Mike Novotny - Following When It's Hard

December 2, 2025 | 29:5

Time of Grace teaches tough topics in an approachable and relatable way, making the Bible clear and understandable for those who need encouragement in their walks of faith and for those who don’t yet know Jesus at all.

#Christmas #Trials-HardTimes #Culture #SeekGod #TrustGod #SpiritualGrowth #Faith #MikeNovotny

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Time Of Grace With Mike Novotny | Mike Novotny - Following When It's Hard | December 2, 2025

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>> it happens in churches.
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>> it happens in churches. i mean, a pastor can say
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Whatever he wants and you can
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Whatever he wants and you can sit there and say, "okay yeah.
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Sit there and say, "okay yeah. interesting,
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Interesting, i'll think about that."
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I'll think about that." but when a pastor claims
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But when a pastor claims to speak with the authority
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To speak with the authority of god and says you have to.
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Of god and says you have to. you have to repent and change,
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You have to repent and change, that's when spirituality
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Gets intense.
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Gets intense. it happens with
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It happens with the country, right?
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The country, right? i mean, you can post
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I mean, you can post the speed limit as a suggestion
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The speed limit as a suggestion and to make a law and whatever.
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And to make a law and whatever. but when that law
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But when that law is binding upon me,
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Is binding upon me, when i have to or else.
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And it's so difficult when
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And it's so difficult when someone comes and claim to speak
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Someone comes and claim to speak in an authoritative way to us.
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In an authoritative way to us. now, why am i telling you
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Now, why am i telling you that today or on
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That today or on the christmas season?
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The christmas season? i recently realized
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I recently realized that almost every passage
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That almost every passage in the bible that talks
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In the bible that talks about christmas claims
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About christmas claims that jesus came with
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That jesus came with maximum authority.
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Maximum authority. you ever notice that?
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You ever notice that? if you know the story from
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If you know the story from luke 2 when the angels
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Luke 2 when the angels appeared to the shepherds,
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Appeared to the shepherds, if you studied matthew 1
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If you studied matthew 1 where gabriel talks
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Where gabriel talks about the coming
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About the coming of jesus through mary,
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Of jesus through mary, if you read the old prophesies
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If you read the old prophesies from isaiah 7 or 9.
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From isaiah 7 or 9. have any of you noticed
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Have any of you noticed that the language in almost
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That the language in almost every single verse implies
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Every single verse implies the ultimate authority of jesus?
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The ultimate authority of jesus? he uses words and we sing them,
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He uses words and we sing them, in fact in our favorite
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In fact in our favorite christmas carols that jesus
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Christmas carols that jesus is not just a friend or a buddy,
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Is not just a friend or a buddy, he is the lord who has come.
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He is the lord who has come. the magi came to jerusalem
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The magi came to jerusalem looking for the king who
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Looking for the king who had been born of israel.
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Had been born of israel. gabriel told mary,
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Gabriel told mary, "the one who will sit on
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"the one who will sit on david's throne and will
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David's throne and will never get up and leave it,
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Never get up and leave it, he will be an eternal king.
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He will be an eternal king. this is the son of god,
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This is the son of god, emmanuel, god with us."
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Emmanuel, god with us." all the titles given to jesus
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All the titles given to jesus are not that he is our buddy,
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Are not that he is our buddy, our friend, or our equal,
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Our friend, or our equal, but he is the one who is
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But he is the one who is actually over and above us,
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Actually over and above us, and has the ultimate authority.
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And has the ultimate authority. two thousand years ago,
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Two thousand years ago, jesus was not laid in a manger,
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Jesus was not laid in a manger, he didn't stick his hands in
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He didn't stick his hands in his little pockets and say,
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His little pockets and say, "i'm just a chill guy."
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"i'm just a chill guy." no, he said something
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No, he said something so, so much more.
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So, so much more. he claimed to be the truth,
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He claimed to be the truth, and the way, and the king.
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And the way, and the king. that essentially means that
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That essentially means that if you get close to jesus,
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If you get close to jesus, whether you've been around
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Whether you've been around church for a long time
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Church for a long time or this is your first time,
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Or this is your first time, that part of your heart
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That part of your heart that resist the authority
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That resist the authority of others is on
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Of others is on a collision course with
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A collision course with a baby from bethlehem.
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A baby from bethlehem. there will be moments where
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There will be moments where you're gonna have to decide just
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You're gonna have to decide just like i do one of the biggest
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Like i do one of the biggest christian questions
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Christian questions and one of the biggest
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And one of the biggest christmas questions.
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Christmas questions. i'd love for you to write it
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I'd love for you to write it down if you're taking notes.
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Down if you're taking notes. the question is, "will i submit?
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The question is, "will i submit? will i submit?"
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Will i submit?" christmas, if you haven't heard
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Christmas, if you haven't heard is the season of submission.
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Is the season of submission. that's where jesus comes
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That's where jesus comes not to offer his two cents
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Not to offer his two cents from the manger,
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From the manger, but when he comes with
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But when he comes with ultimate authority to rule
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Ultimate authority to rule over every part of your life.
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Over every part of your life. now, you can probably figure out
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Now, you can probably figure out that this is a huge deal.
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That this is a huge deal. jesus is saying that
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Jesus is saying that instead of you, kind of,
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Instead of you, kind of, sitting there and rubbing
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Sitting there and rubbing your chin and saying,
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Your chin and saying, "i'll think about it, jesus."
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"i'll think about it, jesus." he's asking you,
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He's asking you, in fact, inviting you,
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In fact, inviting you, in fact, commanding you
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In fact, commanding you to open up your hands
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To open up your hands and to surrender every inch,
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And to surrender every inch, and moment, and dollar,
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And moment, and dollar, and thought,
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And thought, and value, and belief.
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And value, and belief. jesus actually has zero desire
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Jesus actually has zero desire to be in a relationship with you
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To be in a relationship with you where your heart does this.
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Where your heart does this. and the only acceptable
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And the only acceptable relationship to him
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Relationship to him is where your heart does this
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Is where your heart does this and you say,
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And you say, "jesus, you're the lord of all.
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"jesus, you're the lord of all. if you are god then what
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If you are god then what right could i possibly
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Right could i possibly claim to resist you,
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Claim to resist you, deny you, or disobey you?"
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Deny you, or disobey you?" now, just so we're clear,
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Now, just so we're clear, think about what this implies.
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Think about what this implies. this means that what you do
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This means that what you do today after church is over,
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Today after church is over, after you stop watching
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After you stop watching at home is submitted
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At home is submitted to the will of jesus.
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To the will of jesus. it means whether you,
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It means whether you, like connect with the church
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Like connect with the church or do your own thing
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Or do your own thing spiritually, like,
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Spiritually, like, that's not your call anymore,
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That's not your call anymore, that's submitted
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That's submitted to the word of jesus.
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To the word of jesus. it means what you do on
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It means what you do on a friday or a saturday night,
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A friday or a saturday night, your relationship with alcohol,
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Your relationship with alcohol, the people you hang out with,
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The people you hang out with, the way that you speak,
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The way that you speak, the way that you think,
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The way that you think, that is entirely
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That is entirely submitted to jesus.
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Submitted to jesus. it means whatever
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It means whatever sexual desires and orientation
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Sexual desires and orientation you feel in your heart.
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You feel in your heart. none of us are called
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None of us are called to follow our heart
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To follow our heart but submit it to,
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But submit it to, what does jesus say
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What does jesus say about such things?
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About such things? it means every dollar and cent
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It means every dollar and cent you will make for the rest
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You will make for the rest of your life is not
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Of your life is not yours to hold, decide,
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Yours to hold, decide, or have autonomy
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Or have autonomy or authority over,
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Or authority over, it is submitted before
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It is submitted before the throne of the king
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The throne of the king of kings and lord of lords.
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Of kings and lord of lords. it means the way that you treat
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It means the way that you treat your best friend is submitted
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Your best friend is submitted to the biblical teaching.
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To the biblical teaching. the way you treat your ex
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The way you treat your ex who won't leave you alone
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Who won't leave you alone is submitted
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Is submitted to the biblical teaching.
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To the biblical teaching. what we do with your body,
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What we do with your body, with your womb, with your mind,
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With your womb, with your mind, with your sundays, your fridays,
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With your sundays, your fridays, with your everything is laid
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With your everything is laid before jesus and we pray
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Before jesus and we pray with open hands,
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With open hands, "jesus, your will be done."
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"jesus, your will be done." christianity, if no one
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Christianity, if no one has told you this before,
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Has told you this before, is not a happy, clappy religion.
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Is not a happy, clappy religion. it comes with weight to it.
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It comes with weight to it. it is, without a doubt,
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It is, without a doubt, a religion of hope
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A religion of hope and of joy and of peace.
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And of joy and of peace. but there is an edge
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But there is an edge to the teaching of jesus
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To the teaching of jesus when he claims to be lord,
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When he claims to be lord, calls us to repentance,
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Calls us to repentance, and asks us to open our hands
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And asks us to open our hands in full submission.
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In full submission. and so, the christmas question
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And so, the christmas question for you and for me today is,
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For you and for me today is, will we?
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Will we? will our hearts think,
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Will our hearts think, "ah, i don't know about that.
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"ah, i don't know about that. i don't know if that's,
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I don't know if that's, like, the best life that
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Like, the best life that i'm going to live,
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I'm going to live, like following jesus instead
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Like following jesus instead of following what i want to do."
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Of following what i want to do." you know, maybe we'll duck
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You know, maybe we'll duck in church here and there,
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In church here and there, and maybe we'll open a bible now
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And maybe we'll open a bible now and then when we're in need,
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And then when we're in need, but if the posture
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But if the posture of our heart is this,
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Of our heart is this, well you won't be the first.
