] of Mount Baker +[4442.28 --> 4443.26] and the other Cascades +[4443.26 --> 4443.82] in the distance +[4443.82 --> 4444.50] as we did that. +[4445.06 --> 4445.86] And my mom would say +[4445.86 --> 4446.32] every morning +[4446.32 --> 4446.92] when those mountains +[4446.92 --> 4447.36] were visible, +[4447.46 --> 4447.70] she'd be, +[4447.76 --> 4448.90] oh, look at the mountains. +[4449.22 --> 4449.72] And we kids +[4449.72 --> 4450.38] would roll our eyes +[4450.38 --> 4451.44] because moms are exhausting. +[4451.44 --> 4454.72] But then I went +[4454.72 --> 4455.58] to Edmonton later, +[4455.80 --> 4456.52] and I lived there +[4456.52 --> 4457.02] for a while, +[4457.22 --> 4458.28] and that's sky country. +[4458.58 --> 4459.54] That ain't mountain country. +[4460.08 --> 4460.70] And then I moved +[4460.70 --> 4461.32] to Hamilton, +[4461.58 --> 4462.28] and the mountain +[4462.28 --> 4462.88] that they have +[4462.88 --> 4463.66] is this escarpment +[4463.66 --> 4464.28] that takes like +[4464.28 --> 4464.70] eight minutes +[4464.70 --> 4465.32] to walk up +[4465.32 --> 4466.52] in 250 steps +[4466.52 --> 4466.96] or something. +[4468.40 --> 4469.84] And now that I'm back here, +[4470.34 --> 4472.04] I find myself saying, +[4472.34 --> 4473.80] look at the mountains. +[4476.80 --> 4477.78] The mountains +[4477.78 --> 4481.22] are awe-inspiring to me. +[4481.44 --> 4484.48] that's God's presence here. +[4486.40 --> 4487.34] Maybe for you, +[4487.40 --> 4487.88] it's a hike +[4487.88 --> 4488.90] or a drive +[4488.90 --> 4489.68] or a waterfall +[4489.68 --> 4490.84] or an ocean +[4490.84 --> 4493.02] or a fishing trip +[4493.02 --> 4494.00] or a hammock +[4494.00 --> 4494.50] in the woods. +[4495.64 --> 4497.62] But where's your awe moment? +[4500.72 --> 4502.26] Where does the magnitude +[4502.26 --> 4505.14] of God capture you? +[4505.14 --> 4508.14] Sometimes the magnitude +[4508.14 --> 4510.10] of God's creation +[4510.10 --> 4511.24] can help reorient +[4511.24 --> 4512.26] our bad attitudes +[4512.26 --> 4513.50] towards that same creation +[4513.50 --> 4514.56] that we find ourselves in. +[4520.48 --> 4522.52] God is with us. +[4523.10 --> 4524.10] God is with you +[4524.10 --> 4525.62] in your joys, +[4525.84 --> 4526.10] yes, +[4526.60 --> 4527.98] in your sorrows +[4527.98 --> 4528.60] and suffering, +[4528.98 --> 4529.32] yes, +[4529.66 --> 4530.02] too. +[4531.14 --> 4532.26] God is with you +[4532.26 --> 4532.98] through His church, +[4532.98 --> 4533.60] even if we're +[4533.60 --> 4534.46] a broken people. +[4535.38 --> 4536.78] Are we leaning in? +[4537.58 --> 4538.54] Are we leaning in +[4538.54 --> 4539.62] to the presence of God? +[4540.50 --> 4541.56] Because He's there. +[4542.98 --> 4545.26] You are not alone. +[4546.42 --> 4548.72] God is with you. +[4549.84 --> 4550.12] Amen. +[4550.74 --> 4551.26] Let me pray. +[4551.94 --> 4552.46] Amen. +[4554.52 --> 4555.60] Father in heaven, +[4555.60 --> 4558.66] we know that you are +[4558.66 --> 4560.06] the creator of all things +[4560.06 --> 4560.88] and you are present +[4560.88 --> 4561.86] in our lives. +[4562.38 --> 4563.00] This story, +[4563.12 --> 4563.66] your word, +[4563.78 --> 4564.30] teaches us +[4564.30 --> 4565.78] that you are with us always, +[4566.16 --> 4567.82] even in our suffering. +[4568.50 --> 4568.74] God, +[4568.80 --> 4569.74] sometimes it's easy +[4569.74 --> 4570.80] to know that you are with us +[4570.80 --> 4571.44] when things are good, +[4571.76 --> 4572.30] but man, +[4572.36 --> 4573.08] can it be hard +[4573.08 --> 4574.54] to feel your presence +[4574.54 --> 4575.78] or to know that you are there +[4575.78 --> 4576.56] when we are suffering. +[4577.58 --> 4577.92] God, +[4577.98 --> 4578.56] we pray that +[4578.56 --> 4580.10] in our darkest times, +[4580.56 --> 4582.94] we will choose +[4582.94 --> 4583.64] our suffering, +[4583.64 --> 4586.18] knowing that it points us to you, +[4586.26 --> 4587.04] that we will lean +[4587.04 --> 4588.32] into your presence, +[4588.82 --> 4589.90] the one who suffered +[4589.90 --> 4591.08] greatly. +[4592.10 --> 4592.58] And Lord, +[4593.38 --> 4594.06] as we, +[4594.18 --> 4594.68] the church, +[4594.98 --> 4595.64] both suffer +[4595.64 --> 4596.72] and walk alongside +[4596.72 --> 4597.68] others who suffer, +[4597.82 --> 4598.00] Lord, +[4598.82 --> 4599.68] may we be willing +[4599.68 --> 4600.62] to be present +[4600.62 --> 4602.12] and be your presence +[4602.12 --> 4602.76] in the midst +[4602.76 --> 4604.36] of our brothers and sisters +[4604.36 --> 4604.98] who are going through +[4604.98 --> 4605.50] hard times. +[4605.88 --> 4607.86] May we take steps of faith. +[4608.08 --> 4610.12] May we be your hands +[4610.12 --> 4610.56] and feet +[4610.56 --> 4611.30] in this community. +[4611.84 --> 4613.00] May we do no harm, +[4613.00 --> 4613.96] but do good, +[4614.08 --> 4615.14] not for our glory, +[4615.38 --> 4616.30] but for your glory. +[4616.74 --> 4617.44] And may you +[4617.44 --> 4619.02] be glorified by that. +[4619.62 --> 4620.08] And so, God, +[4620.14 --> 4620.64] may we know +[4620.64 --> 4621.76] that we are not alone today. +[4622.20 --> 4622.60] May we know +[4622.60 --> 4623.46] that you are present +[4623.46 --> 4624.22] in our lives. +[4624.72 --> 4626.26] And may we be that present +[4626.26 --> 4626.80] in the lives +[4626.80 --> 4627.54] of those around us. +[4627.60 --> 4628.06] We pray this +[4628.06 --> 4628.96] in your Son's precious +[4628.96 --> 4630.30] and holy name. +[4630.72 --> 4630.94] Amen. +[4633.98 --> 4634.64] Please stand +[4634.64 --> 4635.12] as we sing +[4635.12 --> 4636.02] in response. +[4636.02 --> 4636.12] Amen. +[4636.12 --> 4636.22] Amen. +[4643.00 --> 4656.80] I love you, Lord. +[4656.80 --> 4659.82] Oh, your nurse, +[4659.88 --> 4662.24] he never fails me. +[4663.24 --> 4665.54] All my days +[4665.54 --> 4667.08] I've been held +[4667.08 --> 4669.42] in your hands. +[4669.42 --> 4671.24] from the moment +[4671.24 --> 4673.38] that I wake up +[4673.38 --> 4677.16] until I lay my hand. +[4677.16 --> 4679.38] I will sing +[4679.38 --> 4681.22] of the goodness +[4681.22 --> 4683.70] of God. +[4683.70 --> 4685.58] of the goodness +[4685.58 --> 4687.58] of God. +[4687.58 --> 4688.80] And all my life +[4688.80 --> 4691.26] you have been faithful. +[4693.76 --> 4696.20] And all my life +[4696.20 --> 4698.20] you have been so, +[4698.46 --> 4700.58] so good. +[4701.58 --> 4703.24] With every breath +[4703.24 --> 4705.90] that I am able, +[4707.28 --> 4708.94] I will sing +[4708.94 --> 4710.58] of the goodness +[4710.58 --> 4712.58] of God. +[4712.58 --> 4716.58] I love your voice. +[4718.58 --> 4720.32] You have led me +[4720.32 --> 4721.82] through the fire +[4721.82 --> 4725.34] in darkness night. +[4725.84 --> 4727.32] You are close +[4727.32 --> 4729.04] like no other. +[4730.66 --> 4731.56] I know you +[4731.56 --> 4732.84] as a father. +[4734.46 --> 4735.28] I know you +[4735.28 --> 4737.34] as a friend. +[4737.34 --> 4739.94] And I have lived +[4739.94 --> 4741.48] in the goodness +[4741.48 --> 4743.92] of God. +[4746.64 --> 4749.10] And all my life +[4749.10 --> 4751.48] you have been faithful. +[4753.98 --> 4756.48] And all my life +[4756.48 --> 4758.26] you have been so, +[4758.70 --> 4760.32] so good. +[4761.86 --> 