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It's<00:00:07.360><c> a</c><00:00:07.580><c> paradox</c><00:00:08.060><c> of</c><00:00:08.699><c> human</c><00:00:08.960><c> nature</c><00:00:09.359><c> that</c><00:00:09.640><c> we</c><00:00:10.000><c> thrive</c><00:00:10.480><c> on</c><00:00:10.919><c> novelty,</c><00:00:12.519><c> but</c>

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we<00:00:13.099><c> resist</c><00:00:13.779><c> personal</c><00:00:14.500><c> change.</c>

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Too<00:00:17.519><c> often</c><00:00:17.760><c> we</c><00:00:18.000><c> actually</c><00:00:18.420><c> grow</c><00:00:18.679><c> accustomed</c><00:00:19.219><c> to</c><00:00:19.500><c> our</c><00:00:19.719><c> various</c><00:00:20.039><c> shortcomings.</c>

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We<00:00:21.179><c> simply</c><00:00:21.500><c> rearrange</c><00:00:22.280><c> our</c><00:00:22.739><c> lives</c><00:00:23.019><c> around</c><00:00:23.420><c> them</c><00:00:23.920><c> to</c><00:00:24.239><c> make</c><00:00:24.500><c> sure</c><00:00:24.679><c> they'll</c><00:00:25.079><c> do</c>

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the<00:00:25.460><c> least</c><00:00:25.699><c> damage</c>

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and<00:00:26.940><c> cause</c><00:00:27.920><c> the</c><00:00:28.100><c> least</c><00:00:28.320><c> destruction,</c><00:00:28.940><c> mainly</c><00:00:29.280><c> for</c><00:00:29.579><c> ourselves.</c>

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We<00:00:32.359><c> learn</c><00:00:32.719><c> to</c><00:00:32.979><c> accept</c><00:00:33.399><c> ourselves</c><00:00:34.060><c> as</c><00:00:34.460><c> we</c><00:00:34.799><c> are.</c>

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We<00:00:36.039><c> neglect</c><00:00:36.399><c> the</c><00:00:36.659><c> need</c><00:00:36.820><c> to</c><00:00:37.100><c> change</c><00:00:37.340><c> because</c><00:00:37.700><c> we</c><00:00:38.159><c> gradually</c><00:00:38.600><c> play</c><00:00:38.960><c> it</c><00:00:39.280><c> down.</c>

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And<00:00:41.179><c> in</c><00:00:41.280><c> the</c><00:00:41.420><c> worst</c><00:00:41.619><c> case</c><00:00:41.840><c> scenarios,</c><00:00:42.439><c> we</c><00:00:42.520><c> say,</c><00:00:43.240><c> well,</c><00:00:43.399><c> this</c><00:00:43.619><c> is</c><00:00:43.780><c> the</c><00:00:43.899><c> way</c><00:00:44.020><c> I</c><00:00:44.240><c> am.</c>

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These<00:00:45.600><c> characteristics</c><00:00:46.299><c> define</c><00:00:46.920><c> my</c><00:00:47.280><c> personality,</c><00:00:47.920><c> my</c><00:00:48.060><c> identity.</c>

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I<00:00:48.820><c> couldn't</c><00:00:49.119><c> change</c><00:00:49.560><c> even</c><00:00:49.759><c> if</c><00:00:49.939><c> I</c><00:00:50.079><c> wanted</c><00:00:50.259><c> to,</c><00:00:50.780><c> even</c><00:00:51.079><c> if</c><00:00:51.299><c> I</c><00:00:51.439><c> needed</c><00:00:51.700><c> to,</c>

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which<00:00:52.320><c> I</c><00:00:52.679><c> don't.</c>

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And<00:00:55.600><c> it's</c><00:00:55.700><c> not</c><00:00:56.000><c> really</c><00:00:56.340><c> that</c><00:00:56.479><c> we</c><00:00:56.600><c> don't</c><00:00:57.000><c> know</c><00:00:57.340><c> what</c><00:00:57.659><c> needs</c><00:00:58.020><c> changing,</c>

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because<00:01:00.140><c> we're</c><00:01:00.280><c> very</c><00:01:00.560><c> good</c><00:01:00.700><c> at</c><00:01:00.939><c> identifying</c><00:01:01.340><c> other</c><00:01:01.719><c> people's</c>

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need<00:01:02.520><c> to</c><00:01:02.820><c> change.</c>

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The<00:01:05.000><c> real</c><00:01:05.260><c> problem</c><00:01:05.579><c> is</c><00:01:05.760><c> that</c><00:01:05.920><c> we</c><00:01:06.159><c> simply</c><00:01:06.620><c> deny</c><00:01:07.319><c> our</c><00:01:07.760><c> own</c><00:01:08.019><c> need</c>

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to<00:01:09.019><c> change.</c>

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And<00:01:10.280><c> we</c><00:01:10.359><c> can</c><00:01:10.579><c> find</c><00:01:10.900><c> any</c><00:01:11.280><c> number</c><00:01:11.659><c> of</c><00:01:12.060><c> justifications</c><00:01:12.700><c> for</c><00:01:12.920><c> this.</c>

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We<00:01:14.299><c> can</c><00:01:14.540><c> argue</c><00:01:14.819><c> that</c><00:01:15.000><c> it's</c><00:01:15.340><c> too</c><00:01:15.560><c> difficult,</c><00:01:16.579><c> too</c><00:01:16.879><c> complex,</c>

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unnatural,<00:01:19.200><c> unreasonable,</c><00:01:20.239><c> unfair.</c>

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We<00:01:21.620><c> can</c><00:01:21.900><c> claim</c><00:01:22.120><c> that</c><00:01:22.319><c> if</c><00:01:22.459><c> we</c><00:01:22.760><c> change,</c><00:01:23.799><c> we</c><00:01:23.939><c> will</c><00:01:24.219><c> lose</c><00:01:24.579><c> our</c>

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original<00:01:25.359><c> identity</c>

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and<00:01:26.579><c> become</c><00:01:26.959><c> someone</c><00:01:27.319><c> that</c><00:01:27.659><c> other</c><00:01:27.900><c> people</c><00:01:28.219><c> want</c><00:01:28.420><c> us</c><00:01:28.739><c> to</c><00:01:28.920><c> be</c><00:01:29.379><c> instead</c><00:01:30.079><c> of</c>

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who<00:01:30.439><c> we</c><00:01:30.599><c> really</c><00:01:30.959><c> are.</c>

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We<00:01:33.120><c> can</c><00:01:33.340><c> say</c><00:01:33.579><c> that</c><00:01:33.799><c> although</c><00:01:34.099><c> people</c><00:01:34.459><c> are</c><00:01:34.760><c> welcome</c><00:01:35.060><c> to</c><00:01:35.299><c> point</c>

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out<00:01:35.719><c> our</c><00:01:35.980><c> flaws,</c>

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nobody<00:01:37.260><c> has</c><00:01:37.500><c> the</c><00:01:37.640><c> right</c><00:01:37.780><c> to</c><00:01:38.040><c> tell</c><00:01:38.180><c> us</c><00:01:38.659><c> how</c><00:01:38.959><c> we</c><00:01:39.140><c> should</c><00:01:39.299><c> address</c><00:01:39.620><c> them.</c>

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But<00:01:42.359><c> these</c><00:01:42.560><c> are</c><00:01:42.739><c> all</c><00:01:42.920><c> just</c><00:01:43.319><c> excuses</c><00:01:43.780><c> for</c><00:01:44.340><c> moral</c><00:01:44.780><c> and</c><00:01:45.159><c> spiritual</c><00:01:45.659><c> inertia.</c>

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And<00:01:47.060><c> they</c><00:01:47.280><c> are</c><00:01:47.540><c> prompted</c><00:01:47.799><c> by</c><00:01:48.239><c> selfishness,</c><00:01:49.519><c> which</c><00:01:49.700><c> lies</c><00:01:49.939><c> at</c>

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the<00:01:50.340><c> core</c><00:01:50.760><c> of</c><00:01:51.219><c> every</c><00:01:51.519><c> human</c><00:01:51.859><c> vice</c><00:01:52.219><c> and</c><00:01:52.680><c> sin.</c>

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This<00:01:58.480><c> is</c><00:01:58.680><c> not</c><00:01:58.859><c> always</c><00:01:59.159><c> obvious,</c><00:01:59.900><c> because</c><00:02:00.200><c> the</c><00:02:00.560><c> postmodern</c>

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secular<00:02:01.659><c> world</c>

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has<00:02:02.459><c> gentrified</c><00:02:03.359><c> selfishness</c><00:02:04.239><c> with</c><00:02:04.579><c> an</c><00:02:04.819><c> elaborate</c><00:02:05.180><c> makeover.</c>

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Popular<00:02:07.439><c> culture</c><00:02:07.900><c> encourages</c><00:02:08.360><c> us</c><00:02:08.680><c> to</c><00:02:08.840><c> be</c><00:02:09.020><c> self</c><00:02:09.280><c>-centered,</c>

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self<00:02:10.439><c>-absorbed,</c><00:02:11.580><c> self</c><00:02:11.960><c>-serving.</c>

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Consumerism<00:02:14.599><c> promises</c><00:02:14.960><c> to</c><00:02:15.319><c> fulfill</c><00:02:15.780><c> our</c><00:02:16.120><c> every</c><00:02:16.460><c> need,</c>

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while<00:02:17.659><c> simultaneously</c><00:02:18.560><c> creating</c><00:02:19.139><c> false</c><00:02:19.780><c> needs</c><00:02:20.199><c> that</c><00:02:20.560><c> can</c><00:02:20.840><c> never</c><00:02:21.039><c> be</c><00:02:21.319><c> satisfied.</c>

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Society<00:02:24.219><c> says</c><00:02:24.699><c> everyone</c><00:02:25.340><c> has</c><00:02:25.620><c> to</c><00:02:25.740><c> accept</c><00:02:26.099><c> us</c><00:02:26.400><c> as</c><00:02:26.759><c> we</c><00:02:27.000><c> are.</c>