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Well you won't be the first. what would it take though
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What would it take though for you to stop acting like
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For you to stop acting like the lawyer's kid and taking
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The lawyer's kid and taking the teaching of jesus
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The teaching of jesus under advisement
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Under advisement and submit everything?
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And submit everything? jesus, you wanna make me
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Jesus, you wanna make me rich or poor, that's your call.
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Rich or poor, that's your call. you want to bless me
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You want to bless me with marriage,
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With marriage, with a long life together,
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With a long life together, that's your call.
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That's your call. you wanna heal me
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You wanna heal me of this sickness,
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Of this sickness, you want to snap your fingers
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You want to snap your fingers and cure my mental illness,
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And cure my mental illness, that's your call.
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That's your call. i'm giving you
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I'm giving you today and tomorrow,
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Today and tomorrow, i'm giving you
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I'm giving you every relationship,
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Every relationship, every word, thought,
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Every word, thought, desire, and motivation.
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Desire, and motivation. what would it take to shift
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What would it take to shift your heart from the skeptical,
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Your heart from the skeptical, "i don't know."
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"i don't know." to absolute and entire
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To absolute and entire surrender to the teachings
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Surrender to the teachings and words of jesus?
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And words of jesus? and that's what i want
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And that's what i want to talk to you about today
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To talk to you about today and that's why i brought
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And that's why i brought this with me.
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This with me. i'll show you pictures.
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I'll show you pictures. this is my favorite
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This is my favorite nativity set that i own.
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Nativity set that i own. i bought it 20 years ago
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I bought it 20 years ago in puerto rico and it says
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In puerto rico and it says that it was made in peru.
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That it was made in peru. could you tell?
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[laughing]
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The peruvian artist.
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The peruvian artist. decked out mary and joseph
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Decked out mary and joseph are on the manger of jesus in
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Are on the manger of jesus in traditional peruvian guarb.
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Traditional peruvian guarb. i think joseph's playing
00:06:44.727 --> 00:06:45.528
I think joseph's playing a peruvian pan flute.
00:06:45.595 --> 00:06:46.429
A peruvian pan flute. and can you see?
00:06:46.496 --> 00:06:47.697
And can you see? there's not a sheep and a donkey
00:06:47.763 --> 00:06:48.965
There's not a sheep and a donkey but a llama and alpaca,
00:06:49.031 --> 00:06:51.367
But a llama and alpaca, and there's jesus.
00:06:51.434 --> 00:06:51.934
And there's jesus. i'm not really sure
00:06:52.001 --> 00:06:52.468
I'm not really sure if you can tell.
00:06:52.535 --> 00:06:53.035
If you can tell. he's wearing a peruvian hat
00:06:53.102 --> 00:06:53.669
He's wearing a peruvian hat and he's playing
00:06:53.736 --> 00:06:54.403
And he's playing the peruvian piccolo.
00:06:54.470 --> 00:06:55.471
The peruvian piccolo. so, this is not the most,
00:06:55.538 --> 00:06:57.640
So, this is not the most, like, biblically, historically
00:06:57.707 --> 00:06:59.108
Like, biblically, historically accurate nativity set
00:06:59.175 --> 00:07:00.409
Accurate nativity set you've ever seen,
00:07:00.476 --> 00:07:01.711
You've ever seen, but here's what dawned
00:07:01.777 --> 00:07:02.812
But here's what dawned on me the other day.
00:07:02.879 --> 00:07:03.513
On me the other day. that these two people
00:07:03.579 --> 00:07:05.948
That these two people so close to jesus
00:07:06.015 --> 00:07:06.716
So close to jesus on the day of his birth,
00:07:06.782 --> 00:07:07.717
On the day of his birth, these two people are perhaps
00:07:07.783 --> 00:07:09.085
These two people are perhaps the most submissive humans
00:07:09.151 --> 00:07:12.121
The most submissive humans in all of history.
00:07:12.188 --> 00:07:15.591
In all of history. that 2,000 years ago
00:07:15.658 --> 00:07:16.526
That 2,000 years ago when god spoke through
00:07:16.592 --> 00:07:18.127
When god spoke through an angel and through a dream
00:07:18.194 --> 00:07:19.095
An angel and through a dream to mary and joseph,
00:07:19.161 --> 00:07:20.396
To mary and joseph, when he revealed his
00:07:20.463 --> 00:07:21.264
When he revealed his will for bringing
00:07:21.330 --> 00:07:22.365
Will for bringing his son into the world,
00:07:22.431 --> 00:07:22.999
His son into the world, those two had every reason
00:07:23.065 --> 00:07:25.334
Those two had every reason to resist it.
00:07:25.401 --> 00:07:27.737
To resist it. like, the calling of christmas,
00:07:27.803 --> 00:07:30.606
Like, the calling of christmas, the cost of it was
00:07:30.673 --> 00:07:31.340
The cost of it was extraordinarily high when
00:07:31.407 --> 00:07:32.909
Extraordinarily high when you stop and think about it.
00:07:32.975 --> 00:07:33.709
You stop and think about it. and yet, what we're gonna
00:07:33.776 --> 00:07:34.810
And yet, what we're gonna find out today from the bible
00:07:34.877 --> 00:07:36.445
Find out today from the bible is that both mary and joseph,
00:07:36.512 --> 00:07:37.613
Is that both mary and joseph, instead of resisting,
00:07:37.680 --> 00:07:38.347
Instead of resisting, and questioning,
00:07:38.414 --> 00:07:39.148
And questioning, and taking god under advisement,
00:07:39.215 --> 00:07:40.249
And taking god under advisement, they surrendered
00:07:40.316 --> 00:07:41.484
They surrendered their whole futures,
00:07:41.551 --> 00:07:42.852
Their whole futures, their uncertain futures
00:07:42.919 --> 00:07:44.554
Their uncertain futures into god's hands.
00:07:44.620 --> 00:07:45.354
Into god's hands. today i wanna
00:07:45.421 --> 00:07:45.855
Today i wanna tell you that story.
00:07:45.922 --> 00:07:46.589
Tell you that story. i wanna tell you
00:07:46.656 --> 00:07:47.390
I wanna tell you why mary and joseph did it,
00:07:47.456 --> 00:07:49.492
Why mary and joseph did it, and i wanna talk about you.
00:07:49.559 --> 00:07:50.293
And i wanna talk about you. why would you submit your entire
00:07:50.359 --> 00:07:51.394
Why would you submit your entire life to jesus too?
00:07:51.460 --> 00:07:54.564
Life to jesus too? so, we're going to be
00:07:54.630 --> 00:07:55.231
So, we're going to be today in matthew 1.
00:07:55.298 --> 00:07:57.633
Today in matthew 1. right after
00:07:57.700 --> 00:07:58.100
Right after the genealogy of jesus,
00:07:58.167 --> 00:07:59.602
The genealogy of jesus, we read these words
00:07:59.669 --> 00:08:00.570
In verse 18.
00:08:00.670 --> 00:08:04.440
In verse 18. "this is how the birth of jesus
00:08:04.507 --> 00:08:05.741
"this is how the birth of jesus the messiah came about,
00:08:05.808 --> 00:08:08.844
The messiah came about, his mother mary was pledged
00:08:08.911 --> 00:08:10.379
His mother mary was pledged to be married to joseph,"
00:08:10.446 --> 00:08:12.014
To be married to joseph," that was the plan.
00:08:12.081 --> 00:08:13.482
That was the plan. "but," here's the contrast.
00:08:13.549 --> 00:08:15.985
"but," here's the contrast. "but before they came together,
00:08:16.052 --> 00:08:16.852
"but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant
00:08:16.919 --> 00:08:18.654
She was found to be pregnant through the holy spirit."
00:08:18.721 --> 00:08:22.458
Through the holy spirit." you know, before god
00:08:22.525 --> 00:08:23.426
Showed up with this
00:08:23.526 --> 00:08:24.160
Showed up with this shocking news,
00:08:24.226 --> 00:08:24.860
Shocking news, just think for a second
00:08:24.927 --> 00:08:25.962
Just think for a second what mary and joseph's life
00:08:26.028 --> 00:08:28.130
What mary and joseph's life must've been like.
00:08:28.197 --> 00:08:29.031
Must've been like. we know from the bible
00:08:29.098 --> 00:08:29.699
We know from the bible that mary and joseph were from
00:08:29.765 --> 00:08:30.466
That mary and joseph were from a little town called nazareth
00:08:30.533 --> 00:08:31.834
A little town called nazareth in northern israel.
00:08:31.901 --> 00:08:34.337
In northern israel. think of your cousin
00:08:34.403 --> 00:08:34.870
Think of your cousin who lives a very,
00:08:34.937 --> 00:08:35.838
Who lives a very, very country lifestyle.
00:08:35.905 --> 00:08:38.474
Very country lifestyle. scholars think nazareth was
00:08:38.541 --> 00:08:39.809
Scholars think nazareth was maybe population of 400 people.
00:08:39.875 --> 00:08:42.745
Maybe population of 400 people. so, from a tiny, tiny town.
00:08:42.812 --> 00:08:44.213
So, from a tiny, tiny town. we know from the gospel of luke
00:08:44.280 --> 00:08:45.815
We know from the gospel of luke that joseph was
00:08:45.881 --> 00:08:46.616
That joseph was a poor craftsman.
00:08:46.682 --> 00:08:48.584
A poor craftsman. he didn't have much.
00:08:48.651 --> 00:08:49.285
He didn't have much. and we know from this passage
00:08:49.352 --> 00:08:50.620
And we know from this passage that he was pledged
00:08:50.686 --> 00:08:51.320
That he was pledged to be married to mary.
