Series C – Third Sunday of Advent – Sunday, December 13, 2015 | Pr. Chris Rosebrough
| Welcome to the Teaching Ministry of Kongsvinger Lutheran Church. Kongsvinger is a beacon for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and is located on the plains of Northwestern Minnesota. We proclaim Christ and Him crucified for our sins and salvation by grace through faith alone, and now, here’s a message from Pastor Chris Rosebrough: |
| Time Stamp | Transcript |
| 0:27 | The holy Gospel |
| 0:29 | According to Saint Luke chapter 7 verses |
| 0:32 | 18-35 |
| 0:34 | John’s disciples told him about all |
| 0:37 | these things calling two of them he sent |
| 0:39 | them to the Lord to ask are you the one |
| 0:41 | who was to come |
| 0:43 | or should we expect someone else |
| 0:45 | when the men came to Jesus they asked |
| 0:48 | and they said John the Baptist sent us |
| 0:50 | to ask are you the one who was to come |
| 0:52 | or should we expect someone else at that |
| 0:55 | very time Jesus cured many who had to |
| 0:57 | seize his sicknesses and evil spirits |
| 0:59 | and he gave sight to many who were blind |
| 1:01 | so he replied to The Messengers go back |
| 1:04 | and report to John what you have seen |
| 1:05 | and heard the blind received sight the |
| 1:07 | lame walk those who have leprosy are |
| 1:10 | cured the deaf hear the dead are raised |
| 1:13 | the good news is preached to the poor |
| 1:15 | blessed is the man who does not fall |
| 1:18 | away on account of me after John’s |
| 1:21 | Messengers left Jesus began to speak to |
| 1:23 | the crowd about John what did you go out |
| 1:25 | into the desert to see a reed swayed by |
| 1:28 | the wind well no if not what did you go |
| 1:31 | out to see a man dressed in fine clothes |
| 1:33 | no those who wear expensive clothes and |
| 1:36 | indulge in luxury are in palaces |
| 1:39 | but what did you go out to see a prophet |
| 1:42 | yes I tell you and more than a Prophet |
| 1:45 | this is the one whom it is written I |
| 1:48 | will send my messenger ahead of you who |
| 1:50 | will prepare your way before you I tell |
| 1:52 | you among those born of women there is |
| 1:54 | no one greater than John yet the one who |
| 1:57 | is least in the kingdom of God is |
| 1:58 | greater than he and all the people |
| 2:01 | even the tax collectors when they heard |
| 2:03 | Jesus’s words acknowledge that God’s way |
| 2:06 | was right because they had been baptized |
| 2:08 | by John but the Pharisees and Experts of |
| 2:11 | the law rejected God’s purpose for |
| 2:13 | themselves because they had not been |
| 2:15 | baptized by John to what then can I |
| 2:18 | compare the people of this generation |
| 2:19 | what are they like well they’re like |
| 2:21 | children sitting in the marketplace and |
| 2:23 | calling out to each other well we played |
| 2:25 | the flute for you and you didn’t dance |
| 2:26 | we sang a dirge and he didn’t cry for |
| 2:30 | John the Baptist came neither eating |
| 2:32 | bread nor drinking wine and you say he |
| 2:34 | has a demon the son of man came eating |
| 2:36 | and drinking and you say here’s a |
| 2:38 | glutton and a drunkard and a friend of |
| 2:39 | tax collectors and sinners |
| 2:42 | wisdom is proved right by all of her |
| 2:45 | children in the name of Jesus |
| 2:48 | all right here again our epistle texts |
| 2:50 | to kind of lead things off rejoice in |
| 2:52 | the lord always again I will say rejoice |
| 2:57 | Paul wrote these words from prison |
| 2:58 | rejoice in the lord always |
| 3:02 | I don’t know how many of you could write |
| 3:04 | such a sentence if you found yourself |
| 3:06 | incarcerated for preaching the gospel |
| 3:08 | and yet Paul writes these things and you |
| 3:10 | can kind of think of today you know this |
| 3:13 | third Sunday of Advent as Rejoice Sunday |
| 3:16 | it’s Rejoice Sunday there’s a lot of |
| 3:19 | interplay on rejoicing here and also |
| 3:22 | kind of interplay on light and darkness |
| 3:24 | we’ll talk about that so let your |