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And<00:02:27.879><c> if</c><00:02:28.000><c> they</c><00:02:28.199><c> don't,</c><00:02:28.680><c> the</c><00:02:28.719><c> problem</c><00:02:28.939><c> is</c><00:02:29.159><c> theirs,</c><00:02:29.500><c> not</c><00:02:29.740><c> ours.</c>

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We<00:02:31.439><c> don't</c><00:02:31.639><c> need</c><00:02:31.860><c> to</c><00:02:32.080><c> change</c><00:02:32.280><c> ourselves</c><00:02:32.659><c> at</c><00:02:32.939><c> all.</c>

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Instead,<00:02:34.620><c> other</c><00:02:34.879><c> people</c><00:02:35.199><c> need</c><00:02:35.439><c> to</c><00:02:35.680><c> change</c><00:02:36.020><c> the</c><00:02:36.280><c> way</c><00:02:36.460><c> they</c><00:02:36.740><c> think</c><00:02:36.939><c> about</c><00:02:37.159><c> us.</c>

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And<00:02:38.879><c> even</c><00:02:39.020><c> the</c><00:02:39.120><c> more</c><00:02:39.319><c> liberal</c><00:02:39.659><c> versions</c><00:02:40.099><c> of</c><00:02:40.400><c> Christianity</c>

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would<00:02:41.159><c> tell</c><00:02:41.419><c> you</c><00:02:41.719><c> that</c><00:02:42.020><c> we</c><00:02:42.159><c> can</c><00:02:42.439><c> even</c><00:02:42.699><c> extend</c><00:02:43.259><c> this</c><00:02:43.580><c> to</c><00:02:43.699><c> our</c>

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relationship<00:02:44.400><c> with</c><00:02:44.599><c> God.</c>

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That<00:02:46.199><c> he</c><00:02:46.400><c> is</c><00:02:46.539><c> obliged</c><00:02:46.960><c> to</c><00:02:47.199><c> accept</c><00:02:47.539><c> us</c><00:02:47.900><c> exactly</c><00:02:48.460><c> as</c><00:02:48.780><c> we</c><00:02:48.900><c> are.</c>

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And<00:02:50.159><c> that</c><00:02:50.319><c> if</c><00:02:50.419><c> there</c><00:02:50.599><c> is</c><00:02:50.719><c> any</c><00:02:51.000><c> need</c><00:02:51.379><c> to</c><00:02:51.800><c> change</c><00:02:52.300><c> in</c><00:02:52.659><c> our</c><00:02:52.939><c> standing</c><00:02:53.280><c> before</c><00:02:53.639><c> him,</c>

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it<00:02:54.919><c> must</c><00:02:55.219><c> come</c><00:02:55.500><c> from</c><00:02:55.699><c> his</c><00:02:56.020><c> side,</c><00:02:56.740><c> not</c><00:02:57.080><c> ours.</c>

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But<00:03:00.620><c> scripture</c><00:03:00.879><c> tells</c><00:03:01.300><c> a</c><00:03:01.719><c> very</c><00:03:02.120><c> different</c><00:03:02.460><c> story.</c>

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In<00:03:04.120><c> its</c><00:03:04.400><c> pages,</c><00:03:04.620><c> we</c><00:03:04.919><c> find</c><00:03:05.180><c> examples</c><00:03:05.699><c> of</c><00:03:05.939><c> people</c><00:03:06.280><c> who</c><00:03:06.979><c> recognized</c><00:03:07.580><c> the</c><00:03:08.000><c> need</c>

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for<00:03:08.860><c> personal</c><00:03:09.340><c> change.</c>

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Sometimes<00:03:10.699><c> at</c><00:03:11.080><c> great</c><00:03:11.419><c> cost</c><00:03:12.020><c> and</c><00:03:12.659><c> with</c><00:03:12.919><c> the</c><00:03:13.120><c> greatest</c><00:03:13.520><c> reluctance.</c>

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They<00:03:15.939><c> learned</c><00:03:16.360><c> that</c><00:03:16.919><c> personal</c><00:03:17.379><c> change</c><00:03:17.800><c> is</c><00:03:18.099><c> difficult</c><00:03:18.599><c> and</c><00:03:19.039><c> painful</c>

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because<00:03:20.439><c> very</c><00:03:20.840><c> often</c><00:03:21.280><c> it</c><00:03:21.639><c> requires</c><00:03:22.219><c> self</c><00:03:22.719><c>-sacrifice.</c>

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But<00:03:25.539><c> they</c><00:03:25.740><c> also</c><00:03:26.099><c> learned</c><00:03:26.340><c> that</c><00:03:26.580><c> personal</c><00:03:27.060><c> change</c><00:03:27.379><c> is</c><00:03:27.719><c> necessary</c>

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to<00:03:28.939><c> develop</c><00:03:29.419><c> and</c><00:03:30.259><c> strengthen</c><00:03:30.639><c> our</c><00:03:30.939><c> relationship</c><00:03:31.419><c> with</c><00:03:31.699><c> God</c>

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and<00:03:33.300><c> our</c><00:03:33.599><c> fellow</c><00:03:33.840><c> believers.</c>

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Let's<00:03:41.379><c> look</c><00:03:41.599><c> at</c><00:03:41.759><c> Jacob.</c>

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Arrogant,<00:03:45.879><c> self</c><00:03:46.099><c>-reliant,</c><00:03:47.680><c> self</c><00:03:48.060><c>-sufficient.</c>

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This<00:03:50.300><c> was</c><00:03:50.520><c> the</c><00:03:50.680><c> man</c><00:03:50.879><c> who</c><00:03:51.240><c> dared</c><00:03:51.479><c> to</c><00:03:51.740><c> wrestle</c><00:03:52.219><c> with</c><00:03:52.620><c> God.</c>

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The<00:03:53.740><c> man</c><00:03:53.960><c> who</c><00:03:54.199><c> said,</c><00:03:54.740><c> give</c><00:03:54.840><c> me</c><00:03:55.120><c> a</c><00:03:55.259><c> blessing</c><00:03:55.680><c> before</c><00:03:56.159><c> I</c><00:03:56.360><c> let</c><00:03:56.500><c> you</c><00:03:56.740><c> go.</c>

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The<00:03:58.280><c> man</c><00:03:58.500><c> who,</c><00:03:58.800><c> even</c><00:03:59.060><c> after</c><00:03:59.419><c> receiving</c><00:03:59.780><c> a</c><00:04:00.039><c> nightly</c><00:04:00.439><c> vision</c><00:04:00.860><c> of</c><00:04:01.159><c> God,</c>

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said<00:04:02.099><c> in</c><00:04:02.280><c> the</c><00:04:02.419><c> morning,</c><00:04:03.479><c> I</c><00:04:03.740><c> promise</c><00:04:04.240><c> to</c><00:04:04.500><c> serve</c><00:04:04.780><c> you</c><00:04:05.020><c> God</c><00:04:05.479><c> if</c>

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you<00:04:06.139><c> bless</c><00:04:06.360><c> me.</c>

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Jacob<00:04:10.379><c> was</c><00:04:11.159><c> bold.</c>

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He<00:04:13.500><c> felt</c><00:04:13.900><c> very</c><00:04:14.819><c> confident</c><00:04:15.360><c> in</c><00:04:15.900><c> his</c><00:04:16.060><c> ability</c><00:04:16.420><c> to</c><00:04:16.720><c> handle</c><00:04:17.000><c> life.</c>

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He<00:04:18.959><c> didn't</c><00:04:19.220><c> see</c><00:04:19.500><c> the</c><00:04:19.720><c> need</c><00:04:20.199><c> for</c><00:04:20.639><c> personal</c><00:04:21.180><c> change</c><00:04:21.819><c> until</c><00:04:22.839><c> God</c>

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brought<00:04:23.720><c> him</c><00:04:23.980><c> face</c><00:04:24.259><c> to</c><00:04:24.420><c> face</c><00:04:24.680><c> with</c><00:04:25.000><c> Laban.</c>

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Laban,<00:04:27.699><c> it</c><00:04:27.959><c> turned</c><00:04:28.220><c> out,</c><00:04:28.980><c> was</c><00:04:29.220><c> a</c><00:04:29.360><c> devious</c><00:04:29.680><c> character</c><00:04:30.240><c> exactly</c>

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like<00:04:31.339><c> Jacob.</c>

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He<00:04:33.639><c> soon</c><00:04:34.019><c> resented</c><00:04:34.519><c> Laban</c><00:04:35.319><c> and</c><00:04:36.100><c> in</c><00:04:36.259><c> the</c><00:04:36.459><c> process</c><00:04:37.060><c> he</c><00:04:37.600><c> came</c><00:04:37.860><c> to</c>

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despise<00:04:38.899><c> the</c><00:04:39.160><c> old</c><00:04:39.560><c> Jacob.</c>

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Years<00:04:44.319><c> later</c><00:04:44.779><c> he</c><00:04:45.319><c> was</c><00:04:45.579><c> confronted</c><00:04:45.939><c> with</c><00:04:46.319><c> Esau</c><00:04:46.560><c> again.</c>

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It<00:04:48.319><c> could</c><00:04:48.540><c> have</c><00:04:48.720><c> ended</c><00:04:48.860><c> very</c><00:04:49.220><c> badly</c><00:04:49.480><c> but</c><00:04:49.800><c> this</c><00:04:50.079><c> time</c><00:04:50.339><c> the</c><00:04:50.500><c> meeting</c><00:04:50.860><c> was</c>

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a<00:04:51.459><c> good</c><00:04:51.600><c> one.</c>

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Esau<00:04:53.360><c> was</c><00:04:53.639><c> content</c><00:04:54.060><c> because</c><00:04:54.540><c> he'd</c><00:04:54.980><c> finally</c><00:04:55.220><c> got</c><00:04:55.480><c> everything</c>

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he<00:04:56.160><c> wanted</c><00:04:56.480><c> out</c><00:04:56.819><c> of</c><00:04:57.000><c> life.</c>

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He'd<00:04:58.439><c> only</c><00:04:58.779><c> ever</c><00:04:59.040><c> desired</c><00:04:59.439><c> the</c><00:04:59.720><c> birthright</c><00:05:00.139><c> for</c><00:05:00.319><c> its</c>