00:08:51.387 --> 00:08:54.523
To be married to mary. well, i'm positive
00:08:54.590 --> 00:08:55.091
Well, i'm positive most people in that culture
00:08:55.157 --> 00:08:55.958
Most people in that culture got married in, like,
00:08:56.025 --> 00:08:56.959
Got married in, like, their teenage years,
00:08:57.026 --> 00:08:58.060
Their teenage years, maybe early 20s
00:08:58.127 --> 00:08:59.228
Maybe early 20s so it's probably accurate
00:08:59.295 --> 00:09:00.496
So it's probably accurate to assume that mary, like,
00:09:00.563 --> 00:09:02.298
To assume that mary, like, just got her driver's license
00:09:02.365 --> 00:09:03.399
Just got her driver's license and joseph is picking
00:09:03.466 --> 00:09:04.467
And joseph is picking his college major.
00:09:04.533 --> 00:09:06.168
His college major. they're young, they're poor,
00:09:06.235 --> 00:09:07.870
They're young, they're poor, they're from a small town,
00:09:07.937 --> 00:09:08.738
They're from a small town, and they are so excited,
00:09:08.804 --> 00:09:10.106
And they are so excited, i would imagine, to be married.
00:09:10.172 --> 00:09:12.808
I would imagine, to be married. any engaged couples in
00:09:12.875 --> 00:09:13.542
Any engaged couples in the house today?
00:09:13.609 --> 00:09:15.378
The house today? remember engagement?
00:09:15.444 --> 00:09:16.345
Remember engagement? it's like excitement.
00:09:16.412 --> 00:09:18.280
It's like excitement. the busyness, all the plans,
00:09:18.347 --> 00:09:20.950
The busyness, all the plans, all the dreams, all the hopes,
00:09:21.017 --> 00:09:22.385
All the dreams, all the hopes, all the extra work.
00:09:22.451 --> 00:09:23.452
All the extra work. i just picture them,
00:09:23.519 --> 00:09:24.186
I just picture them, like, running.
00:09:24.253 --> 00:09:24.887
Like, running. i picture joseph
00:09:24.954 --> 00:09:25.688
I picture joseph putting in extra hours.
00:09:25.755 --> 00:09:26.889
Putting in extra hours. just have a little bit
00:09:26.956 --> 00:09:27.556
Just have a little bit more to make this really,
00:09:27.623 --> 00:09:28.290
More to make this really, really special.
00:09:28.357 --> 00:09:29.525
Really special. mary and joseph had their plans
00:09:29.592 --> 00:09:30.926
Mary and joseph had their plans and future mapped out,
00:09:30.993 --> 00:09:34.330
And future mapped out, but the bible says,
00:09:34.397 --> 00:09:36.899
But the bible says, but then god showed up.
00:09:36.966 --> 00:09:40.803
But then god showed up. he said to mary
00:09:40.870 --> 00:09:41.303
He said to mary that she would be,
00:09:41.370 --> 00:09:42.905
That she would be, by some miracle
00:09:42.972 --> 00:09:43.839
By some miracle of the holy spirit,
00:09:43.906 --> 00:09:45.041
Of the holy spirit, the mother of the messiah.
00:09:45.107 --> 00:09:49.545
The mother of the messiah. i don't want
00:09:49.612 --> 00:09:49.979
I don't want to conjecture too much,
00:09:50.046 --> 00:09:50.680
To conjecture too much, but can you put yourself
00:09:50.746 --> 00:09:51.280
But can you put yourself in mary's head space
00:09:51.347 --> 00:09:53.215
In mary's head space for a moment?
00:09:53.282 --> 00:09:55.284
For a moment? what would she have thought
00:09:55.351 --> 00:09:55.918
What would she have thought about that?
00:09:55.985 --> 00:09:57.687
About that? "a baby?
00:09:57.753 --> 00:09:59.722
"a baby? like, holy cow, first things --
00:09:59.789 --> 00:10:01.557
Like, holy cow, first things -- first i gotta get --
00:10:01.624 --> 00:10:02.992
First i gotta get -- i'm not ready for --
00:10:03.059 --> 00:10:03.659
I'm not ready for -- do i have time for a baby?
00:10:03.726 --> 00:10:04.960
Do i have time for a baby? am i ready to be a mother?
00:10:05.027 --> 00:10:06.996
Am i ready to be a mother? do we have money
00:10:07.063 --> 00:10:07.663
Do we have money to bring a child?
00:10:07.730 --> 00:10:08.798
To bring a child? where would we put him?
00:10:08.864 --> 00:10:10.032
Where would we put him? what would we do?
00:10:10.099 --> 00:10:10.900
What would we do? and what would people think?
00:10:10.966 --> 00:10:11.701
And what would people think? by the holy spirit,
00:10:11.767 --> 00:10:13.836
By the holy spirit, what does that even mean?
00:10:13.903 --> 00:10:15.738
What does that even mean? listen, all my friends
00:10:15.805 --> 00:10:16.839
Listen, all my friends know how babies work,
00:10:16.906 --> 00:10:18.441
Know how babies work, and they're going to come
00:10:18.507 --> 00:10:19.175
And they're going to come to their own conclusions.
00:10:19.241 --> 00:10:19.809
To their own conclusions. in a small town like mine,
00:10:19.875 --> 00:10:21.677
In a small town like mine, this isn't new york city.
00:10:21.744 --> 00:10:22.278
This isn't new york city. i can't hide in the crowds.
00:10:22.344 --> 00:10:23.012
I can't hide in the crowds. what's my mother going
00:10:23.079 --> 00:10:24.280
What's my mother going to say when i tell her
00:10:24.346 --> 00:10:25.047
To say when i tell her that i'm pregnant
00:10:25.114 --> 00:10:25.648
That i'm pregnant but it's not joseph's?
00:10:25.715 --> 00:10:26.749
But it's not joseph's? god did it."
00:10:26.816 --> 00:10:28.617
God did it." yeah.
00:10:28.684 --> 00:10:30.052
Yeah. in that culture,
00:10:30.119 --> 00:10:30.519
In that culture, maybe some of you knew,
00:10:30.586 --> 00:10:31.253
Maybe some of you knew, for a woman to commit
00:10:31.320 --> 00:10:32.722
For a woman to commit adultery wasn't just,
00:10:32.788 --> 00:10:33.856
Adultery wasn't just, like a shameful thing,
00:10:33.923 --> 00:10:35.157
Like a shameful thing, it could cost you your life.
00:10:35.224 --> 00:10:36.292
It could cost you your life. would her small town neighbors
00:10:36.358 --> 00:10:37.927
Would her small town neighbors kill her in their shame
00:10:37.993 --> 00:10:39.729
Kill her in their shame to defend their honor?
00:10:39.795 --> 00:10:41.363
To defend their honor? would that believe --
00:10:41.430 --> 00:10:41.931
Would that believe -- would her best friends
00:10:41.997 --> 00:10:43.099
Would her best friends bail on her?
00:10:43.165 --> 00:10:43.899
Bail on her? like, mary's whole future was
00:10:43.966 --> 00:10:45.367
Like, mary's whole future was in this announcement,
00:10:45.434 --> 00:10:48.370
In this announcement, and joseph's too.
00:10:48.437 --> 00:10:49.004
And joseph's too. can you imagine when mary
00:10:49.071 --> 00:10:50.673
Can you imagine when mary first told him what
00:10:50.740 --> 00:10:51.640
First told him what the angels told her?
00:10:51.707 --> 00:10:53.542
The angels told her? "we're having a baby."
00:10:53.609 --> 00:10:55.711
"we're having a baby." "how are we having a baby?"
00:10:55.778 --> 00:10:59.115
"how are we having a baby?" if i was joseph,
00:10:59.181 --> 00:10:59.682
If i was joseph, i would've been shocked,
00:10:59.749 --> 00:11:01.984
I would've been shocked, i would've been furious.
00:11:02.051 --> 00:11:05.888
I would've been furious. "how could you do this, mary?"
00:11:05.955 --> 00:11:06.822
"how could you do this, mary?" i would've been suspicious.
00:11:06.889 --> 00:11:07.656
I would've been suspicious. "okay, which dude
00:11:07.723 --> 00:11:08.591
"okay, which dude in nazareth was it?"
00:11:08.657 --> 00:11:10.159
In nazareth was it?" i would've been insecure,
00:11:10.226 --> 00:11:10.826
I would've been insecure, "what's wrong with me?"
00:11:10.893 --> 00:11:11.527
"what's wrong with me?" i would've been dazed.
00:11:11.594 --> 00:11:12.728
I would've been dazed. i would've, like, gone through
00:11:12.795 --> 00:11:14.897
I would've, like, gone through life on autopi -- like what --
00:11:14.964 --> 00:11:15.998
Life on autopi -- like what -- joseph must have thought --
00:11:16.065 --> 00:11:18.467
Joseph must have thought -- we know that he was
00:11:18.534 --> 00:11:19.101
We know that he was ready to run.
00:11:19.168 --> 00:11:19.902
Ready to run. like, this plan,
00:11:19.969 --> 00:11:20.636
Like, this plan, whatever it was, he wasn't sure
00:11:20.703 --> 00:11:22.071
Whatever it was, he wasn't sure that her believed it
00:11:22.138 --> 00:11:22.705
That her believed it and he didn't want to have
00:11:22.772 --> 00:11:23.639
And he didn't want to have anything to do with it.
00:11:23.706 --> 00:11:25.908
Anything to do with it. but god told him to submit.
00:11:25.975 --> 00:11:29.578
But god told him to submit. verse 19, i continue,
00:11:29.645 --> 00:11:31.147
"because joseph, her husband
00:11:31.247 --> 00:11:33.182
"because joseph, her husband was faithful to the law,
00:11:33.249 --> 00:11:34.416
Was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose
00:11:34.483 --> 00:11:35.751
And yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace,
00:11:35.818 --> 00:11:36.852
Her to public disgrace, he had in mind
00:11:36.919 --> 00:11:37.453
He had in mind to divorce her quietly."