| 3:26 | reasonableness be known to everyone the |
| 3:28 | Lord is at hand don’t be anxious about |
| 3:30 | anything but in everything by prayer and |
| 3:32 | supplication with Thanksgiving let your |
| 3:34 | requests be made known to God well there |
| 3:37 | goes that whole theology you don’t need |
| 3:39 | to pray you just need to decree and |
| 3:40 | declare things here Paul says very |
| 3:42 | clearly let your requests your petitions |
| 3:45 | be made known to God in other words when |
| 3:47 | we pray we don’t demand things from God |
| 3:49 | and say I have faith and I decree and |
| 3:51 | declare no we humbly on our knees say |
| 3:53 | Lord we need these things in your mercy |
| 3:55 | please grant them and he being God May |
| 3:58 | answer our prayers with a yes he may |
| 4:00 | answer them with a no or he might say |
| 4:02 | something to the effect of you know I |
| 4:04 | understand you need that but I’m going |
| 4:06 | to tweak your request a little bit so |
| 4:08 | that what you have asked for doesn’t |
| 4:10 | harm you right this is how God is |
| 4:13 | so the Peace of the Lord which surpasses |
| 4:15 | all understanding this will guard your |
| 4:16 | hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus |
| 4:19 | this frames our thoughts then as we |
| 4:21 | return to Our Gospel text and I’ll be |
| 4:24 | reading from my translation |
| 4:26 | here’s what it says his disciples |
| 4:28 | reported to John about all these things |
| 4:30 | and having some in a certain two of his |
| 4:32 | disciples John sent them to the Lord |
| 4:35 | saying are you the one coming |
| 4:39 | or should we should we be looking for |
| 4:42 | another one someone else |
| 4:45 | it’s an interesting question keep in |
| 4:47 | mind that the Gospel of John writes of |
| 4:49 | John the Baptist in chapter one there |
| 4:51 | was a man sent from God whose name was |
| 4:53 | John he came as a witness to Bear |
| 4:55 | witness about the light that all might |
| 4:57 | believe through him he was not the light |
| 4:59 | but he came to bear witness about the |
| 5:02 | light the True Light which gives light |
| 5:04 | to everyone was coming into the world so |
| 5:07 | John the Baptist the Forerunner of |
| 5:09 | Christ |
| 5:10 | was that not the light but he was to |
| 5:13 | Bear witness to the light and so he did |
| 5:14 | but now he finds himself in a dark |
| 5:17 | dungeon |
| 5:18 | in prison in herod’s prison |
| 5:21 | for doing what preaching repentance |
| 5:23 | preaching repentance is a dicey business |
| 5:26 | it could get you in a lot of trouble |
| 5:29 | John should let you know that but that’s |
| 5:32 | okay but so it says to this so John has |
| 5:35 | heard the reports of Jesus he’s in |
| 5:37 | prison okay he wanted wants to make sure |
| 5:40 | he hasn’t run his course in vain but |
| 5:42 | what’s getting to John is kind of mixed |
| 5:44 | reports remember when John preached |
| 5:46 | about Jesus repent repent he’s spitting |
| 5:49 | grasshopper legs at people you know he’s |
| 5:51 | smelly he looks awful he’s dressed |
| 5:53 | terribly he’s got this kind of wild |
| 5:55 | wilderness man thing going on right |
| 5:58 | and he’s telling people when he comes |
| 6:01 | his winnowing Fork is in his hand he’s |
| 6:03 | going to take the wheat into his barn |
| 6:05 | but the chaff he’s going to burn up this |
| 6:07 | is John’s message and then Jesus shows |
| 6:10 | up on the scene and you know what Jesus |
| 6:11 | is doing |
| 6:13 | he’s forgiving prostitutes |
| 6:16 | he’s absolving tax collectors |
| 6:20 | all the Sinners are coming around the |
| 6:22 | lepers you know the Untouchables the one |
| 6:24 | that God’s law demands that they stay |
| 6:26 | outside of the city and say unclean |
| 6:29 | unclean Jesus is touching them |
| 6:33 | and healing them |
| 6:36 | all of the outcasts all of those kicked |
| 6:38 | to the curb by the God’s law |
| 6:40 | all of that rabble all of those Sinners |
| 6:43 | all of those sick people |
| 6:45 | they’re being healed forgiven |