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physical<00:05:00.959><c> benefits</c>

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and<00:05:02.319><c> now</c><00:05:02.560><c> that</c><00:05:02.740><c> he'd</c><00:05:03.060><c> acquired</c><00:05:03.339><c> them</c><00:05:03.519><c> by</c><00:05:03.839><c> other</c><00:05:04.079><c> means</c><00:05:04.379><c> he</c><00:05:04.560><c> was</c><00:05:04.800><c> content.</c>

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There<00:05:06.100><c> was</c><00:05:06.279><c> no</c><00:05:06.459><c> need</c><00:05:06.779><c> to</c><00:05:07.000><c> hold</c><00:05:07.160><c> a</c><00:05:07.319><c> grudge</c><00:05:07.540><c> against</c><00:05:07.860><c> Jacob</c><00:05:08.160><c> anymore.</c>

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In<00:05:10.720><c> a</c><00:05:10.899><c> sense,</c><00:05:11.980><c> their</c><00:05:12.019><c> meeting</c><00:05:12.379><c> was</c><00:05:12.620><c> successful</c><00:05:13.439><c> because</c><00:05:14.300><c> Jacob</c><00:05:14.860><c> had</c>

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changed<00:05:16.040><c> and</c><00:05:16.839><c> Esau</c><00:05:17.259><c> hadn't.</c>

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Jacob<00:05:19.959><c> recognized</c><00:05:20.600><c> the</c><00:05:20.800><c> need</c><00:05:20.980><c> to</c><00:05:21.180><c> put</c><00:05:21.300><c> his</c><00:05:21.620><c> trust</c><00:05:21.839><c> in</c><00:05:22.139><c> God</c>

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before<00:05:23.279><c> approaching</c><00:05:23.860><c> Esau.</c>

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And<00:05:25.300><c> Esau,</c><00:05:26.120><c> well,</c><00:05:26.620><c> he</c><00:05:26.740><c> was</c><00:05:26.920><c> fine.</c>

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But<00:05:30.180><c> when</c><00:05:30.319><c> they</c><00:05:30.600><c> finally</c><00:05:31.040><c> parted,</c><00:05:32.319><c> one</c><00:05:32.579><c> walked</c><00:05:32.939><c> towards</c><00:05:33.360><c> a</c>

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heavenly<00:05:33.800><c> city</c>

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while<00:05:35.100><c> the</c><00:05:35.259><c> other</c><00:05:35.660><c> found</c><00:05:36.139><c> his</c><00:05:36.379><c> destiny</c><00:05:36.899><c> in</c><00:05:37.240><c> the</c><00:05:37.379><c> grave.</c>

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Job.

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Well,<00:05:46.120><c> Job</c><00:05:46.240><c> is</c><00:05:46.420><c> such</c><00:05:46.560><c> an</c><00:05:46.779><c> inspiring</c><00:05:47.319><c> person</c><00:05:47.839><c> that</c><00:05:48.160><c> it's</c><00:05:48.360><c> easy</c>

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to<00:05:48.980><c> overlook</c><00:05:49.399><c> the</c><00:05:49.660><c> reasons</c><00:05:49.920><c> why</c><00:05:50.240><c> he</c><00:05:50.500><c> needed</c><00:05:50.759><c> to</c><00:05:51.060><c> change.</c>

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He<00:05:52.839><c> was</c><00:05:53.339><c> a</c><00:05:53.579><c> righteous</c><00:05:53.959><c> man,</c><00:05:54.279><c> there's</c><00:05:54.480><c> no</c><00:05:54.759><c> doubt</c><00:05:55.019><c> about</c><00:05:55.300><c> that.</c>

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But<00:05:57.000><c> it</c><00:05:57.180><c> seems</c><00:05:57.420><c> that</c><00:05:57.680><c> too</c><00:05:57.839><c> much</c><00:05:58.040><c> of</c><00:05:58.199><c> his</c><00:05:58.360><c> identity</c><00:05:58.899><c> was</c><00:05:59.240><c> bound</c>

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up<00:05:59.680><c> in</c><00:05:59.839><c> his</c><00:06:00.120><c> social</c><00:06:00.519><c> position,</c><00:06:01.180><c> his</c><00:06:01.399><c> role</c><00:06:01.879><c> in</c><00:06:02.139><c> his</c><00:06:02.339><c> community.</c>

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Secretly<00:06:06.000><c> he</c><00:06:06.399><c> feared</c><00:06:06.819><c> that</c><00:06:07.220><c> the</c><00:06:07.379><c> loss</c><00:06:07.579><c> of</c><00:06:07.839><c> social</c><00:06:08.139><c> status</c><00:06:08.639><c> would</c><00:06:09.100><c> result</c><00:06:09.500><c> in</c>

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a<00:06:10.139><c> loss</c><00:06:10.339><c> of</c><00:06:10.660><c> credibility</c>

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and<00:06:12.060><c> loss</c><00:06:12.319><c> of</c><00:06:12.660><c> influence</c><00:06:13.060><c> and</c><00:06:13.319><c> a</c><00:06:13.480><c> loss</c><00:06:13.639><c> of</c><00:06:13.939><c> ability</c><00:06:14.339><c> to</c><00:06:14.620><c> contribute</c><00:06:15.399><c> to</c><00:06:15.879><c> the</c>

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community<00:06:16.439><c> that</c><00:06:16.620><c> he</c><00:06:16.860><c> genuinely</c><00:06:17.240><c> loved.</c>

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And<00:06:19.279><c> at</c><00:06:19.459><c> the</c><00:06:19.579><c> height</c><00:06:19.779><c> of</c><00:06:19.980><c> his</c><00:06:20.160><c> trial</c><00:06:20.399><c> he</c><00:06:20.600><c> literally</c><00:06:21.040><c> says,</c>

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the<00:06:22.000><c> very</c><00:06:22.399><c> thing</c><00:06:22.600><c> I</c><00:06:22.879><c> dreaded</c><00:06:23.459><c> has</c><00:06:23.699><c> happened</c><00:06:24.079><c> to</c><00:06:24.339><c> me.</c>

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As<00:06:28.100><c> he</c><00:06:28.259><c> was</c><00:06:28.459><c> driven</c><00:06:28.699><c> further</c><00:06:29.079><c> into</c><00:06:29.360><c> darkness,</c><00:06:30.680><c> Job</c><00:06:30.819><c> resisted</c>

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and<00:06:32.139><c> resented</c><00:06:32.639><c> God.</c>

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He<00:06:34.060><c> said,</c><00:06:34.360><c> I</c><00:06:34.360><c> cannot</c><00:06:34.720><c> see</c><00:06:35.079><c> God</c><00:06:35.420><c> in</c><00:06:35.759><c> my</c><00:06:36.000><c> life.</c>

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The<00:06:37.259><c> innocent</c><00:06:37.639><c> are</c><00:06:37.939><c> mocked,</c><00:06:38.699><c> the</c><00:06:38.920><c> wicked</c><00:06:39.259><c> escape</c><00:06:39.860><c> punishment.</c>

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He<00:06:42.779><c> mourned</c><00:06:43.100><c> the</c><00:06:43.339><c> loss</c><00:06:43.660><c> of</c><00:06:43.899><c> his</c><00:06:44.079><c> position</c><00:06:44.600><c> in</c><00:06:44.899><c> the</c><00:06:45.120><c> community.</c>

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He<00:06:46.939><c> mourned</c><00:06:47.300><c> the</c><00:06:47.399><c> loss</c><00:06:47.920><c> of</c><00:06:48.220><c> his</c><00:06:48.459><c> wealth.</c>

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He<00:06:50.920><c> spoke</c><00:06:51.199><c> of</c><00:06:51.360><c> the</c><00:06:51.560><c> time</c><00:06:51.899><c> when</c><00:06:52.300><c> the</c><00:06:52.500><c> Almighty</c><00:06:52.860><c> was</c><00:06:53.139><c> with</c><00:06:53.379><c> me,</c>

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but<00:06:55.339><c> God</c><00:06:55.560><c> had</c><00:06:55.779><c> never</c><00:06:55.939><c> left</c><00:06:56.160><c> him</c><00:06:56.339><c> in</c><00:06:56.439><c> the</c><00:06:56.579><c> first</c><00:06:56.800><c> place.</c>

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Job<00:06:59.459><c> lamented</c><00:07:00.000><c> that</c><00:07:00.180><c> men</c><00:07:00.600><c> no</c><00:07:00.939><c> longer</c><00:07:01.240><c> respected</c><00:07:01.660><c> him,</c>

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but<00:07:03.420><c> he</c><00:07:03.579><c> forgot</c><00:07:03.819><c> that</c><00:07:04.000><c> in</c><00:07:04.139><c> God's</c><00:07:04.540><c> eyes</c><00:07:04.759><c> he</c><00:07:04.959><c> had</c><00:07:05.180><c> not</c><00:07:05.379><c> changed.</c>

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Job<00:07:08.959><c> was</c><00:07:09.279><c> compelled</c><00:07:09.680><c> to</c><00:07:10.019><c> change</c><00:07:10.519><c> when</c><00:07:11.019><c> Elihu</c><00:07:11.540><c> confronted</c><00:07:12.120><c> him</c>

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with<00:07:13.160><c> hard</c><00:07:13.620><c> truths</c><00:07:14.139><c> about</c><00:07:14.800><c> his</c><00:07:15.079><c> self</c><00:07:15.379><c>-centered</c><00:07:15.680><c> attitude.</c>

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He<00:07:17.600><c> realized</c><00:07:18.060><c> he</c><00:07:18.220><c> could</c><00:07:18.519><c> still</c><00:07:19.060><c> serve</c><00:07:19.399><c> and</c><00:07:19.980><c> influence</c><00:07:20.300><c> his</c><00:07:20.579><c> community.</c>

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He<00:07:21.839><c> could</c><00:07:22.079><c> still</c><00:07:22.480><c> be</c><00:07:22.759><c> an</c><00:07:23.079><c> example</c><00:07:23.500><c> of</c><00:07:23.860><c> righteousness,</c><00:07:24.540><c> perhaps</c><00:07:24.839><c> now</c>