4763.62] With every breath +[4763.62 --> 4766.04] that I am able, +[4766.04 --> 4769.04] I will sing +[4769.04 --> 4770.84] of the goodness +[4770.84 --> 4773.28] of God. +[4776.04 --> 4777.42] Your goodness +[4777.42 --> 4779.00] is running after, +[4779.40 --> 4781.72] it's running after me. +[4783.16 --> 4784.70] Your goodness +[4784.70 --> 4786.34] is running after, +[4786.72 --> 4789.28] it's running after me. +[4789.70 --> 4791.62] With my life laid down, +[4791.70 --> 4793.50] I surrender now. +[4793.50 --> 4795.50] I give you everything. +[4797.50 --> 4798.50] Your goodness +[4799.16 --> 4800.80] is running after, +[4801.16 --> 4803.50] it's running after me. +[4804.88 --> 4806.38] Your goodness +[4806.38 --> 4807.50] is running after, +[4808.30 --> 4810.50] it's running after me. +[4812.00 --> 4813.46] Your goodness +[4813.46 --> 4814.50] is running after, +[4815.36 --> 4817.50] it's running after me. +[4818.00 --> 4820.22] With my life laid down, +[4820.32 --> 4822.00] I surrender now. +[4822.00 --> 4824.00] I give you everything. +[4824.00 --> 4825.00] I give you everything. +[4826.00 --> 4827.00] Your goodness +[4827.00 --> 4829.00] is running after, +[4829.00 --> 4832.00] it's running after me. +[4832.00 --> 4833.00] me. +[4833.00 --> 4842.00] And all my life, +[4842.00 --> 4845.00] you have been faithful. +[4845.00 --> 4850.00] And all my life, +[4850.00 --> 4852.00] you have been so, +[4852.00 --> 4854.00] so good. +[4854.00 --> 4857.12] With every breath +[4857.12 --> 4859.00] that I am able, +[4860.00 --> 4862.00] I will sing +[4862.00 --> 4864.00] of the goodness +[4864.00 --> 4866.00] of God. +[4866.00 --> 4869.00] I will sing +[4869.00 --> 4871.00] of the goodness +[4871.00 --> 4874.00] of God. +[4874.00 --> 4875.00] God. +[4875.00 --> 4876.00] I will sing +[4876.00 --> 4877.00] of God. +[4877.00 --> 4878.00] I will sing +[4878.00 --> 4879.00] of God. +[4879.00 --> 4880.00] God. +[4880.00 --> 4881.00] God. +[4881.00 --> 4882.26] And so, +[4883.00 --> 4884.46] as we go from this place, +[4884.80 --> 4885.58] am I battery dying? +[4887.00 --> 4887.86] Oh, there we go. +[4887.96 --> 4888.36] I'm back. +[4888.80 --> 4889.42] That was my fault, +[4889.50 --> 4889.72] everyone. +[4890.28 --> 4891.48] As we go from this place, +[4891.54 --> 4892.42] know that you are sent +[4892.42 --> 4893.68] out into the world +[4893.68 --> 4894.98] to be God's presence +[4894.98 --> 4896.24] today. +[4897.00 --> 4898.04] You are not dismissed +[4898.04 --> 4898.74] from this place +[4898.74 --> 4899.68] leaving God's presence. +[4899.80 --> 4900.76] You are going with +[4900.76 --> 4901.84] God's presence today +[4901.84 --> 4903.04] to be his hands and feet +[4903.04 --> 4903.68] into the world +[4903.68 --> 4904.48] around you. +[4904.50 --> 4905.56] We invite you to stick around, +[4905.62 --> 4906.76] have some coffee with us, +[4907.16 --> 4908.18] enjoy some fellowship. +[4908.18 --> 4909.20] There are prayer partners +[4909.20 --> 4910.34] available after the service +[4910.34 --> 4910.78] as well. +[4911.16 --> 4911.92] If you need prayer +[4911.92 --> 4912.34] this morning, +[4912.46 --> 4913.66] please go and speak +[4913.66 --> 4914.26] to one of them +[4914.26 --> 4915.24] or talk to a friend +[4915.24 --> 4915.72] or a neighbor +[4915.72 --> 4916.54] or someone sitting +[4916.54 --> 4917.56] across the aisle from you. +[4917.62 --> 4918.90] We will pray with you +[4918.90 --> 4919.40] for sure. +[4919.86 --> 4921.54] But as we head in +[4921.54 --> 4922.74] to this world +[4922.74 --> 4924.26] in the presence of God, +[4924.38 --> 4926.02] hear this blessing +[4926.02 --> 4927.04] from number six. +[4928.02 --> 4929.54] The Lord bless you +[4929.54 --> 4930.52] and keep you. +[4930.98 --> 4932.40] The Lord make his face +[4932.40 --> 4933.42] shine upon you +[4933.42 --> 4934.60] and be gracious to you. +[4934.98 --> 4936.60] The Lord turn his face +[4936.60 --> 4937.38] toward you +[4937.38 --> 4939.50] and give you his peace. +[4939.92 --> 4941.46] And all of God's people said, +[4942.08 --> 4942.38] Amen. +[4942.38 --> 4942.58] Amen. +[4942.58 --> 4942.60] Amen. +[4942.60 --> 4962.16] You're the Lion of Judah, +[4962.16 --> 4964.34] the Lamb who was slain. +[4964.46 --> 4966.24] You ascended to heaven +[4966.24 --> 4968.30] and evermore will reign. +[4968.48 --> 4970.28] At the end of the age +[4970.28 --> 4972.40] when the earth you be clain, +[4972.62 --> 4973.52] they will gather +[4973.52 --> 4976.12] the nations before you. +[4976.66 --> 4978.48] And the eyes of all men +[4978.48 --> 4979.56] will be fixed +[4979.56 --> 4980.66] on the Lamb +[4980.66 --> 4982.52] who was crucified. +[4984.66 --> 4986.98] With wisdom and mercy +[4986.98 --> 4988.10] and justice, +[4988.24 --> 4988.90] you'll reign +[4988.90 --> 4992.28] at your Father's side. +[4992.28 --> 4995.12] And the angels will cry, +[4995.12 --> 5000.58] hail the Lamb. +[5000.58 --> 5003.10] Who was slain for the world, +[5003.64 --> 5006.62] rule in power. +[5008.82 --> 5010.98] And the earth will reply, +[5011.58 --> 5014.28] you shall reign +[5014.28 --> 5018.90] as the King of all kings +[5018.90 --> 5021.58] and the Lord of all hosts. +[5021.58 --> 5030.82] There's a shield in our hand +[5030.82 --> 5032.90] and a sword in our side. +[5032.90 --> 5035.02] There's a fire in our spirits +[5035.02 --> 5036.86] that cannot be denied. +[5037.12 --> 5038.00] There's a Father +[5038.00 --> 5039.24] who has told us +[5039.24 --> 5041.12] for these you have died +[5041.12 --> 5042.12] from the nations +[5042.12 --> 5044.66] who gathered before you. +[5045.20 --> 5047.04] And the years of all men +[5047.04 --> 5048.08] need to hear +[5048.08 --> 5049.08] the Lamb +[5049.08 --> 5051.82] who was crucified. +[5053.14 --> 5055.12] Who descended to hell +[5055.12 --> 5056.44] yet was raised up +[5056.44 --> 5057.20] to reign +[5057.20 --> 5060.76] at his Father's side. +[5061.20 --> 5063.26] And the angels will cry, +[5063.80 --> 5066.80] hail the Lamb. +[5068.74 --> 5071.18] Who was slain for the world, +[5071.62 --> 5074.54] rule in power. +[5074.54 --> 5079.08] And the earth will reply, +[5079.56 --> 5082.02] you shall reign. +[5084.52 --> 5086.84] As the King of all kings +[5086.84 --> 5088.96] and the Lord of all lords. +[5089.10 --> 5090.92] And the angels will cry, +[5091.46 --> 5094.40] hail the Lamb. +[5096.40 --> 5098.74] Who was slain for the world, +[5099.34 --> 5101.86] rule in power. +[5101.86 --> 5106.72] And the earth will reply, +[5107.22 --> 5109.98] you shall reign. +[5112.16 --> 5114.46] As the King of all kings +[5114.46 --> 5116.66] and the Lord of all lords. +[5116.78 --> 5118.56] As the King of all kings +[5118.56 --> 5121.32] and the Lord of all lords. +[5121.32 --> 5123.52] the King of all lords. +[5123.52 --> 5124.48] Amen. +[5127.86 --> 5128.92] All this your bounty +[5129.92 --> 5138.76] and the Lord of all cities +[5138.76 --> 5141.80] will carryout floor, +[5141.80 --> 5143.98] like the King of all kings +[5144.06 --> 5145.36] and the Lord of all have +[5145.36 --> 5146.30] rest to his pants out +[5146.30 --> 5147.38] and the Lord of all countries +[5147.38 --> 5148.64] will carry out +[5148.90 --> 5150.74] for thisallejep raw +[5150.74 --> 5180.72] Thank you. +[5180.74 --> 5210.72] Thank you. +[5210.74 --> 5212.74] Thank you.