| 6:48 | and of course the Pharisees they’re not |
| 6:51 | very impressed with this |
| 6:53 | and so John in that dark prison |
| 6:56 | is hearing reports yeah Jesus is going |
| 6:59 | around he’s doing all these things but |
| 7:01 | he’s like hanging out with tax |
| 7:03 | collectors and prostitutes so John has |
| 7:06 | one of those moments where |
| 7:09 | his cousin Jesus really the dude or not |
| 7:13 | he didn’t say dude but you kind of get |
| 7:15 | the point |
| 7:16 | so |
| 7:17 | so having come to Jesus the men said |
| 7:20 | John the Baptist sent us forth to you |
| 7:23 | saying are you the one coming or should |
| 7:27 | we be looking for another now Jesus |
| 7:29 | could have just simply said yeah I’m the |
| 7:31 | Messiah yeah go tell that to John but |
| 7:33 | here’s what how he answers it he says at |
| 7:36 | that hour he cured many from diseases |
| 7:38 | and scourges and evil spirits he granted |
| 7:41 | seeing to many blind ones and having |
| 7:43 | responded he said to them |
| 7:46 | go and report to John the things which |
| 7:49 | you saw and you heard blind ones are |
| 7:53 | seeing again lame ones are walking |
| 7:55 | lepers are being cleansed deaf ones are |
| 7:58 | hearing dead ones are being raised poor |
| 8:01 | ones are having good news announced to |
| 8:03 | them all of these are fulfilled |
| 8:05 | prophecies |
| 8:06 | of the Old Testament regarding the |
| 8:08 | Messiah which would unequivocally |
| 8:10 | communicate to John the Baptist yeah I’m |
| 8:14 | the one don’t expect anybody else but |
| 8:17 | it’s fascinating in that list of |
| 8:19 | fulfilled prophecies there’s one |
| 8:22 | particular fulfilled prophecy of |
| 8:24 | prophecy regarding the Messiah that |
| 8:26 | Jesus doesn’t have reported to John |
| 8:29 | and one of the Prophecies of the Messiah |
| 8:31 | is that he would set the prisoners free |
| 8:35 | but John was not going to be set free |
| 8:38 | he was going to die |
| 8:40 | and be martyred for proclaiming and |
| 8:43 | being a bearing witness to the light so |
| 8:45 | I didn’t want to give him any false |
| 8:47 | hopes so let him know |
| 8:49 | that the blind ones are seeing lepers |
| 8:52 | are being cleansed deaf ones are hearing |
| 8:55 | dead ones are being raised poor ones are |
| 8:57 | having good news announced to them and |
| 8:59 | then Jesus says this and blessed is |
| 9:01 | whoever does not take offense in me |
| 9:06 | it really is offensive to the religious |
| 9:09 | it’s self-righteous that all this rabble |
| 9:11 | all of these Sinners these Tax |
| 9:13 | Collectors prostitutes lepers blind ones |
| 9:16 | all of these people who were clearly |
| 9:17 | born in sin |
| 9:19 | that they’re being forgiven and restored |
| 9:23 | free they don’t even have to pay for it |
| 9:26 | there’s nothing they have to do just |
| 9:28 | receive Jesus is like Santa Claus on |
| 9:31 | Christmas handing out all these gifts to |
| 9:33 | these people but these aren’t cute |
| 9:35 | children these are sinners he’s handing |
| 9:37 | these gifts out to God doesn’t suppose |
| 9:39 | isn’t supposed to operate that way it’s |
| 9:42 | supposed to work off the quid pro quo |
| 9:44 | you do your part and then God is |
| 9:47 | supposed to do his part you pay your |
| 9:49 | tithe God blesses you you obey God |
| 9:53 | blesses you Jesus has taken all of this |
| 9:55 | and just turned it right upside down |
| 9:57 | you are a sinner God forgives you it’s |
| 10:00 | not supposed to work that way |
| 10:02 | and yet it was |
| 10:04 | there was Jesus handing out Mercy |
| 10:07 | forgiveness healing and Grace |
| 10:11 | and the Pharisees are offended |
| 10:14 | the self-righteous usually are you |
| 10:17 | forgiveness can’t be that free |
| 10:20 | I understand that it’s a gift but come |
| 10:22 | on somebody’s got you got to pay a |
| 10:24 | little bit for it right |
| 10:26 | this is how they operate that’s how they |
| 10:28 | think no free means free gift means gift |
| 10:32 | get over it |
| 10:34 | you don’t like the fact that that sinner |
