[0.00 --> 6.58] and just by way of reminder two weeks ago as you know Joseph finally revealed himself to his [6.58 --> 13.04] brothers and the whole clan the whole kit and caboodle moved to Egypt and now it's a number [13.04 --> 19.64] of years later Jacob has just finished blessing all of his sons and then he says to them and [19.64 --> 26.00] that's the beginning of our reading in Genesis 49 then Jacob gave them these instructions [26.00 --> 30.10] I think you had the wrong reading up there [30.10 --> 34.74] yeah 49 should be 49 verse [34.74 --> 45.68] yeah that's the wrong reading okay so I'm just gonna maybe you want to take that off sorry folks [45.68 --> 50.92] I thought that had been correct let's just listen then Jacob gave them these instructions [50.92 --> 57.72] I am about to be gathered to my people bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron [57.72 --> 65.36] the Hittite the cave in the field of Machpelah near Mamre in Canaan which Abraham bought along with [65.36 --> 72.48] the field as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite there Abraham and his wife Sarah were buried [72.48 --> 80.18] there Isaac and his wife Rebecca were buried and there I buried Leah the field and the cave in it [80.18 --> 87.14] were brought from the Hittites when Jacob had finished giving instructions to his sons he drew [87.14 --> 95.50] his feet up into the bed breathed his last and was gathered to his people Joseph threw himself on his [95.50 --> 103.60] father and wept over him and kissed him then Joseph directed the physicians in his service to embalm his [103.60 --> 111.88] father Israel so the physicians embalm him taking a full 40 days for that was the time required for [111.88 --> 121.50] embalming and the Egyptians mourned for him 70 days when the days of mourning had passed Joseph said to [121.50 --> 129.44] Pharaoh's court if I have found favor in your eyes speak to Pharaoh for me tell father made me swear an oath [129.44 --> 137.78] and said I am about to die bury me in the tomb I dug for myself in the land of Canaan now let me go up [137.78 --> 145.88] and bury my father I will return Pharaoh said go up and bury your father as he made you swear to do [145.88 --> 153.56] so Jacob's sons did as he had commanded them they carried him to the land of Canaan and they buried him [153.56 --> 159.70] in the cave in the field of Machmela near Mamre him had bought along with the field as a burial place [159.70 --> 167.02] from Ephron the Hittite after burying his father Joseph returned to Egypt together with his brothers [167.02 --> 175.98] and all the others who had gone with him to bury his father Joseph stayed in Egypt along with all his [175.98 --> 185.38] father's family he lived 110 years and saw the third generation of Ephraim's children also the children of [185.38 --> 195.24] Machir son of Manasseh were placed at birth on Joseph's knees then Joseph said to his brothers I am about to die [195.24 --> 203.90] but God and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham Isaac and Jacob [203.90 --> 215.16] swear an oath and said God will surely come to your aid and then you must carry my bones up from this place [215.16 --> 225.50] so Joseph died at the age of 110 and after they embalmed him he was placed in Egypt [225.50 --> 235.48] and then this New Testament reading one verse Hebrews 11 verse 17 the chapter on the heroes of faith [235.48 --> 242.64] where we read this by faith Joseph when spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt [242.64 --> 250.88] and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones this is the word of the Lord [250.88 --> 264.92] in a time of deep despair in South Africa when there was no sign anywhere in that sad land yet of a better [264.92 --> 279.22] future for black people Archbishop Desmond Tutu spoke to a group of white leaders who had the power to see to it [279.22 --> 288.74] that what Tutu so deeply hoped for would never happen and this is what he said to them and I quote [288.74 --> 299.10] in the enveloping darkness as the lights of freedom are extinguished one by one I have come here to say evil [299.10 --> 312.70] and injustice and oppression and exploitation cannot prevail you may be very powerful but you are not God [312.70 --> 323.04] in fact you have already lost we are inviting you to come and join the winning side [323.04 --> 336.52] this is the message that we as Christians need to hear over and over in a culture and world that ignores and or denies God [336.52 --> 341.66] where it is very hard to be optimistic about the future [341.66 --> 346.28] listen if you are a Christian [346.28 --> 349.64] you are on the winning side [349.64 --> 353.04] God is going to win [353.04 --> 356.84] life is going to win over death [356.84 --> 358.40] love is [358.40 --> 359.76] and indifference [359.76 --> 363.64] peace is going to win over terror and violence [363.64 --> 366.92] righteousness is going to win over injustice [366.92 --> 370.30] good is going to win over evil [370.30 --> 372.60] so don't ever [372.60 --> 373.72] ever [373.72 --> 374.96] give up hope [374.96 --> 376.66] not for people [376.66 --> 377.38] for yourself [377.38 --> 379.04] not for the church [379.04 --> 380.72] not for the world [380.72 --> 382.78] not for God [382.78 --> 387.18] such hope is what today's text [387.18 --> 388.24] is all about [388.24 --> 390.88] although on the surface it sure [390.88 --> 392.16] doesn't look like it [392.16 --> 395.68] we have come to the end of the Joseph story [395.68 --> 397.50] and not only of the Joseph story [397.50 --> 399.86] but also of the book of Genesis [399.86 --> 403.90] and on the surface