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A God You Can Know · Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

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Well, would you turn with me, please, in your Bibles back to Luke chapter 10.
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So we'll read from verse 17 again.
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In that same hour, he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit.
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And said,
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Let us bow just briefly in prayer.
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heavenly father as we've prayed examine our hearts so too we long for the fruit of that
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examination for your holy spirit just now to take us to the things of truth and to
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work in our hearts faith and assurance to stir up in us a renewed sense of obedience and a call
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to faithfulness in your service above all father we ask today simply that you would lead our hearts
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to a place of settled knowledge may we know our god and knowing you may we rejoice as jesus did
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in all things we ask this for christ's sake amen
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so luke chapter 10 is one of these passages that allows us to listen in to the prayers of jesus to
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his father that itself is really striking you know what we overhear is not technical language
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it's not ritual formality it's not the speech of a servant approaching a different a distant master
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or that of a diplomat approaching a foreign king he doesn't speak about god he speaks to god
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and it is the prayer of a son who knows his father and that matters because the christian faith
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teaches us to relate to god in the same way and one of the great blessings of the christian faith
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is that we are brought into the family and the household of god that we are adopted and brought
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into a new relationship we're therefore not invited to speak to god as an abstract
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a force that's out there that we somehow commune with but rather to see him as our father
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not a remote ruler to be approached but a father to be clung on to run towards not to be approached
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with special and carefully chosen words but to be approached in the rawness of our feeling
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the bible doesn't encourage us to soften this at all doesn't allow us any space to hide this
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but rather when scripture records prayer in fact it's always recorded showing us the intimacy and the
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closeness particularly of jesus to his father and that's something that we need to reflect as well
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this morning what i want to do is think about this prayer of jesus and think about really the
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knowability of god the fact that jesus prays to and presents to us a god who is knowable
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a god that we can relate to and know and trust a god who today wants to be known and who longs for us
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to know him not to keep him at arm's length therefore but to hold him close and to have him as our friend
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that's what jesus is rejoicing in here god who is lord of heaven and earth and yet a father who reveals
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himself to his children so as jesus prays first of all he addresses his father as lord of heaven and
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earth and it's really important that we grasp this particular point because this is the first place that
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we can get to know god paul talks about this in fact in romans uh in romans 1 verse 20 paul writes and
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says for his invisible attributes namely his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly perceived
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ever since the creation of the world in the things that have been made and so people are without excuse
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when they say they do not know god in his ways it's quite a startling thought there are some things
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about god that are knowable and god himself is in some way knowable from the creation that he has made
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from everything around us because god has left his fingerprints all over that creation
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we want to see that in the way paul says his invisible attributes are there to be seen namely paul says his
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eternal power and the eternal power of god is the magnificence of god's power and creative influence and
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being in everything that we see you see it as you look out into the heavens as you look out into the depths
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of space and you see the vastness of space and you see the vastness of it and yet the fact that there are
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forces at work that almost defy our understanding and that at the very edges of human knowledge and science
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we see out in the universe structures in play clusters of galaxies that string together in cosmic
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superstructures and yet down at the smallest and most intricate levels that we can look at beyond even
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the most powerful microscopes that magnify light itself we can see down into the subatomic realm
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i'm often thought i always feel very sorry for murder mcphail who tried to teach me chemistry in school
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because when i went to university first year in university was just spent deconstructing everything that
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they teach you in high school science because it's just not nearly complete enough and the truth of
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that realm of science is so intricate and marvelous and all of the structures that we see in all of the
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physical world that we see it all comes from simple equations of probability beyond the subatomic realm
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and in all of this complexity god has left his fingertips fingerprints he's left traces of his character for us to see
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because paul says it's not only his divine power that's on display but also his divine nature
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and i would take that to mean god's holiness and his justice
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that in the realm of nature what we see is forces at work that require responses
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in some ways that's just a simple fortune reaction equation but we see it in natural justice as well
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that when something wrong happens there is a crying out for justice
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there exists in creation a natural justice that needs to be served
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and god's fingerprints are there because god is a just god
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and so our sin cries out for punishment
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justice has to be served against wrongdoing
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we're seeing it just now with the epstein scandal as it just continues
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to rumble through public life
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everyone knows it's wrong
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but there's a difficulty to ascribe justice in this situation
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just how wrong is it
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and how do we get to the bottom of it
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well i can assure you
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and i would assure the rich and the powerful
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of the world if they were here today
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in fact of this that there is a god who sees
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there is a god who will one day exercise judgment
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we've sung of it this morning already
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there is a god who sees and knows
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and who does not forget
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the injustice
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that has been perpetrated against individuals
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god can be known
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because the cosmos tells us
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there must be justice
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and paul tells us that it's the suppression of that knowledge
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that leads to human beings
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sinking into depravity and abuse and shame
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it's the suppression of god's knowability
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that actually leads people down these routes
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of depravity and wickedness
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and before we get carried away with pointing the finger
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at the rich and the powerful
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who seem to be above the power of the law
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to catch them
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we should also remember
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that we do the same ourselves
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the tiny little sins
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the tiny little abuses
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the tiny little moments of neglect
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of what we ought to have done
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cry out against us
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and they demand justice
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and so today I wonder
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which camp are you in?