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more<00:07:25.399><c> than</c><00:07:25.560><c> ever</c><00:07:25.759><c> before.</c>

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He<00:07:28.360><c> had</c><00:07:28.560><c> to</c><00:07:28.879><c> reconnect</c><00:07:29.459><c> with</c><00:07:30.720><c> the</c><00:07:31.120><c> people</c><00:07:31.459><c> he</c><00:07:31.779><c> had</c><00:07:32.019><c> assisted</c>

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for<00:07:32.860><c> so</c><00:07:33.180><c> long.</c>

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It<00:07:35.199><c> took</c><00:07:35.439><c> many</c><00:07:35.779><c> years</c><00:07:36.500><c> for</c><00:07:37.180><c> his</c><00:07:37.399><c> fortune</c><00:07:37.779><c> to</c><00:07:38.000><c> be</c><00:07:38.180><c> restored,</c>

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and<00:07:39.379><c> God</c><00:07:39.579><c> didn't</c><00:07:39.839><c> even</c><00:07:40.139><c> promise</c><00:07:40.420><c> it.</c>

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This<00:07:41.439><c> was</c><00:07:41.600><c> the</c><00:07:41.779><c> final</c><00:07:42.060><c> test</c><00:07:42.360><c> of</c><00:07:42.600><c> Job</c><00:07:42.860><c> to</c><00:07:43.699><c> endure</c><00:07:44.079><c> those</c><00:07:44.360><c> long</c><00:07:44.579><c> years</c><00:07:44.899><c> of</c><00:07:45.120><c> rebuilding</c><00:07:45.420><c> a</c><00:07:45.699><c> family,</c>

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rebuilding<00:07:47.240><c> his</c><00:07:47.459><c> relationship</c><00:07:48.040><c> with</c><00:07:48.220><c> his</c><00:07:48.420><c> wife,</c><00:07:49.540><c> and</c><00:07:49.779><c> rebuilding</c><00:07:50.300><c> his</c>

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family<00:07:51.079><c> business.</c>

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And<00:07:53.199><c> perhaps</c><00:07:53.439><c> during</c><00:07:53.740><c> that</c><00:07:54.000><c> time</c><00:07:54.240><c> he</c><00:07:54.399><c> gained</c><00:07:54.699><c> greater</c><00:07:55.120><c> insight</c><00:07:55.800><c> into</c>

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the<00:07:56.519><c> needs</c><00:07:56.980><c> of</c><00:07:57.560><c> his</c><00:07:57.759><c> community,</c>

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from<00:07:59.160><c> the</c><00:07:59.439><c> highest</c><00:07:59.759><c> to</c><00:08:00.100><c> the</c><00:08:00.300><c> lowest.</c>

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Solomon

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As<00:08:11.500><c> a</c><00:08:11.639><c> young</c><00:08:11.939><c> king,</c><00:08:13.300><c> Solomon</c><00:08:13.579><c> asked</c><00:08:14.319><c> for</c><00:08:14.639><c> the</c><00:08:14.839><c> wisdom</c><00:08:15.240><c> to</c><00:08:15.579><c> connect</c><00:08:15.939><c> with</c>

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his<00:08:16.360><c> people</c><00:08:16.939><c> and</c><00:08:17.339><c> serve</c><00:08:17.680><c> them</c><00:08:17.920><c> faithfully.</c>

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And<00:08:19.339><c> with</c><00:08:19.480><c> God's</c><00:08:19.879><c> blessing,</c><00:08:20.519><c> he</c><00:08:20.620><c> grew</c><00:08:20.959><c> in</c><00:08:21.240><c> knowledge</c><00:08:21.600><c> and</c><00:08:21.959><c> understanding.</c>

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But<00:08:25.279><c> many</c><00:08:25.439><c> years</c><00:08:25.680><c> later,</c><00:08:26.939><c> blind</c><00:08:27.079><c> selfishness</c><00:08:28.000><c> had</c><00:08:28.560><c> stifled</c>

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Solomon's<00:08:29.560><c> capacity</c><00:08:30.160><c> for</c><00:08:30.639><c> personal</c><00:08:31.100><c> growth.</c>

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The<00:08:33.019><c> kingdom</c><00:08:33.360><c> was</c><00:08:33.559><c> rich,</c><00:08:34.759><c> but</c><00:08:34.879><c> taxes</c><00:08:35.220><c> were</c><00:08:35.500><c> heavy.</c>

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Solomon<00:08:37.059><c> loved</c><00:08:37.399><c> his</c><00:08:37.700><c> people,</c><00:08:38.059><c> but</c><00:08:38.279><c> seemed</c><00:08:38.580><c> oblivious</c><00:08:39.259><c> to</c>

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their<00:08:39.659><c> burden.</c>

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God<00:08:42.179><c> granted</c><00:08:42.620><c> peace</c><00:08:43.240><c> in</c><00:08:43.679><c> his</c><00:08:43.940><c> lifetime,</c><00:08:45.240><c> but</c><00:08:45.419><c> warned</c><00:08:45.659><c> that</c><00:08:45.860><c> his</c><00:08:46.080><c> death</c><00:08:46.580><c> would</c><00:08:47.059><c> be</c>

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followed<00:08:47.620><c> by</c><00:08:48.179><c> civil</c><00:08:48.539><c> war.</c>

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Solomon<00:08:50.639><c> was</c><00:08:50.899><c> a</c><00:08:51.100><c> monarch,</c><00:08:51.600><c> a</c><00:08:51.879><c> representative</c><00:08:52.399><c> of</c><00:08:52.840><c> God.</c>

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But<00:08:54.559><c> his</c><00:08:54.740><c> son</c><00:08:55.019><c> turned</c><00:08:55.259><c> out</c><00:08:55.419><c> to</c><00:08:55.539><c> be</c><00:08:55.679><c> a</c><00:08:55.879><c> politician,</c><00:08:57.200><c> a</c><00:08:57.440><c> representative</c><00:08:57.940><c> of</c><00:08:58.419><c> men.</c>

00:09:03.879 --> 00:09:07.860
When<00:09:04.480><c> Solomon</c><00:09:04.860><c> sat</c><00:09:05.159><c> down</c><00:09:05.480><c> to</c><00:09:05.700><c> write</c><00:09:05.960><c> Proverbs</c><00:09:06.399><c> and</c><00:09:06.580><c> Ecclesiastes,</c>

00:09:08.240 --> 00:09:11.340
the<00:09:08.379><c> irony</c><00:09:08.679><c> of</c><00:09:08.840><c> his</c><00:09:08.960><c> situation</c><00:09:09.559><c> must</c><00:09:09.799><c> have</c><00:09:09.960><c> hit</c><00:09:10.059><c> him</c><00:09:10.159><c> like</c><00:09:10.379><c> a</c><00:09:10.559><c> brick.</c>

00:09:11.779 --> 00:09:16.120
How<00:09:12.019><c> could</c><00:09:12.320><c> such</c><00:09:12.580><c> a</c><00:09:12.759><c> wise</c><00:09:12.940><c> man</c><00:09:13.639><c> make</c><00:09:14.080><c> such</c><00:09:14.480><c> foolish</c><00:09:14.899><c> decisions?</c>

00:09:17.259 --> 00:09:20.200
He<00:09:17.539><c> understood</c><00:09:18.019><c> the</c><00:09:18.259><c> need</c><00:09:18.620><c> for</c><00:09:18.960><c> personal</c><00:09:19.399><c> change,</c>

00:09:20.759 --> 00:09:24.440
but<00:09:21.360><c> it</c><00:09:21.559><c> seems</c><00:09:21.740><c> he</c><00:09:21.899><c> could</c><00:09:22.139><c> not</c><00:09:22.320><c> bring</c><00:09:22.500><c> himself</c><00:09:22.899><c> to</c><00:09:23.100><c> take</c><00:09:23.360><c> action</c><00:09:24.039><c> until</c>

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it<00:09:24.600><c> was</c><00:09:24.799><c> too</c><00:09:25.080><c> late.</c>

00:09:26.320 --> 00:09:30.200
It<00:09:26.919><c> had</c><00:09:27.100><c> been</c><00:09:27.240><c> much</c><00:09:27.519><c> easier</c><00:09:27.840><c> to</c><00:09:28.039><c> just</c><00:09:28.960><c> let</c><00:09:29.399><c> go.</c>

00:09:30.700 --> 00:09:36.120
A<00:09:31.419><c> little</c><00:09:31.740><c> sleep,</c><00:09:33.419><c> a</c><00:09:33.440><c> little</c><00:09:33.720><c> slumber,</c><00:09:35.279><c> a</c><00:09:35.379><c> little</c><00:09:35.539><c> folding</c><00:09:35.919><c> of</c>

00:09:36.120 --> 00:09:38.399
the<00:09:36.299><c> hands</c><00:09:36.879><c> to</c><00:09:37.240><c> relax.</c>

00:09:42.019 --> 00:09:45.639
Yet<00:09:42.200><c> Solomon</c><00:09:42.519><c> makes</c><00:09:43.120><c> no</c><00:09:43.639><c> excuses</c><00:09:44.240><c> for</c><00:09:44.539><c> himself</c><00:09:45.019><c> in</c><00:09:45.279><c> his</c><00:09:45.480><c> books</c>

00:09:45.639 --> 00:09:46.779
of<00:09:45.860><c> wisdom.</c>

00:09:47.100 --> 00:09:49.940
And<00:09:47.299><c> that</c><00:09:47.379><c> is</c><00:09:47.580><c> precisely</c><00:09:48.080><c> why</c><00:09:48.419><c> he</c><00:09:48.679><c> retains</c><00:09:49.139><c> his</c><00:09:49.480><c> credibility</c>

00:09:49.940 --> 00:09:53.559
as<00:09:50.679><c> an</c><00:09:50.879><c> example</c><00:09:51.299><c> for</c><00:09:51.480><c> us</c><00:09:52.179><c> today.</c>

00:09:57.299 --> 00:09:58.240
Naaman

00:09:58.700 --> 00:10:01.759
Naaman's<00:09:59.460><c> need</c><00:09:59.700><c> for</c><00:09:59.860><c> personal</c><00:10:00.340><c> change</c><00:10:00.740><c> began</c><00:10:01.120><c> as</c><00:10:01.399><c> a</c><00:10:01.500><c> purely</c>