00:11:37.520 --> 00:11:38.354
To divorce her quietly." he had his own plans
00:11:38.420 --> 00:11:39.321
He had his own plans for christmas.
00:11:39.388 --> 00:11:40.923
For christmas. say this next word with me,
00:11:40.990 --> 00:11:42.792
Say this next word with me, "but...
00:11:42.858 --> 00:11:44.226
"but... there's the contrast.
00:11:44.293 --> 00:11:44.727
There's the contrast. "but after he had
00:11:44.794 --> 00:11:45.427
"but after he had considered this,
00:11:45.494 --> 00:11:46.128
Considered this, an angel of the lord appeared
00:11:46.195 --> 00:11:47.229
An angel of the lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
00:11:47.296 --> 00:11:48.964
To him in a dream and said, 'joseph son of david,
00:11:49.031 --> 00:11:49.865
'joseph son of david, do not be afraid to take
00:11:49.932 --> 00:11:51.600
Do not be afraid to take mary home as your wife,
00:11:51.667 --> 00:11:52.535
Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived
00:11:52.601 --> 00:11:53.302
Because what is conceived in her is from the holy spirit.
00:11:53.369 --> 00:11:55.771
In her is from the holy spirit. she will give birth to a son,
00:11:55.838 --> 00:11:56.939
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him
00:11:57.006 --> 00:11:57.807
And you are to give him the name jesus,
00:11:57.873 --> 00:11:59.108
The name jesus, because he will save
00:11:59.175 --> 00:12:01.277
Because he will save his people from their sins.'"
00:12:01.343 --> 00:12:04.046
Joseph, i know want to run,
00:12:04.146 --> 00:12:04.880
Joseph, i know want to run, but don't.
00:12:04.947 --> 00:12:06.348
But don't. i know you want to file
00:12:06.415 --> 00:12:07.183
I know you want to file for divorce, don't.
00:12:07.249 --> 00:12:08.851
For divorce, don't. i know you don't want
00:12:08.918 --> 00:12:09.652
I know you don't want to take mary home, but do.
00:12:09.718 --> 00:12:10.820
To take mary home, but do. i know you don't want to raise
00:12:10.886 --> 00:12:11.854
I know you don't want to raise this child, but do it.
00:12:11.921 --> 00:12:12.922
This child, but do it. give him the name jesus
00:12:12.988 --> 00:12:13.923
Give him the name jesus and raise him has your own.
00:12:13.989 --> 00:12:17.860
And raise him has your own. you ever seen a nativity set
00:12:17.927 --> 00:12:19.061
You ever seen a nativity set around christmas time
00:12:19.128 --> 00:12:19.728
Around christmas time and just thought
00:12:19.795 --> 00:12:22.264
And just thought of the pressure of submitting
00:12:22.331 --> 00:12:23.499
Of the pressure of submitting to the plan of god?
00:12:23.566 --> 00:12:26.302
To the plan of god? there were personal reasons,
00:12:26.368 --> 00:12:28.070
There were personal reasons, there were professional reasons,
00:12:28.137 --> 00:12:29.071
There were professional reasons, there were financial reasons,
00:12:29.138 --> 00:12:30.439
There were financial reasons, there were physical reasons,
00:12:30.506 --> 00:12:31.307
There were physical reasons, there were relational reasons,
00:12:31.373 --> 00:12:32.541
There were relational reasons, there were reputational reasons
00:12:32.608 --> 00:12:34.743
There were reputational reasons for mary and joseph to imitate
00:12:34.810 --> 00:12:35.744
For mary and joseph to imitate the lawyer's son and say,
00:12:35.811 --> 00:12:36.745
The lawyer's son and say, "uh, i'll take that
00:12:36.812 --> 00:12:38.414
"uh, i'll take that under advisement."
00:12:38.480 --> 00:12:41.617
Under advisement." but they didn't.
00:12:41.684 --> 00:12:44.987
But they didn't. the story when you
00:12:45.054 --> 00:12:45.721
The story when you think about it is stunning.
00:12:45.788 --> 00:12:46.956
Think about it is stunning. that both mary, and then joseph
00:12:47.022 --> 00:12:48.691
That both mary, and then joseph bowed the knee to the will
00:12:48.757 --> 00:12:50.292
Bowed the knee to the will of god and submitted
00:12:50.359 --> 00:12:52.127
Of god and submitted everything to his word.
00:12:52.194 --> 00:12:55.998
Everything to his word. we have to jump
00:12:56.065 --> 00:12:56.532
We have to jump to the gospel of luke
00:12:56.599 --> 00:12:57.166
To the gospel of luke to hear mary's response.
00:12:57.233 --> 00:12:58.100
To hear mary's response. when the angel said,
00:12:58.167 --> 00:12:58.968
When the angel said, "no, you are going to be
00:12:59.034 --> 00:12:59.969
"no, you are going to be the mother the messiah,"
00:13:00.035 --> 00:13:00.769
She responded with these words,
00:13:00.870 --> 00:13:02.271
She responded with these words, "i am the lord's servant."
00:13:02.338 --> 00:13:07.409
Not his equal,
00:13:07.509 --> 00:13:08.010
Not his equal, i'm not his superior,
00:13:08.077 --> 00:13:08.878
I'm not his superior, i am beneath him.
00:13:08.944 --> 00:13:09.712
I am beneath him. i'm a servant.
00:13:09.778 --> 00:13:10.746
I'm a servant. may your word.
00:13:10.813 --> 00:13:12.448
May your word. not my word, not my will,
00:13:12.514 --> 00:13:13.182
Not my word, not my will, not my wants.
00:13:13.249 --> 00:13:14.183
Not my wants. may your word
00:13:14.250 --> 00:13:15.017
May your word to me be fulfilled.
00:13:15.084 --> 00:13:18.420
To me be fulfilled. mary submitted
00:13:18.487 --> 00:13:19.822
Mary submitted to the message of christmas,
00:13:19.889 --> 00:13:22.258
To the message of christmas, and then joseph did it too.
00:13:22.324 --> 00:13:22.992
And then joseph did it too. in fact, joseph is one
00:13:23.058 --> 00:13:25.060
In fact, joseph is one of my favorite unsung heroes
00:13:25.127 --> 00:13:26.962
Of my favorite unsung heroes of the christmas story.
00:13:27.029 --> 00:13:28.430
Of the christmas story. did any of you know
00:13:28.497 --> 00:13:29.164
Did any of you know in the whole bible
00:13:29.231 --> 00:13:30.833
In the whole bible how many words joseph,
00:13:30.900 --> 00:13:33.035
How many words joseph, future husband of mary speaks?
00:13:33.102 --> 00:13:37.840
Future husband of mary speaks? i'll give you a hint,
00:13:37.907 --> 00:13:38.474
I'll give you a hint, you can count it on zero hands.
00:13:38.540 --> 00:13:40.542
You can count it on zero hands. joseph never speaks in
00:13:40.609 --> 00:13:41.577
Joseph never speaks in the whole bible.
00:13:41.644 --> 00:13:42.311
The whole bible. but do you know how often
00:13:42.378 --> 00:13:43.045
But do you know how often joseph submits?
00:13:43.112 --> 00:13:45.648
Joseph submits? every time.
00:13:45.714 --> 00:13:47.950
Every time. here's what happens
00:13:48.017 --> 00:13:48.550
Next in verse 24.
00:13:48.651 --> 00:13:49.385
Next in verse 24. it says, "when joseph woke up,"
00:13:49.451 --> 00:13:50.552
It says, "when joseph woke up," after hearing from god
00:13:50.619 --> 00:13:51.487
After hearing from god in this dream,
00:13:51.553 --> 00:13:51.987
In this dream, "he did what the angel
00:13:52.054 --> 00:13:53.856
"he did what the angel of the lord had commanded him
00:13:53.923 --> 00:13:55.157
Of the lord had commanded him and took mary home as his wife.
00:13:55.224 --> 00:13:57.760
And took mary home as his wife. but he did not consummate their
00:13:57.826 --> 00:13:58.694
But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave
00:13:58.761 --> 00:13:59.495
Marriage until she gave birth to a son.
00:13:59.561 --> 00:14:00.296
Birth to a son. and he gave him the name jesus."
00:14:00.362 --> 00:14:02.898
On the next page of the bible,
00:14:02.998 --> 00:14:04.366
On the next page of the bible, god speaks to joseph again
00:14:04.433 --> 00:14:05.701
God speaks to joseph again and says, "hey, get up, joseph.
00:14:05.768 --> 00:14:07.303
And says, "hey, get up, joseph. take the woman, take the child,
00:14:07.369 --> 00:14:09.538
Take the woman, take the child, and get out of here.
00:14:09.605 --> 00:14:10.506
And get out of here. flee to egypt."
00:14:10.572 --> 00:14:11.307
Flee to egypt." and so, the bible says
00:14:11.373 --> 00:14:12.508
In matthew 2:14,
00:14:12.608 --> 00:14:13.342
In matthew 2:14, "so, joseph got up,
00:14:13.409 --> 00:14:15.077
"so, joseph got up, took the child and his mother
00:14:15.144 --> 00:14:16.045
Took the child and his mother during the night and left
00:14:16.111 --> 00:14:17.079
During the night and left for egypt."
00:14:17.146 --> 00:14:18.681
And after king herod who was
00:14:18.781 --> 00:14:19.481
And after king herod who was trying to kill jesus died,
00:14:19.548 --> 00:14:21.016
Trying to kill jesus died, god appeared to joseph
00:14:21.083 --> 00:14:21.717
God appeared to joseph again in a dream.
00:14:21.784 --> 00:14:22.518
Again in a dream. he said, "joseph, get up again.
