[0.00 --> 13.02] this morning together we're going to read from luke 1 we're going to read verse 67 through 79 [13.02 --> 20.38] i invite you to grab your bible grab a notebook whatever it is that will help you engage in this [20.38 --> 26.82] process we will have the text on the screen and i also just want to say personally i really [26.82 --> 34.12] appreciate everyone's feedback and emails and touching base with me at some point throughout [34.12 --> 42.34] the week preaching in this way to an almost empty sanctuary is difficult because you don't get that [42.34 --> 48.18] same interaction over coffee after church or whatever the case may be and so those ways that [48.18 --> 54.70] we do experience that are meaningful to me and so thank you for that now that you found luke 1 let's [54.70 --> 56.68] read together starting at verse 67 [56.68 --> 71.54] his father zachariah was filled with the holy spirit and prophesied praise be to the lord the god of [71.54 --> 79.14] israel because he has come and has redeemed his people he has raised up a horn of salvation for [79.14 --> 86.98] us in the house of his servant david as he said through his holy prophets long ago salvation from [86.98 --> 93.22] our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy [93.22 --> 100.32] covenant the oath he swore to our father abraham to rescue us from the hand of our enemies and to enable [100.32 --> 108.56] us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days and you [108.56 --> 115.66] my child will be called a prophet of the most high for you will go on before the lord to prepare the way [115.66 --> 122.60] for him to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins because of [122.60 --> 129.76] the tender mercy of our god by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living [129.76 --> 138.74] in darkness and in the shadow of death to guide our feet into the path of peace this is the word of the lord [138.74 --> 151.88] as many of you listening will know my family recently traveled across the country in our move here we had an 11 [151.88 --> 160.56] day long trip from ontario to here in langley and on the last day of that trip we had just from [160.56 --> 171.12] colonna to langley left that's 350 kilometers that's all that was left of our 11 day journey we were so [171.12 --> 178.96] excited to get here and so excited to get going in the morning that we packed everything up and we [178.96 --> 186.72] were on the road and ready to go because we were coming to our new city our new home [186.72 --> 194.90] but if you know that trip you know that we also had one obstacle left right you probably know it [194.90 --> 203.40] the coquihalla highway the highway through hell as the discovery channel show calls it and the further [203.40 --> 210.92] up the pass we got the worse the weather became this is mid-november now and by the time we reached [210.92 --> 216.70] the summit we were no longer actually driving on roads but driving on compacted ice and snow [216.70 --> 223.80] with the car rumbling all around the last five kilometers to the summit in fact we got stuck [223.80 --> 231.50] behind two snow plows one in each lane and so all of that excitement all of that hurry all of that [231.50 --> 238.32] anticipation and all of that energy to get going and to get to where we were going stopped well maybe [238.32 --> 244.76] not stopped but crawling at five kilometers per hour behind two big machines that you can't see around [244.76 --> 247.62] and to make matters worse i was the first car behind them [247.62 --> 255.10] we wanted to get here so badly we had so much energy and excitement for that trip [255.10 --> 259.40] but there we are stuck behind two snow plows [259.40 --> 267.12] another example even more recently than that the other day we were trying to get out of our house [267.12 --> 274.02] in the morning to get the kids off to school now that morning in particular we really struggled to get out the door [274.02 --> 281.12] at first right the the agenda wasn't in the school bag and we couldn't find it [281.12 --> 288.92] second the boots or the right boots weren't at the door and we couldn't find them in the chaos of a newly moved house [288.92 --> 295.82] and third i forgot to pack the all-important water bottle in one of my kids bags and we couldn't find that [295.82 --> 301.16] needless to say by the time we actually got everything ready we were rushing out the door [301.16 --> 307.46] we quickly threw everything in the back of my little car started it up backed out of the driveway threw it into first gear [307.46 --> 308.68] whipped around the corner went [308.68 --> 313.72] stopped there's a garbage truck [313.72 --> 320.78] now i don't know about garbage collection on your streets and i don't know if this is just a langley thing or what i'm just learning [320.78 --> 328.46] but the garbage collection on our street has this special way of driving down the road going from side to side to side [328.46 --> 333.08] lollygagging their way to the journey one side of the street to the other so when we were in that hurry [333.08 --> 334.42] there i am stopped [334.42 --> 336.34] watching the garbage truck [336.34 --> 338.12] do its little dance [338.12 --> 340.48] and i couldn't go anywhere [340.48 --> 343.86] stuck behind a big green [343.86 --> 345.36] garbage truck [345.36 --> 348.30] now i shared these two stories [348.30 --> 352.58] because i think they can actually function for us kind of as parables [352.58 --> 354.08] for right now [354.08 --> 360.76] right not just in covid times right where yes in these days we want to hurry up and we want to get through it [360.76 --> 362.24] right we're tired of waiting [362.24 --> 367.36] we've got the good news of vaccines that has just come and is starting to be distributed [367.36 --> 371.56] and now we want to get back to normal whatever that means [371.56 --> 373.74] but we can't [373.74 --> 377.06] right we're stuck behind the big green truck of procedure [377.06 --> 381.38] of dispensing of refrigeration technology requirements [381.38 --> 383.18] we're stuck behind the [383.18 --> 387.32] supply being dwarfed by the demand [387.32 --> 391.12] we're stuck behind months more of waiting [391.12 --> 396.04] but like i said not just in covid times but generally [396.04 --> 399.16] right this is the the last week of advent [399.16 --> 401.62] right it's the final days before christmas [401.62 --> 403.42] and we just want to get there [403.42 --> 405.38] right we just want to open our presents [405.38 --> 407.16] we just want to cook that turkey or [407.16 --> 409.08] small chicken maybe this year [409.08 --> 410.22] whatever it may be [410.22 --> 412.12] right we just want to get there [412.12 --> 414.12] we've waited long enough [414.12 --> 417.80] but there are two snow plows in front of us [417.80 --> 420.46] stopping us from getting where we want to go [420.46 --> 422.40] at the speed we want to get there [422.40 --> 426.76] patience for everything is running thin [426.76 --> 428.26] we've got places to be [428.26 --> 429.50] and people to see [429.50 --> 431.58] and we've had just about enough [431.58 --> 432.78] of this waiting [432.78 --> 437.94] and it's exactly into that moment [437.94 --> 439.88] that i want to speak [439.88 --> 444.88] precisely when we've run out of patience [444.88 --> 450.38] precisely when we are rushing from one thing to the next to the next to the next [450.38 --> 452.32] and then we get stopped [452.32 --> 458.30] now we read this morning zachariah's song [458.30 --> 460.14] it's sometimes called the benedictus [460.14 --> 463.96] but let me remind you of zachariah's story [463.96 --> 466.98] now zachariah is husband to elizabeth [466.98 --> 470.72] and he is a priest serving in the temple at jerusalem [470.72 --> 473.54] and one night while he's serving in the temple [473.54 --> 476.08] the angel gabriel appears to him [476.08 --> 478.44] and tells him that his wife will have a baby [478.44 --> 480.84] now zachariah is a pretty old man [480.84 --> 483.36] his wife is also no longer a young woman [483.36 --> 485.30] and so he struggles to believe that [485.30 --> 487.80] she has been barren for their entire marriage together [487.80 --> 490.94] and he doesn't believe that this is possible [490.94 --> 494.50] and so gabriel [494.50 --> 497.86] in a real awesome sort of power move [497.86 --> 498.74] actually says [498.74 --> 500.30] i am gabriel [500.30 --> 502.72] i stand in the presence of god [502.72 --> 505.54] i have been sent here to speak this message to you [505.54 --> 507.46] and because you didn't believe me [507.46 --> 509.62] you will not be able to speak [509.62 --> 512.04] until the child is born [512.04 --> 514.44] and zachariah fell mute [514.44 --> 517.30] fast forward nine months [517.30 --> 519.34] zachariah has finished [519.34 --> 521.94] at the end of his time in the temple [521.94 --> 523.54] he goes back home to elizabeth [523.54 --> 524.66] nine months later [524.66 --> 525.80] they have a son [525.80 --> 526.84] and he is born [526.84 --> 528.16] and on the eighth day [528.16 --> 529.20] their child [529.20 --> 530.82] is taken [530.82 --> 533.20] to be circumcised [533.20 --> 535.18] now this is normal for jewish boys [535.18 --> 536.30] to do on the eighth day [536.30 --> 537.36] the eighth day [537.36 --> 538.26] the day of circumcision [538.26 --> 540.48] is also the official naming day [540.48 --> 542.50] and so you didn't release the name of the child [542.50 --> 543.26] out into the public [543.26 --> 544.28] until that day [544.28 --> 546.92] he was going to be named after his father [546.92 --> 548.36] or so everyone assumed [548.36 --> 549.92] but the angel gabriel [549.92 --> 552.10] gabriel had told zachariah [552.10 --> 554.06] that he should be called john [554.06 --> 556.18] and so when people come and say [556.18 --> 557.74] what name will this child be given [557.74 --> 559.76] zachariah takes his writing tablet [559.76 --> 560.36] because remember [560.36 --> 561.34] he hasn't been able to speak [561.34 --> 562.18] for these nine months [562.18 --> 563.42] and he is about to [563.42 --> 565.08] and he writes on that tablet [565.08 --> 567.36] his name is john [567.36 --> 569.02] and as soon as he does that [569.02 --> 570.66] his mouth is opened [570.66 --> 572.00] and he can speak again [572.00 --> 574.54] and he begins praising god [574.54 --> 578.00] what we read [578.00 --> 579.88] is his song of praise [579.88 --> 582.14] now look at it with me [582.14 --> 583.04] have it in front of you [583.04 --> 583.74] hopefully right [583.74 --> 585.34] the first part of that song [585.34 --> 586.92] verse 68 through 75 [586.92 --> 588.16] is about [588.16 --> 589.96] what who zachariah calls [589.96 --> 592.28] the lord coming to redeem his people [592.28 --> 593.14] right [593.14 --> 594.78] this part is about a son [594.78 --> 595.96] who would be in the house [595.96 --> 597.18] and line of david [597.18 --> 598.48] who zachariah calls [598.48 --> 599.82] a horn of salvation [599.82 --> 600.80] right [600.80 --> 602.74] he will bring salvation from enemies [602.74 --> 604.22] and bring mercy to fathers [604.22 --> 606.06] by remembering his covenant [606.06 --> 607.28] his promise [607.28 --> 607.80] right [607.80 --> 608.62] this son [608.62 --> 609.90] king and lord [609.90 --> 612.16] will make people able to serve [612.16 --> 613.82] god without fear [613.82 --> 614.58] in holiness [614.58 --> 615.60] and in righteousness [615.60 --> 618.84] now zachariah may not have known it [618.84 --> 620.08] but the holy spirit [620.08 --> 621.34] who gave him this song [621.34 --> 622.14] sure did [622.14 --> 622.86] and we do [622.86 --> 624.44] standing on this side of history [624.44 --> 625.44] this side of jesus [625.44 --> 627.64] we know that he is talking about [627.64 --> 628.48] jesus [628.48 --> 630.20] the son to be born to mary [630.20 --> 630.76] in fact [630.76 --> 632.28] elizabeth's relative [632.28 --> 633.26] of some sort [633.26 --> 633.80] right [633.80 --> 634.94] zachariah's boy [634.94 --> 635.56] john [635.56 --> 636.60] and that boy [636.60 --> 637.16] jesus [637.16 --> 638.60] will be related [638.60 --> 639.38] and jesus [639.38 --> 640.28] we know [640.28 --> 641.22] is the god [641.22 --> 642.78] man promised of ages [642.78 --> 644.10] who will take away [644.10 --> 645.22] the sin of the world [645.22 --> 648.08] and in the next part of the song [648.08 --> 648.60] you see it [648.60 --> 650.16] beginning in verse 76 [650.16 --> 651.78] zachariah turns [651.78 --> 652.84] his focus [652.84 --> 654.18] to his son [654.18 --> 656.70] and the prophecy says [656.70 --> 657.22] and you [657.22 --> 658.02] my child [658.02 --> 658.72] will be called [658.72 --> 659.26] a prophet [659.26 --> 660.48] prophet of the most high [660.48 --> 661.20] for you [661.20 --> 662.58] will go before the lord [662.58 --> 664.06] to prepare the way for him [664.06 --> 665.90] and here's the focus [665.90 --> 666.92] that i want us to [666.92 --> 668.32] zero in on [668.32 --> 669.08] this morning [669.08 --> 670.10] right [670.10 --> 671.08] look at verse 76 [671.08 --> 672.80] and and track through [672.80 --> 674.18] how zachariah [674.18 --> 674.90] builds [674.90 --> 675.18] right [675.18 --> 676.52] john will grow up [676.52 --> 677.80] to be a prophet [677.80 --> 679.30] preparing the way [679.30 --> 680.00] for jesus [680.00 --> 681.34] by teaching salvation [681.34 --> 682.70] through the forgiveness [682.70 --> 683.40] of sins [683.40 --> 685.02] because of the [685.02 --> 686.04] tender [686.04 --> 687.96] mercy of god [687.96 --> 689.94] and then notice [689.94 --> 690.94] the the tender [690.94 --> 691.86] mercy of god [691.86 --> 692.30] at the beginning [692.30 --> 693.22] of verse 78 [693.22 --> 694.78] is connected [694.78 --> 696.38] by a straight line [696.38 --> 697.70] to those living [697.70 --> 698.32] in darkness [698.32 --> 699.24] to those living [699.24 --> 699.84] in the shadow [699.84 --> 700.32] of death [700.32 --> 702.00] to guide our feet [702.00 --> 702.88] and here it is [702.88 --> 705.14] into the path [705.14 --> 706.48] of peace [706.48 --> 708.36] right the mercy [708.36 --> 709.00] of god [709.00 --> 711.08] has a straight line [711.08 --> 712.86] to peace [712.86 --> 714.58] in your life [714.58 --> 717.18] when you've experienced [717.18 --> 717.90] the mercy [717.90 --> 719.06] of god [719.06 --> 721.58] it's made manifest [721.58 --> 723.26] in