00:10:01.759 --> 00:10:03.419
practical<00:10:02.259><c> one.</c>

00:10:03.659 --> 00:10:06.519
He<00:10:03.759><c> was</c><00:10:03.919><c> afflicted</c><00:10:04.440><c> with</c><00:10:04.639><c> an</c><00:10:04.879><c> incurable</c><00:10:05.440><c> skin</c><00:10:05.820><c> disease</c>

00:10:06.519 --> 00:10:10.519
and<00:10:07.480><c> journeyed</c><00:10:07.779><c> from</c><00:10:08.000><c> Syria</c><00:10:08.480><c> to</c><00:10:08.940><c> Israel</c><00:10:09.399><c> in</c><00:10:09.700><c> search</c><00:10:10.059><c> of</c><00:10:10.379><c> a</c>

00:10:10.519 --> 00:10:12.000
miraculous<00:10:11.120><c> cure.</c>

00:10:13.419 --> 00:10:17.019
But<00:10:13.559><c> upon</c><00:10:13.779><c> arrival,</c><00:10:15.059><c> all</c><00:10:15.179><c> his</c><00:10:15.500><c> expectations</c><00:10:16.200><c> were</c><00:10:16.620><c> turned</c>

00:10:17.019 --> 00:10:18.559
upside<00:10:17.679><c> down.</c>

00:10:21.100 --> 00:10:24.139
The<00:10:21.320><c> famous</c><00:10:21.679><c> prophet</c><00:10:22.120><c> refused</c><00:10:22.840><c> to</c><00:10:23.100><c> meet</c><00:10:23.259><c> him.</c>

00:10:24.139 --> 00:10:26.720
Instead,<00:10:25.220><c> he</c><00:10:25.220><c> was</c><00:10:25.500><c> greeted</c><00:10:25.740><c> by</c><00:10:26.080><c> a</c><00:10:26.179><c> servant,</c>

00:10:27.039 --> 00:10:30.830
whose<00:10:27.200><c> bigotry</c><00:10:27.700><c> towards</c><00:10:28.019><c> Syrians</c><00:10:28.480><c> was</c><00:10:28.940><c> probably</c><00:10:29.419><c> not</c><00:10:29.779><c> well</c><00:10:30.039><c> disguised.</c>

00:10:34.279 --> 00:10:38.259
We<00:10:34.519><c> don't</c><00:10:34.740><c> know</c><00:10:35.100><c> exactly</c><00:10:35.919><c> how</c><00:10:36.559><c> the</c><00:10:36.779><c> encounter</c><00:10:37.200><c> unfolded,</c>

00:10:38.259 --> 00:10:42.100
but<00:10:38.899><c> I</c><00:10:39.100><c> can't</c><00:10:39.379><c> shake</c><00:10:39.740><c> the</c><00:10:40.039><c> image</c><00:10:40.279><c> of</c><00:10:40.500><c> Gehazi</c><00:10:40.919><c> leaning</c><00:10:41.259><c> casually</c><00:10:41.759><c> against</c>

00:10:42.100 --> 00:10:43.059
Elijah's<00:10:42.700><c> house</c>

00:10:43.059 --> 00:10:45.379
with<00:10:43.419><c> a</c><00:10:43.620><c> hand</c><00:10:43.840><c>-rolled</c><00:10:43.980><c> cigarette</c><00:10:44.440><c> in</c><00:10:44.580><c> his</c><00:10:44.799><c> mouth,</c>

00:10:45.679 --> 00:10:48.100
jerking<00:10:46.019><c> his</c><00:10:46.279><c> thumb</c><00:10:46.440><c> in</c><00:10:46.600><c> the</c><00:10:46.759><c> direction</c><00:10:47.100><c> of</c><00:10:47.259><c> the</c><00:10:47.399><c> Jordan</c><00:10:47.600><c> and</c><00:10:47.840><c> saying,</c>

00:10:48.399 --> 00:10:52.679
seen<00:10:48.679><c> worse,</c><00:10:49.620><c> go</c><00:10:49.799><c> and</c><00:10:49.960><c> take</c><00:10:50.120><c> a</c><00:10:50.259><c> dip</c><00:10:50.419><c> mate,</c><00:10:50.700><c> you'll</c><00:10:50.860><c> get</c><00:10:51.000><c> over</c><00:10:51.259><c> it.</c>

00:10:54.879 --> 00:10:59.899
And<00:10:55.480><c> Naaman,</c><00:10:55.879><c> understandably,</c><00:10:58.340><c> was</c><00:10:58.500><c> enraged.</c>

00:11:01.720 --> 00:11:05.639
But<00:11:01.860><c> by</c><00:11:02.139><c> the</c><00:11:02.179><c> end</c><00:11:02.340><c> of</c><00:11:02.580><c> the</c><00:11:02.580><c> story,</c><00:11:04.159><c> he's</c><00:11:04.559><c> cleansed.</c>

00:11:06.779 --> 00:11:09.779
What<00:11:07.139><c> happened?</c><00:11:08.259><c> What</c><00:11:08.539><c> changed</c><00:11:09.120><c> his</c><00:11:09.419><c> mind?</c>

00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:12.019
Why<00:11:10.379><c> was</c><00:11:10.639><c> Naaman</c><00:11:10.960><c> cleansed?</c>

00:11:12.620 --> 00:11:14.679
Well,<00:11:12.879><c> he</c><00:11:12.879><c> was</c><00:11:13.159><c> cleansed</c><00:11:13.500><c> because</c><00:11:13.860><c> he</c><00:11:14.080><c> showed</c><00:11:14.299><c> faith.</c>

00:11:14.779 --> 00:11:16.799
But<00:11:14.919><c> what</c><00:11:15.220><c> prompted</c><00:11:15.639><c> that</c><00:11:15.960><c> faith?</c>

00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:20.360
It<00:11:18.100><c> wasn't</c><00:11:18.379><c> his</c><00:11:18.580><c> meeting</c><00:11:18.879><c> with</c><00:11:19.059><c> the</c><00:11:19.139><c> King</c><00:11:19.299><c> of</c><00:11:19.460><c> Israel.</c>

00:11:20.879 --> 00:11:23.259
It<00:11:21.059><c> certainly</c><00:11:21.299><c> wasn't</c><00:11:21.600><c> his</c><00:11:21.840><c> meeting</c><00:11:22.139><c> with</c><00:11:22.379><c> Gehazi.</c>

00:11:24.139 --> 00:11:27.679
It<00:11:24.559><c> was</c><00:11:24.740><c> his</c><00:11:24.940><c> relationship</c><00:11:25.840><c> with</c><00:11:26.399><c> his</c><00:11:26.740><c> servants,</c>

00:11:27.700 --> 00:11:32.159
a<00:11:27.879><c> deeply</c><00:11:28.220><c> personal</c><00:11:28.799><c> connection</c><00:11:29.460><c> that</c><00:11:30.039><c> was</c><00:11:30.399><c> uncharacteristic</c><00:11:31.360><c> of</c><00:11:31.620><c> the</c><00:11:31.779><c> ancient</c>

00:11:32.159 --> 00:11:33.340
Near<00:11:32.460><c> East.</c>

00:11:35.080 --> 00:11:39.720
It<00:11:35.120><c> takes</c><00:11:35.580><c> a</c><00:11:36.000><c> great</c><00:11:36.279><c> deal</c><00:11:36.940><c> of</c><00:11:37.259><c> humility</c><00:11:37.919><c> to</c><00:11:38.639><c> accept</c><00:11:39.139><c> advice</c>

00:11:39.720 --> 00:11:43.600
from<00:11:40.179><c> those</c><00:11:40.519><c> perceived</c><00:11:40.980><c> as</c><00:11:41.460><c> lower</c><00:11:41.759><c> than</c><00:11:42.159><c> ourselves.</c>

00:11:44.879 --> 00:11:47.360
But<00:11:45.059><c> Naaman</c><00:11:45.440><c> had</c><00:11:46.000><c> that</c><00:11:46.379><c> humility.</c>

00:11:49.279 --> 00:11:51.919
His<00:11:49.559><c> wise</c><00:11:49.820><c> little</c><00:11:50.240><c> slave</c><00:11:50.580><c> girl,</c><00:11:51.059><c> who'd</c><00:11:51.360><c> prompted</c><00:11:51.600><c> this</c>

00:11:51.919 --> 00:11:52.980
entire<00:11:52.259><c> escapade,</c>

00:11:52.980 --> 00:11:54.899
loved<00:11:53.679><c> her</c><00:11:53.879><c> master</c><00:11:54.299><c> and</c><00:11:54.559><c> mistress,</c>

00:11:55.139 --> 00:11:58.600
which<00:11:55.340><c> tells</c><00:11:55.559><c> us</c><00:11:55.799><c> a</c><00:11:55.899><c> great</c><00:11:56.100><c> deal</c><00:11:56.639><c> about</c><00:11:56.919><c> the</c><00:11:57.080><c> way</c><00:11:57.259><c> they</c><00:11:57.460><c> treated</c><00:11:57.779><c> her.</c>

00:11:59.299 --> 00:12:01.960
And<00:11:59.460><c> Naaman's</c><00:11:59.940><c> servants</c><00:12:00.159><c> loved</c><00:12:00.519><c> him</c><00:12:00.799><c> too.</c>

00:12:03.139 --> 00:12:07.740
So<00:12:03.360><c> when</c><00:12:03.580><c> they</c><00:12:03.899><c> spoke,</c><00:12:04.980><c> he</c><00:12:05.279><c> listened</c><00:12:05.659><c> because</c><00:12:06.139><c> he</c><00:12:06.620><c> knew</c><00:12:07.139><c> they</c>

00:12:07.740 --> 00:12:08.799
loved<00:12:07.980><c> him.</c>

00:12:11.059 --> 00:12:13.820
When<00:12:11.279><c> we</c><00:12:11.580><c> can't</c><00:12:11.879><c> see</c><00:12:12.100><c> the</c><00:12:12.279><c> need</c><00:12:12.559><c> for</c><00:12:12.879><c> personal</c><00:12:13.320><c> change,</c>