| 10:35 | is being forgiven well just imagine how |
| 10:38 | offended somebody is that God can |
| 10:40 | forgive you |
| 10:42 | that’ll quiet the conversation down a |
| 10:44 | little bit by the way right |
| 10:46 | so Jesus says blessed is whoever does |
| 10:49 | not take offense in me |
| 10:53 | intermission here again the words of our |
| 10:55 | Old Testament text sing aloud o Daughter |
| 10:58 | of Zion shout o Israel rejoice and exult |
| 11:03 | with all of your heart o daughter of |
| 11:04 | Jerusalem the Lord has taken away the |
| 11:07 | judgments against you |
| 11:09 | he’s cleared away your enemies the king |
| 11:12 | of Israel the Lord is in your midst and |
| 11:14 | you shall never again fear evil you see |
| 11:17 | all of these things were happening |
| 11:19 | because the king of Israel Yahweh |
| 11:21 | himself was in their very midst |
| 11:24 | and yet keep this in mind |
| 11:27 | Jesus says we’re two or more are |
| 11:30 | gathered in my name he is there |
| 11:32 | in their midst |
| 11:35 | the king of Israel the Lord himself |
| 11:38 | he’s even in our midst today forgiving |
| 11:41 | and handing out his great mercy and |
| 11:42 | gifts |
| 11:44 | verse 24. |
| 11:46 | from the gospel text so the messengers |
| 11:49 | of John having Departed |
| 11:51 | Jesus began to speak to the crowds about |
| 11:53 | John I love Jesus’s kind of |
| 11:56 | tongue-in-cheek here so what did you go |
| 11:58 | out into the Wilderness to look at a |
| 12:00 | reed blowing and shaken by the wind |
| 12:02 | little joke right no would you go out to |
| 12:05 | see a man having dressed in soft |
| 12:07 | garments no behold the ones being in |
| 12:10 | glorious clothing and luxury they’re in |
| 12:12 | Royal places |
| 12:13 | so what did you go out to see a prophet |
| 12:17 | and there it is |
| 12:18 | Jesus makes it very clear that John the |
| 12:21 | Baptist is a prophet |
| 12:23 | but he’s more than that Jesus says |
| 12:25 | yes a prophet and I say to you more than |
| 12:28 | a prophet you’re the reason why is |
| 12:29 | because he’s kind of like part Prophet |
| 12:31 | part gospel preacher truly he’s the last |
| 12:34 | of the Old Testament prophets and the |
| 12:36 | first of the evangelists |
| 12:38 | so I say to you more than a Prophet this |
| 12:40 | is the one about whom it has been |
| 12:42 | written and you can find this in Malachi |
| 12:44 | chapter 3 starting at verse 1. behold I |
| 12:48 | am sending forth My Messenger ahead of |
| 12:50 | your presence who will make your way |
| 12:53 | ready in front of you I say to you no |
| 12:56 | one is greater among ones born of women |
| 12:59 | than John now real quick |
| 13:02 | let’s understand what Jesus is saying |
| 13:04 | here that there is no one greater among |
| 13:07 | those born of women you can kind of |
| 13:09 | think of it this way at the end of the |
| 13:11 | day if you were wondering okay when it’s |
| 13:14 | all tallied on the day of judgment who |
| 13:16 | really was the one who was the holiest |
| 13:19 | of the Holy among the Sinners of Earth |
| 13:22 | you know if you pull out God’s law and |
| 13:25 | that’s your standard right how you know |
| 13:27 | how do you measure up right is it Mother |
| 13:30 | Teresa is she coming in on top is it |
| 13:33 | going to be Billy Graham who’s it going |
| 13:35 | to be |
| 13:36 | John the Baptist |
| 13:38 | according to the law the one who lived |
| 13:41 | the holiest life is not Mother Teresa |
| 13:44 | it’s not it’s not Billy Graham it’s not |
| 13:46 | anybody today definitely not any of the |
| 13:49 | televangelists I just want to make that |
| 13:51 | clear |
| 13:52 | it’s John the Baptist but then Jesus |
| 13:55 | says this |
| 13:58 | but the least one in the kingdom of God |
| 14:02 | is greater than he the least |
| 14:05 | that means the most forgiven sinner I |
| 14:10 | that something like that has something |
| 14:11 | to do with the gospel I don’t know how |
| 14:14 | least and greatest are kind of worked |
