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Speaker 1: And saying, the time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of

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Speaker 1: God is at hand. Repent ye and believe the Gospel

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Speaker 1: Mark one fifteen. Dear Lord, you have perfect timing for

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Speaker 1: all things. The time of the fulfillment of the arrival

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Speaker 1: of the predicted Messiah was now. Jesus knew that after

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Speaker 1: John the Baptist was imprisoned, it was the fullness of

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Speaker 1: time for the world to know that Messiah was among them.

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Speaker 1: He began to preach the importance of knowing the time

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Speaker 1: was short and the Kingdom of God was at hand.

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Speaker 1: I've no idea when Christ is going to return to

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Speaker 1: the earth in the final days. No one but the

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Speaker 1: Father knows when the fullness of time will be, so

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Speaker 1: it's important to be ready. Just as Jesus called the

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Speaker 1: people to repent for their sins, I need to keep

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Speaker 1: my soul clean through repentance. Pentance can become despair without

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Speaker 1: faith in the Gospel of good News, and faith can

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Speaker 1: become presumption without repentance. Without faith and repentance, there's no

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Speaker 1: way to be saved. No human effort of good works

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Speaker 1: will achieve righteousness. When I put my faith in the Gospel,

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Speaker 1: I receive liberty from the law, peace, forgiveness, the right

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Speaker 1: standing with God through Christ. There is no other way

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Speaker 1: to salvation and eternal life except through the grace of

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Speaker 1: God through his son, Jesus Christ. In Jesus Name, Amen,

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Speaker 1: Stay tuned to immerse yourself in the Greatest Stories ever told.

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Speaker 1: From pray do dot COM's podcast Heroes in the Bible.

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Speaker 2: Hi, I'm back to Tony evanser host for Heroes in

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Speaker 2: the Bible Jesus. If you've enjoyed this podcast so far,

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Speaker 2: please share it with your family and friends so they

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Speaker 2: can know Jesus Christ in a personal way, because knowing

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Speaker 2: Jesus is the key to understanding the Bible. Welcome to

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Speaker 2: the greatest story ever told. It is the greatest story

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Speaker 2: of a shepherd's heart for his sheep, a father's love

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Speaker 2: for his children, and a hero's triumph over death and darkness.

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Speaker 2: This is a story that continues to shape and mold

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Speaker 2: the world around us, bringing the divine heart of God

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Speaker 2: right into the hearts of you and me. In this episode,

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Speaker 2: Jesus enters the public scene with the ushering in of

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Speaker 2: John the Baptist. The public ministry of Jesus begins. This

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Speaker 2: episode offers us dozens of glimpses into the divinity and

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Speaker 2: humanity of Jesus, foreshadowing the rest of his time on earth.

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Speaker 2: Jesus is fully man and fully God, and his story

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Speaker 2: showcases the spirit of God within him, overcoming the flesh.

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Speaker 2: This is the great war that rages within all of us,

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Speaker 2: and it is the war that Jesus will ultimately win.

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Speaker 2: This episode shows us the communal heart of Jesus. Although

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Speaker 2: he is sufficient and powerful, he invites people into his ministry.

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Speaker 2: He gains followers, friends, and fellows to fight for the

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Speaker 2: freedom of mankind. We are introduced to a few of

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Speaker 2: the Disciples in this episode, and we should take note

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Speaker 2: of how they all met Jesus. Each individual met him

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Speaker 2: through another, reminding us that a relationship with God is

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Speaker 2: often shared between friends and family. Just like these new disciples,

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Speaker 2: we are just starting to get to know Jesus. This

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Speaker 2: episode is a great introduction and I am excited to

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Speaker 2: see what else comes. First, we will begin with a prelude,

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Speaker 2: a story captured from another time and place. This prelude

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Speaker 2: brings us to the time of Moses, when the Hebrew

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Speaker 2: slaves look to the future for deliverance. Here is episode four.

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Speaker 2: This is my.

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Speaker 3: Son prainlude to chapter. Their lives had been marked by blood,

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Speaker 3: tears and the sound of whips. The Hebrew people had

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Speaker 3: been enslaved by the Egyptian nation for hundreds of years.