00:14:22.584 --> 00:14:23.919
He said, "joseph, get up again. take mary and the child again,
00:14:23.986 --> 00:14:25.387
Take mary and the child again, and go back to the land
00:14:25.454 --> 00:14:26.188
And go back to the land of israel again."
00:14:26.255 --> 00:14:26.922
Of israel again." and do you know
00:14:26.989 --> 00:14:27.489
And do you know what the bible says?
00:14:27.556 --> 00:14:28.924
I'll show you, verse 21.
00:14:29.024 --> 00:14:30.092
I'll show you, verse 21. "so he got up, took the child
00:14:30.159 --> 00:14:31.593
"so he got up, took the child and his mother and went
00:14:31.660 --> 00:14:32.761
And his mother and went to the land of israel."
00:14:32.828 --> 00:14:33.762
To the land of israel." he doesn't debate,
00:14:33.829 --> 00:14:34.797
He doesn't discuss,
00:14:34.897 --> 00:14:36.031
He doesn't discuss, he doesn't resist.
00:14:36.098 --> 00:14:37.733
He doesn't resist. he obeys every single word.
00:14:37.800 --> 00:14:39.234
He obeys every single word. he submits to every syllable
00:14:39.301 --> 00:14:40.736
He submits to every syllable that comes from the lips of god.
00:14:40.803 --> 00:14:42.972
That comes from the lips of god. i think of joseph
00:14:43.038 --> 00:14:43.672
I think of joseph as the antithesis
00:14:43.739 --> 00:14:44.540
As the antithesis of the apostle peter.
00:14:44.606 --> 00:14:47.276
Of the apostle peter. you know, peter talked,
00:14:47.343 --> 00:14:49.078
You know, peter talked, but he didn't do.
00:14:49.144 --> 00:14:50.913
But he didn't do. and joseph didn't say a word,
00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:52.948
And joseph didn't say a word, but he always did.
00:14:53.015 --> 00:14:55.017
But he always did. so, husbands, if your wife says
00:14:55.084 --> 00:14:57.252
So, husbands, if your wife says to you think christmas that you
00:14:57.319 --> 00:14:58.153
To you think christmas that you don't communicate enough,
00:14:58.220 --> 00:14:58.921
Don't communicate enough, just say, "i'm like joseph."
00:14:58.988 --> 00:15:01.390
[laughing]
00:15:02.391 --> 00:15:06.061
You know, i'm thinking
00:15:08.697 --> 00:15:09.264
You know, i'm thinking that a lot every time
00:15:09.331 --> 00:15:09.898
That a lot every time i see a nativity set.
00:15:09.965 --> 00:15:11.166
I see a nativity set. these are not just
00:15:11.233 --> 00:15:11.867
These are not just two nobodies who became
00:15:11.934 --> 00:15:13.268
Two nobodies who became somebody because of jesus.
00:15:13.335 --> 00:15:16.038
Somebody because of jesus. these are two people who had
00:15:16.105 --> 00:15:16.905
These are two people who had every reason to run from
00:15:16.972 --> 00:15:19.141
Every reason to run from the story of christmas.
00:15:19.208 --> 00:15:19.775
The story of christmas. and instead, they submitted
00:15:19.842 --> 00:15:21.176
And instead, they submitted their lives
00:15:21.243 --> 00:15:22.711
Their lives and everything else to it.
00:15:22.778 --> 00:15:26.849
And everything else to it. but enough about
00:15:26.915 --> 00:15:27.383
But enough about mary and joseph,
00:15:27.449 --> 00:15:28.017
Mary and joseph, let's talk about you.
00:15:28.083 --> 00:15:31.854
Let's talk about you. why would you submit?
00:15:31.920 --> 00:15:36.425
Why would you submit? why would you take
00:15:36.492 --> 00:15:38.394
Why would you take all the money, all the thoughts,
00:15:38.460 --> 00:15:40.863
All the money, all the thoughts, all the desires, all the days,
00:15:40.929 --> 00:15:42.031
All the desires, all the days, all the things that
00:15:42.097 --> 00:15:42.731
All the things that you could do.
00:15:42.798 --> 00:15:43.399
You could do. why would you take food,
00:15:43.465 --> 00:15:45.567
Why would you take food, and alcohol, and social media,
00:15:45.634 --> 00:15:47.836
And alcohol, and social media, and dating, and marriage and --
00:15:47.903 --> 00:15:49.838
And dating, and marriage and -- why would you take, like,
00:15:49.905 --> 00:15:50.606
Why would you take, like, every part of your life
00:15:50.672 --> 00:15:51.740
Every part of your life and just say,
00:15:51.807 --> 00:15:52.274
And just say, "whatever you want, god"?
00:15:52.341 --> 00:15:56.478
"whatever you want, god"? i'm going to tell you,
00:15:56.545 --> 00:15:57.112
I'm going to tell you, but first, let me show you.
00:15:57.179 --> 00:15:59.848
But first, let me show you. do you know what happens when
00:15:59.915 --> 00:16:00.582
Do you know what happens when you do this with your hands?
00:16:00.649 --> 00:16:05.354
You do this with your hands? you're not very good at
00:16:05.421 --> 00:16:05.988
You're not very good at receiving things.
00:16:06.055 --> 00:16:09.691
Receiving things. someone could hand me
00:16:09.758 --> 00:16:10.225
Someone could hand me the sweetest gift
00:16:10.292 --> 00:16:10.759
The sweetest gift and i can't get it.
00:16:10.826 --> 00:16:14.797
And i can't get it. when one's hands are open,
00:16:14.863 --> 00:16:16.398
When one's hands are open, wide open, we can receive
00:16:16.465 --> 00:16:18.434
Wide open, we can receive the most amazing things.
00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:21.303
The most amazing things. in fact, this is
00:16:21.370 --> 00:16:22.137
In fact, this is what christianity teaches
00:16:22.204 --> 00:16:22.971
What christianity teaches that for those who want
00:16:23.038 --> 00:16:24.173
That for those who want to hold on to their life
00:16:24.239 --> 00:16:25.140
To hold on to their life and their autonomy and control,
00:16:25.207 --> 00:16:26.775
And their autonomy and control, they might enjoy some things
00:16:26.842 --> 00:16:28.377
They might enjoy some things that perhaps passionate
00:16:28.444 --> 00:16:29.745
That perhaps passionate christians do not.
00:16:29.812 --> 00:16:30.512
Christians do not. but what they will miss out on
00:16:30.579 --> 00:16:31.613
But what they will miss out on are the greater gifts
00:16:31.680 --> 00:16:33.215
Are the greater gifts that god wants to give
00:16:33.282 --> 00:16:33.982
That god wants to give through his son.
00:16:34.049 --> 00:16:35.951
Through his son. like, god is not
00:16:36.018 --> 00:16:36.885
Like, god is not trying to sabotage us
00:16:36.952 --> 00:16:37.553
Trying to sabotage us from happiness or joy,
00:16:37.619 --> 00:16:38.620
From happiness or joy, he knows that if we do
00:16:38.687 --> 00:16:39.988
He knows that if we do the harder thing in the moment
00:16:40.055 --> 00:16:40.789
The harder thing in the moment and give up control
00:16:40.856 --> 00:16:42.191
And give up control and authority over our life,
00:16:42.257 --> 00:16:43.225
And authority over our life, if we bend the knee
00:16:43.292 --> 00:16:44.093
If we bend the knee and call jesus lord,
00:16:44.159 --> 00:16:45.227
And call jesus lord, what jesus puts into our hands
00:16:45.294 --> 00:16:47.029
What jesus puts into our hands in return is a blessing that
00:16:47.096 --> 00:16:48.664
In return is a blessing that is better times a billion.
00:16:48.730 --> 00:16:51.433
Is better times a billion. i think this is what mary
00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:52.334
I think this is what mary and joseph knew because they
00:16:52.401 --> 00:16:53.635
And joseph knew because they were paying attention
00:16:53.702 --> 00:16:54.570
Were paying attention to the words of god.
00:16:54.636 --> 00:16:55.904
To the words of god. let me share just one snippet
00:16:55.971 --> 00:16:56.939
Of those words.
00:16:57.039 --> 00:17:01.210
Of those words. they said to joseph,
00:17:01.276 --> 00:17:01.777
They said to joseph, "give the baby the name jesus,
00:17:01.844 --> 00:17:06.548
"give the baby the name jesus, because he will save
00:17:06.615 --> 00:17:07.583
Because he will save his people from their sins."
00:17:07.649 --> 00:17:13.255
And there's so much smushed
00:17:13.355 --> 00:17:13.989
And there's so much smushed into that little sentence.
00:17:14.056 --> 00:17:14.823
Into that little sentence. let me unpack it for you.
00:17:14.890 --> 00:17:15.757
Let me unpack it for you. do any of you know what
00:17:15.824 --> 00:17:16.692
Do any of you know what the name jesus means?
00:17:16.758 --> 00:17:19.761
The name jesus means? jesus was actually a super,
00:17:19.828 --> 00:17:20.796
Jesus was actually a super, super common first century name
00:17:20.863 --> 00:17:22.331
Super common first century name for jewish boys, yeshua,
00:17:22.397 --> 00:17:25.200
For jewish boys, yeshua, it means the lord saves.
00:17:25.267 --> 00:17:27.970
It means the lord saves. it was, kind of, connected to
00:17:28.036 --> 00:17:28.937
It was, kind of, connected to the old testament hebrew name,
00:17:29.004 --> 00:17:30.072
The old testament hebrew name, yehoshua or joshua.
00:17:30.139 --> 00:17:32.808
Yehoshua or joshua. do any of you know that
00:17:32.875 --> 00:17:33.542
Do any of you know that jesus' real name was josh?