| 14:16 | out in the Kingdom of Heaven but I do |
| 14:18 | know this everybody who’s truly a part |
| 14:21 | of the Kingdom of Heaven they are |
| 14:23 | forgiven sinners |
| 14:26 | and so however that is judged by God |
| 14:29 | greatest least apparently there’s some |
| 14:32 | kind of a way of working all of this out |
| 14:34 | you know and you think there just before |
| 14:37 | you think you know that maybe that means |
| 14:39 | that like the prostitute who is trusting |
| 14:42 | in Jesus for the Forgiveness of our sins |
| 14:44 | maybe she’s the least but see the thing |
| 14:46 | is it takes a lot of faith to believe |
| 14:48 | that those kinds of sins can be forgiven |
| 14:50 | and that it’s truly for you that would |
| 14:52 | probably she would not be the one who’s |
| 14:54 | the least in the Kingdom of Heaven she |
| 14:56 | might be closer to the top to the |
| 14:58 | greatest |
| 14:59 | maybe the least in the Kingdom of Heaven |
| 15:01 | is the pastor who preached the gospel |
| 15:04 | his entire life and barely believed it |
| 15:08 | or didn’t think that he really needed |
| 15:10 | that much forgiveness |
| 15:12 | that guy could really be the least right |
| 15:14 | and you think what a scoundrel that guy |
| 15:17 | is right what a scoundrel so according |
| 15:20 | to Jesus even that forgiven sinner is |
| 15:23 | way greater |
| 15:25 | than John the Baptist in the Kingdom of |
| 15:27 | Heaven |
| 15:28 | why |
| 15:29 | because what is it that makes us great |
| 15:31 | in the Kingdom of Heaven |
| 15:33 | Jesus |
| 15:34 | his Mercy his forgiveness his |
| 15:36 | righteousness that covers our sin and |
| 15:38 | shame so notice the interplay here John |
| 15:41 | the Baptist the greatest among all the |
| 15:43 | people that will ever be born of a woman |
| 15:45 | according to the law but even the most |
| 15:48 | rotten of the rotten in the Kingdom of |
| 15:50 | Heaven is way greater than he is |
| 15:53 | what these this is good news these are |
| 15:56 | comforting words |
| 15:58 | so all the people having heard Jesus |
| 16:02 | even the tax collectors and now here’s |
| 16:04 | this is going to be an interesting |
| 16:05 | translation |
| 16:07 | the NIV gets at this a little bit better |
| 16:09 | than the ESV but here’s how I translate |
| 16:11 | it all of these people having heard |
| 16:13 | Jesus even the tax collectors and they |
| 16:16 | Vindicated God |
| 16:18 | they showed God to be true |
| 16:21 | because they have been baptized with |
| 16:23 | baptism of John |
| 16:26 | God is Vindicated by his children God is |
| 16:30 | Vindicated and shown to be true by Those |
| 16:33 | whom he has had mercy on those who’ve |
| 16:36 | been brought to penitent Faith who trust |
| 16:38 | in him for the Forgiveness of their sins |
| 16:40 | that’s what Jesus is saying but here’s |
| 16:42 | what it says then but the Pharisees and |
| 16:45 | the experts in the law they rejected the |
| 16:48 | purpose of God for themselves not having |
| 16:52 | been baptized by John |
| 16:55 | this is utter foolishness |
| 16:57 | this is utter foolishness now notice |
| 17:00 | here that God’s purpose for the Pharisee |
| 17:03 | and these experts in the law his purpose |
| 17:06 | for them was the exact same purpose even |
| 17:09 | for the rabble that he had that they |
| 17:11 | repent that their sins are washed away |
| 17:14 | that they are forgiven why because God |
| 17:17 | is rich in Mercy he can forgive even you |
| 17:20 | and so the Pharisees they come to hear |
| 17:23 | John and you know what they say that’s |
| 17:27 | okay we’ll pass we don’t need to be |
| 17:29 | baptized we’re good people we keep the |
| 17:32 | law we don’t need to be forgiven and |
| 17:35 | have our sins washed away and to which |
| 17:37 | although the Norwegian said ufta |
| 17:41 | right |
| 17:42 | and rightly so and rightly so |
| 17:46 | because the one thing I know about |
| 17:48 | Pharisees and the one thing I know about |
| 17:50 | the rabble is that we’re all on the same |