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Speaker 3: Entire generations were raised in a cycle of heavy labor, hunger,

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Speaker 3: and fear. The God of their forefathers heard their cries

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Speaker 3: for redemption. So God sent them an advocate to proclaim

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Speaker 3: freedom and led them to the promised land. Moses was

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Speaker 3: the chosen hero of God, empowered by his spirit to

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Speaker 3: stand up the Pharaoh. Yet it was God that provided

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Speaker 3: the deliverance. God parted the seas, God drowned the armies

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Speaker 3: of Egypt, and God sent manna from heaven. Moses was

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Speaker 3: a lesser champion, ultimately pointing to the deliverer of mankind

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Speaker 3: promised From the very beginning, Moses often spoke of this

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Speaker 3: dece a new prophet that would arise to bring ultimate freedom.

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Speaker 3: So the people of God waited. They were given the

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Speaker 3: law so that they might saturate themselves in the character

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Speaker 3: of God until He walked among them and fulfilled it.

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Speaker 3: Years had passed and the Kingdom of Israel had grown

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Speaker 3: in size and strength. It was a large target for

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Speaker 3: the ancient kingdoms of the East. God vanquished many of

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Speaker 3: their enemies, yet they turned their backs on him. The

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Speaker 3: people of Israel had descended into a pit of their

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Speaker 3: own filth and sin. Fathers sacrificed their children, kings erected

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Speaker 3: temples of fornication and murder. They had rejected the one

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Speaker 3: who brought them out of slavery. Instead, they chose to

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Speaker 3: enslave themselves to their own sin. Eventually, the Kingdom of

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Speaker 3: Israel was faced the great Enemy, an enemy they were

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Speaker 3: ill prepared and ill equipped to defend. The colossal nation

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Speaker 3: of Babylon came to not believe it consumed the people

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Speaker 3: of Israel. Families were separated, men's heads were put on pikes,

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Speaker 3: and the people of God were carted off as captives

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Speaker 3: once again. Yet there was a voice of hope in

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Speaker 3: the midst of despair. The prophet Isaiah spoke of a

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Speaker 3: coming redeemer, one who would vanquish the darkness that raged

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Speaker 3: within mankind since the fall. This redeemer would end sin

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Speaker 3: by suffering its eternal weight. He would bear the iniquities

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Speaker 3: of mankind and exchanged their filth for righteousness. So the

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Speaker 3: captive people awaited this Redeemer. They longed for him. Yet

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Speaker 3: Isaiah spoke of another that would come, a voice crying

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Speaker 3: out from the wilderness, that would prepare the way of

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Speaker 3: the Redeemer, one like Elijah, a voice that would precede

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Speaker 3: the coming king and set the path for him to enter.

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Speaker 3: Malachi would call him the great Messenger. He would be

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Speaker 3: the one to gather people and prepare their hearts for

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Speaker 3: the Messiah. Chapter four. This is my son. John's eyes

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Speaker 3: opened as the morning light slowly slid its way through

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Speaker 3: the top of his tent.

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Speaker 4: Ah. Thank you Lord for another day.

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Speaker 3: He smiled. Sitting up, John left the tent and stretched

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Speaker 3: his arms out wide, soaking in the new sun and

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Speaker 3: whistling along with the birds. The crisp morning air was

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Speaker 3: sharp and refreshing. He made his way down to the

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Speaker 3: stream beside his camp and washed his long, dreaded hair.

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Speaker 3: The light glistened across the wakes, bouncing in a thousand

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Speaker 3: of different directions. John grinned at the beauty around him,

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Speaker 3: thanking the Lord for yet another day to perform his whee.

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Speaker 3: After finishing his prayers, he followed the Jordan River down

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Speaker 3: towards a small beach outside the city. He stood at

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Speaker 3: the Jordan shore and took a deep breath. Then, after

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Speaker 3: basking in the sun a little more, jumped into the water.

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Speaker 3: John was a well built man, yet clearly marked with

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Speaker 3: years of living in the wilderness. His long dreads revealed

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Speaker 3: a commitment to never cut his hair, for he had

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Speaker 3: taken the Nazarite vow. He lived as an outsider, camping

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Speaker 3: in the wilderness of Judea, living off locusts and honeycomb.

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Speaker 3: He was a strange man, quirky yet filled with charisma, passion,

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Speaker 3: and wisdom. However, the most distinct thing about John was

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Speaker 3: not his long dreads, camel fur clothing, or strange diet.