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are you in the camp
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that suppresses the knowledge of god
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and says I don't want to know him
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or are you in the camp
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that says god is someone I want to know
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god is someone I need to know
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because my own sins
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demand that I need his help
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demand that I need his intervention
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in my life
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you see the next phrase that Jesus uses
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kind of confirms this
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he says father I thank you
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that these things have been hidden
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from the wise
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the wise of this world
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think themselves so smart
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so clever
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they think themselves so assured
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that they've got the world sussed out
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that they understand how things work
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that they understand what's going on
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in their own hearts a lot of the time
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that they know what's going on
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that the knowledge of god for them
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can be suppressed
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and yet god is knowable
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because he is a god who reveals himself
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this is the second thing that we should give thanks for today
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that we have a god who hides
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and reveals the truth
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now it's interesting the way Jesus speaks here
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he says I thank you father
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that these things
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have been hidden from the wise and understanding
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and revealed to little children
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and it's really important that we grasp
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just briefly
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what these things are
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that these things that have been revealed
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are things that Jesus speaks about in this context
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what he speaks about is actually this thing
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where the 72 return
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from their mission
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and they tell Jesus about how the demons
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are subject to them in his name
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so in the name of Jesus
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they've been casting out demons
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they've been healing the sick and so on
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all the things that Jesus sent them out to do
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and when they come back
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they're rejoicing
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they're saying Lord
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even the demons are subject to us in your name
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and it's that truth
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that triggers Jesus to say
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I saw Satan
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fall like lightning from heaven
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and this is the truth
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that is being revealed
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the demons are subject
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to the disciples in Jesus name
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Satan's power
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to blind
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Satan's power
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to enslave
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and deceive
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the nations
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has been broken
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the kingdom of Satan
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has been crippled
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by what Jesus has done
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and it's interesting
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that the Greek language itself
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supports this
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Jesus
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the way Jesus speaks here
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it's like
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I'm currently seeing
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Satan fall from heaven
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this isn't
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talking about something
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that happened at the fall
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thousands of years earlier
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it's not something
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that talks about
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what's going to happen
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someday in the future
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when Christ returns
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to judge the living and the dead
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it's talking about
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right here at this moment
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during the ministry of Jesus
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Satan's kingdom
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was falling
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Satan's power
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was crumbling
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it was being
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destroyed
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and
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you might think
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as the disciples