00:12:13.960 --> 00:12:17.559
or<00:12:14.159><c> when</c><00:12:14.279><c> we</c><00:12:14.580><c> resist</c><00:12:14.960><c> the</c><00:12:15.159><c> necessary</c><00:12:15.639><c> steps</c><00:12:16.019><c> to</c><00:12:16.259><c> undertake</c><00:12:16.639><c> it,</c>

00:12:17.840 --> 00:12:21.840
our<00:12:18.019><c> family</c><00:12:18.360><c> and</c><00:12:18.679><c> friends</c><00:12:19.059><c> must</c><00:12:19.519><c> guide</c><00:12:19.919><c> us</c><00:12:20.259><c> to</c><00:12:20.379><c> the</c><00:12:20.539><c> right</c><00:12:20.779><c> path.</c>

00:12:22.679 --> 00:12:24.980
Naaman's<00:12:23.399><c> decision</c><00:12:23.860><c> to</c><00:12:24.120><c> serve</c><00:12:24.460><c> God</c>

00:12:24.980 --> 00:12:27.919
resulted<00:12:25.519><c> in</c><00:12:25.879><c> a</c><00:12:25.940><c> process</c><00:12:26.500><c> of</c><00:12:27.039><c> spiritual</c><00:12:27.539><c> growth</c>

00:12:27.919 --> 00:12:31.179
that<00:12:28.259><c> did</c><00:12:28.600><c> not</c><00:12:28.840><c> stop</c><00:12:29.360><c> when</c><00:12:29.620><c> he</c><00:12:29.779><c> returned</c><00:12:30.200><c> to</c><00:12:30.320><c> Syria.</c>

00:12:31.980 --> 00:12:33.960
Just<00:12:32.240><c> as</c><00:12:32.399><c> the</c><00:12:32.580><c> growth</c><00:12:32.740><c> we</c><00:12:33.059><c> began</c><00:12:33.320><c> at</c><00:12:33.559><c> baptism</c>

00:12:33.960 --> 00:12:38.159
must<00:12:35.019><c> not</c><00:12:35.299><c> be</c><00:12:35.539><c> impeded</c><00:12:36.279><c> by</c><00:12:36.559><c> an</c><00:12:36.860><c> unbelieving</c><00:12:37.299><c> world.</c>

00:12:46.639 --> 00:12:47.860
Zacchaeus.

00:12:48.460 --> 00:12:54.220
What<00:12:49.059><c> was</c><00:12:49.460><c> it</c><00:12:49.659><c> that</c><00:12:49.899><c> prompted</c><00:12:50.279><c> the</c><00:12:50.519><c> dramatic</c><00:12:51.240><c> change</c><00:12:52.159><c> in</c><00:12:52.460><c> Zacchaeus?</c>

00:12:54.580 --> 00:12:57.960
Perhaps<00:12:54.879><c> he</c><00:12:55.019><c> was</c><00:12:55.259><c> disillusioned</c><00:12:55.919><c> with</c><00:12:56.080><c> his</c><00:12:56.299><c> superficial</c><00:12:56.820><c> life.</c>

00:12:58.879 --> 00:13:01.360
Perhaps<00:12:59.299><c> his</c><00:12:59.840><c> conscience</c><00:13:00.279><c> had</c><00:13:00.519><c> been</c><00:13:00.799><c> pricked</c><00:13:01.000><c> by</c>

00:13:01.360 --> 00:13:04.519
what<00:13:01.879><c> little</c><00:13:02.200><c> of</c><00:13:02.379><c> Jesus'</c><00:13:03.179><c> preaching</c><00:13:03.220><c> had</c><00:13:03.700><c> trickled</c><00:13:04.039><c> down</c><00:13:04.279><c> to</c>

00:13:04.519 --> 00:13:06.500
Jericho<00:13:04.820><c> by</c><00:13:05.120><c> word</c><00:13:05.340><c> of</c><00:13:05.559><c> mouth.</c>

00:13:07.460 --> 00:13:10.519
Perhaps<00:13:07.899><c> he</c><00:13:08.019><c> was</c><00:13:08.299><c> sceptical</c><00:13:09.120><c> and</c><00:13:09.399><c> had</c><00:13:09.639><c> wanted</c><00:13:09.799><c> to</c><00:13:10.039><c> confront</c>

00:13:10.519 --> 00:13:12.700
his<00:13:10.899><c> doubts</c><00:13:11.139><c> one</c><00:13:11.460><c> way</c><00:13:11.700><c> or</c><00:13:11.820><c> another.</c>

00:13:14.240 --> 00:13:17.159
I<00:13:14.399><c> think</c><00:13:14.539><c> the</c><00:13:14.639><c> most</c><00:13:14.879><c> remarkable</c><00:13:15.460><c> thing</c><00:13:15.860><c> about</c><00:13:16.179><c> Jesus'</c><00:13:16.679><c> encounter</c>

00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:20.940
with<00:13:17.620><c> Zacchaeus</c><00:13:18.399><c> is</c><00:13:19.000><c> its</c><00:13:19.379><c> unremarkability.</c>

00:13:21.659 --> 00:13:22.940
There's<00:13:21.759><c> no</c><00:13:22.000><c> miracle.</c>

00:13:23.340 --> 00:13:24.840
There's<00:13:23.559><c> no</c><00:13:23.860><c> sign.</c>

00:13:24.940 --> 00:13:27.620
There's<00:13:25.220><c> no</c><00:13:25.620><c> unique</c><00:13:26.039><c> spiritual</c><00:13:26.539><c> message.</c>

00:13:27.740 --> 00:13:29.259
It's<00:13:27.940><c> utterly</c><00:13:28.279><c> mundane.</c>

00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:36.659
Zacchaeus<00:13:31.500><c> was</c><00:13:32.039><c> called</c><00:13:32.539><c> by</c><00:13:33.240><c> a</c><00:13:33.519><c> simple</c><00:13:34.139><c> invitation</c><00:13:34.919><c> to</c><00:13:35.679><c> fellowship.</c>

00:13:38.120 --> 00:13:39.279
That<00:13:38.519><c> was</c><00:13:38.659><c> all</c><00:13:38.799><c> he</c><00:13:39.000><c> needed.</c>

00:13:39.460 --> 00:13:43.000
Someone<00:13:39.840><c> who</c><00:13:40.840><c> genuinely</c><00:13:41.340><c> cared</c><00:13:41.759><c> about</c><00:13:42.019><c> him.</c>

00:13:45.139 --> 00:13:49.240
And<00:13:45.779><c> look</c><00:13:46.100><c> at</c><00:13:46.720><c> the</c><00:13:46.779><c> response</c><00:13:47.340><c> of</c><00:13:47.539><c> Zacchaeus.</c>

00:13:49.779 --> 00:13:51.700
He<00:13:50.019><c> admitted</c><00:13:50.519><c> his</c><00:13:50.820><c> sin.</c>

00:13:52.059 --> 00:13:54.059
He<00:13:52.200><c> promised</c><00:13:52.500><c> to</c><00:13:52.840><c> repay</c><00:13:53.240><c> fourfold</c>

00:13:54.120 --> 00:13:56.539
the<00:13:54.779><c> exact</c><00:13:55.039><c> amount</c><00:13:55.340><c> required</c><00:13:55.820><c> by</c><00:13:56.080><c> the</c><00:13:56.240><c> law</c>

00:13:56.539 --> 00:13:59.279
showing<00:13:56.980><c> that</c><00:13:57.200><c> he</c><00:13:57.379><c> knew</c><00:13:57.580><c> his</c><00:13:57.799><c> obligations.</c>

00:14:04.840 --> 00:14:08.740
And<00:14:05.480><c> he</c><00:14:05.659><c> gave</c><00:14:05.820><c> half</c><00:14:06.059><c> of</c><00:14:06.240><c> his</c><00:14:06.399><c> belongings</c><00:14:06.879><c> to</c><00:14:07.720><c> the</c><00:14:07.919><c> poor.</c>

00:14:10.259 --> 00:14:12.980
All<00:14:10.740><c> of</c><00:14:10.879><c> this</c><00:14:11.039><c> was</c><00:14:11.279><c> done</c><00:14:11.779><c> publicly.</c>

00:14:13.539 --> 00:14:17.279
Everyone<00:14:14.139><c> present</c><00:14:14.740><c> was</c><00:14:15.320><c> a</c><00:14:15.519><c> witness</c><00:14:16.000><c> to</c><00:14:16.480><c> his</c><00:14:16.700><c> confession</c>

00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:20.320
and<00:14:18.100><c> the</c><00:14:18.360><c> change</c><00:14:18.759><c> that</c><00:14:18.980><c> he</c><00:14:19.059><c> had</c><00:14:19.320><c> made.</c>

00:14:21.460 --> 00:14:24.559
Here<00:14:21.600><c> is</c><00:14:21.759><c> a</c><00:14:21.919><c> man</c><00:14:22.100><c> who</c><00:14:22.320><c> is</c><00:14:22.600><c> honest</c><00:14:22.899><c> enough</c><00:14:23.320><c> to</c><00:14:23.600><c> admit</c><00:14:23.980><c> the</c><00:14:24.220><c> need</c>

00:14:24.559 --> 00:14:26.639
for<00:14:25.059><c> personal</c><00:14:25.500><c> change.</c>

00:14:26.820 --> 00:14:30.460
A<00:14:26.899><c> man</c><00:14:27.220><c> who,</c><00:14:27.480><c> knowing</c><00:14:27.720><c> his</c><00:14:28.019><c> weakness,</c><00:14:29.120><c> removed</c><00:14:29.399><c> from</c><00:14:29.759><c> his</c><00:14:30.059><c> life</c>

00:14:30.460 --> 00:14:35.700
by<00:14:31.220><c> making</c><00:14:31.539><c> a</c><00:14:31.799><c> change</c><00:14:32.019><c> which</c><00:14:32.220><c> was</c><00:14:32.500><c> so</c><00:14:32.840><c> great</c><00:14:33.159><c> he</c><00:14:33.460><c> could</c><00:14:33.740><c> not</c><00:14:33.960><c> possibly</c><00:14:34.399><c> go</c><00:14:34.679><c> back.</c>