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Speaker 3: It was his voice. John's voice was particularly special. It

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Speaker 3: was deep, smooth, yet also able to capture attention easily.

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Speaker 3: Words poured from his lips like a steady rain, enrapturing

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Speaker 3: all who would hear him. John floated in the water

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Speaker 3: for a while, considering the depths of God's love, power

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Speaker 3: and plans. There was a twinkle in John's eye when

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Speaker 3: he thought about his God. From an early age, he

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Speaker 3: had felt the prompting of his spirit. There was more

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Speaker 3: than a calling, It was a fire shut up in

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Speaker 3: his bones. If he were to remain silent, it would

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Speaker 3: surely consume him. As John continued to float in his

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Speaker 3: own little world with the Lord, a large group of

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Speaker 3: people made their way to the shore. Dozens became hundreds,

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Speaker 3: and hundreds quickly became thousands. People from the city of

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Speaker 3: Jerusalem and all of Judea had come for John. They

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Speaker 3: came to hear his voice. John waited his way to shore,

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Speaker 3: looking at the vast crowd gathered in front of him.

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Speaker 3: He looked at their faces. Some of the crowd had

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Speaker 3: come to hear from God. They were desperate for a

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Speaker 3: word of hope. Others from the crowd had come to

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Speaker 3: doubt John. They came to cast judgment and gather ammunition

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Speaker 3: against him. The people stood there in silence, waiting for

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Speaker 3: that special voice to speak. John smiled and turned his

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Speaker 3: head to Heaven. He spread his arms out wide and

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Speaker 3: bellowed repent. His voice resonated through the throng of people.

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Speaker 3: He spoke with the authority of an ancient prophet.

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Speaker 4: The Kingdom of Heaven is nearer than you may think,

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Speaker 4: my brothers and sisters. Now is the time for the

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Speaker 4: people to turn away from their selfish ways and be

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Speaker 4: restored to God, come and be baptized. Put away the

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Speaker 4: old habits of corruption, and seek God's forgiveness. His atonement

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Speaker 4: is on its way.

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Speaker 3: John continued to speak of repentance and God's willingness to forgive.

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Speaker 3: He spoke of the coming Messiah and a new hope emerging.

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Speaker 3: People were nodding their heads in agreement. They desired to

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Speaker 3: turn towards God once again. One by one, John would

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Speaker 3: lead them into the Jordan and baptize them. John would

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Speaker 3: dip them back into the water and lead them back up.

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Speaker 3: The crowd would cheer as people dedicated their lives to

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Speaker 3: God once again. The hearts of God's people were being

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Speaker 3: primed for a new work. As the people were cheering,

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Speaker 3: John caught a glimpse of a few Pharisees scowling at

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Speaker 3: him from the crowd. John's blood boy at the sight

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Speaker 3: of them. For decades they had propped themselves up as

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Speaker 3: a false standard of holiness. They met John's piercing gaze

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Speaker 3: and began to turn back to leave. John would not

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Speaker 3: allow it. With the titanic voice of a prophet, John's

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Speaker 3: words boomed straight through the.

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Speaker 4: Crowd brood of vipers.

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Speaker 3: He yelled the pharisees turned in dismay. They could see

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Speaker 3: in John's eyes a holy fire, a passion that should

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Speaker 3: be respected. John stepped out of the water and pointed at.

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Speaker 4: Them, who warned you to flee the coming wrath, Come,

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Speaker 4: humble yourselves, and bear fruit worthy of repentance.

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Speaker 3: John could see the religious leaders stirring, looking for a

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Speaker 3: response to relieve themselves of responsibility. But John was too quick.

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Speaker 4: Do not say to me, well, we are sons of Abraham,

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Speaker 4: so his favor is accounted to us. No hear my words.

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Speaker 4: God is able to make these sons of Abraham if

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Speaker 4: he chooses.

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Speaker 3: John picked up a rock and threw it into the water.

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Speaker 3: Many Jews had relied on their heritage to replace personal

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Speaker 3: holiness and closeness to God. John would not allow such excuses.

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Speaker 3: John stepped forward even more. His every word was filled

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Speaker 3: with the passion of a prophet. People were beginning to

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Speaker 3: wonder if John himself was the promise Messiah. Listen, John exhorted.