| 17:53 | level sinner in need of Savior |
| 17:57 | and there’s the Savior and so John |
| 18:01 | he baptized them in preparation for the |
| 18:03 | light to come into the world and |
| 18:05 | everybody was repenting having their |
| 18:07 | sins forgiven but the Pharisees said no |
| 18:10 | thank you we don’t need that and it says |
| 18:12 | here Jesus said that they have rejected |
| 18:15 | the purpose of God for themselves |
| 18:17 | and God’s purpose was to forgive them |
| 18:20 | how sad |
| 18:22 | absolutely sad |
| 18:24 | he would have them forgiven and restored |
| 18:27 | and their sins washed away and they said |
| 18:29 | no we don’t need that |
| 18:32 | and blindly went along with their false |
| 18:34 | religion |
| 18:35 | which took them to hell |
| 18:38 | very sad |
| 18:39 | again Zephaniah on that day it shall be |
| 18:42 | said to Jerusalem fear not o Zion let |
| 18:45 | not your hands grow weak the Lord your |
| 18:47 | God is in your midst a mighty one who |
| 18:50 | will save he will rejoice over you with |
| 18:53 | gladness |
| 18:55 | what |
| 18:58 | the Lord who is mighty to save is going |
| 19:00 | to Rejoice over you and over me |
| 19:04 | yes God is Vindicated by his holy ones |
| 19:07 | his forgiven ones he will quiet you by |
| 19:10 | his love he will exalt over you with |
| 19:13 | loud singing I will gather those of you |
| 19:16 | who mourn for the festival so that you |
| 19:18 | will no longer suffer reproach |
| 19:21 | this is an amazing passage God is in our |
| 19:24 | midst mighty to save |
| 19:28 | and he will exalt over us with gladness |
| 19:30 | that’s how much his love is for us it’s |
| 19:33 | like a father exalting over his son |
| 19:36 | that’s the kind of love that’s being |
| 19:37 | described here back to our gospel |
| 19:40 | so then Jesus said what then will I |
| 19:42 | liken the people of this generation |
| 19:44 | well what are they like well they’re |
| 19:46 | like children sitting in the marketplace |
| 19:48 | calling to one another say well we |
| 19:49 | played the flute and you didn’t dance |
| 19:52 | who doesn’t dance when the flute’s |
| 19:54 | playing right I mean every time I hear a |
| 19:56 | fluid I start to do a little jig right |
| 19:59 | okay so we played a dirge |
| 20:02 | he didn’t Lament |
| 20:05 | okay |
| 20:08 | we were lamented and you didn’t weep all |
| 20:09 | right so |
| 20:11 | John the Baptist he’s come not eating |
| 20:14 | bread nor drinking wine and you say he |
| 20:16 | has a demon |
| 20:18 | Son of Man Has Come eating and drinking |
| 20:20 | and you say behold this man’s a glutton |
| 20:23 | and a drunkard |
| 20:25 | and a friend of tax collectors and |
| 20:27 | sinners |
| 20:29 | oh yes he is |
| 20:31 | yes he is Jesus truly is a friend of tax |
| 20:36 | collectors and sinners |
| 20:39 | that means he’s our friend |
| 20:41 | because as I look across |
| 20:45 | the congregation here all I see are |
| 20:48 | sinners |
| 20:49 | and the good news is that Christ truly |
| 20:52 | is the Friend of Sinners and you think |
| 20:53 | what’s going on in this text well Jesus |
| 20:55 | is describing those Pharisees and let me |
| 20:58 | quote Cyril Alexandria on this just to |
| 21:01 | throw something exotic as far as a quote |
| 21:03 | is still a cereal of Alexandria |
| 21:05 | commenting on this says the prophet’s |
| 21:07 | words will apply to us woe to them that |
| 21:10 | call evil good and good evil who call |
| 21:13 | Bittersweet and Sweet Bitter who put |
| 21:15 | light for darkness and darkness for |
| 21:17 | light this was the character of the |
| 21:20 | Israelites especially of those who were |
| 21:22 | their Chiefs the scribes namely and the |
| 21:24 | Pharisees Christ said about them to what |
| 21:26 | shall I liken the men of this generation |
| 21:28 | talk about blindness |
| 21:30 | this is what Jesus is describing they |
| 21:33 | see John the Baptist and they don’t |
| 21:35 | repent that’s like somebody playing the |
| 21:38 | flute and you don’t dance or somebody |