00:14:36.460 --> 00:14:39.419
And<00:14:36.700><c> sometimes</c><00:14:37.100><c> this</c><00:14:37.379><c> is</c><00:14:37.639><c> the</c><00:14:37.759><c> only</c><00:14:38.120><c> form</c><00:14:38.360><c> of</c><00:14:38.659><c> change</c><00:14:39.059><c> that</c>

00:14:39.419 --> 00:14:40.120
will<00:14:39.659><c> work.</c>

00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:46.000
A<00:14:41.259><c> change</c><00:14:41.500><c> so</c><00:14:41.840><c> drastic,</c><00:14:43.039><c> so</c><00:14:43.440><c> thorough,</c><00:14:44.659><c> so</c><00:14:44.879><c> painful</c>

00:14:46.070 --> 00:14:50.279
that<00:14:46.460><c> returning</c><00:14:46.899><c> to</c><00:14:47.200><c> our</c><00:14:47.419><c> old</c><00:14:47.679><c> ways</c><00:14:48.059><c> would</c><00:14:48.460><c> be</c><00:14:48.940><c> even</c><00:14:49.240><c> harder.</c>

00:14:51.460 --> 00:14:55.059
Sometimes<00:14:52.039><c> we</c><00:14:52.700><c> must</c><00:14:52.980><c> turn</c><00:14:53.279><c> to</c><00:14:53.440><c> our</c><00:14:53.620><c> community</c><00:14:54.000><c> and</c><00:14:54.279><c> say,</c>

00:14:55.259 --> 00:15:00.620
I've<00:14:55.460><c> changed.</c><00:14:57.240><c> Please</c><00:14:57.700><c> help</c><00:14:58.100><c> me</c><00:14:58.460><c> to</c><00:14:58.720><c> stay</c><00:14:58.840><c> this</c><00:14:59.120><c> way.</c>

00:15:06.700 --> 00:15:07.539
Judas.

00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:15.500
Judas<00:15:09.000><c> was</c><00:15:09.259><c> a</c><00:15:09.440><c> thief,</c><00:15:10.600><c> a</c><00:15:10.799><c> liar,</c><00:15:11.700><c> a</c><00:15:11.860><c> traitor,</c><00:15:14.019><c> a</c><00:15:14.120><c> disciple</c><00:15:14.440><c> of</c><00:15:14.620><c> Christ.</c>

00:15:17.539 --> 00:15:20.639
He<00:15:17.700><c> witnessed</c><00:15:18.120><c> the</c><00:15:18.440><c> miracles</c><00:15:18.899><c> of</c><00:15:19.220><c> Jesus'</c><00:15:20.059><c> ministry.</c>

00:15:20.779 --> 00:15:23.379
He<00:15:21.000><c> received</c><00:15:21.500><c> the</c><00:15:21.740><c> power</c><00:15:21.940><c> of</c><00:15:22.120><c> the</c><00:15:22.220><c> Holy</c><00:15:22.379><c> Spirit.</c>

00:15:23.720 --> 00:15:25.299
He<00:15:23.899><c> heard</c><00:15:24.279><c> the</c><00:15:24.480><c> powerful</c><00:15:24.879><c> teaching.</c>

00:15:25.600 --> 00:15:29.820
He<00:15:25.879><c> lived,</c><00:15:26.519><c> breathed,</c><00:15:26.960><c> ate</c><00:15:26.960><c> and</c><00:15:27.279><c> drank</c><00:15:27.480><c> alongside</c><00:15:28.159><c> the</c><00:15:28.399><c> Messiah</c><00:15:28.700><c> for</c><00:15:29.100><c> three</c><00:15:29.500><c> and</c><00:15:29.700><c> a</c>

00:15:29.820 --> 00:15:30.820
half<00:15:30.000><c> years.</c>

00:15:32.019 --> 00:15:35.860
He<00:15:32.600><c> sold</c><00:15:32.860><c> Jesus</c><00:15:33.460><c> for</c><00:15:33.779><c> thirty</c><00:15:34.080><c> pieces</c><00:15:34.559><c> of</c><00:15:35.000><c> silver.</c>

00:15:38.120 --> 00:15:42.080
I<00:15:38.759><c> can't</c><00:15:39.100><c> decide</c><00:15:39.580><c> if</c><00:15:40.019><c> Judas</c><00:15:40.299><c> was</c><00:15:40.580><c> a</c><00:15:40.759><c> complex</c><00:15:41.240><c> man</c><00:15:41.639><c> full</c><00:15:41.899><c> of</c>

00:15:42.080 --> 00:15:44.019
intricate<00:15:42.480><c> contradictions</c>

00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:47.620
or<00:15:44.080><c> just</c><00:15:44.480><c> a</c><00:15:44.779><c> wayward</c><00:15:45.200><c> moral</c><00:15:45.539><c> wobbler</c><00:15:45.860><c> like</c><00:15:46.120><c> the</c><00:15:46.220><c> rest</c><00:15:46.460><c> of</c><00:15:46.580><c> us.</c>

00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:50.539
Did<00:15:48.259><c> he</c><00:15:48.419><c> have</c><00:15:48.600><c> any</c><00:15:48.879><c> kind</c><00:15:49.059><c> of</c><00:15:49.320><c> connection</c><00:15:49.679><c> with</c><00:15:49.980><c> the</c><00:15:50.100><c> rest</c><00:15:50.320><c> of</c>

00:15:50.539 --> 00:15:50.960
the<00:15:50.659><c> disciples</c>

00:15:50.960 --> 00:15:53.259
or<00:15:51.379><c> was</c><00:15:51.600><c> he</c><00:15:51.720><c> always</c><00:15:52.080><c> on</c><00:15:52.259><c> the</c><00:15:52.399><c> fringe?</c>

00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:57.679
What<00:15:54.240><c> attempts</c><00:15:54.580><c> were</c><00:15:54.899><c> made</c><00:15:55.240><c> on</c><00:15:55.539><c> either</c><00:15:55.860><c> side</c><00:15:56.379><c> to</c><00:15:56.860><c> improve</c><00:15:57.399><c> his</c>

00:15:57.679 --> 00:15:59.919
relationship<00:15:58.379><c> with</c><00:15:58.820><c> the</c><00:15:59.000><c> others?</c>

00:16:00.679 --> 00:16:05.059
And<00:16:01.080><c> how</c><00:16:01.200><c> did</c><00:16:01.419><c> Judas</c><00:16:01.940><c> justify</c><00:16:02.980><c> his</c><00:16:03.419><c> betrayal</c><00:16:03.919><c> of</c><00:16:04.100><c> Christ?</c>

00:16:05.820 --> 00:16:09.480
Perhaps<00:16:06.639><c> he</c><00:16:06.860><c> assumed</c><00:16:07.399><c> Jesus</c><00:16:07.799><c> would</c><00:16:08.059><c> miraculously</c><00:16:08.799><c> resist</c>

00:16:09.480 --> 00:16:12.080
arrest<00:16:09.960><c> and</c><00:16:10.480><c> escape</c><00:16:10.899><c> the</c><00:16:11.159><c> cross.</c>

00:16:12.740 --> 00:16:15.539
This<00:16:12.960><c> might</c><00:16:13.240><c> be</c><00:16:13.440><c> why</c><00:16:13.559><c> he</c><00:16:13.840><c> immediately</c><00:16:14.360><c> regretted</c><00:16:14.899><c> his</c><00:16:15.100><c> decision</c>

00:16:15.539 --> 00:16:19.429
as<00:16:16.059><c> soon</c><00:16:16.259><c> as</c><00:16:16.460><c> he</c><00:16:16.519><c> saw</c><00:16:16.779><c> Jesus</c><00:16:17.220><c> handed</c><00:16:17.620><c> over</c><00:16:18.220><c> to</c><00:16:18.519><c> Pilate.</c>

00:16:20.539 --> 00:16:24.399
The<00:16:20.759><c> humiliating</c><00:16:21.320><c> execution</c><00:16:21.940><c> was</c><00:16:22.360><c> inevitable</c><00:16:22.980><c> now.</c>

00:16:27.659 --> 00:16:31.019
When<00:16:27.899><c> Judas</c><00:16:28.320><c> returned</c><00:16:29.139><c> to</c><00:16:29.340><c> the</c><00:16:29.519><c> Sanhedrin,</c><00:16:30.440><c> he</c><00:16:30.600><c> confessed</c>

00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:33.320
his<00:16:31.340><c> sin</c><00:16:31.580><c> and</c><00:16:31.899><c> returned</c><00:16:32.279><c> the</c><00:16:32.419><c> money.</c>

00:16:33.759 --> 00:16:37.580
It<00:16:34.320><c> was</c><00:16:34.600><c> too</c><00:16:34.860><c> late</c><00:16:35.100><c> to</c><00:16:35.360><c> change</c><00:16:35.679><c> the</c><00:16:35.940><c> consequences</c><00:16:36.480><c> of</c><00:16:36.720><c> his</c><00:16:36.799><c> actions.</c>

00:16:38.700 --> 00:16:41.259
But<00:16:38.840><c> was</c><00:16:38.980><c> it</c><00:16:39.120><c> too</c><00:16:39.340><c> late</c><00:16:39.500><c> to</c><00:16:39.720><c> seek</c><00:16:39.860><c> God's</c><00:16:40.299><c> forgiveness?</c>

00:16:43.179 --> 00:16:45.919
Judas<00:16:43.419><c> certainly</c><00:16:43.899><c> believed</c><00:16:44.259><c> so</c><00:16:44.539><c> and</c><00:16:44.899><c> perhaps</c><00:16:45.399><c> that</c><00:16:45.539><c> is</c><00:16:45.759><c> the</c>

00:16:45.919 --> 00:16:48.159
saddest<00:16:46.379><c> aspect</c><00:16:46.799><c> of</c><00:16:47.019><c> his</c><00:16:47.159><c> death.</c>