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they're hearing that
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and they're thinking
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wow we're part of this
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and Jesus cautions them
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against rejoicing
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in the wrong thing
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he says to them
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just remember
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rejoice
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yes
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but rejoice more so in this
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not that you can cast out
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demons in my name
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and that they are subject
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to you
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but rejoice
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that your names
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are written
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in heaven
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because that's where
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the real action
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is taking place
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the real victory
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is a victory
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that belongs
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entirely to Jesus
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because of where
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these people's names
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are written
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the disciples names
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and our names
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if we're believers
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are written
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in the Lamb's
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book of life
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it must be
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an enormous book
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it must be huge
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the number of pages
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for the millions
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upon millions
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of people
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whose names are in it
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but there is a book
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there
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it's repeatedly
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referred to in scripture
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God has his list
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and this book
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the names
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of those who are saved
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by the Lamb
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whose names have been
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written there
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before the foundation
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of the world
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they're there
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because of the victory
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of Jesus
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when he finally
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came into the world
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ultimately
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climaxing
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in fact
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in his death
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at the cross
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because the book
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belongs to the Lamb
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who was slain
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their names
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have been written
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before the foundation
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of the world
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all the way back
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in history
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in time
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before even time
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itself
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but their place
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there hinges
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on the obedience
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of the Son
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to come
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at the cross
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and die for his people
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at that moment
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in time
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and Jesus
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says this
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God is knowable
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because
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of this
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victory
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God is knowable
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today
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in the victory
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of
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Jesus
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now
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I wonder
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if you would
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put yourself
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in the
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shoes
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of a child
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for just a moment
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and you think
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about what
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children boast
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of
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very often
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the things
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that a child
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will boast
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of
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is their
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father's
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prowess