peace [723.26 --> 725.70] when you know [725.70 --> 726.48] mercy [726.48 --> 729.14] it's made tangible [729.14 --> 731.44] in peace [731.44 --> 733.46] when the mercy [733.46 --> 734.12] that god [734.12 --> 735.34] has the mercy [735.34 --> 735.82] of god [735.82 --> 736.92] has made its way [736.92 --> 738.28] into here [738.28 --> 739.70] that is into the throne [739.70 --> 740.46] of your heart [740.46 --> 741.82] there will be peace [741.82 --> 742.82] in here [742.82 --> 743.72] right that's in the [743.72 --> 744.68] movements of your mind [744.68 --> 746.10] and there will be peace [746.10 --> 746.92] out here [746.92 --> 747.84] in the makings [747.84 --> 748.72] of your hands [748.72 --> 750.56] right as the mercy [750.56 --> 751.46] of god [751.46 --> 752.50] makes its way [752.50 --> 753.36] to the throne [753.36 --> 754.36] of your heart [754.36 --> 755.88] there will be peace [755.88 --> 756.62] in the movements [756.62 --> 757.32] of your mind [757.32 --> 757.96] and peace [757.96 --> 759.00] in the makings [759.00 --> 760.12] of your hands [760.12 --> 763.06] and just [763.06 --> 763.90] like [763.90 --> 764.74] god's [764.74 --> 765.62] mercy [765.62 --> 766.68] and grace [766.68 --> 767.52] is a gift [767.52 --> 769.84] so is the peace [769.84 --> 770.56] that he [770.56 --> 771.50] offers [771.50 --> 773.16] think about [773.16 --> 774.20] what the angels [774.20 --> 775.34] say to the shepherds [775.34 --> 776.40] and we've been saying it [776.40 --> 777.66] every week [777.66 --> 778.20] in the month [778.20 --> 779.34] of december [779.34 --> 779.96] because it's the [779.96 --> 780.80] emmanuel kids [780.80 --> 781.80] memory verse [781.80 --> 783.22] glory to god [783.22 --> 783.92] in the highest [783.92 --> 784.90] and on earth [784.90 --> 786.74] peace [786.74 --> 788.46] peace to those [788.46 --> 789.08] on whom [789.08 --> 790.36] his favor [790.36 --> 791.42] rests [791.42 --> 793.48] and again [793.48 --> 794.44] right [794.44 --> 794.96] when jesus [794.96 --> 795.70] is preaching [795.70 --> 796.36] and teaching [796.36 --> 798.04] he says to his disciples [798.04 --> 799.34] in john 14 [799.34 --> 799.76] he says [799.76 --> 800.34] peace [800.34 --> 800.78] i [800.78 --> 802.72] leave with you [802.72 --> 803.78] my peace [803.78 --> 804.86] i give to you [804.86 --> 805.76] i do not give [805.76 --> 806.88] as the world gives [806.88 --> 808.12] do not let your hearts [808.12 --> 808.66] be troubled [808.66 --> 810.82] and do not be afraid [810.82 --> 812.34] right [812.34 --> 812.84] paul [812.84 --> 813.52] says [813.52 --> 814.56] the mind [814.56 --> 815.00] governed [815.00 --> 816.08] by the spirit [816.08 --> 816.96] is life [816.96 --> 817.90] and [817.90 --> 818.88] peace [818.88 --> 820.26] right [820.26 --> 821.14] or think of the fruit [821.14 --> 821.84] of the spirit [821.84 --> 822.32] right [822.32 --> 823.24] the fruit of the spirit [823.24 --> 823.60] again [823.60 --> 824.78] a new reality [824.78 --> 825.34] in you [825.34 --> 826.30] because of the gift [826.30 --> 827.46] of the holy spirit [827.46 --> 828.82] right the fruit of the spirit [828.82 --> 830.04] in galatians 5 22 [830.04 --> 831.54] but the fruit of the spirit [831.54 --> 832.90] is love [832.90 --> 834.04] joy [834.04 --> 835.94] peace [835.94 --> 839.26] jesus has come [839.26 --> 841.36] and there is a straight line [841.36 --> 842.78] from the mercy of god [842.78 --> 845.00] given to the peace of god [845.00 --> 846.06] experienced [846.06 --> 847.38] in your life [847.38 --> 850.16] and let me be really [850.16 --> 851.04] clear [851.04 --> 853.22] the peace [853.22 --> 854.14] that jesus [854.14 --> 854.78] brings [854.78 --> 856.16] is so much [856.16 --> 856.88] more [856.88 --> 857.30] than [857.30 --> 858.60] not war [858.60 --> 859.58] right [859.58 --> 860.98] it's even more [860.98 --> 861.92] than a sense of [861.92 --> 862.50] calm [862.50 --> 863.76] in chaos [863.76 --> 864.54] the peace [864.54 --> 865.46] that jesus [865.46 --> 865.82] brings [865.82 --> 867.02] is even more [867.02 --> 867.84] than the forgiveness [867.84 --> 868.60] of sins [868.60 --> 869.62] now it is that [869.62 --> 870.18] of course [870.18 --> 871.36] but it's also more [871.36 --> 872.30] the peace [872.30 --> 873.26] of jesus [873.26 --> 875.08] is whole life [875.08 --> 875.76] restoration [875.76 --> 877.30] to the design [877.30 --> 878.36] and intent [878.36 --> 879.42] of god [879.42 --> 880.26] for you [880.26 --> 882.68] the peace [882.68 --> 883.18] of jesus [883.18 --> 884.22] is whole life [884.22 --> 884.66] restoration [884.66 --> 885.74] to the design [885.74 --> 886.62] and intent [886.62 --> 887.40] of god [887.40 --> 888.60] for you [888.60 --> 890.42] and for your life [890.42 --> 892.00] for your neighborhood [892.00 --> 893.70] and community [893.70 --> 895.42] now the word [895.42 --> 895.98] peace [895.98 --> 897.58] in the bible [897.58 --> 898.96] is really built [898.96 --> 900.14] on the hebrew [900.14 --> 900.64] concept [900.64 --> 901.44] of the word [901.44 --> 902.02] shalom [902.02 --> 903.64] now maybe you've heard [903.64 --> 904.38] that word before [904.38 --> 905.18] and today [905.18 --> 906.36] in modern day [906.36 --> 907.22] israel [907.22 --> 909.04] the word shalom [909.04 --> 909.76] is used [909.76 --> 910.44] as a greeting [910.44 --> 910.96] right [910.96 --> 912.00] people will walk around [912.00 --> 912.46] and they'll see [912.46 --> 912.90] their neighbor [912.90 --> 913.94] or someone in the streets [913.94 --> 914.58] and they will say [914.58 --> 915.12] shalom [915.12 --> 916.22] boker tov [916.22 --> 917.30] which just means [917.30 --> 917.84] peace [917.84 --> 918.84] good morning [918.84 --> 921.42] in the bible [921.42 --> 921.84] though [921.84 --> 922.72] shalom [922.72 --> 923.78] is so [923.78 --> 924.68] much [924.68 --> 925.44] more [925.44 --> 926.56] right [926.56 --> 927.08] shalom [927.08 --> 927.36] is [927.36 --> 928.46] wholeness [928.46 --> 929.12] restored [929.12 --> 930.98] in fact [930.98 --> 931.62] I really love [931.62 --> 931.98] the way [931.98 --> 932.28] that [932.28 --> 932.98] cornelius [932.98 --> 933.58] plantiga [933.58 --> 934.08] jr [934.08 --> 935.02] puts it [935.02 --> 936.40] he says [936.40 --> 937.84] in the bible [937.84 --> 938.88] shalom [938.88 --> 939.66] means [939.66 --> 940.56] universal [940.56 --> 941.44] flourishing [941.44 --> 942.40] wholeness [942.40 --> 943.16] and delight [943.16 --> 944.00] a rich [944.00 --> 944.98] state of affairs [944.98 --> 945.52] in which [945.52 --> 946.78] natural needs [946.78 --> 947.52] are satisfied [947.52 --> 948.42] and natural [948.42 --> 948.88] gifts [948.88 --> 949.70] fruitfully [949.70 --> 950.38] employed [950.38 --> 951.18] a state [951.18 --> 951.70] of affairs [951.70 --> 952.42] that inspires [952.42 --> 953.52] joyful wonder [953.52 --> 954.72] as its creator [954.72 --> 955.30] and savior [955.30 --> 956.24] opens doors [956.24 --> 956.96] and welcomes [956.96 --> 957.64] the creatures [957.64 --> 958.44] in whom [958.44 --> 959.24] he delights [959.24 --> 960.62] shalom [960.62 --> 962.20] in other words [962.20 --> 963.26] is the way [963.26 --> 964.18] things ought [964.18 --> 964.80] to be [964.80 --> 967.28] the peace [967.28 --> 968.18] of advent [968.18 --> 969.86] the peace [969.86 --> 971.12] of christmas [971.12 --> 972.04] the peace [972.04 --> 972.64] that we are [972.64 --> 973.40] all longing [973.40 --> 973.78] for [973.78 --> 974.80] is being [974.80 --> 975.60] restored [975.60 --> 976.44] to god's [976.44 --> 976.98] intention [976.98 --> 978.08] and god's [978.08 --> 978.56] design [978.56 --> 980.16] the things [980.16 --> 981.14] that are wrong [981.14 --> 981.94] in the world [981.94 --> 982.86] or when things [982.86 --> 983.44] go wrong [983.44 --> 984.32] in your life [984.32 --> 985.24] are really [985.24 --> 986.04] the consequence [986.04 --> 986.88] of shalom [986.88 --> 987.60] breaking [987.60 --> 989.98] the gospel [989.98 --> 991.46] of jesus [991.46 --> 992.46] living the life [992.46 --> 993.48] i should have lived [993.48 --> 994.48] and dying [994.48 --> 995.06] the death [995.06 --> 995.88] that i deserved [995.88 --> 997.02] that gospel [997.02 --> 997.82] means [997.82 --> 999.20] is the means [999.20 --> 999.78] by which [999.78 --> 1000.92] i am restored [1000.92 --> 1001.74] right [1001.74 --> 1002.34] not just to [1002.34 --> 1002.88] relationship [1002.88 --> 1003.46] with god [1003.46 --> 1004.44] my heavenly father [1004.44 --> 1005.54] but the means [1005.54 --> 1006.50] by which i am [1006.50 --> 1006.96] restored [1006.96 --> 1007.76] to everything [1007.76 --> 1008.56] that god had [1008.56 --> 1009.02] in mind [1009.02 --> 1009.68] for humanity [1009.68 --> 1010.94] when he said [1010.94 --> 1012.00] let us make [1012.00 --> 1012.56] humanity [1012.56 --> 1014.04] in our [1014.04 --> 1014.78] image [1014.78 --> 1017.54] and look [1017.54 --> 1018.80] it's not easy [1018.80 --> 1019.88] right [1019.88 --> 1021.44] sin still has [1021.44 --> 1022.24] a hold [1022.24 --> 1023.00] on parts [1023.00 --> 1023.48] of me [1023.48 --> 1024.74] right [1024.74 --> 1025.46] and just because [1025.46 --> 1026.10] i believe [1026.10 --> 1026.80] this doctrine [1026.80 --> 1027.56] to be true [1027.56 --> 1028.46] doesn't mean [1028.46 --> 1029.14] that my life [1029.14 --> 1029.70] is totally [1029.70 --> 1030.32] transformed [1030.32 --> 1030.72] and that i'm [1030.72 --> 1031.40] a picture [1031.40 --> 1032.20] perfect saint [1032.20 --> 1032.82] of peace [1032.82 --> 1033.34] and calm [1033.34 --> 1034.06] and restoration [1034.06 --> 1035.54] just ask my kids [1035.54 --> 1036.26] they will tell you [1036.26 --> 1036.92] that's not true [1036.92 --> 1039.08] but it [1039.08 --> 1040.42] does mean [1040.42 --> 1042.02] i am being [1042.02 --> 1042.90] transformed [1042.90 --> 1044.14] it does mean [1044.14 --> 1044.74] i am in the [1044.74 --> 1045.30] midst of [1045.30 --> 1046.20] restoration [1046.20 --> 1046.66] right [1046.66 --> 1047.16] i have [1047.16 --> 1047.80] the peace [1047.80 --> 1048.40] that jesus [1048.40 --> 1048.88] offers [1048.88 --> 1049.84] because i have [1049.84 --> 1050.44] by grace [1050.44 --> 1051.00] through faith [1051.00 --> 1052.10] being the object [1052.10 --> 1052.98] of god's [1052.98 --> 1053.50] mercy [1053.50 --> 1054.48] and the line [1054.48 --> 1055.12] from god's [1055.12 --> 1055.46] mercy [1055.46 --> 1056.40] goes straight [1056.40 --> 1057.12] through [1057.12 --> 1057.94] right through [1057.94 --> 1058.48] me [1058.48 --> 1059.62] and to me [1059.62 --> 1060.60] and everything [1060.60 --> 1061.20] i do [1061.20 --> 1062.06] right [1062.06 --> 1062.78] in theological [1062.78 --> 1063.54] terms [1063.54 --> 1064.64] i am justified [1064.64 --> 1065.48] by the gospel [1065.48 --> 1066.26] and i am being [1066.26 --> 1067.20] sanctified [1067.20 --> 1068.42] by the gospel [1068.42 --> 1070.24] and my mission [1070.24 --> 1070.60] now [1070.60 --> 1071.38] our mission [1071.38 --> 1071.74] now [1071.74 --> 1072.54] as christians [1072.54 --> 1073.24] in the world [1073.24 --> 1074.10] with this message [1074.10 --> 1074.54] of peace [1074.54 --> 1075.60] is to live [1075.60 --> 1076.72] in its [1076.72 --> 1077.46] truth [1077.46 --> 1080.20] and in fact [1080.20 --> 1081.92] there's a [1081.92 --> 1083.68] generation of christians [1083.68 --> 1084.16] really [1084.16 --> 1085.06] who are leading [1085.06 --> 1085.94] the way in this [1085.94 --> 1087.98] a few years ago [1087.98 --> 1089.62] bethany hoang [1089.62 --> 1090.38] wrote an article [1090.38 --> 1091.26] for a leadership [1091.26 --> 1091.72] journal [1091.72 --> 1092.96] under the umbrella [1092.96 --> 1094.10] of christianity today [1094.10 --> 1095.32] and in that article [1095.32 --> 1096.00] she writes [1096.00 --> 1098.62] the rising concern [1098.62 --> 1099.60] for justice [1099.60 --> 1100.38] is seen [1100.38 --> 1101.60] most dramatically [1101.60 --> 1103.02] among the younger [1103.02 --> 1103.68] generation [1103.68 --> 1104.92] in the church [1104.92 --> 1107.00] christians in college [1107.00 --> 1108.08] in high school [1108.08 --> 1109.32] and even middle school [1109.32 --> 1110.22] and elementary school [1110.22 --> 1110.92] are putting [1110.92 --> 1112.48] extraordinary emphasis [1112.48 --> 1113.30] on justice [1113.30 --> 1114.38] as part of their [1114.38 --> 1115.10] christian witness [1115.10 --> 1116.70] and established churches [1116.70 --> 1117.42] and ministries [1117.42 --> 1118.48] are taking notice [1118.48 --> 1120.76] scores of church [1120.76 --> 1121.56] youth ministries [1121.56 --> 1122.54] are now leading [1122.54 --> 1123.04] the way [1123.04 --> 1123.90] in mobilizing [1123.90 --> 1124.36] students [1124.36 --> 1124.86] not only [1124.86 --> 1125.46] to proclaim [1125.46 --> 1126.06] the gospel [1126.06 --> 1127.06] but to work [1127.06 --> 1128.12] for justice [1128.12 --> 1129.38] in the world [1129.38 --> 1131.46] in the world [1131.46 --> 1132.76] we have [1132.76 --> 1133.62] malala [1133.62 --> 1134.32] and we have [1134.32 --> 1134.68] greta [1134.68 --> 1135.68] leading different [1135.68 --> 1136.10] charges [1136.10 --> 1136.68] and different [1136.68 --> 1137.16] changes [1137.16 --> 1138.28] but who will [1138.28 --> 1139.02] the church's [1139.02 --> 1140.20] version of that [1140.20 --> 1140.44] be [1140.44 --> 1141.72] who will our [1141.72 --> 1142.48] church's version [1142.48 --> 1143.74] of that be [1143.74 --> 1145.56] maybe it's you [1145.56 --> 1148.00] out of the peace [1148.00 --> 1149.42] jesus provides [1149.42 --> 1150.80] how will you [1150.80 --> 1151.72] fight [1151.72 --> 1152.88] for shalom [1152.88 --> 1156.98] and finally [1156.98 --> 1158.82] and i'll end [1158.82 --> 1159.28] it here [1159.28 --> 1160.54] this morning [1160.54 --> 1161.90] as we have [1161.90 --> 1162.38] drawn [1162.38 --> 1163.68] the line [1163.68 --> 1164.60] from god's [1164.60 --> 1164.98] mercy [1164.98 --> 1166.16] to experiencing [1166.16 --> 1166.92] peace [1166.92 --> 1167.80] and shalom [1167.80 --> 1168.48] in life [1168.48 --> 1169.76] i want to go [1169.76 --> 1170.28] back to the [1170.28 --> 1171.24] illustrations that i [1171.24 --> 1171.86] opened with [1171.86 --> 1172.96] that i said are [1172.96 --> 1173.62] sort of parable [1173.62 --> 1174.46] for our experience [1174.46 --> 1174.92] right now [1174.92 --> 1176.74] first [1176.74 --> 1177.94] knowing this [1177.94 --> 1178.54] peace [1178.54 --> 1179.32] that comes [1179.32 --> 1179.98] from god's [1179.98 --> 1180.50] mercy [1180.50 --> 1181.72] maybe we [1181.72 --> 1182.36] don't have [1182.36 --> 1183.12] to rush [1183.12 --> 1185.00] maybe we [1185.00 --> 1185.22] don't have [1185.22 --> 1185.58] to rush [1185.58 --> 1185.96] through [1185.96 --> 1186.94] the waiting [1186.94 --> 1187.72] maybe the [1187.72 --> 1188.62] peace of god [1188.62 --> 1189.00] given [1189.00 --> 1190.24] in mercy [1190.24 --> 1191.00] is enough [1191.00 --> 1191.90] to sustain [1191.90 --> 1192.34] us [1192.34 --> 1193.46] in that [1193.46 --> 1193.76] waiting [1193.76 --> 1195.42] second [1195.42 --> 1197.10] maybe [1197.10 --> 1198.56] the waiting [1198.56 --> 1200.46] is actually [1200.46 --> 1201.36] sustaining you [1201.36 --> 1203.00] or maybe it's [1203.00 --> 1204.22] preparing you [1204.22 --> 1204.80] for something [1204.80 --> 1206.50] right i was [1206.50 --> 1207.60] frustrated when i [1207.60 --> 1208.36] got stopped [1208.36 --> 1209.24] behind those [1209.24 --> 1210.16] two snowplows [1210.16 --> 1211.02] crawling along [1211.02 --> 1211.82] right i had [1211.82 --> 1212.80] places to be [1212.80 --> 1214.18] and places i [1214.18 --> 1214.88] wanted to go [1214.88 --> 1215.66] and get to [1215.66 --> 1216.36] and they were [1216.36 --> 1216.94] slowing me [1216.94 --> 1217.28] down [1217.28 --> 1218.84] but maybe [1218.84 --> 1221.52] maybe [1221.52 --> 1222.52] without them [1222.52 --> 1224.28] i would have [1224.28 --> 1224.78] learned the real [1224.78 --> 1225.46] reason why they [1225.46 --> 1225.96] call it the [1225.96 --> 1226.62] highway from hell [1226.62 --> 1228.30] now i don't know [1228.30 --> 1228.82] for sure [1228.82 --> 1230.56] but maybe [1230.56 --> 1233.10] the moderate [1233.10 --> 1234.38] inconvenience [1234.38 --> 1235.40] that god [1235.40 --> 1236.40] god has [1236.40 --> 1236.88] brought [1236.88 --> 1238.32] may be used [1238.32 --> 1239.00] by god [1239.00 --> 1240.10] to protect us [1240.10 --> 1240.70] from something [1240.70 --> 1241.02] more [1241.02 --> 1243.48] and yet [1243.48 --> 1245.30] here's where it [1245.30 --> 1245.94] gets really hard [1245.94 --> 1248.90] this will also [1248.90 --> 1249.46] be true [1249.46 --> 1251.12] of the more [1251.12 --> 1251.66] than moderate [1251.66 --> 1252.62] inconveniences [1252.62 --> 1255.06] right if god [1255.06 --> 1255.66] is sovereign [1255.66 --> 1256.36] over all [1256.36 --> 1256.92] creation [1256.92 --> 1258.38] it must be [1258.38 --> 1258.98] true in [1258.98 --> 1260.14] every circumstance [1260.14 --> 1261.52] right for [1261.52 --> 1262.62] any suffering [1262.62 --> 1263.50] or trial [1263.50 --> 1264.30] or tribulation [1264.30 --> 1265.44] in this life [1265.44 --> 1266.38] to have any [1266.38 --> 1267.48] meaning god [1267.48 --> 1268.24] must have a [1268.24 --> 1268.96] purpose for it [1268.96 --> 1269.80] and a plan [1269.80 --> 1270.60] that connects [1270.60 --> 1271.50] to his mercy [1271.50 --> 1272.52] he must [1272.52 --> 1275.36] and we believe [1275.36 --> 1275.92] he does [1275.92 --> 1279.56] there's an [1279.56 --> 1280.62] autobiographical [1280.62 --> 1281.92] book by a man [1281.92 --> 1282.68] named sheldon [1282.68 --> 1283.24] van alken [1283.24 --> 1283.96] he was a friend [1283.96 --> 1284.50] of c.s. [1284.58 --> 1284.84] lewis [1284.84 --> 1285.96] and he wrote [1285.96 --> 1286.96] a man [1286.96 --> 1287.20] after his [1287.20 --> 1288.54] wife passed [1288.54 --> 1288.80] away [1288.80 --> 1290.38] and that book [1290.38 --> 1291.06] was called [1291.06 --> 1292.98] severe mercies [1292.98 --> 1294.86] severe mercies [1294.86 --> 1295.72] has become a [1295.72 --> 1296.56] sort of theological [1296.56 --> 1297.72] term for what [1297.72 --> 1298.16] we're talking [1298.16 --> 1298.50] about [1298.50 --> 1299.48] these sort of [1299.48 --> 1300.78] extreme and [1300.78 --> 1301.56] tragic events [1301.56 --> 1302.54] that god uses [1302.54 --> 1303.98] to reveal his [1303.98 --> 1305.00] mercy and peace [1305.00 --> 1305.86] to us [1305.86 --> 1306.68] right we call [1306.68 --> 1307.34] these god's [1307.34 --> 1308.60] severe mercies [1308.60 --> 1309.74] jonah for instance [1309.74 --> 1310.46] knew them [1310.46 --> 1311.96] right god used [1311.96 --> 1312.76] the deathly [1312.76 --> 1313.42] experience [1313.42 --> 1313.76] of being [1313.76 --> 1314.38] caught up [1314.38 --> 1315.10] in the belly [1315.10 --> 1315.64] of a great [1315.64 --> 1316.00] fish [1316.00 --> 1316.82] to correct [1316.82 --> 1317.10] him [1317.10 --> 1318.16] right [1318.16 --> 1318.94] naaman's [1318.94 --> 1319.76] leprosy [1319.76 --> 1320.68] was used [1320.68 --> 1321.14] to bring [1321.14 --> 1321.94] glory to god [1321.94 --> 