00:16:49.179 --> 00:16:52.960
His<00:16:49.299><c> last</c><00:16:49.659><c>-minute</c><00:16:49.860><c> change</c><00:16:50.220><c> of</c><00:16:50.480><c> heart</c><00:16:50.799><c> did</c><00:16:51.200><c> not</c><00:16:51.419><c> appease</c><00:16:51.740><c> his</c><00:16:51.960><c> conscience.</c>

00:16:53.139 --> 00:16:56.559
He<00:16:53.360><c> was</c><00:16:53.580><c> convinced</c><00:16:54.120><c> that</c><00:16:54.460><c> he</c><00:16:54.559><c> must</c><00:16:54.840><c> pay</c><00:16:55.240><c> a</c><00:16:55.519><c> higher</c><00:16:55.779><c> price.</c>

00:16:57.279 --> 00:17:01.740
Like<00:16:58.019><c> Ahithophel</c><00:16:58.759><c> who</c><00:16:59.240><c> betrayed</c><00:16:59.580><c> David</c><00:16:59.980><c> to</c><00:17:00.279><c> Absalom,</c><00:17:01.600><c> Judas</c>

00:17:01.740 --> 00:17:03.539
saw<00:17:02.240><c> no</c><00:17:02.539><c> escape.</c>

00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:08.680
Like<00:17:04.480><c> Ahithophel,</c><00:17:05.420><c> he</c><00:17:05.519><c> believed</c><00:17:05.940><c> he</c><00:17:06.119><c> could</c><00:17:06.339><c> only</c><00:17:06.660><c> find</c><00:17:06.859><c> release</c><00:17:07.259><c> in</c><00:17:07.640><c> death.</c>

00:17:09.740 --> 00:17:14.019
Judas<00:17:09.960><c> is</c><00:17:10.279><c> a</c><00:17:10.359><c> tragic</c><00:17:10.680><c> figure</c><00:17:11.039><c> not</c><00:17:11.519><c> merely</c><00:17:11.980><c> because</c><00:17:12.500><c> he</c><00:17:12.720><c> betrayed</c><00:17:12.980><c> Jesus</c>

00:17:14.059 --> 00:17:18.740
but<00:17:14.640><c> because</c><00:17:15.000><c> he</c><00:17:15.240><c> betrayed</c><00:17:15.559><c> the</c><00:17:15.799><c> man</c><00:17:16.279><c> he</c><00:17:17.240><c> could</c><00:17:17.460><c> have</c><00:17:17.700><c> been.</c>

00:17:26.059 --> 00:17:29.059
Romans<00:17:26.640><c> 12</c><00:17:27.099><c> that</c><00:17:27.200><c> we</c><00:17:27.500><c> looked</c><00:17:27.799><c> at</c><00:17:27.940><c> earlier</c><00:17:28.160><c> this</c><00:17:28.400><c> evening</c><00:17:28.740><c> has</c>

00:17:29.059 --> 00:17:30.859
three<00:17:29.380><c> key</c><00:17:29.619><c> themes.</c>

00:17:31.359 --> 00:17:34.859
Consecration,<00:17:32.660><c> humility</c><00:17:33.099><c> and</c><00:17:33.980><c> love.</c>

00:17:35.960 --> 00:17:39.720
Paul<00:17:36.140><c> exhorts</c><00:17:36.599><c> us</c><00:17:36.880><c> to</c><00:17:37.140><c> present</c><00:17:37.480><c> ourselves</c><00:17:38.000><c> as</c><00:17:38.339><c> a</c><00:17:39.240><c> living</c><00:17:39.339><c> of</c>

00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:41.660
vibrant<00:17:40.220><c> sacrifice.</c>

00:17:42.259 --> 00:17:47.900
We<00:17:42.420><c> must</c><00:17:42.720><c> serve</c><00:17:43.200><c> willingly,</c><00:17:44.799><c> not</c><00:17:45.000><c> grudgingly</c><00:17:45.720><c> and</c><00:17:46.319><c> haphazardly.</c>

00:17:48.460 --> 00:17:51.440
Our<00:17:48.819><c> transformation</c><00:17:49.460><c> must</c><00:17:49.740><c> be</c><00:17:49.980><c> a</c><00:17:50.200><c> permanent</c><00:17:50.539><c> one,</c>

00:17:51.440 --> 00:17:56.099
constantly<00:17:52.259><c> renewed</c><00:17:52.940><c> by</c><00:17:53.400><c> regular</c><00:17:53.900><c> engagement</c><00:17:54.480><c> with</c><00:17:54.839><c> the</c><00:17:55.059><c> Father,</c><00:17:55.839><c> the</c>

00:17:56.099 --> 00:17:58.940
Son<00:17:56.519><c> and</c><00:17:57.119><c> our</c><00:17:57.500><c> community.</c>

00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:04.400
Serving<00:18:01.099><c> God</c><00:18:01.539><c> requires</c><00:18:02.259><c> not</c><00:18:02.579><c> an</c><00:18:02.859><c> occasional</c><00:18:03.420><c> afternoon</c><00:18:04.099><c> of</c>

00:18:04.400 --> 00:18:05.279
spiritual<00:18:04.839><c> work</c>

00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:09.799
but<00:18:06.039><c> rather</c><00:18:06.519><c> a</c><00:18:06.960><c> lifetime</c><00:18:07.500><c> of</c><00:18:08.160><c> spiritual</c><00:18:08.640><c> maintenance.</c>

00:18:11.799 --> 00:18:15.099
Can<00:18:12.319><c> God</c><00:18:12.559><c> see</c><00:18:12.819><c> the</c><00:18:13.059><c> changes</c><00:18:13.480><c> we</c><00:18:13.759><c> have</c><00:18:13.980><c> made?</c>

00:18:15.819 --> 00:18:20.980
Or<00:18:15.980><c> only</c><00:18:16.200><c> the</c><00:18:16.420><c> changes</c><00:18:16.740><c> we</c><00:18:17.099><c> intended</c><00:18:17.539><c> but</c><00:18:18.960><c> never</c><00:18:19.319><c> actually</c><00:18:19.859><c> achieved?</c>

00:18:21.859 --> 00:18:25.559
Are<00:18:22.579><c> we</c><00:18:22.799><c> honest</c><00:18:23.059><c> with</c><00:18:23.299><c> ourselves</c><00:18:23.759><c> or</c><00:18:24.359><c> do</c><00:18:24.579><c> we</c><00:18:24.799><c> procrastinate,</c>

00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:29.140
making<00:18:26.180><c> small</c><00:18:26.640><c> improvements,</c><00:18:27.480><c> tinkering</c><00:18:27.819><c> around</c><00:18:28.099><c> the</c><00:18:28.259><c> edges</c>

00:18:29.160 --> 00:18:33.599
but<00:18:29.519><c> never</c><00:18:29.759><c> quite</c><00:18:30.039><c> addressing</c><00:18:30.519><c> the</c><00:18:31.119><c> core</c><00:18:31.500><c> of</c><00:18:31.859><c> our</c><00:18:32.200><c> personal</c><00:18:32.460><c> weaknesses?</c>

00:18:45.980 --> 00:18:50.339
Connect,<00:18:47.880><c> serve,</c><00:18:49.519><c> grow.</c>

00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:53.779
What<00:18:51.720><c> does</c><00:18:51.900><c> John</c><00:18:52.140><c> say</c><00:18:52.380><c> in</c><00:18:52.519><c> his</c><00:18:52.680><c> first</c><00:18:52.880><c> epistle?</c>

00:18:54.599 --> 00:18:58.500
By<00:18:54.880><c> this</c><00:18:55.140><c> we</c><00:18:55.400><c> know</c><00:18:55.880><c> that</c><00:18:56.359><c> we</c><00:18:56.599><c> love</c><00:18:56.960><c> the</c><00:18:57.319><c> children</c><00:18:57.559><c> of</c><00:18:57.779><c> God</c>

00:18:58.500 --> 00:19:02.559
whenever<00:18:59.559><c> we</c><00:18:59.920><c> love</c><00:19:00.119><c> God</c><00:19:00.539><c> and</c><00:19:01.220><c> obey</c><00:19:01.640><c> his</c><00:19:02.000><c> commandments.</c>

00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:03.079
By<00:19:03.079><c> this</c><00:19:03.079><c> we</c><00:19:03.079><c> know</c><00:19:03.079><c> that</c><00:19:03.079><c> we</c><00:19:03.079><c> love</c><00:19:03.079><c> the</c><00:19:03.079><c> children</c><00:19:03.079><c> of</c><00:19:03.079><c> God</c>

00:19:03.079 --> 00:19:08.720
for<00:19:04.220><c> this</c><00:19:04.599><c> is</c><00:19:04.859><c> the</c><00:19:04.980><c> love</c><00:19:05.099><c> of</c><00:19:05.319><c> God</c><00:19:05.779><c> that</c><00:19:06.960><c> we</c><00:19:07.259><c> keep</c><00:19:07.420><c> his</c><00:19:07.700><c> commandments.</c>

00:19:10.539 --> 00:19:14.900
And<00:19:10.640><c> his</c><00:19:10.799><c> commandments</c><00:19:11.400><c> do</c><00:19:13.160><c> not</c><00:19:13.400><c> weigh</c><00:19:13.519><c> us</c><00:19:13.819><c> down</c>

00:19:15.079 --> 00:19:22.019
because<00:19:15.660><c> everyone</c><00:19:16.240><c> who</c><00:19:16.640><c> has</c><00:19:16.819><c> been</c><00:19:17.119><c> fathered</c><00:19:17.500><c> by</c><00:19:17.599><c> God</c><00:19:19.339><c> conquers</c><00:19:20.559><c> the</c><00:19:21.000><c> world.</c>

00:19:23.380 --> 00:19:26.720
This<00:19:23.680><c> is</c><00:19:24.380><c> the</c><00:19:24.559><c> conquering</c><00:19:24.920><c> power</c><00:19:25.559><c> that</c><00:19:26.000><c> has</c><00:19:26.259><c> conquered</c><00:19:26.480><c> the</c>

00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:29.700
world,<00:19:28.579><c> our</c><00:19:28.779><c> faith.</c>