| 21:39 | playing a dirge and you don’t lament or |
| 21:42 | weep it doesn’t make any sense that’s |
| 21:44 | calling light Darkness |
| 21:47 | it’s worse than that it’s calling |
| 21:49 | Darkness light |
| 21:50 | and so that’s how backwards upside down |
| 21:53 | and inside out the Pharisees are |
| 21:56 | they’re so backwards inside out they |
| 21:58 | think that it’s an awful thing that |
| 22:00 | Jesus is a friend of sinners |
| 22:04 | but to those who’ve been forgiven |
| 22:07 | to know that Jesus is a friend of |
| 22:08 | sinners is not a terrible thing |
| 22:12 | wonderful thing |
| 22:14 | because it gives us hope |
| 22:16 | hope that we can stand on the day of |
| 22:18 | judgment hope that we do not have to |
| 22:20 | suffer shame and reproach to suffer the |
| 22:22 | shame and reproach that comes from God |
| 22:24 | who says depart from me I never knew you |
| 22:26 | and rather than hearing those words we |
| 22:29 | hear welcome into my kingdom well done |
| 22:31 | good and faithful servant and you say me |
| 22:33 | how can that possibly be |
| 22:35 | like I washed you I forgave you |
| 22:39 | I gave you faith |
| 22:41 | I fed you with the body and blood of my |
| 22:44 | son |
| 22:46 | how can you not be pleasing to me I have |
| 22:49 | made you so |
| 22:50 | right |
| 22:52 | and this is why verse 35 Jesus |
| 22:54 | reiterates |
| 22:56 | wisdom was Vindicated by all of her |
| 22:58 | children God is truly Vindicated by all |
| 23:02 | who repent and believe and trust in him |
| 23:06 | for the Forgiveness of your sins |
| 23:09 | so the Lord is in our midst |
| 23:11 | mighty to save mighty to save even us |
| 23:15 | Zephaniah writes again behold at that |
| 23:18 | time I will deal with all of your |
| 23:19 | oppressors and who are our oppressors |
| 23:21 | sin death the devil the world our own |
| 23:23 | sinful flesh God’s going to deal with |
| 23:25 | that and I will save the lame and I will |
| 23:27 | gather the outcast I will change their |
| 23:30 | shame into praise and Renown in all the |
| 23:34 | Earth at that time I will bring you in |
| 23:37 | at that time when I gather you together |
| 23:39 | for I will make you renowned and praised |
| 23:42 | among all the peoples of the earth when |
| 23:44 | I restore your fortunes before your eyes |
| 23:46 | and the fortune he’s talking about |
| 23:48 | that’s going to be restored is Paradise |
| 23:52 | the Earth that was lost when Adam and |
| 23:54 | Eve sinned |
| 23:56 | that plunged us into the curse as it was |
| 23:59 | in the beginning it will be forever he’s |
| 24:02 | going to change our fortunes all of the |
| 24:04 | curse goes away and it’s nothing but |
| 24:07 | perfect Paradise face to face with God |
| 24:10 | forever |
| 24:11 | that’s the ultimate Fortune reversal so |
| 24:15 | rejoice |
| 24:16 | let me end with these words from the |
| 24:18 | hymn that we all know O come O come |
| 24:20 | Emmanuel two two stanzas and I’ve |
| 24:23 | changed one word |
| 24:25 | one word |
| 24:26 | O come O come Emmanuel and Ransom |
| 24:30 | captive Israel that Mourns and lowly |
| 24:33 | Exile here until the Son of God appeared |
| 24:36 | rejoice |
| 24:37 | rejoice |
| 24:39 | Emmanuel has come to thee o Israel |
| 24:44 | O Come Thou day spring come and cheer |
| 24:46 | our Spirits by thy Dr by thy Advent hear |
| 24:50 | disperse the gloomy clouds of night and |
| 24:53 | death’s Dark Shadow put to flight |
| 24:56 | rejoice |
| 24:57 | rejoice |
| 24:59 | Emmanuel has come to thee |
| 25:02 | o Kong’s finger |
| 25:04 | in the name of Jesus |
| 25:06 | amen |
| If you would like to support the teaching ministry of Kongsvinger Lutheran Church, you can do so by sending a tax-free donation to: Kongsvinger Lutheran Church 15950 470th Ave NW, Oslo, MN 56744 We thank you for your support. All of our teaching messages may be freely distributed as long as you do not edit or change the content of the message, and, again, thank you for listening. |
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