what a sad [403.90 --> 406.36] anticlimactic [406.36 --> 408.06] hopeless end [408.06 --> 414.06] the book that begins with nothing less [414.06 --> 417.62] than the creation of the entire universe [417.62 --> 419.74] and all things living [419.74 --> 421.48] ends [421.48 --> 423.24] in a pine box [423.24 --> 424.86] with death [424.86 --> 427.08] first [427.08 --> 428.16] Jacob dies [428.16 --> 429.26] and Joseph [429.26 --> 430.10] dies [430.10 --> 430.80] too [430.80 --> 434.88] remember the very first words [434.88 --> 436.18] almost the very first words [436.18 --> 437.00] of the book of Genesis [437.00 --> 438.40] God said [438.40 --> 439.80] let there [439.80 --> 440.50] be [440.50 --> 441.36] light [441.36 --> 443.16] and you imagine [443.16 --> 444.70] this explosion of light [444.70 --> 445.68] in the universe [445.68 --> 446.78] that was so dark [446.78 --> 450.32] the very last words [450.32 --> 451.58] in Genesis are [451.58 --> 454.06] Joseph was placed [454.06 --> 455.18] in a coffin [455.18 --> 456.52] in Egypt [456.52 --> 458.54] and can you think of [458.54 --> 459.64] a darker place [459.64 --> 461.24] than a coffin [461.24 --> 465.62] if that doesn't sound [465.62 --> 466.68] hopeless enough [466.68 --> 468.74] remember that you have to see [468.74 --> 469.62] Joseph's story [469.62 --> 471.40] along with all Genesis [471.40 --> 473.10] in light of God's covenant [473.10 --> 474.56] promise to Abraham [474.56 --> 477.18] a promise that included [477.18 --> 478.52] descendants as numerous [478.52 --> 480.16] as the stars in the sky [480.16 --> 483.00] and the land of their own [483.00 --> 485.22] but in the end [485.22 --> 487.28] Jacob is buried [487.28 --> 489.64] in the cave of Machpelah [489.64 --> 490.82] in Canaan [490.82 --> 493.14] a graveyard owned [493.14 --> 494.78] by grandfather Abraham [494.78 --> 497.18] the only piece [497.18 --> 498.66] of the promised land [498.66 --> 500.54] to which Abraham [500.54 --> 501.30] held title [501.30 --> 502.96] when he died [502.96 --> 505.76] in the end [505.76 --> 506.98] God's people [506.98 --> 508.22] are from Canaan [508.22 --> 510.22] living in Egypt [510.22 --> 511.98] in the end [511.98 --> 513.52] Joseph's body [513.52 --> 514.28] is placed [514.28 --> 515.50] in a coffin [515.50 --> 517.06] in Egypt [517.06 --> 520.22] where on earth [520.22 --> 521.56] is hope [521.56 --> 523.60] at the end of Genesis [523.60 --> 527.44] well that depends [527.44 --> 528.40] on your perspective [528.40 --> 530.62] and what we need [530.62 --> 531.46] is the perspective [531.46 --> 532.78] of the New Testament [532.78 --> 535.60] Joseph is mentioned [535.60 --> 536.74] four times [536.74 --> 537.56] in the New Testament [537.56 --> 539.14] twice [539.14 --> 540.16] his name alone [540.16 --> 540.68] is mentioned [540.68 --> 541.44] in passing [541.44 --> 543.90] and in Acts 7 [543.90 --> 544.94] in Stephen's speech [544.94 --> 545.64] to the Jewish [545.64 --> 546.64] religious leaders [546.64 --> 548.26] before they convict [548.26 --> 548.82] and kill him [548.82 --> 549.60] for his faith [549.60 --> 551.56] the facts [551.56 --> 552.70] of Joseph's story [552.70 --> 554.66] are briefly summarized [554.66 --> 556.86] then there is [556.86 --> 557.34] Hebrews [557.34 --> 559.02] chapter 11 [559.02 --> 560.50] part of that [560.50 --> 561.62] long chapter [561.62 --> 562.96] about all the heroes [562.96 --> 563.50] of faith [563.50 --> 565.84] the only [565.84 --> 566.58] New Testament [566.58 --> 567.18] passage [567.18 --> 568.14] which comments [568.14 --> 570.10] on Joseph's character [570.10 --> 571.70] and then [571.70 --> 573.40] he gets just [573.40 --> 574.54] one verse [574.54 --> 577.22] but what a verse [577.22 --> 577.68] it is [577.68 --> 578.34] listen [578.34 --> 580.26] by faith [580.26 --> 580.82] Joseph [580.82 --> 582.30] when his end [582.30 --> 582.88] was near [582.88 --> 584.42] spoke about [584.42 --> 585.10] the exodus [585.10 --> 585.96] of the Israelites [585.96 --> 586.88] from Egypt [586.88 --> 589.00] and gave instructions [589.00 --> 590.70] about his bones [590.70 --> 593.82] it is such [593.82 --> 594.60] a striking [594.60 --> 595.42] verse [595.42 --> 595.96] isn't it [595.96 --> 597.02] I mean [597.02 --> 597.56] Genesis [597.56 --> 598.18] devotes [598.18 --> 600.08] 13 chapters [600.08 --> 601.62] to Joseph's story [601.62 --> 603.56] and while he's not [603.56 --> 603.96] perfect [603.96 --> 604.72] in Joseph's [604.72 --> 605.14] character [605.14 --> 605.66] in life [605.66 --> 606.46] we see this [606.46 --> 607.54] incredible picture [607.54 --> 608.20] of faithful [608.20 --> 608.58] obedience [608.58 --> 609.20] love [609.20 --> 610.16] and forgiveness [610.16 --> 611.16] in the kind [611.16 --> 611.84] of extreme [611.84 --> 612.74] circumstances [612.74 --> 613.54] most of us [613.54 --> 614.52] will never know [614.52 --> 617.34] Joseph is one [617.34 --> 617.76] of the most [617.76 --> 619.06] winsome characters [619.06 --> 619.52] I think [619.52 --> 620.10] in the Bible [620.10 --> 622.22] yet he gets [622.22 --> 623.42] only one verse [623.42 --> 626.58] in the New Testament [626.58 --> 628.30] and the only [628.30 --> 629.10] thing for which [629.10 --> 629.62] the writer [629.62 --> 630.16] of Hebrews [630.16 --> 630.88] goes out [630.88 --> 631.28] of his way [631.28 --> 631.76] to commend [631.76 --> 632.26] Joseph [632.26 --> 634.30] are his [634.30 --> 635.12] dying words [635.12 --> 637.40] by faith [637.40 --> 637.88] Joseph [637.88 --> 638.52] when his end [638.52 --> 639.06] was near [639.06 --> 640.40] spoke about [640.40 --> 641.06] the exodus [641.06 --> 641.92] of