1323.74] there's a podcast [1323.74 --> 1324.80] that i listened to [1324.80 --> 1325.30] that said [1325.30 --> 1326.08] quote [1326.08 --> 1327.26] in god's [1327.26 --> 1328.46] severe mercy [1328.46 --> 1329.58] he may deal [1329.58 --> 1330.00] with us [1330.00 --> 1330.48] in ways [1330.48 --> 1331.22] that bring us [1331.22 --> 1331.84] to the end [1331.84 --> 1332.66] of ourselves [1332.66 --> 1334.12] and we might [1334.12 --> 1334.56] hate him [1334.56 --> 1335.04] for it [1335.04 --> 1337.50] but the paradox [1337.50 --> 1338.20] of god's [1338.20 --> 1338.92] severe mercy [1338.92 --> 1339.70] is this [1339.70 --> 1340.92] it's that it [1340.92 --> 1341.40] could be the [1341.40 --> 1342.28] best thing [1342.28 --> 1342.68] that ever [1342.68 --> 1343.46] happens to us [1343.46 --> 1344.28] because we [1344.28 --> 1345.02] discover the [1345.02 --> 1345.74] truth of how [1345.74 --> 1346.78] broken and [1346.78 --> 1347.80] selfish we are [1347.80 --> 1348.66] we discover the [1348.66 --> 1349.56] truth of how [1349.56 --> 1350.40] i've been taking [1350.40 --> 1351.24] my life for [1351.24 --> 1352.28] granted as if [1352.28 --> 1353.14] i can do just [1353.14 --> 1353.96] whatever i want [1353.96 --> 1354.70] and the only [1354.70 --> 1355.58] reason i exist [1355.58 --> 1356.28] is because [1356.28 --> 1357.12] someone else [1357.12 --> 1358.12] has made me [1358.12 --> 1360.80] here's what i [1360.80 --> 1361.02] know [1361.02 --> 1362.84] whether it's [1362.84 --> 1363.58] saving you [1363.58 --> 1364.42] or preparing [1364.42 --> 1364.88] you [1364.88 --> 1366.26] or it's [1366.26 --> 1366.80] something else [1366.80 --> 1367.32] altogether [1367.32 --> 1369.04] whatever you [1369.04 --> 1369.90] are facing [1369.90 --> 1371.28] right now [1371.28 --> 1372.62] will be used [1372.62 --> 1374.06] for your good [1374.06 --> 1375.22] and god's [1375.22 --> 1375.78] glory [1375.78 --> 1377.38] right this [1377.38 --> 1378.50] is his promise [1378.50 --> 1379.48] that our present [1379.48 --> 1380.36] sufferings are not [1380.36 --> 1381.12] worth comparing [1381.12 --> 1381.96] to the glory [1381.96 --> 1382.48] that will be [1382.48 --> 1383.32] revealed in us [1383.32 --> 1384.42] this is god's [1384.42 --> 1385.26] promise that [1385.26 --> 1386.02] that we know [1386.02 --> 1386.56] that in all [1386.56 --> 1387.46] things god works [1387.46 --> 1387.96] for the good [1387.96 --> 1388.56] of those who [1388.56 --> 1388.98] love him [1388.98 --> 1389.62] of those who [1389.62 --> 1390.18] have been called [1390.18 --> 1390.98] according to his [1390.98 --> 1391.42] purpose [1391.42 --> 1393.52] the truth is [1393.52 --> 1394.38] the trouble is [1394.38 --> 1395.60] perhaps that on [1395.60 --> 1396.32] this side of [1396.32 --> 1397.56] heaven you may [1397.56 --> 1399.04] never know that [1399.04 --> 1401.56] purpose and [1401.56 --> 1403.18] truthfully once we [1403.18 --> 1404.04] get there or once [1404.04 --> 1404.88] jesus comes back [1404.88 --> 1406.16] here i don't think [1406.16 --> 1409.08] we'll even care but [1409.08 --> 1411.70] he has one and [1411.70 --> 1418.34] maybe peace shalom is [1418.34 --> 1421.12] at times just living [1421.12 --> 1423.68] like we know that to [1423.68 --> 1424.12] be true [1424.12 --> 1427.00] because it is [1427.00 --> 1428.78] amen [1428.78 --> 1431.56] let me pray with you [1431.56 --> 1438.56] lord jesus grant us [1438.56 --> 1439.46] your [1439.46 --> 1441.04] peace [1441.04 --> 1443.88] reveal to us the gift [1443.88 --> 1446.18] of your mercy that [1446.18 --> 1447.34] has a straight line [1447.34 --> 1449.02] to peace here and [1449.02 --> 1450.26] now in this life [1450.26 --> 1452.22] life restored and [1452.22 --> 1453.48] being restored ever [1453.48 --> 1455.56] more to your intent [1455.56 --> 1456.62] and design [1456.62 --> 1460.28] may we be fully [1460.28 --> 1462.40] human fully alive to [1462.40 --> 1464.38] the glory of our god [1464.38 --> 1467.32] god send us out in the [1467.32 --> 1469.04] power of this truth [1469.04 --> 1470.82] today that no matter [1470.82 --> 1472.56] what we face whether [1472.56 --> 1473.18] it's a moderate [1473.18 --> 1475.66] inconvenience or it [1475.66 --> 1476.50] is an incredible [1476.50 --> 1478.86] life altering trial [1478.86 --> 1481.20] that we would do so [1481.20 --> 1483.12] with the confidence [1483.12 --> 1484.48] that you are good [1484.48 --> 1487.26] you are god and you [1487.26 --> 1487.90] have a plan [1487.90 --> 1492.04] we pray this in jesus name [1492.04 --> 1493.64] amen [1493.64 --> 1503.52] would we pray this [1516.36 --> 1516.64] how topel [1516.64 --> 1517.30] how topel [1517.30 --> 1517.80] been [1517.80 --> 1518.44] when [1518.44 --> 1519.30] he [1519.30 --> 1519.56] he [1519.56 --> 1519.96] he [1519.96 --> 1520.62] he [1520.62 --> 1521.46] in