00:17:33.609 --> 00:17:37.112
Jesus' real name was josh? and yehoshua or joshua just
00:17:37.179 --> 00:17:39.381
And yehoshua or joshua just means that same thing,
00:17:39.448 --> 00:17:40.149
Means that same thing, "the lord saved."
00:17:40.215 --> 00:17:41.817
"the lord saved." so, they insisted
00:17:41.884 --> 00:17:42.618
So, they insisted give jesus this name
00:17:42.684 --> 00:17:44.286
Give jesus this name but notice how it ends,
00:17:44.353 --> 00:17:45.988
But notice how it ends, "because he himself,
00:17:46.054 --> 00:17:47.856
"because he himself, he will save his people
00:17:47.923 --> 00:17:50.325
He will save his people from their sins."
00:17:50.392 --> 00:17:52.060
From their sins." he was the lord,
00:17:52.127 --> 00:17:54.329
He was the lord, but that lord didn't
00:17:54.396 --> 00:17:55.230
But that lord didn't come down from heaven
00:17:55.297 --> 00:17:55.964
Come down from heaven and be born 2,000 years ago
00:17:56.031 --> 00:17:57.666
And be born 2,000 years ago just to lecture us,
00:17:57.733 --> 00:17:59.868
Just to lecture us, or command us,
00:17:59.935 --> 00:18:00.636
Or command us, or tell us what to do.
00:18:00.702 --> 00:18:02.171
Or tell us what to do. no, this lord jesus
00:18:02.237 --> 00:18:03.305
No, this lord jesus will save his people
00:18:03.372 --> 00:18:05.807
Will save his people from their sins.
00:18:05.874 --> 00:18:08.110
From their sins. yeah.
00:18:08.177 --> 00:18:09.778
Yeah. i love that little line.
00:18:09.845 --> 00:18:12.281
I love that little line. jesus didn't come into the world
00:18:12.347 --> 00:18:13.315
Jesus didn't come into the world to save you from your sin,
00:18:13.382 --> 00:18:16.385
To save you from your sin, singular, but from your sins.
00:18:16.451 --> 00:18:21.423
Singular, but from your sins. you ever messed something up
00:18:21.490 --> 00:18:22.824
You ever messed something up and said sorry to god,
00:18:22.891 --> 00:18:24.159
And said sorry to god, and then you went back
00:18:24.226 --> 00:18:24.760
And then you went back and did it again?
00:18:24.826 --> 00:18:26.595
And did it again? me too.
00:18:26.662 --> 00:18:28.597
Me too. thank god that jesus
00:18:28.664 --> 00:18:30.465
Thank god that jesus saves people from sins.
00:18:30.532 --> 00:18:34.102
Saves people from sins. he doesn't give you one strike
00:18:34.169 --> 00:18:35.871
He doesn't give you one strike and then run out the door.
00:18:35.938 --> 00:18:38.040
And then run out the door. he doesn't say,
00:18:38.106 --> 00:18:38.473
He doesn't say, "we talked about this before
00:18:38.540 --> 00:18:39.541
"we talked about this before and you did it again."
00:18:39.608 --> 00:18:40.242
And you did it again." instead, he is the kind
00:18:40.309 --> 00:18:41.743
Instead, he is the kind of savior who saves us
00:18:41.810 --> 00:18:42.611
Of savior who saves us from sins, plural.
00:18:42.678 --> 00:18:45.581
From sins, plural. when we mess up multiple times,
00:18:45.647 --> 00:18:47.583
When we mess up multiple times, when we battle against those
00:18:47.649 --> 00:18:49.651
When we battle against those same old pet sins,
00:18:49.718 --> 00:18:50.919
Same old pet sins, when we struggle to be
00:18:50.986 --> 00:18:51.887
When we struggle to be kinder or more gentle, like,
00:18:51.954 --> 00:18:53.922
Kinder or more gentle, like, jesus is so good, he's --
00:18:53.989 --> 00:18:56.225
Jesus is so good, he's -- there's a psalm in
00:18:56.291 --> 00:18:57.326
There's a psalm in the old testament that said,
00:18:57.392 --> 00:18:58.026
The old testament that said, "god, if you kept a record
00:18:58.093 --> 00:18:59.228
"god, if you kept a record of sins, who could stand?
00:18:59.294 --> 00:19:01.697
Of sins, who could stand? but with you,
00:19:01.763 --> 00:19:02.064
But with you, there's forgiveness."
00:19:02.130 --> 00:19:03.999
There's forgiveness." because jesus didn't
00:19:04.066 --> 00:19:04.633
Because jesus didn't die on a cross for, like,
00:19:04.700 --> 00:19:05.734
The one worse thing you ever did
00:19:05.834 --> 00:19:06.868
But for all the bad things
00:19:06.935 --> 00:19:08.537
You've ever done.
00:19:08.604 --> 00:19:10.839
Jesus, give him this name
00:19:10.906 --> 00:19:12.140
Because he will save people
00:19:12.207 --> 00:19:13.108
From their sins.
00:19:13.175 --> 00:19:14.710
And notice what
00:19:14.776 --> 00:19:15.344
The sentence doesn't say.
00:19:15.410 --> 00:19:17.879
Doesn't say, "jesus will save
00:19:17.946 --> 00:19:18.880
His people from their socially
00:19:18.947 --> 00:19:19.748
Acceptable sins."
00:19:19.815 --> 00:19:22.150
It doesn't say,
00:19:22.217 --> 00:19:22.551
"he will save us from
00:19:22.618 --> 00:19:23.218
The kind of normal sins
00:19:23.285 --> 00:19:24.119
That most people do."
00:19:24.186 --> 00:19:25.354
No, there's no asterisks,
00:19:25.420 --> 00:19:26.622
No exceptions,
00:19:26.688 --> 00:19:27.789
This is an all-inclusive offer
00:19:27.856 --> 00:19:29.324
Of the forgiveness of all
00:19:29.391 --> 00:19:30.859
Of your sins.
00:19:30.926 --> 00:19:34.129
Like, the stuff that
00:19:34.196 --> 00:19:34.796
Still really bothers you
00:19:34.863 --> 00:19:35.564
That you said, saved.
00:19:35.664 --> 00:19:40.569
That you said, saved. the embarrassing things
00:19:40.636 --> 00:19:41.470
The embarrassing things that you're not sure
00:19:41.536 --> 00:19:41.970
That you're not sure you wanna tell anyone,
00:19:42.037 --> 00:19:42.671
You wanna tell anyone, even your pastor,
00:19:42.738 --> 00:19:43.338
Even your pastor, even your group
00:19:43.405 --> 00:19:44.873
Even your group of christian friends, covered.
00:19:44.940 --> 00:19:48.910
Of christian friends, covered. whether it's your homophobia
00:19:48.977 --> 00:19:49.845
Whether it's your homophobia or your homosexuality,
00:19:49.911 --> 00:19:52.748
Or your homosexuality, your impatience
00:19:52.814 --> 00:19:53.448
Your impatience or your unkindness.
00:19:53.515 --> 00:19:55.317
Or your unkindness. whether it's rage or racism.
00:19:55.384 --> 00:19:58.487
Whether it's rage or racism. whether you yelled at someone
00:19:58.553 --> 00:19:59.921
Whether you yelled at someone 'cause you knew you were
00:19:59.988 --> 00:20:00.856
'cause you knew you were losing the argument
00:20:00.922 --> 00:20:02.124
Losing the argument or you didn't speak up
00:20:02.190 --> 00:20:03.191
Or you didn't speak up when someone needed
00:20:03.258 --> 00:20:03.792
When someone needed a word of encouragement.
00:20:03.859 --> 00:20:04.826
A word of encouragement. like, all the jacked up
00:20:04.893 --> 00:20:06.528
Like, all the jacked up stuff we do, multiple times,
00:20:06.595 --> 00:20:08.297
Stuff we do, multiple times, this is why they named
00:20:08.363 --> 00:20:10.565
This is why they named him jesus.
00:20:10.632 --> 00:20:12.534
Him jesus. 'cause he didn't
00:20:12.601 --> 00:20:13.101
'cause he didn't come just to be lord,
00:20:13.168 --> 00:20:13.869
Come just to be lord, just to be christ,
00:20:13.935 --> 00:20:14.770
Just to be christ, and just to be king.
00:20:14.836 --> 00:20:15.537
And just to be king. he came to be the kind of lord
00:20:15.604 --> 00:20:17.439
He came to be the kind of lord that would love you
00:20:17.506 --> 00:20:18.273
That would love you in the midst of that.
00:20:18.340 --> 00:20:19.708
In the midst of that. the kind of king that
00:20:19.775 --> 00:20:20.442
The kind of king that would have compassion on you
00:20:20.509 --> 00:20:21.610
Would have compassion on you despite all of your sins.
00:20:21.677 --> 00:20:22.544
Despite all of your sins. the kind of god who would give
00:20:22.611 --> 00:20:23.912
The kind of god who would give you the greatest of all,
00:20:23.979 --> 00:20:25.113
You the greatest of all, the gift of his grace.
00:20:25.180 --> 00:20:29.017
The gift of his grace. i love how one of my favorite
00:20:29.084 --> 00:20:29.885
I love how one of my favorite christian artists depicted
00:20:29.951 --> 00:20:31.219
Christian artists depicted the conception of jesus.
00:20:31.286 --> 00:20:33.455
The conception of jesus. i'll show you this picture.
00:20:33.522 --> 00:20:38.427
I'll show you this picture. isn't that sweet?
00:20:38.493 --> 00:20:41.463
Isn't that sweet? from his conception,
00:20:41.530 --> 00:20:41.997
From his conception, there wasn't just
00:20:42.064 --> 00:20:42.497
There wasn't just a crown on his head,
00:20:42.564 --> 00:20:43.432
A crown on his head, there were hands in flesh
00:20:43.498 --> 00:20:45.000
There were hands in flesh and blood that would be pierced
00:20:45.067 --> 00:20:46.935
And blood that would be pierced for the forgiveness of our sins.