the Israelites [641.92 --> 642.90] from Egypt [642.90 --> 643.96] and gave [643.96 --> 644.82] instructions [644.82 --> 645.88] about his [645.88 --> 646.30] bones [646.30 --> 650.50] but then [650.50 --> 652.06] to use [652.06 --> 652.90] the first [652.90 --> 654.28] four words [654.28 --> 656.48] that Rick Warren [656.48 --> 657.42] passed in California [657.42 --> 659.84] that he wrote [659.84 --> 661.12] in his 2002 [661.12 --> 662.22] best-selling book [662.22 --> 663.68] The Purpose Driven Life [663.68 --> 665.32] the first four words [665.32 --> 665.86] were [665.86 --> 667.98] it's not [667.98 --> 669.72] about you [669.72 --> 672.66] it's not [672.66 --> 673.58] about you [673.58 --> 675.56] it's not [675.56 --> 676.66] about me [676.66 --> 677.34] either [677.34 --> 679.90] it is about [679.90 --> 681.22] the bigger picture [681.22 --> 681.92] it is about [681.92 --> 682.44] God [682.44 --> 683.36] it is about [683.36 --> 684.32] God's purpose [684.32 --> 685.14] for and through [685.14 --> 685.60] Joseph [685.60 --> 687.08] God's purpose [687.08 --> 687.92] for and through [687.92 --> 688.76] you and me [688.76 --> 690.10] God's purpose [690.10 --> 691.24] for and through [691.24 --> 692.04] his church [692.04 --> 693.42] God's purpose [693.42 --> 694.44] for his world [694.44 --> 696.92] it's about [696.92 --> 697.76] God's promise [697.76 --> 698.34] to bless [698.34 --> 698.80] Abraham [698.80 --> 700.20] and his descendants [700.20 --> 700.72] and through [700.72 --> 701.46] to bless [701.46 --> 702.36] all people [702.36 --> 702.80] on earth [702.80 --> 703.44] and all [703.44 --> 704.20] means [704.20 --> 705.12] all [705.12 --> 709.02] that remains [709.02 --> 710.52] front and center [710.52 --> 711.48] especially [711.48 --> 712.30] at the end [712.30 --> 713.06] of this story [713.06 --> 715.20] father Jacob [715.20 --> 715.92] is dead [715.92 --> 717.68] and according [717.68 --> 718.50] to his request [718.50 --> 719.18] he is buried [719.18 --> 720.10] in the land [720.10 --> 721.24] of God's promise [721.24 --> 722.18] Canaan [722.18 --> 724.26] and now [724.26 --> 725.70] 56 years later [725.70 --> 727.22] Joseph [727.22 --> 727.76] has come [727.76 --> 728.32] to the end [728.32 --> 729.38] of his life [729.38 --> 731.70] and he remembers [731.70 --> 732.94] these words [732.94 --> 734.28] spoken to [734.28 --> 734.64] great [734.64 --> 735.32] grandfather [735.32 --> 735.96] Abraham [735.96 --> 737.14] words [737.14 --> 737.84] rehearsed [737.84 --> 738.84] passed down [738.84 --> 739.58] from one [739.58 --> 740.12] generation [740.12 --> 741.20] to the next [741.20 --> 743.22] these words [743.22 --> 744.46] from Genesis 15 [744.46 --> 746.30] know for certain [746.30 --> 748.40] that your descendants [748.40 --> 749.44] will be strangers [749.44 --> 750.38] in a country [750.38 --> 751.56] not their own [751.56 --> 753.00] and this [753.00 --> 753.36] treated [753.36 --> 754.86] 400 years [754.86 --> 756.94] but I will punish [756.94 --> 757.50] the nation [757.50 --> 758.14] they serve [758.14 --> 758.72] as slaves [758.72 --> 759.74] and afterward [759.74 --> 760.84] they will come [760.84 --> 761.14] out [761.14 --> 762.32] with great [762.32 --> 762.84] possessions [762.84 --> 766.72] we are not [766.72 --> 767.10] told [767.10 --> 768.34] if it was [768.34 --> 769.02] faith alone [769.02 --> 770.22] or faith [770.22 --> 770.70] and fact [770.70 --> 771.14] together [771.14 --> 772.64] that made [772.64 --> 773.44] Joseph focus [773.44 --> 773.90] on this [773.90 --> 774.70] old promise [774.70 --> 775.48] that was [775.48 --> 776.08] generations [776.08 --> 776.58] old [776.58 --> 777.60] and generations [777.60 --> 779.02] from fulfillment [779.02 --> 781.70] Joseph had been [781.70 --> 782.18] in Egypt [782.18 --> 782.56] now [782.56 --> 784.10] for 93 [784.10 --> 785.12] years [785.12 --> 787.08] his family [787.08 --> 788.60] for 73 [788.60 --> 789.14] years [789.14 --> 790.98] the famine [790.98 --> 791.84] was long [791.84 --> 792.26] over [792.26 --> 793.66] Joseph had [793.66 --> 794.12] no doubt [794.12 --> 794.96] long since [794.96 --> 795.52] retired [795.52 --> 796.98] and at the [796.98 --> 797.56] time of his [797.56 --> 797.80] death [797.80 --> 798.28] the children [798.28 --> 798.84] of Israel [798.84 --> 799.46] were not [799.46 --> 800.16] yet slaves [800.16 --> 801.12] or prisoners [801.12 --> 801.94] in Egypt [801.94 --> 803.88] all we know [803.88 --> 804.62] is that Joseph [804.62 --> 806.00] somehow knew [806.00 --> 806.52] the truth [806.52 --> 806.94] of what [806.94 --> 807.70] Exodus 1 [807.70 --> 808.20] verse 8 [808.20 --> 809.10] tells us [809.10 --> 810.18] that a new [810.18 --> 810.54] king [810.54 --> 812.00] who did not [812.00 --> 812.80] know Joseph [812.80 --> 814.08] would come [814.08 --> 815.18] to power [815.18 --> 816.14] and that [816.14 --> 816.60] everything [816.60 --> 817.66] would change [817.66 --> 819.12] for the worse [819.12 --> 821.08] that hardship [821.08 --> 821.86] was coming [821.86 --> 822.80] for his [822.80 --> 823.22] brothers [823.22 --> 824.68] slavery [824.68 --> 825.80] for his [825.80 --> 826.16] people [826.16 --> 827.96] we also [827.96 --> 828.50] know that [828.50 --> 828.80] Joseph [828.80 --> 829.48] believes [829.48 --> 830.62] all of the [830.62 --> 831.06] promises [831.06 --> 832.28] that the [832.28 --> 832.72] end [832.72 --> 833.82] will be [833.82 --> 834.22] glory [834.22 --> 836.46] I am [836.46 --> 837.32] about to [837.32 --> 837.66] die [837.66 --> 838.20] he tells [838.20 --> 838.68] his brothers [838.68 --> 840.16] but God [840.16 --> 840.98] will surely [840.98 --> 