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my dad's
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bigger than
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your dad
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and it's
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almost comical
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in some sense
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but the point
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is that a child
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rejoices
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in the victory
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of their father
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they know
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their father
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is strong
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they know
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their father
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is capable
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they know
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their father
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loves them
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and looks
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after them
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they know
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their father
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has done
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everything
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for them
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they know
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their father
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will fight
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for them
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they know
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their father
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is the one
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who secures
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them
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which that's
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what we ought
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to think
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of
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human fathers
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fail
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so that
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that model
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doesn't hold
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up sadly
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in every
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child's
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life
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but that's
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the ideal
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and it's
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the same
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for us
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we can
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think of
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our father
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as the
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victorious
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one
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in Jesus
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the father
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who sent
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the son
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the father
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who commissioned
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him to come
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and do
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this work
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and the father
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reveals himself
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to his
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children
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in the
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victory
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of Jesus
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and today
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you're invited
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to see that
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at the cross
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you're invited
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in fact next
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Sunday
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to come and
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taste
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in fact
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of it
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to literally
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remember
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the death
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of Jesus
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in your
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place
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to savor
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that victory
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in its
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fullness
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will you
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not know
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him
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would you
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not come
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and trust
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in him
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he is
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thirdly
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Jesus tells
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us a God
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who therefore
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also delights
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in gifts
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and who is
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known
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in being
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a joyful
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giver
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of gifts
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you see
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the way
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the argument
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follows
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Jesus
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in that
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very hour
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rejoices
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in the
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Holy Spirit