00:20:47.002 --> 00:20:51.006
For the forgiveness of our sins. friends, i would say this,
00:20:51.073 --> 00:20:52.074
Friends, i would say this, when you grasp the depth
00:20:52.140 --> 00:20:54.042
When you grasp the depth of the salvation that
00:20:54.109 --> 00:20:54.843
Of the salvation that you find in jesus,
00:20:54.910 --> 00:20:55.744
You find in jesus, there is no other logical
00:20:55.811 --> 00:20:57.379
There is no other logical reaction than to submit.
00:20:57.446 --> 00:21:01.149
Reaction than to submit. if you're taking notes,
00:21:01.216 --> 00:21:01.683
If you're taking notes, i summarize the teaching
00:21:01.750 --> 00:21:02.417
I summarize the teaching from today in this way.
00:21:02.484 --> 00:21:03.485
From today in this way. we submit everything.
00:21:03.552 --> 00:21:06.121
We submit everything. our days, our dollars,
00:21:06.188 --> 00:21:07.255
Our days, our dollars, our money, our bodies,
00:21:07.322 --> 00:21:08.256
Our money, our bodies, our words, our thoughts,
00:21:08.323 --> 00:21:09.758
Our words, our thoughts, we submit, why?
00:21:09.825 --> 00:21:10.525
Because jesus saves.
00:21:10.625 --> 00:21:14.296
Because jesus saves. if he loved us that much,
00:21:14.363 --> 00:21:15.497
If he loved us that much, why would we resist him?
00:21:15.564 --> 00:21:17.332
Why would we resist him? if he's literally the god
00:21:17.399 --> 00:21:18.133
If he's literally the god that left all the glory
00:21:18.200 --> 00:21:19.735
That left all the glory and authority in heaven to walk
00:21:19.801 --> 00:21:22.170
And authority in heaven to walk this dirty, dusty, broken world
00:21:22.237 --> 00:21:23.739
This dirty, dusty, broken world for 30 plus years,
00:21:23.805 --> 00:21:25.006
For 30 plus years, how could we possibly
00:21:25.073 --> 00:21:26.508
How could we possibly think that he doesn't want
00:21:26.575 --> 00:21:27.642
Think that he doesn't want what's best for us?
00:21:27.709 --> 00:21:28.477
What's best for us? we submit because jesus saves.
00:21:28.543 --> 00:21:33.115
So, is there something
00:21:33.215 --> 00:21:34.383
So, is there something you're holding on to?
00:21:34.449 --> 00:21:37.219
You're holding on to? is there a person
00:21:37.285 --> 00:21:38.453
Is there a person in your life like you just --
00:21:38.520 --> 00:21:39.521
In your life like you just -- you know what the bible
00:21:39.588 --> 00:21:40.288
You know what the bible says you should do,
00:21:40.355 --> 00:21:40.989
Says you should do, but you don't want to let it go.
00:21:41.056 --> 00:21:43.759
But you don't want to let it go. is there an area of your life
00:21:43.825 --> 00:21:44.626
Is there an area of your life that you're reserving 'cause
00:21:44.693 --> 00:21:46.194
That you're reserving 'cause you're just not sure
00:21:46.261 --> 00:21:47.129
You're just not sure if god's will for you is good?
00:21:47.195 --> 00:21:50.399
If god's will for you is good? if you struggle surrendering
00:21:50.465 --> 00:21:51.199
If you struggle surrendering everything to god, i would just
00:21:51.266 --> 00:21:52.434
Everything to god, i would just encourage you to do this.
00:21:52.501 --> 00:21:54.269
Encourage you to do this. this christmas, look down into
00:21:54.336 --> 00:21:55.437
This christmas, look down into the manger and see a god
00:21:55.504 --> 00:21:57.773
The manger and see a god who loved you so deeply,
00:21:57.839 --> 00:21:58.840
Who loved you so deeply, he left heaven to save you.
00:21:58.907 --> 00:22:02.411
He left heaven to save you. and look up to the cross,
00:22:02.477 --> 00:22:03.178
And look up to the cross, see where the manger lead,
00:22:03.245 --> 00:22:05.580
Where jesus bled for
00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:06.748
Where jesus bled for the forgiveness.
00:22:06.815 --> 00:22:08.083
The forgiveness. of not just a sin,
00:22:08.150 --> 00:22:09.885
Of not just a sin, but all of your sins.
00:22:09.951 --> 00:22:11.486
But all of your sins. and when that salvation
00:22:11.553 --> 00:22:12.320
And when that salvation has stirred your heart,
00:22:12.387 --> 00:22:13.355
Has stirred your heart, i have a hunch that what
00:22:13.422 --> 00:22:14.890
I have a hunch that what happened to you is what's
00:22:14.956 --> 00:22:15.757
Happened to you is what's happened to so many of us.
00:22:15.824 --> 00:22:17.726
Happened to so many of us. your hands will open
00:22:17.793 --> 00:22:18.393
Your hands will open and you will say,
00:22:18.460 --> 00:22:19.027
And you will say, "god, your will be done.
00:22:19.094 --> 00:22:23.899
And just after
00:22:23.999 --> 00:22:24.433
And just after the sermon is done,
00:22:24.499 --> 00:22:25.066
The sermon is done, we're gonna pray
00:22:25.133 --> 00:22:25.500
We're gonna pray the lord's prayer,
00:22:25.567 --> 00:22:27.102
The lord's prayer, and i'm gonna ask some
00:22:27.169 --> 00:22:27.936
And i'm gonna ask some of you to do something
00:22:28.003 --> 00:22:28.770
Of you to do something incredibly uncomfortable.
00:22:28.837 --> 00:22:31.540
Incredibly uncomfortable. are you ready for it?
00:22:31.606 --> 00:22:33.542
Are you ready for it? i'm gonna ask you
00:22:33.608 --> 00:22:34.142
I'm gonna ask you to unfold your hands,
00:22:34.209 --> 00:22:38.180
To unfold your hands, and open them like this.
00:22:38.246 --> 00:22:41.683
And open them like this. as your hands are unfolded,
00:22:41.750 --> 00:22:42.484
As your hands are unfolded, you're going to pray,
00:22:42.551 --> 00:22:43.185
You're going to pray, "our father in heaven,
00:22:43.251 --> 00:22:44.219
"our father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
00:22:44.286 --> 00:22:44.986
Hallowed be your name. your kingdom come,
00:22:45.053 --> 00:22:45.587
Your kingdom come, your will be done."
00:22:45.654 --> 00:22:47.289
Your will be done." and you will pray
00:22:47.355 --> 00:22:49.124
And you will pray a prayer that jesus taught
00:22:49.191 --> 00:22:49.991
A prayer that jesus taught of ultimate submission.
00:22:50.058 --> 00:22:52.961
Of ultimate submission. and when you're tempted
00:22:53.028 --> 00:22:53.628
And when you're tempted in that moment to curl up
00:22:53.695 --> 00:22:54.596
In that moment to curl up your fingers and say,
00:22:54.663 --> 00:22:55.096
Your fingers and say, "i don't know
00:22:55.163 --> 00:22:55.464
"i don't know if i want to pray that,"
00:22:55.530 --> 00:22:56.198
If i want to pray that," just keep praying because
00:22:56.264 --> 00:22:58.233
Just keep praying because god is ready to start giving.
00:22:58.300 --> 00:23:00.068
God is ready to start giving. "your will be done."
00:23:00.135 --> 00:23:01.102
"your will be done." give us today our daily bread.
00:23:01.169 --> 00:23:02.337
Give us today our daily bread. forgive us our sins."
00:23:02.404 --> 00:23:07.409
Forgive us our sins." that's right.
00:23:07.476 --> 00:23:09.044
That's right. that's why is love god.
00:23:09.110 --> 00:23:10.579
That's why is love god. that's why i trust him.
00:23:10.645 --> 00:23:11.480
That's why i trust him. that's why i won't
00:23:11.546 --> 00:23:11.980
That's why i won't resist and that's why
00:23:12.047 --> 00:23:12.714
Resist and that's why i'll open my hands and surrender
00:23:12.781 --> 00:23:14.382
I'll open my hands and surrender everything to him.
00:23:14.449 --> 00:23:18.019
Everything to him. i decided
00:23:18.086 --> 00:23:18.487
I decided this christmas to update
00:23:18.553 --> 00:23:19.354
This christmas to update my favorite nativity set.
00:23:19.421 --> 00:23:23.124
My favorite nativity set. i got out a red marker.
00:23:23.191 --> 00:23:27.128
I got out a red marker. yeah.
00:23:27.195 --> 00:23:28.063
Yeah. i went to the little hands
00:23:28.129 --> 00:23:29.364
I went to the little hands of jesus and made them biblical.
00:23:29.431 --> 00:23:36.438
Of jesus and made them biblical. can i encourage you
00:23:36.505 --> 00:23:37.138
Can i encourage you to do the same?
00:23:37.205 --> 00:23:39.741
To do the same? now kids, just to be clear,
00:23:39.808 --> 00:23:40.475
Now kids, just to be clear, you are not allowed
00:23:40.542 --> 00:23:41.409
You are not allowed to take out a red marker
00:23:41.476 --> 00:23:42.344
To take out a red marker at home without the
00:23:42.410 --> 00:23:43.044
At home without the express written consent of your
00:23:43.111 --> 00:23:43.812
Express written consent of your mother and your father.