841.96] come to [841.96 --> 842.50] your aid [842.50 --> 843.80] that is [843.80 --> 844.14] you will [844.14 --> 844.74] need to [844.74 --> 845.28] be rescued [845.28 --> 845.92] by God [845.92 --> 846.60] and God [846.60 --> 847.30] will rescue [847.30 --> 847.64] you [847.64 --> 848.34] and take [848.34 --> 848.74] you up [848.74 --> 849.16] out of [849.16 --> 849.64] this land [849.64 --> 850.30] to the [850.30 --> 850.74] land he [850.74 --> 851.28] promised [851.28 --> 852.02] on oath [852.02 --> 852.66] to Abraham [852.66 --> 853.28] Isaac [853.28 --> 854.10] and Jacob [854.10 --> 857.06] then Joseph [857.06 --> 857.64] makes his [857.64 --> 858.70] family swear [858.70 --> 859.22] an oath [859.22 --> 860.60] and with his [860.60 --> 861.48] very last [861.48 --> 861.86] words [861.86 --> 862.36] says [862.36 --> 863.58] God [863.58 --> 864.46] will surely [864.46 --> 865.06] come to [865.06 --> 865.60] your aid [865.60 --> 866.98] and then [866.98 --> 867.54] you must [867.54 --> 868.14] carry my [868.14 --> 868.70] bones up [868.70 --> 869.66] from this [869.66 --> 870.10] place [870.10 --> 872.58] so [872.58 --> 872.94] Joseph [872.94 --> 873.42] died [873.42 --> 875.60] and [875.60 --> 876.28] verse 26 [876.28 --> 877.10] tells us [877.10 --> 878.10] after they [878.10 --> 878.72] embalmed [878.72 --> 879.00] him [879.00 --> 880.04] he was [880.04 --> 880.72] placed in [880.72 --> 881.22] a coffin [881.22 --> 882.34] in Egypt [882.34 --> 884.78] they [884.78 --> 885.36] embalmed [885.36 --> 885.64] him [885.64 --> 887.74] they [887.74 --> 888.22] don't [888.22 --> 889.08] bury [889.08 --> 889.48] him [889.48 --> 891.64] why not [891.64 --> 892.08] because [892.08 --> 892.74] they're [892.74 --> 893.46] supposed to [893.46 --> 893.86] carry [893.86 --> 894.82] his bones [894.82 --> 895.40] out when [895.40 --> 895.88] they go [895.88 --> 897.26] because [897.26 --> 897.66] God [897.66 --> 898.10] is coming [898.10 --> 898.48] for them [898.48 --> 899.10] to rescue [899.10 --> 899.42] them [899.42 --> 899.98] and they [899.98 --> 900.44] need to [900.44 --> 900.86] be ready [900.86 --> 901.42] to pick [901.42 --> 901.74] up his [901.74 --> 902.10] bones [902.10 --> 903.06] and leave [903.06 --> 904.52] Joseph's [904.52 --> 904.88] coffin [904.88 --> 905.44] becomes [905.44 --> 906.06] a symbol [906.06 --> 907.06] of hope [907.06 --> 907.68] that the [907.68 --> 908.10] gathering [908.10 --> 908.56] storm [908.56 --> 908.96] that is [908.96 --> 909.34] coming [909.34 --> 910.12] slavery [910.12 --> 910.44] and [910.44 --> 910.88] hardship [910.88 --> 911.72] is not [911.72 --> 912.10] going to [912.10 --> 912.74] be terminal [912.74 --> 913.38] that the [913.38 --> 913.78] present [913.78 --> 914.32] darkness [914.32 --> 915.12] will not [915.12 --> 915.78] be forever [915.78 --> 916.66] don't [916.66 --> 917.58] bury me [917.58 --> 918.00] because [918.00 --> 918.46] God [918.46 --> 918.86] will come [918.86 --> 919.14] back [919.14 --> 919.76] for us [919.76 --> 921.00] and when [921.00 --> 921.60] you must [921.60 --> 922.14] carry my [922.14 --> 922.42] bones [922.42 --> 922.84] home [922.84 --> 923.98] and bury [923.98 --> 924.34] me [924.34 --> 925.12] in the [925.12 --> 925.36] land [925.36 --> 925.52] of [925.52 --> 926.04] promise [926.04 --> 929.44] you see [929.44 --> 929.80] the end [929.80 --> 929.96] of [929.96 --> 930.34] Genesis [930.34 --> 931.78] is all [931.78 --> 932.08] about [932.08 --> 932.44] hope [932.44 --> 933.46] after all [933.46 --> 935.20] and the [935.20 --> 935.46] Bible [935.46 --> 936.18] says a lot [936.18 --> 936.74] about hope [936.74 --> 938.22] that biblical [938.22 --> 938.92] hope does [938.92 --> 939.74] not disappoint [939.74 --> 941.42] that it's [941.42 --> 941.76] not an [941.76 --> 942.06] empty [942.06 --> 942.54] wish [942.54 --> 943.70] that biblical [943.70 --> 944.44] hope is a [944.44 --> 945.10] given because [945.10 --> 945.58] it is a [945.58 --> 945.84] hope [945.84 --> 947.06] in God [947.06 --> 949.74] Lewis [949.74 --> 950.14] Meads [950.14 --> 950.86] once pointed [950.86 --> 951.14] out [951.14 --> 952.24] that when [952.24 --> 952.66] it comes [952.66 --> 953.22] to ordinary [953.22 --> 953.98] human [953.98 --> 954.44] hoping [954.44 --> 955.72] there are [955.72 --> 956.36] three things [956.36 --> 957.02] going on [957.02 --> 958.62] one is [958.62 --> 959.52] desire [959.52 --> 960.30] we want [960.30 --> 960.62] what we [960.62 --> 961.24] hope for [961.24 --> 964.16] two is [964.16 --> 965.06] belief [965.06 --> 966.78] we believe [966.78 --> 967.30] that what we [967.30 --> 967.70] hope for [967.70 --> 968.40] is possible [968.40 --> 970.26] though not [970.26 --> 970.72] inevitable [970.72 --> 972.80] which leads [972.80 --> 973.14] to number [973.14 --> 973.58] three [973.58 --> 974.90] doubt [974.90 --> 976.72] we fear [976.72 --> 977.10] that what [977.10 --> 977.58] we hope [977.58 --> 978.06] for [978.06 --> 979.34] may not [979.34 --> 979.64] happen [979.64 --> 981.38] hope for [981.38 --> 982.18] the difference [982.18 --> 982.84] in Christian [982.84 --> 983.44] and biblical [983.44 --> 983.92] hope [983.92 --> 986.58] has to do [986.58 --> 986.90] with that [986.90 --> 987.68] third element [987.68 --> 989.02] doubt [989.02 --> 991.36] Christian hope [991.36 --> 991.86] is not [991.86 --> 992.16] evil [992.16 --> 993.38] it is a [993.38 --> 994.06] conviction [994.06 --> 995.30] about what [995.30 --> 996.16] is sure [996.16 --> 997.22] because it is [997.22 --> 997.76] a faith [997.76 --> 998.86] not in human [998.86 --> 999.58] possibility [999.58 --> 1001.26] but in God's [1001.26 --> 1001.72] promise [1001.72 --> 1003.96] that's why [1003.96 --> 1004.72] hope rules [1004.72 --> 1005.22] at the end [1005.22 --> 1005.50] of the [1005.50 --> 1006.30] Joseph story [1006.30 --> 1006.98] and at the [1006.98 --> 1007.38] end of [1007.38 --> 1007.80] Genesis [1007.80 --> 1008.44] even though [1008.44 --> 1009.00] we know [1009.00 --> 1009.62] when as [1009.62 --> 1010.02] Genesis [1010.02 --> 1010.64] closes [1010.64 --> 1012.14] hardship [1012.14 --> 1013.58] slavery [1013.58 --> 1015.04] brick making [1015.04 --> 1015.98] genocide [1015.98 --> 1016.80] through the [1016.80 --> 1017.28] murder of [1017.28 --> 1017.66] their male [1017.66 --> 1018.08] children [1018.08 --> 1019.24] one generation [1019.24 --> 1020.46] after another [1020.46 --> 1021.80] and yes [1021.80 --> 1022.62] all the while [1022.62 --> 1023.28] the silence [1023.28 --> 1023.82] of God [1023.82 --> 1024.96] is deafening [1024.96 --> 1027.44] there is no [1027.44 --> 1027.92] word from [1027.92 --> 1028.26] God [1028.26 --> 1029.42] there is no [1029.42 --> 1030.10] message from [1030.10 --> 1030.42] heaven [1030.42 --> 1032.02] and so [1032.02 --> 1032.74] where is the [1032.74 --> 1033.52] hope in all [1033.52 --> 1034.00] of this [1034.00 --> 1037.08] it is in [1037.08 --> 1038.24] Joseph's [1038.24 --> 1038.66] coffin [1038.66 --> 1041.10] Joseph's [1041.10 --> 1041.52] coffin [1041.52 --> 1042.08] becomes [1042.08 --> 1042.98] the message [1042.98 --> 1043.58] of hope [1043.58 --> 1044.36] it is the [1044.36 --> 1045.06] box if you [1045.06 --> 1045.32] will [1045.32 --> 1046.42] that speaks [1046.42 --> 1048.00] it is the [1048.00 --> 1048.60] symbol that [1048.60 --> 1049.44] says this [1049.44 --> 1049.92] suffering [1049.92 --> 1050.72] is not [1050.72 --> 1051.18] forever [1051.18 --> 1052.94] God has [1052.94 --> 1053.64] not forgotten [1053.64 --> 1054.04] you [1054.04 --> 1055.00] someday he [1055.00 --> 1055.42] will come [1055.42 --> 1056.00] back for [1056.00 --> 1056.26] you [1056.26 --> 1057.26] by faith [1057.26 --> 1057.72] Joseph [1057.72 --> 1058.16] when his [1058.16 --> 1058.58] end was [1058.58 --> 1058.84] near [1058.84 --> 1059.80] spoke about [1059.80 --> 1060.46] the exodus [1060.46 --> 1060.82] of the [1060.82 --> 1061.26] Israelites [1061.26 --> 1061.88] from Egypt [1061.88 --> 1062.74] and gave [1062.74 --> 1063.44] instructions [1063.44 --> 1064.52] about his [1064.52 --> 1065.04] bones [1065.04 --> 1066.24] as the [1066.24 --> 1066.72] children of [1066.72 --> 1067.08] Israel [1067.08 --> 1067.70] suffer [1067.70 --> 1068.72] year after [1068.72 --> 1069.16] year [1069.16 --> 1070.04] of awful [1070.04 --> 1070.62] slavery [1070.62 --> 1071.34] and life [1071.34 --> 1072.02] is hard [1072.02 --> 1072.58] and the [1072.58 --> 1072.88] future [1072.88 --> 1073.22] seems [1073.22 --> 1073.88] hopeless [1073.88 --> 1076.08] fathers [1076.08 --> 1077.40] and mothers [1077.40 --> 1079.20] will walk [1079.20 --> 1079.78] with sons [1079.78 --> 1080.58] and daughters [1080.58 --> 1081.84] past the [1081.84 --> 1082.44] place where [1082.44 --> 1083.08] the coffin [1083.08 --> 1083.94] lays [1083.94 --> 1084.84] and [1084.84 --> 1085.42] generation [1085.42 --> 1085.78] after [1085.78 --> 1086.50] generation [1086.50 --> 1087.14] will ask [1087.14 --> 1088.06] what does [1088.06 --> 1088.72] that box [1088.72 --> 1089.36] mean [1089.36 --> 1091.40] and fathers [1091.40 --> 1092.00] and mothers [1092.00 --> 1093.06] will tell [1093.06 --> 1093.64] their children [1093.64 --> 1094.82] as hard [1094.82 --> 1095.22] as life [1095.22 --> 1095.56] is [1095.56 --> 1097.04] as hopeless [1097.04 --> 1097.78] as the future [1097.78 --> 1098.32] seems [1098.32 --> 1100.04] this box [1100.04 --> 1100.90] this coffin [1100.90 --> 1101.46] means [1101.46 --> 1102.40] that one [1102.40 --> 1103.02] day soon [1103.02 --> 1103.44] we're gone [1103.44 --> 1105.36] we close [1105.36 --> 1105.98] with Joseph [1105.98 --> 1106.74] in a coffin [1106.74 --> 1107.84] in Egypt [1107.84 --> 1109.30] and from the [1109.30 --> 1110.12] outside looking [1110.12 --> 1110.48] in [1110.48 --> 1112.30] things don't [1112.30 --> 1113.14] look all that [1113.14 --> 1113.48] hopeful [1113.48 --> 1115.70] but the [1115.70 --> 1116.46] last verse [1116.46 --> 1117.08] of Genesis [1117.08 --> 1118.66] is part [1118.66 --> 1118.92] of this [1118.92 --> 1119.54] larger [1119.54 --> 1120.00] biblical [1120.00 --> 1120.60] story [1120.60 --> 1121.72] that lets [1121.72 --> 1122.22] us know [1122.22 --> 1123.34] this is [1123.34 --> 1123.86] not the [1123.86 --> 1124.20] end [1124.20 --> 1125.90] not by [1125.90 --> 1126.62] a long [1126.62 --> 1127.06] shot [1127.06 --> 1128.26] it isn't [1128.26 --> 1130.16] the road [1130.16 --> 1130.68] ahead will [1130.68 --> 1131.08] not be [1131.08 --> 1131.44] easy [1131.44 --> 1133.00] but some [1133.00 --> 1134.42] 430 years [1134.42 --> 1134.98] Joseph was [1134.98 --> 1135.50] sold in [1135.50 --> 1136.02] Egypt as [1136.02 --> 1136.52] a slave [1136.52 --> 1139.30] God [1139.30 --> 1139.90] called up [1139.90 --> 1140.46] another [1140.46 --> 1141.34] deliverer [1141.34 --> 1142.50] Moses [1142.50 --> 1144.20] and as [1144.20 --> 1144.62] Moses [1144.62 --> 1145.22] leads the [1145.22 --> 1145.72] children of [1145.72 --> 1146.10] Israel [1146.10 --> 1146.54] out of [1146.54 --> 1146.70] their [1146.70 --> 1147.08] slavery [1147.08 --> 1147.70] in Egypt [1147.70 --> 1148.70] you read [1148.70 --> 1149.18] this in [1149.18 --> 1150.24] Exodus 13 [1150.24 --> 1151.18] Moses [1151.18 --> 1152.00] took the [1152.00 --> 1152.66] bones of [1152.66 --> 1153.02] Joseph [1153.02 --> 1154.10] with him [1154.10 --> 