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and says
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I thank
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you father
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lord of
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heaven and
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earth
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that you
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have hidden
17:45
these things
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from the
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wise
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and
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understanding
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and have
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revealed
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them to
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little
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children
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yes
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father
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for such
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was
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your
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gracious
17:52
will
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it's a
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wonderful
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little
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phrase
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your
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gracious
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will
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the word
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that's actually
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used in
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Greek
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there is
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the word
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goodwill
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and it's
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the same
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word
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that's used
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at the
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beginning
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of Luke's
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gospel
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when the
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angelic
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host
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appear
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to the
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shepherds
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and they
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say these
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wonderful
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words
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glory to
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God in
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the highest
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and on
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earth
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peace
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among
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those
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with whom
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God
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is
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pleased
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the
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pleasure
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of
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God
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in
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revealing
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and
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sending
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the
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son
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the
18:29
messiah
18:29
is
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the
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same
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pleasure
18:32
that
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Jesus
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is
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speaking
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of
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here
18:34
that
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God
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delights
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not only
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in sending
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his son
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to be
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a
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savior
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and who
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brings
18:41
glory
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to the
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father
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through
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that
18:43
work
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of
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salvation
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and
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his
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work
18:45
of
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obedience
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but
18:46
God
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delights
18:47
in
18:47
now
18:48
making
18:48
that
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story
18:50
making
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that
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good
18:51
news
18:52
making
18:52
that
18:52
gospel
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known
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to
18:54
us
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he
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delights
18:57
today
18:57
in
18:58
you
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and
18:58
I
18:58
hearing
18:59
this
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good
19:00
news
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and
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saying
19:02
Jesus
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has
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been
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victorious
19:06
and now
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it is a
19:08
gift held
19:09
out to
19:09
you
19:09
it is a
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free offer
19:11
today
19:12
made
19:12
to you
19:13
a free
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opportunity