00:23:43.879 --> 00:23:47.916
Mother and your father. man, this reminds me that
00:23:47.983 --> 00:23:49.284
Man, this reminds me that i have a king, i have a christ,
00:23:49.351 --> 00:23:50.452
I have a king, i have a christ, i have a messiah,
00:23:50.519 --> 00:23:51.419
I have a messiah, i have a lord,
00:23:51.486 --> 00:23:51.987
I have a lord, i have god who didn't just
00:23:52.053 --> 00:23:53.221
I have god who didn't just come to this earth
00:23:53.288 --> 00:23:53.989
Come to this earth 2,000 years ago to give me
00:23:54.055 --> 00:23:55.156
2,000 years ago to give me nostalgic feelings but
00:23:55.223 --> 00:23:57.259
Nostalgic feelings but to be my savior.
00:23:57.325 --> 00:23:58.894
To be my savior. my lord, my compassionate king.
00:23:58.960 --> 00:24:01.029
My lord, my compassionate king. the one who laid down
00:24:01.096 --> 00:24:01.730
The one who laid down his life for me.
00:24:01.796 --> 00:24:03.732
His life for me. look deeply at that
00:24:03.798 --> 00:24:04.533
Look deeply at that kind of jesus
00:24:04.599 --> 00:24:05.233
Kind of jesus and you will have every
00:24:05.300 --> 00:24:06.268
And you will have every reason this season, like mary
00:24:06.334 --> 00:24:07.802
Reason this season, like mary and joseph, to submit to god.
00:24:07.869 --> 00:24:13.008
And joseph, to submit to god. let's pray.
00:24:13.074 --> 00:24:15.677
Let's pray. oh god, we can't see heaven yet,
00:24:15.744 --> 00:24:19.814
Oh god, we can't see heaven yet, but every single soul
00:24:19.881 --> 00:24:21.082
But every single soul who sees your face for
00:24:21.149 --> 00:24:22.517
Who sees your face for a single second knows that
00:24:22.584 --> 00:24:24.753
A single second knows that it's absolutely worth it.
00:24:24.819 --> 00:24:28.089
It's absolutely worth it. as the angels and saints
00:24:28.156 --> 00:24:29.858
As the angels and saints so often sing at the end
00:24:29.925 --> 00:24:31.259
So often sing at the end of the bible when they see
00:24:31.326 --> 00:24:32.227
Of the bible when they see your face worthy,
00:24:32.294 --> 00:24:33.895
Your face worthy, god worthy, you are so glorious,
00:24:33.962 --> 00:24:37.432
God worthy, you are so glorious, so good that whatever we have
00:24:37.499 --> 00:24:38.900
So good that whatever we have to give up in this life,
00:24:38.967 --> 00:24:40.502
To give up in this life, it is so small compared
00:24:40.569 --> 00:24:41.670
To what we will experience
00:24:41.770 --> 00:24:42.604
In the life to come.
00:24:42.671 --> 00:24:43.605
I pray that you will
00:24:43.672 --> 00:24:44.539
Give us faith to believe that.
00:24:44.606 --> 00:24:46.608
God, you say some
00:24:46.675 --> 00:24:47.609
Hard things in this book,
00:24:47.676 --> 00:24:49.110
And it's so tempting to hold on
00:24:49.177 --> 00:24:50.312
To our way of thinking,
00:24:50.378 --> 00:24:51.279
Our way of believing,
00:24:51.346 --> 00:24:52.180
Our way of living.
00:24:52.247 --> 00:24:53.648
So, give us faith
00:24:53.715 --> 00:24:54.349
To believe that jesus
00:24:54.416 --> 00:24:55.383
Is absolutely worth it.
00:24:55.450 --> 00:24:57.218
May the love of the manger
00:24:57.285 --> 00:24:58.186
And the cross convince us of it.
00:24:58.253 --> 00:25:00.622
And heavenly father,
00:25:00.689 --> 00:25:01.256
This christmas,
00:25:01.323 --> 00:25:01.690
Help us to bend the knee
00:25:01.756 --> 00:25:02.891
And sing to the king
00:25:02.958 --> 00:25:03.792
Of all kings
00:25:03.858 --> 00:25:04.859
And the lord of all lords.
00:25:04.926 --> 00:25:06.461
Emmanuel, the son of god,
00:25:06.528 --> 00:25:08.063
The prince of peace,
00:25:08.129 --> 00:25:09.297
The government is upon
00:25:09.364 --> 00:25:10.231
His shoulders and he will
00:25:10.298 --> 00:25:11.466
Sit on david's throne today,
00:25:11.533 --> 00:25:12.601
Tomorrow, and for all eternity.
00:25:12.667 --> 00:25:14.402
Help us to believe
00:25:14.469 --> 00:25:14.903
That's a really good thing
00:25:14.970 --> 00:25:16.171
'cause our king is the one
00:25:16.237 --> 00:25:17.205
Who went to the cross.
00:25:17.272 --> 00:25:18.773
We pray this all as we submit
00:25:18.840 --> 00:25:19.641
To you in jesus' name
00:25:19.708 --> 00:25:21.509
And everyone said amen.
00:25:21.576 --> 00:25:23.712
♪ ♪
00:25:25.146 --> 00:25:26.915
>> when i'm here in church,
00:25:27.349 --> 00:25:28.216
>> when i'm here in church, i get to talk about jesus,
00:25:28.283 --> 00:25:30.952
I get to talk about jesus, the one who matters more than
00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:31.720
The one who matters more than anything in the world,
00:25:31.786 --> 00:25:33.121
Anything in the world, the savior who
00:25:33.188 --> 00:25:33.822
The savior who forgives our sins,
00:25:33.888 --> 00:25:35.290
Forgives our sins, the one who fills that
00:25:35.357 --> 00:25:37.025
The one who fills that void in our hearts
00:25:37.092 --> 00:25:38.727
Void in our hearts and provides the kind of joy
00:25:38.793 --> 00:25:39.661
And provides the kind of joy and peace that nothing in this
00:25:39.728 --> 00:25:40.762
And peace that nothing in this world can even match.
00:25:40.829 --> 00:25:43.365
World can even match. but because of your support,
00:25:43.431 --> 00:25:44.132
But because of your support, jesus doesn't stay here
00:25:44.199 --> 00:25:45.600
Jesus doesn't stay here in churches, he moves.
00:25:45.667 --> 00:25:48.103
In churches, he moves. he gets into our community.
00:25:48.169 --> 00:25:49.537
He gets into our community. he gets into our living rooms
00:25:49.604 --> 00:25:50.705
He gets into our living rooms and into our workplaces,
00:25:50.772 --> 00:25:52.707
And into our workplaces, coffee shops,
00:25:52.774 --> 00:25:53.441
Coffee shops, onto the streets of these cities
00:25:53.508 --> 00:25:55.176
Onto the streets of these cities that we love so much.
00:25:55.243 --> 00:25:56.811
That we love so much. recently, some amazing friends
00:25:56.878 --> 00:25:57.746
Recently, some amazing friends of time of grace have offered
00:25:57.812 --> 00:25:59.280
A $375,000 challenge grants
00:25:59.381 --> 00:26:02.584
A $375,000 challenge grants that more and more people
00:26:02.651 --> 00:26:03.618
That more and more people can hear about the savior
00:26:03.685 --> 00:26:04.819
Can hear about the savior that you and i love so dearly.
00:26:04.886 --> 00:26:07.088
That you and i love so dearly. they're challenging me and you
00:26:07.155 --> 00:26:08.256
They're challenging me and you and all of our partners to reach
00:26:08.323 --> 00:26:09.758
And all of our partners to reach that number by december 31st.
00:26:09.824 --> 00:26:12.460
That number by december 31st. as a thank you for your support,
00:26:12.527 --> 00:26:13.328
As a thank you for your support, i want to send you a copy
00:26:13.395 --> 00:26:14.195
I want to send you a copy of the book soul care
00:26:14.262 --> 00:26:15.630
Of the book soul care by my friend
00:26:15.697 --> 00:26:16.164
By my friend amber albee swenson.
00:26:16.231 --> 00:26:17.866
Amber albee swenson. with your support,
00:26:17.932 --> 00:26:18.533
With your support, we can point people to jesus,
00:26:18.600 --> 00:26:20.301
We can point people to jesus, the one who matters most
00:26:20.368 --> 00:26:21.036
The one who matters most in this life
00:26:21.102 --> 00:26:22.003
In this life and in the life to come.
00:26:22.070 --> 00:26:23.138
>> with your support,
00:26:23.638 --> 00:26:24.439
You remind people that
00:26:24.539 --> 00:26:25.674
Those who have jesus have
00:26:25.774 --> 00:26:27.308
What matters most.
00:26:27.409 --> 00:26:28.777
Give today by
00:26:28.877 --> 00:26:29.644
Calling 800-661-3311,
00:26:29.744 --> 00:26:34.082
Visiting timeofgrace.org,
00:26:34.182 --> 00:26:35.950
Or writing us at po box 301,
00:26:36.051 --> 00:26:38.753
Milwaukee, wisconsin 53201.
00:26:38.853 --> 00:26:41.823
>> time of grace
00:26:47.862 --> 00:26:48.463
Doesn't end here.
00:26:48.563 --> 00:26:49.631
Visit timeofgrace.org
00:26:49.731 --> 00:26:51.299
And explore
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Encouraging resources
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Or sign up for our daily email
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00:27:07.382 --> 00:27:08.349
Contact us and let us know
00:27:08.450 --> 00:27:09.617
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00:27:09.718 --> 00:27:10.852
Thank you so much
00:27:10.952 --> 00:27:11.519
For your support.
00:27:11.619 --> 00:27:11.920
>> see you next week
00:27:13.088 --> 00:27:13.621
On time of grace.
00:27:13.688 --> 00:27:14.723

Mike Novotny - Following When It's Hard

December 2, 2025 | 29:5

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