1155.62] because [1155.62 --> 1156.14] Joseph [1156.14 --> 1156.86] had made [1156.86 --> 1157.42] the sons [1157.42 --> 1157.98] of Israel [1157.98 --> 1159.10] swear an [1159.10 --> 1159.46] oath [1159.46 --> 1160.64] he had [1160.64 --> 1161.02] said [1161.02 --> 1161.80] God [1161.80 --> 1162.58] will surely [1162.58 --> 1163.04] come to [1163.04 --> 1163.62] your aid [1163.62 --> 1164.70] and then [1164.70 --> 1165.24] you must [1165.24 --> 1165.70] carry [1165.70 --> 1166.64] my bones [1166.64 --> 1167.26] up with [1167.26 --> 1167.60] you [1167.60 --> 1168.70] from this [1168.70 --> 1169.18] place [1169.18 --> 1172.14] through 40 [1172.14 --> 1173.06] years of [1173.06 --> 1173.62] their desert [1173.62 --> 1174.48] pilgrimage [1174.48 --> 1176.32] along with [1176.32 --> 1177.14] everything else [1177.14 --> 1177.76] they carried [1177.76 --> 1178.20] for their [1178.20 --> 1178.58] journey [1178.58 --> 1180.54] they carried [1180.54 --> 1181.42] that coffin [1181.42 --> 1182.62] through the [1182.62 --> 1183.18] Red Sea [1183.18 --> 1184.62] to the foot [1184.62 --> 1184.98] of Mount [1184.98 --> 1185.42] Sinai [1185.42 --> 1185.92] where God [1185.92 --> 1186.38] renewed [1186.38 --> 1187.26] his covenant [1187.26 --> 1187.74] with his [1187.74 --> 1188.08] people [1188.08 --> 1189.68] through years [1189.68 --> 1190.44] of doubts [1190.44 --> 1191.24] and murmuring [1191.24 --> 1192.04] and complaining [1192.04 --> 1194.26] through years [1194.26 --> 1194.86] of struggle [1194.86 --> 1197.26] until finally [1197.26 --> 1197.68] they took [1197.68 --> 1198.18] possession [1198.18 --> 1198.66] of the [1198.66 --> 1199.10] land of [1199.10 --> 1199.50] promise [1199.50 --> 1200.22] and at [1200.22 --> 1200.62] the end [1200.62 --> 1201.06] of the [1201.06 --> 1201.46] book of [1201.46 --> 1201.86] Joshua [1201.86 --> 1202.60] you read [1202.60 --> 1203.36] these words [1203.36 --> 1204.70] Joseph's [1204.70 --> 1205.16] bones [1205.16 --> 1206.34] which the [1206.34 --> 1206.80] Israelites [1206.80 --> 1207.52] had brought [1207.52 --> 1207.88] up from [1207.88 --> 1208.32] Egypt [1208.32 --> 1210.00] were buried [1210.00 --> 1210.66] at Shechem [1210.66 --> 1211.62] in the [1211.62 --> 1212.28] tract of [1212.28 --> 1212.88] land that [1212.88 --> 1213.58] Jacob bought [1213.58 --> 1214.60] for 100 [1214.60 --> 1215.42] pieces of [1215.42 --> 1215.82] silver [1215.82 --> 1216.82] from the [1216.82 --> 1217.24] sons of [1217.24 --> 1217.68] Hamor [1217.68 --> 1219.30] this became [1219.30 --> 1220.08] the inheritance [1220.08 --> 1221.78] of Joseph's [1221.78 --> 1222.78] descendants [1222.78 --> 1225.60] no coffin [1225.60 --> 1226.20] in Egypt [1226.20 --> 1227.42] is going [1227.42 --> 1228.08] to stop [1228.08 --> 1228.68] the Lord [1228.68 --> 1229.88] God Almighty [1229.88 --> 1230.66] from fulfilling [1230.66 --> 1231.42] his promise [1231.42 --> 1232.10] to Abraham [1232.10 --> 1233.04] Isaac [1233.04 --> 1233.96] Jacob [1233.96 --> 1235.78] and Joseph [1235.78 --> 1238.04] nor will [1238.04 --> 1238.78] anything [1238.78 --> 1239.58] stop [1239.58 --> 1240.44] the Lord [1240.44 --> 1241.60] God Almighty [1241.60 --> 1242.48] from fulfilling [1242.48 --> 1243.42] his promise [1243.42 --> 1244.50] to us [1244.50 --> 1246.84] I know [1246.84 --> 1247.34] the people [1247.34 --> 1247.76] of God [1247.76 --> 1248.06] throughout [1248.06 --> 1248.52] history [1248.52 --> 1249.02] have had [1249.02 --> 1249.54] their share [1249.54 --> 1250.04] of hard [1250.04 --> 1250.46] times [1250.46 --> 1250.82] I know [1250.82 --> 1251.28] violence [1251.28 --> 1251.94] and terror [1251.94 --> 1252.72] of hunger [1252.72 --> 1253.40] and poverty [1253.40 --> 1254.26] of crime [1254.26 --> 1255.00] and immorality [1255.00 --> 1255.66] of sickness [1255.66 --> 1256.40] and pandemic [1256.40 --> 1258.62] I know [1258.62 --> 1259.22] that the evil [1259.22 --> 1259.96] and the injustice [1259.96 --> 1260.74] and the oppression [1260.74 --> 1261.94] and the exploitation [1261.94 --> 1262.98] that Archbishop [1262.98 --> 1264.06] Tutu spoke [1264.06 --> 1264.72] about still [1264.72 --> 1265.28] prevails [1265.28 --> 1266.12] in almost [1266.12 --> 1267.08] every corner [1267.08 --> 1267.72] of our world [1267.72 --> 1268.82] also frankly [1268.82 --> 1269.84] in our corner [1269.84 --> 1270.64] of the world [1270.64 --> 1272.90] I know [1272.90 --> 1273.64] that we are [1273.64 --> 1274.28] not winning [1274.28 --> 1275.02] the battle [1275.02 --> 1275.98] in our culture [1275.98 --> 1276.56] to reach [1276.56 --> 1277.66] the whole world [1277.66 --> 1278.90] for Jesus Christ [1278.90 --> 1280.24] all the adversity [1280.24 --> 1281.06] that the church [1281.06 --> 1281.84] has faced [1281.84 --> 1282.58] and that we face [1282.58 --> 1283.64] up to this day [1283.64 --> 1284.62] we don't have [1284.62 --> 1285.38] this box [1285.38 --> 1286.04] this coffin [1286.04 --> 1287.36] that talks to us [1287.36 --> 1289.64] we have no [1289.64 --> 1290.64] unburied bones [1290.64 --> 1291.38] to revive [1291.38 --> 1292.38] our flagging faith [1292.38 --> 1295.98] we have something [1295.98 --> 1296.64] far better [1296.64 --> 1297.18] don't we [1297.18 --> 1299.28] we have [1299.28 --> 1301.02] an empty grave [1301.02 --> 1303.50] an empty grave [1303.50 --> 1304.54] where the son of God [1304.54 --> 1305.16] on a Friday [1305.16 --> 1306.22] that was good for us [1306.22 --> 1307.32] but not very good [1307.32 --> 1307.78] for him [1307.78 --> 1309.74] because he died [1309.74 --> 1311.76] for our sin [1311.76 --> 1313.60] a grave [1313.60 --> 1314.34] now empty [1314.34 --> 1315.72] because on the third