19:14
to receive
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good
19:17
things
19:18
from
19:18
God
19:19
and
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this
19:20
is the
19:20
God
19:20
we
19:20
can
19:21
know
19:21
this
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is the
19:23
God
19:23
who
19:24
is
19:24
knowable
19:24
because
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of
19:26
his
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gracious
19:27
character
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there's
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a way
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of thinking
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about this
19:32
in terms
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of
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mercy
19:34
and
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grace
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justice
19:38
we know
19:39
we deserve
19:39
we deserve
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punishment
19:42
for the
19:43
wrong
19:43
things
19:43
that we
19:43
have
19:44
done
19:44
mercy
19:45
is when
19:46
that
19:46
punishment
19:46
is held
19:47
back
19:48
grace
19:50
is when
19:51
we receive
19:51
something
19:51
we do
19:52
not
19:52
deserve
19:53
grace
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is when
19:54
we receive
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life
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everlasting
19:58
instead
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of the
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death
20:01
we deserve
20:02
grace
20:04
is the
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gift
20:06
of
20:07
God
20:07
and so
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I wonder
20:10
if you would
20:10
reflect for a
20:11
moment on
20:11
this today
20:12
and think
20:12
about all
20:13
of the
20:13
times
20:13
where you
20:15
have
20:15
experienced
20:16
that
20:18
grace
20:18
just
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pause for a
20:21
minute and
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think about
20:22
all of the
20:22
times you
20:24
have received
20:25
grace
20:26
you know
20:30
grace for
20:30
when prayer
20:31
has been
20:31
answered
20:32
and I think
20:36
in my own
20:37
life about
20:37
the times
20:37
where prayer
20:38
has been
20:38
answered
20:39
and it's
20:39
remarkable
20:40
the times
20:42
where I've
20:43
been so
20:43
aware
20:44
of a
20:45
crushing
20:45
sense of
20:46
sins
20:47
defeat
20:48
in my
20:48
life
20:49
and I've
20:50
been
20:50
overwhelmed
20:50
and overpowered
20:52
and left
20:52
helpless
20:53
because of
20:54
my sin
20:54
and I've
20:58
cried out
20:58
to God
20:59
and his
21:01
mercy
21:01
has come
21:02
in
21:03
like a
21:04
flood
21:04
and his
21:06
grace
21:06
has revived
21:07
and brought
21:09
about
21:10
redemption
21:11
and salvation
21:12
where there
21:13
ought only
21:14
to be
21:15
death
21:15
and destruction
21:16
that's not
21:19
just
21:20
praying about
21:20
the times
21:21
where you've
21:21
lost your
21:21
passport
21:22
and you
21:22
can't find
21:22
it at the
21:23
last minute
21:23
and you
21:23
need it
21:24
it's
21:26
praying about
21:26
the times
21:26
where your
21:27
life has
21:27
been spared
21:28
and where
21:29
new hope
21:30
has been
21:30
brought to
21:31
you
21:31
where light
21:32
has shone
21:33
in the
21:33
darkness
21:33
where things
21:35
have been
21:35
fixed that
21:36
were irreparable
21:37
where relationships
21:39
have been
21:39
restored
21:40
where the
21:41
most basic
21:42
foul ups
21:43
in your
21:43
life
21:44
have been
21:45
overcome
21:45
by a
21:47
gracious
21:47
God
21:48
who is
21:49
pleased
21:49
to help
21:50
his
21:51
children
21:51
that is
21:53
the God
21:53
that we
21:54
can know
21:54
a God
21:58
who reaches
21:58
into our
21:59
despair
22:00
and who
22:02
brings us
22:03
hope
22:04
and today
22:07
we have
22:08
that same
22:09
God
22:09
held out
22:10
before us
22:11
that same
22:12
God who
22:13
is available
22:13
to us
22:14
that God
22:15
who reaches
22:16
into the
22:16
fires and
22:17
the destruction
22:17
of our
22:18
lives
22:19
and will
22:20
take us
22:21
out of it
22:22
and set
22:24
us
22:24
on a
22:25
place
22:25
of sure
22:25
footing
22:26
and sure
22:27
ground
22:28
the truth
22:29
is all
22:29
of these
22:30
moments
22:30
that you
22:30
can look
22:31
back on
22:31
God
22:32
is in
22:33
them
22:33
God
22:34
is working
22:35
already
22:35
in the
22:36
lives
22:36
of his
22:36
people
22:37
and he
22:38
is making
22:39
himself
22:39
known
22:40
through
22:41
his
22:41
grace
22:41
there's a
22:46
wonderful
22:46
expression
22:46
in Hosea
22:47
Hosea
22:49
chapter 1
22:49
verse 10
22:50
it says
22:51
in the
22:51
place
22:51
where it
22:52
was said
22:52
to them
22:52
you are
22:53
not my
22:53
people
22:54
it shall
22:55
be said
22:56
of them
22:56
you are
22:57
children
22:57
of the
22:58
living
22:59
God
22:59
and this
23:02
is how
23:03
our God
23:03
is known
23:03
he takes
23:05
people who
23:06
actually
23:06
deserve
23:07
to be
23:08
left
23:09
lost
23:09
and abandoned
23:10
cast out
23:12
utterly
23:12
and he
23:14
takes them
23:14
and he
23:15
brings them
23:16
in as
23:16
his
23:16
children
23:17
and says
23:18
I will
23:18
be to
23:19
you a
23:19
father
23:19
and you
23:21
will be
23:21
my
23:22
son
23:22
what a
23:24
privilege
23:25
that is
23:25
to us
23:25
today
23:26
to know
23:27
that there
23:28
is a
23:28
God
23:28
who wants
23:29
to adopt
23:30
us
23:30
into his
23:31
family
23:31
who wants
23:32
to welcome
23:33
us
23:33
out of
23:34
his mere
23:35
good
23:36
pleasure
23:37
out of
23:39
his
23:39
grace
23:40
peace
23:40
there is
23:43
fourthly a
23:44
God who
23:44
is known
23:45
in this
23:47
thing that
23:47
Jesus talks
23:48
about
23:48
the father
23:48
has handed
23:49
over to
23:49
me
23:50
authority
23:51
you see
23:52
it in
23:52
verse
23:53
21
23:53
for
23:54
in verse
23:55
22
23:55
all things
23:57
Jesus
23:57
says
23:57
have been
23:58
handed over
23:59
to me
23:59
by my
23:59
father
24:00
and no
24:01
one knows
24:01
who the
24:02
son is
24:02
except
24:02
the father
24:03
or who
24:04
the father
24:04
is except
24:05
the son
24:05
and anyone
24:05
to whom
24:06
the son
24:06
chooses
24:07
to reveal
24:08
him
24:08
all things
24:09
have been
24:10
handed
24:10
over to
24:11
me
24:11
Jesus
24:11
says
24:12
and this
24:13
is the
24:14
truth
24:14
God
24:15
is known
24:16
in the
24:17
way he
24:18
has handed
24:19
over
24:20
power and
24:21
authority
24:22
to
24:23
Jesus
24:24
this is a
24:26
bit tricky
24:26
so let me
24:27
just try and
24:28
explain this
24:29
and get
24:29
the logic
24:30
of this
24:31
right
24:31
the 72
24:33
have
24:34
returned
24:34
and they're
24:36
rejoicing
24:37
and they're
24:38
saying
24:38
we are
24:39
so
24:40
delighted
24:42
to report
24:43
that even
24:45
the demons
24:45
are subject
24:46
to us
24:47
not because
24:49
we're great
24:49
but they
24:51
are subject
24:52
to us
24:52
in
24:53
your
24:54
name
24:55
so at
24:57
the name
24:58
of Jesus
24:58
miracles are
24:59
being performed
25:00
at the name
25:02
of Jesus
25:03
demons are
25:04
being thrown
25:04
out of
25:06
blighted
25:06
lives
25:07
at the name
25:08
of Jesus
25:09
freedom has
25:10
come into
25:11
the experience
25:12
of these
25:13
people
25:13
and we see
25:15
that today
25:16
still
25:16
I think
25:18
about the
25:18
work of
25:18
road to
25:19
recovery
25:19
for example
25:20
we see
25:21
their very
25:21
tangible
25:22
evidence
25:22
real
25:23
evidence
25:24
of the
25:24
victory
25:25
of Jesus
25:25
that in
25:26
Christ's
25:27
name
25:27
people are
25:27
set
25:27
free
25:28
released
25:30
from
25:30
slavery
25:31
and
25:32