day [1315.72 --> 1316.78] he rose from the dead [1316.78 --> 1318.48] and walked out of that grave [1318.48 --> 1319.68] for our life [1319.68 --> 1322.00] we have an empty grave [1322.00 --> 1323.10] that reminds us [1323.10 --> 1323.96] that this earth [1323.96 --> 1325.70] is not our real home [1325.70 --> 1327.74] that God has prepared [1327.74 --> 1328.74] a better city [1328.74 --> 1329.34] for us [1329.34 --> 1330.30] a new heaven [1330.30 --> 1331.40] and a new earth [1331.40 --> 1332.80] the land of glory [1332.80 --> 1334.74] we have an empty grave [1334.74 --> 1335.90] to revive our hope [1335.90 --> 1337.32] that God is coming [1337.32 --> 1338.66] to our aid [1338.66 --> 1340.00] God is coming back [1340.00 --> 1340.54] for us [1340.54 --> 1341.60] God is coming [1341.60 --> 1342.52] to deliver us [1342.52 --> 1343.56] from our bondage [1343.56 --> 1344.12] to death [1344.12 --> 1345.08] and decay [1345.08 --> 1346.16] and the devil [1346.16 --> 1349.10] Genesis 50 [1349.10 --> 1349.48] you see [1349.48 --> 1350.22] is far [1350.22 --> 1351.06] from the end [1351.06 --> 1351.70] of the story [1351.70 --> 1352.74] it is only the end [1352.74 --> 1353.10] of the book [1353.10 --> 1353.72] of Genesis [1353.72 --> 1355.48] Moses still has [1355.48 --> 1356.28] four more books [1356.28 --> 1356.88] to write [1356.88 --> 1357.98] and the spirit [1357.98 --> 1358.60] of God [1358.60 --> 1360.12] has 61 [1360.12 --> 1361.32] more to write [1361.32 --> 1362.70] before the final [1362.70 --> 1363.56] chapter [1363.56 --> 1364.78] is written [1364.78 --> 1367.22] listen [1367.22 --> 1368.48] Revelation [1368.48 --> 1369.76] 21 [1369.76 --> 1372.24] these familiar words [1372.24 --> 1373.66] then I saw [1373.66 --> 1374.44] a new heaven [1374.44 --> 1375.90] and a new earth [1375.90 --> 1377.90] for the first heaven [1377.90 --> 1379.16] and the first earth [1379.16 --> 1380.12] had passed away [1380.12 --> 1381.30] and there was no longer [1381.30 --> 1382.28] any sea [1382.28 --> 1384.42] I saw the holy city [1384.42 --> 1385.54] the new Jerusalem [1385.54 --> 1386.76] coming down [1386.76 --> 1387.28] out of heaven [1387.28 --> 1387.92] from God [1387.92 --> 1389.32] prepared as a bride [1389.32 --> 1390.58] beautifully dressed [1390.58 --> 1391.46] for her husband [1391.46 --> 1393.22] and I heard [1393.22 --> 1394.26] a loud voice [1394.26 --> 1394.94] from the throne [1394.94 --> 1395.48] saying [1395.48 --> 1397.04] now the dwelling [1397.04 --> 1397.64] of God [1397.64 --> 1398.64] is with men [1398.64 --> 1400.34] and he will live [1400.34 --> 1400.80] with them [1400.80 --> 1401.84] they will be [1401.84 --> 1402.52] his people [1402.52 --> 1403.90] and God himself [1403.90 --> 1404.92] will be with them [1404.92 --> 1406.20] and be their God [1406.20 --> 1407.20] he will wipe [1407.20 --> 1408.22] every tear [1408.22 --> 1409.28] from their eyes [1409.28 --> 1410.74] there will be [1410.74 --> 1411.58] no more death [1411.58 --> 1412.72] or mourning [1412.72 --> 1414.52] or crying [1414.52 --> 1415.88] or pain [1415.88 --> 1417.32] for the old [1417.32 --> 1418.28] order of things [1418.28 --> 1420.20] has passed away [1420.20 --> 1422.54] as God's people [1422.54 --> 1423.58] in the days of Joseph [1423.58 --> 1425.74] so now it's true [1425.74 --> 1426.50] we still live [1426.50 --> 1427.36] in the midst of death [1427.36 --> 1429.38] those who put [1429.38 --> 1429.86] their hope [1429.86 --> 1430.44] in God [1430.44 --> 1431.58] and his promise [1431.58 --> 1432.50] that today [1432.50 --> 1434.12] still die [1434.12 --> 1435.92] are placed [1435.92 --> 1436.98] in coffins [1436.98 --> 1438.42] and carried [1438.42 --> 1439.14] to their graves [1439.14 --> 1441.78] you and I too [1441.78 --> 1442.52] are not home yet [1442.52 --> 1444.42] as believers [1444.42 --> 1444.88] we live [1444.88 --> 1446.50] in an in-between time [1446.50 --> 1448.94] between the already [1448.94 --> 1449.70] of the kingdom [1449.70 --> 1450.40] of God [1450.40 --> 1451.08] that invaded [1451.08 --> 1451.72] our world [1451.72 --> 1452.32] and the person [1452.32 --> 1453.22] of Jesus Christ [1453.22 --> 1454.66] and that has been [1454.66 --> 1455.68] born in our hearts [1455.68 --> 1456.40] through God's word [1456.40 --> 1457.14] and God's spirit [1457.14 --> 1459.44] and the not yet [1459.44 --> 1460.22] of the fully [1460.22 --> 1461.30] realized kingdom [1461.30 --> 1461.84] of God [1461.84 --> 1462.82] that will come [1462.82 --> 1463.54] with Jesus [1463.54 --> 1464.52] returning glory [1464.52 --> 1466.12] when God [1466.12 --> 1466.88] will be all [1466.88 --> 1467.26] in all [1467.26 --> 1467.78] everything [1467.78 --> 1469.68] to everyone [1469.68 --> 1472.36] but as God [1472.36 --> 1473.40] spoke in the beginning [1473.40 --> 1475.00] and there was light [1475.00 --> 1476.48] and there was life [1476.48 --> 1479.06] so an empty grave [1479.06 --> 1480.14] declares to us [1480.14 --> 1481.02] that in the end [1481.02 --> 1482.02] God will speak [1482.02 --> 1482.74] light [1482.74 --> 1483.66] and life [1483.66 --> 1484.70] once again [1484.70 --> 1485.72] and make [1485.72 --> 1486.88] everything [1486.88 --> 1487.84] new [1487.84 --> 1490.94] we await [1490.94 --> 1491.58] that voice [1491.58 --> 1493.44] even as we hear [1493.44 --> 1494.56] whispers of it already [1494.56 --> 1495.90] now [1495.90 --> 1496.64] through the spirit [1496.64 --> 1497.16] of God [1497.16 --> 1498.88] both in his word [1498.88 --> 1500.48] and at this table [1500.48 --> 1501.16] stands here [1501.16 --> 1502.30] before me [1502.30 --> 1503.10] where we had hope [1503.10 --> 1504.04] to celebrate communion [1504.04 --> 1505.10] again this morning [1505.10 --> 1507.30] this table [1507.30 --> 1508.30] also [1508.30 --> 1509.46] a reminder [1509.46 --> 1510.94] that the Lord [1510.94 --> 1511.88] gave us [1511.88 --> 1512.42] to revive [1512.42 --> 1513.24] our hope [1513.24 --> 1513.92] on a journey [1513.92 --> 1515.56] to the promised land [1515.56 --> 1517.74] when your children [1517.74 --> 1518.14] ask you [1518.14 --> 1519.50] what's with this table [1519.50 --> 1521.52] what's that about [1521.52 --> 1522.42] this bread [1522.42 --> 1523.00] this wine [1523.00 --> 1524.02] right [1524.02 --> 1524.72] you tell them [1524.72 --> 1525.44] this table [1525.44 --> 1526.26] means that God [1526.26 --> 1527.52] came to our aid [1527.52 --> 1528.40] in Jesus [1528.40 --> 1529.82] and that because [1529.82 --> 1530.72] Jesus died [1530.72 --> 1531.56] and rose again [1531.56 --> 1532.90] he will come for us [1532.90 --> 1533.28] again [1533.28 --> 1534.42] one day soon [1534.42 --> 1536.02] God will deliver us [1536.02 --> 1536.84] from our bondage [1536.84 --> 1537.36] to death [1537.36 --> 1537.98] and decay [1537.98 --> 1538.64] and the devil [1538.64 --> 1539.54] and bring us [1539.54 --> 1540.44] to a new land [1540.44 --> 1541.66] this table [1541.66 --> 1542.60] placed in front [1542.60 --> 1543.58] of our sanctuary [1543.58 --> 1544.94] means rescue [1544.94 --> 1546.06] means salvation [1546.06 --> 1547.48] it proclaims [1547.48 --> 1547.92] the death [1547.92 --> 1548.74] and resurrection [1548.74 --> 1550.92] until he comes [1550.92 --> 1551.72] again [1551.72 --> 1554.98] and then you tell them [1554.98 --> 1557.66] and you tell yourself [1557.66 --> 1558.82] every Sunday again [1558.82 --> 1561.02] if we are on God's side [1561.02 --> 1563.34] we are on [1563.34 --> 1564.66] the winning side [1564.66 --> 1566.98] life is going to win [1566.98 --> 1568.04] over death [1568.04 --> 1569.66] love is over hate [1569.66 --> 1571.38] peace is going to win [1571.38 --> 1572.40] over violence [1572.40 --> 1573.06] righteousness [1573.06 --> 1574.34] is going to win [1574.34 --> 1575.22] over injustice [1575.22 --> 1577.26] good is going to win [1577.26 --> 1578.20] over evil [1578.20 --> 1579.38] so don't ever [1579.38 --> 1581.38] ever give up hope [1581.38 --> 1583.54] not for people [1583.54 --> 1584.08] you love [1584.08 --> 1585.78] not for yourself [1585.78 --> 1587.56] not for the church [1587.56 --> 1589.68] not for the world [1589.68 --> 1592.02] not for God [1592.02 --> 1593.96] this is [1593.96 --> 1595.62] our Father's world [1595.62 --> 1597.14] oh let us [1597.14 --> 1597.88] not forget [1597.88 --> 1598.94] that though the wrong [1598.94 --> 1600.04] is great and strong [1600.04 --> 1600.60] God [1600.60 --> 1602.22] is the ruler [1602.22 --> 1603.28] yet [1603.28 --> 1606.30] especially [1606.30 --> 1607.04] especially as we are [1607.04 --> 1607.90] about to begin [1607.90 --> 1609.62] the season of Advent [1609.62 --> 1612.18] leading up to the good news [1612.18 --> 1612.94] of Emmanuel [1612.94 --> 1614.72] God with us [1614.72 --> 1616.18] in Jesus [1616.18 --> 1616.74] his son [1616.74 --> 1618.96] may that hope [1618.96 --> 1620.02] give each of you [1620.02 --> 1621.30] and us together [1621.30 --> 1622.38] renewed [1622.38 --> 1624.08] spiritual energy [1624.08 --> 1625.12] even in this [1625.12 --> 1626.12] difficult time [1626.12 --> 1627.44] of COVID-19 [1627.44 --> 1629.76] the spiritual energy [1629.76 --> 1630.38] we need [1630.38 --> 1631.52] to dream [1631.52 --> 1632.44] God's dreams [1632.44 --> 1633.94] to strive [1633.94 --> 1634.54] for the good [1634.54 --> 1635.34] God's word [1635.34 --> 1636.00] commands [1636.00 --> 1637.02] and promises [1637.02 --> 1638.90] and to work [1638.90 --> 1639.84] for God's [1639.84 --> 1640.84] promised future [1640.84 --> 1641.60] by shaping [1641.60 --> 1642.90] our lives [1642.90 --> 1643.56] that's come [1643.56 --> 1644.80] coming [1644.80 --> 1646.26] for to carry [1646.26 --> 1647.54] us home [1647.54 --> 1649.60] in the name [1649.60 --> 1650.18] of the Father [1650.18 --> 1650.90] the Son [1650.90 --> 1652.48] and the Holy Spirit [1652.48 --> 1654.12] let's pray [1654.12 --> 1656.80] gracious God [1656.80 --> 1657.56] we thank you [1657.56 --> 1660.00] for the hope [1660.00 --> 1660.80] that is ours [1660.80 --> 1662.62] in Christ Jesus [1662.62 --> 1664.88] for the hope [1664.88 --> 1665.76] that we will celebrate [1665.76 --> 1666.92] again and anew [1666.92 --> 1668.16] in the season of Advent [1668.16 --> 1669.34] beginning next week [1669.34 --> 1671.24] leading up to the [1671.24 --> 1671.80] celebration [1671.80 --> 1673.64] of the day [1673.64 --> 1674.58] that we have marked [1674.58 --> 1676.98] to celebrate [1676.98 --> 1678.90] the incarnation [1678.90 --> 1680.22] God [1680.22 --> 1680.88] you [1680.88 --> 1681.48] coming [1681.48 --> 1682.66] in our flesh [1682.66 --> 1683.98] in Jesus [1683.98 --> 1684.62] your son [1684.62 --> 1686.68] to remind us [1686.68 --> 1688.60] that our hope [1688.60 --> 1689.42] is real [1689.42 --> 1690.76] our hope [1690.76 --> 1691.96] has flesh and blood [1691.96 --> 1694.38] and so we pray [1694.38 --> 1696.42] together with Joseph [1696.42 --> 1697.92] may our faith [1697.92 --> 1698.28] too [1698.28 --> 1699.80] remain strong [1699.80 --> 1700.46] may our hope [1700.46 --> 1701.50] remain alive [1701.50 --> 1703.42] and may we live lives [1703.42 --> 1704.00] consistent [1704.00 --> 1705.42] with that faith [1705.42 --> 1706.70] and that hope [1706.70 --> 1707.78] every day [1707.78 --> 1709.50] in Jesus name [1709.50 --> 1709.98] we pray [1709.98 --> 1711.10] amen