addiction
25:32
we see
25:34
it in
25:35
the gospel
25:36
we see
25:37
it in
25:37
the stories
25:38
of repentance
25:39
in people's
25:40
lives
25:40
we still
25:41
see this
25:41
it still
25:42
happens
25:42
and it's
25:44
at the
25:44
name
25:44
of
25:44
Jesus
25:44
and so
25:46
Jesus
25:46
then rejoices
25:47
in the
25:47
Holy Spirit
25:48
thanking
25:48
the Father
25:49
for the
25:50
revelation
25:50
of this
25:51
for the
25:53
revelation
25:54
that this
25:54
has been
25:55
to these
25:55
humble
25:56
little
25:56
children
25:56
those
25:58
who have
25:58
come
25:58
with that
25:59
childlike
26:00
humility
26:00
to the
26:01
Father
26:01
those
26:02
who have
26:02
come
26:02
with that
26:03
childlike
26:03
faith
26:04
trusting
26:05
in
26:06
Jesus
26:06
and then
26:07
he acknowledges
26:08
all things
26:09
have been
26:09
handed over
26:09
to him
26:10
by the
26:10
Father
26:10
so the
26:11
all things
26:12
that I
26:12
think he's
26:12
referring to
26:13
there
26:13
has to
26:14
do with
26:15
salvation
26:16
it has
26:18
to do
26:18
with this
26:19
work of
26:19
Satan's
26:20
kingdom
26:21
being broken
26:21
and cast
26:22
down
26:22
and destroyed
26:23
of Satan's
26:24
power itself
26:25
of Satan
26:25
himself
26:26
falling
26:27
collapsing
26:28
in fact
26:31
it goes
26:31
all the way
26:31
back to
26:31
the very
26:32
beginning
26:32
of the
26:32
Bible
26:33
to the
26:33
first
26:34
proclamation
26:35
of good
26:36
news
26:36
that the
26:37
seed of
26:37
the woman
26:38
would bruise
26:39
the head
26:40
of the
26:40
serpent
26:40
would deliver
26:41
a fatal
26:41
blow
26:42
to the
26:43
serpent
26:43
and that
26:45
is what
26:45
Jesus
26:45
achieves
26:46
and he
26:48
achieves
26:49
it
26:49
because of
26:51
a functional
26:52
reality
26:54
within the
26:55
Trinity
26:55
and this
26:56
is a
26:56
deep
26:58
theology
26:58
it's a
26:58
difficult
26:59
theology
26:59
for us
27:00
to grasp
27:00
in its
27:01
fullness
27:01
but it
27:02
is that
27:02
within the
27:03
Trinity
27:03
there is
27:04
what we
27:05
could call
27:06
a functional
27:06
subordination
27:07
we know
27:09
the Trinity
27:10
the Godhead
27:10
is the
27:11
Father
27:11
the Son
27:11
and the
27:12
Holy Spirit
27:12
and these
27:12
three are
27:12
one God
27:13
same
27:13
substance
27:14
and glory
27:15
and power
27:15
same
27:16
entitlement
27:17
to the
27:18
praise of
27:18
the nations
27:19
they are
27:20
equal in
27:21
every way
27:21
but within
27:23
the function
27:24
of the Trinity
27:24
and the function
27:25
of our salvation
27:26
there is a
27:26
subordination
27:27
enters in
27:27
the Father
27:28
sends the
27:30
Son
27:30
and the
27:32
Son
27:33
although he
27:33
is equal
27:34
with the
27:34
Father
27:34
agrees to
27:35
be sent
27:36
and then
27:38
the Son
27:39
as part of
27:40
his victory
27:40
sends the
27:42
Holy Spirit
27:43
and the Holy
27:44
Spirit now
27:45
comes and
27:45
dwells
27:47
within
27:48
his people
27:50
there is
27:52
that subordination
27:53
of function
27:54
and the
27:57
Father
27:58
in order
27:59
to achieve
27:59
all of
28:00
this
28:00
Jesus
28:00
rejoices
28:01
in this
28:01
truth
28:02
the Father
28:02
has handed
28:03
all things
28:04
over to
28:05
the Son
28:05
that today
28:06
every aspect
28:08
of our
28:08
salvation
28:09
is rooted
28:11
in
28:11
and secured
28:13
by
28:13
Jesus
28:14
himself
28:15
because he
28:16
has been
28:16
given
28:17
that role
28:18
in its
28:18
fullness
28:19
by the
28:19
Father
28:20
the Father
28:21
has said
28:21
it's yours
28:22
to do
28:23
and now
28:25
Jesus
28:25
has come
28:25
and he's
28:27
obeyed
28:27
and he's
28:28
gone to
28:28
the cross
28:28
and he
28:29
has done
28:30
what is
28:31
necessary
28:32
for your
28:32
salvation
28:33
and mine
28:33
so much
28:36
so that at
28:37
the end
28:37
of the
28:37
cross
28:37
he can
28:38
say
28:38
it is
28:38
finished
28:39
there's
28:41
nothing
28:41
more
28:41
needed
28:42
no more
28:44
work to
28:44
do
28:44
and
28:46
all of
28:49
this
28:49
is for
28:50
our
28:51
security
28:52
because
28:55
there is
28:55
just one
28:56
person
28:56
just the
28:58
perfect
28:59
one
29:00
tool
29:01
that is
29:02
needed
29:02
to complete
29:04
our salvation
29:06
and one
29:08
practical
29:10
example of
29:10
this will
29:11
be next
29:11
Sunday
29:12
as we
29:12
come to
29:13
the Lord's
29:13
table
29:13
when
29:15
Jesus
29:16
instructed
29:16
us to
29:17
say
29:17
and said
29:18
do this
29:18
in
29:18
remembrance
29:19
of me
29:20
he's
29:21
inviting
29:22
us to
29:22
a means
29:23
of grace
29:24
he's
29:25
inviting
29:26
us
29:26
to a
29:27
means
29:27
by which
29:27
our
29:28
faith
29:28
in God
29:29
can be
29:29
strengthened
29:30
by which
29:32
we can
29:33
receive
29:33
encouragement
29:34
because
29:37
in the
29:37
Lord's
29:38
Supper
29:38
we remember
29:39
everything
29:40
about our
29:40
salvation
29:41
rests on
29:42
the work
29:43
of
29:44
Jesus
29:45
it
29:48
rests on
29:49
what he
29:49
has done
29:49
now I
29:52
know
29:52
that
29:54
there is
29:56
a tradition
29:56
in our
29:58
island
29:58
in our
30:00
culture
30:00
in our
30:02
congregation
30:02
where some
30:05
of you
30:06
think
30:06
that I
30:09
need to
30:09
be strong
30:10
enough to
30:10
go to
30:11
the
30:11
Lord's
30:11
table
30:11
that I
30:14
need to
30:14
go to
30:15
the
30:15
Lord's
30:15
table
30:15
having
30:16
already
30:16
attained
30:18
a measure
30:20
of strength
30:20
and I
30:23
want to
30:23
say to
30:24
you simply
30:24
this
30:25
Jesus
30:27
has done
30:28
it all
30:29
the father
30:32
didn't say
30:32
I'm going to
30:33
give some
30:35
of the
30:35
authority
30:35
to Jesus
30:36
but I'm
30:37
going to
30:37
hold back
30:38
a little
30:38
bit to
30:38
give to
30:39
you know
30:40
Ian
30:40
Murdoch
30:40
or to
30:42
Gordon
30:42
Matheson
30:43
to say
30:45
they have
30:45
to get
30:45
themselves
30:46
to a
30:46
point
30:47
where they
30:47
can
30:47
receive
30:48
our
30:49
salvation
30:50
doesn't
30:50
work like
30:51
that
30:51
it's
30:52
all
30:53
of
30:54
Jesus
30:55
and so
30:57
when we
30:57
come to
30:58
the Lord's
30:58
table
30:58
what we
30:59
come to
30:59
is a
31:00
proclamation
31:01
of our
31:03
whole
31:04
dependence
31:05
on Christ
31:06
and you're
31:09
not going
31:09
to find
31:09
strength
31:10
for anything
31:10
else
31:11
what you'll
31:14
actually find
31:14
instead is
31:15
when you
31:15
come in
31:16
that
31:16
obedience
31:17
when you
31:18
come in
31:18
humble
31:18
childlike
31:19
obedience
31:20
to the
31:21
Lord's
31:21
table
31:22
you will
31:23
receive
31:23
the strength
31:24
you long
31:25
for
31:25
you will
31:27
receive the
31:28
strength
31:28
there that
31:29
you're
31:29
craving
31:30
that you
31:30
need
31:31
because it's
31:32
a means
31:33
of the
31:34
grace of
31:35
God
31:35
flowing
31:36
into our
31:37
lives
31:37
as we
31:39
take part
31:39
of that
31:39
bread and
31:40
that wine
31:40
by faith
31:42
because it's
31:44
all of
31:44
Jesus
31:45
it's not
31:46
of us
31:47
and that's
31:49
the God
31:50
that's
31:50
knowable
31:51
today
31:51
a father
31:53
in God
31:54
who has
31:55
given all
31:56
of that
31:56
responsibility
31:57
and all
31:58
of that
31:58
authority
31:58
and all
31:59
of that
31:59
power
32:00
everything
32:01
that is
32:01
necessary
32:01
for the
32:02
salvation
32:02
of his
32:02
people
32:03
it rests
32:04
with
32:04
Jesus
32:05
today
32:06
and so
32:09
we come
32:09
to the
32:09
Lord's
32:10
Supper
32:10
to remember
32:12
what Jesus
32:14
has done
32:14
Paul says
32:26
in Romans
32:26
8
32:26
this is
32:28
how we
32:28
know
32:28
God
32:29
this is
32:29
what we
32:29
know
32:30
of God
32:30
he
32:31
he who
32:32
did not
32:32
spare
32:33
his
32:33
own
32:33
son
32:34
but
32:35
gave
32:35
him
32:35
up
32:36
for
32:36
us
32:36
all
32:36
how
32:38
will
32:38
he
32:38
not
32:38
also
32:39
with
32:39
him
32:40
graciously
32:40
give
32:41
us
32:41
all
32:41
things
32:42
!
33:12
God
33:12
as
33:13
the
33:13
one
33:13
who
33:14
offers
33:14
you
33:14
the
33:15
full
33:15
security
33:16
of
33:16
knowing
33:17
God
33:17
as
33:18
your
33:18
friend
33:18
as
33:21
the
33:21
one
33:21
who
33:22
is
33:22
the
33:22
victor
33:23
over
33:23
sin
33:24
and
33:24
over
33:24
Satan
33:25
and
33:25
over
33:26
death
33:26
itself
33:26
and
33:28
who
33:28
says
33:29
now
33:29
will
33:30
you
33:30
not
33:30
come
33:30
and
33:33
so
33:33
I
33:33
would
33:33
ask
33:33
you
33:33
today
33:34
to
33:35
follow
33:35
after
33:36
Jesus
33:36
pray
33:37
to
33:37
him
33:38
ask
33:40
him
33:40
to
33:40
give
33:40
you
33:41
faith
33:41
ask
33:43
him
33:43
to
33:43
give
33:43
you
33:44
that
33:44
gift
33:45
of
33:45
hope
33:45
and
33:46
trust
33:46
in
33:47
Christ
33:48
alone
33:48
that
33:49
you
33:50
may
33:50
know
33:50
him
33:50
as
33:51
your
33:52
saviour
33:52
let's
33:54
pray
33:54
thank you
34:03
father
34:03
lord of
34:05
heaven
34:05
and
34:05
earth
34:05
that
34:07
you
34:07
have
34:07
hidden
34:07
these
34:08
things
34:08
from
34:08
the
34:08
wise
34:09
and
34:09
understanding
34:09
and
34:11
revealed
34:11
them
34:11
to
34:11
little
34:12
children
34:12
yes
34:13
father
34:14
for
34:15
such
34:15
was
34:15
your
34:16
gracious
34:17
will
34:17
lord
34:20
may
34:20
you
34:20
today
34:20
reveal
34:21
these
34:22
things
34:22
to
34:23
people
34:23
here
34:24
may
34:25
you
34:25
make
34:26
yourself
34:26
known
34:27
through
34:28
Jesus
34:28
the
34:29
saviour
34:30
and
34:32
may
34:32
we
34:32
be
34:32
given
34:33
the
34:33
faith
34:33
of
34:34
little
34:34
children
34:34
who
34:36
will
34:36
trust
34:37
in
34:38
their
34:38
father's
34:38
power
34:39
in
34:40
their
34:40
father's
34:41
might
34:41
that
34:44
we
34:44
would
34:44
rely
34:45
on
34:45
him
34:45
and
34:47
know
34:47
him
34:48
in
34:49
that
34:49
victory
34:50
we
34:50
ask
34:51
all
34:51
of
34:51
this
34:51
in
34:51
Christ's
34:51
name
34:52
amen
34:52
we
34:57
shall
34:57
sing
34:57
in
34:58
conclusion
34:58
in
34:58
psalm
34:58
147
34:59
in
35:00
sing
35:01
psalms
35:01
page
35:05
192
35:06
I
35:15
think
35:15
although
35:16
I've
35:16
said
35:16
we'll
35:16
sing
35:16
verses
35:16
1
35:17
to
35:17
7
35:17
we'll
35:17
just
35:17
sing
35:17
verses
35:17
1
35:18
and
35:18
2
35:18
because
35:18
the
35:18
time
35:18
is
35:18
definitely
35:19
gone
35:19
so
35:20
we'll
35:20
sing
35:21
the
35:21
first
35:21
two
35:21
stanzas
35:21
oh
35:22
praise
35:22
the
35:22
lord
35:22
how
35:22
good
35:23
it
35:23
is
35:23
to
35:23
sing
35:23
him
35:23
songs
35:24
of
35:24
praise
35:24
how
35:25
pleasant
35:25
to
35:25
give
35:26
thanks
35:26
to
35:26
him
35:26
for
35:27
all
35:27
his
35:28
gracious
35:28
ways
35:29
I
35:29
will
35:30
stand
35:30
and sing
35:30
these
35:31
two
35:31
stanzas
35:31
to his
35:32
praise
35:32
oh
35:36
oh
35:37
praise
35:37
oh
35:37
praise
35:38
the
35:39
lord
35:40
how
35:41
good
35:42
it
35:43
is
35:44
to
35:45
sing
35:47
him
35:48
songs
35:49
of
35:50
praise
35:51
how
35:53
blessed
35:54
to
35:56
give
35:57
hands
35:58
to
35:59
him
36:00
!
36:02
for
36:02
all
36:03
his
36:04
gracious
36:05
way
36:07
the
36:09
lord
36:10
builds
36:11
up
36:12
Jerusalem
36:15
and
36:18
he
36:19
it
36:20
is
36:21
alone
36:23
who
36:25
reaches
36:26
to
36:29
Israel
36:30
to
36:33
bring
36:34
the
36:36
exiled
36:38
soul
36:39
now
36:41
the grace
36:41
of the
36:42
lord
36:42
jesus
36:42
christ
36:42
the love
36:43
of god
36:43
the father
36:43
and the
36:44
fellowship
36:44
of god
36:45
the holy
36:45
spirit
36:46
be with
36:46
each
36:46
one
36:46
of us
36:46
now
36:47
and
36:47
always
36:47
amen
36:56
as