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Speaker 4: The axe is laid out to the root of every tree.

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Speaker 4: If a tree does not bear good fruit, it will

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Speaker 4: be cut down.

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Speaker 3: When John said these things, the entire crowd was stirred.

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Speaker 5: Then what shall we do? They asked, how shall we

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Speaker 5: bear good fruit? John was silent for a moment. The

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Speaker 5: people had been so entrenched in religious custom that they

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Speaker 5: had forgotten the purity of good natured actions. He pitied them,

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Speaker 5: using his voice gently. He encouraged them, saying, if.

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Speaker 4: You have two tunics, share with the one who has none.

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Speaker 4: It is that simple.

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Speaker 3: The tax collector from the crown shouted another question, what.

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Speaker 4: Of us tax collectors? How shall we repent and bear

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Speaker 4: good fruit? John smiled, Do not let greed guide your decisions.

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Speaker 4: You will have many opportunities to take more than you

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Speaker 4: are authorized too. Don't be fair and look out for

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Speaker 4: those who struggle.

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Speaker 3: A few Roman soldiers were also in attendance.

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Speaker 4: Teacher, what shall we do?

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Speaker 3: They asked?

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Speaker 4: You have much power as a soldier, do not use

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Speaker 4: it to threaten, extort, or bully. You also have much privilege.

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Speaker 4: Be sure to not grow discontent with your wages. Corruption

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Speaker 4: is knocking at your door continually. Do not give in,

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Speaker 4: like King Herod, who stole his brother's wife.

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Speaker 3: He replied. John was not afraid to speak truth to power. However,

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Speaker 3: those in power were listening. The The mob continued to

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Speaker 3: hang on every word John spoke. His proclamations about the

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Speaker 3: Kingdom of God hit their hearts like well aimed arrows.

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Speaker 3: Whispers in the crowd continued the surface of John being

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Speaker 3: the Messiah. As John was preaching, one man shouted out,

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Speaker 3: are you the Promised One? Are you the Messiah? John

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Speaker 3: FROs For a moment, a smile curled up behind his

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Speaker 3: shaggy beard. His glistening eyes reflected the water near his waist.

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Speaker 3: He looked down at the water and cupped some in

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Speaker 3: his hand. John's silence was palpable. He let the water

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Speaker 3: spill out slowly, making a soft, trickling noise.

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Speaker 4: I baptize you with water.

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Speaker 3: John said, breaking the silence.

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Speaker 4: Yet there was one who is coming, one far mightier

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Speaker 4: than I. You think I am some special messenger, even

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Speaker 4: I am unworthy to bend down before him and untie

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Speaker 4: his sandals.

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Speaker 3: John's nearly perfect voice began to tremble for a moment.

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Speaker 4: I baptize you with water, he repeated. But the one

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Speaker 4: who is coming will baptize you with the fire of

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Speaker 4: the Holy Spirit.

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Speaker 3: Then who are you, they asked John.

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Speaker 4: I am a voice crying out in the wilderness.

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Speaker 3: John said. The people looked at one another, knowing that

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Speaker 3: he had just quoted the prophet Isaiah.

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Speaker 4: I am here to prepare the way of the Lord.

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Speaker 3: John continued to exhort the crowd until a figure caught

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Speaker 3: his eye, a man standing amidst the people. There were

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Speaker 3: no physical traits or facial features that set him apart

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Speaker 3: from any other man, yet John's eyes were locked on

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Speaker 3: to him. The people quickly caught on that John was

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Speaker 3: looking at this man. The man smiled back at John

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Speaker 3: and slowly made his way to the front of the crowd.

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Speaker 3: John waited out of the water with his eyes watering

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Speaker 3: with unbelievable joy. Behold, John said, with awe in his voice.

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Speaker 4: The Lamb of God come to take away the sense

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Speaker 4: of the world.

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Speaker 3: Standing before John was Jesus. The crowd did not know him,

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Speaker 3: but they soon would. Jesus held John's shoulders and embraced him.

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Speaker 3: Will you baptize me, John, he asked with a grin.

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Speaker 3: John seemed almost insulted by the notion.

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Speaker 4: Of course, not, my Lord, A sinful manlike me needs

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Speaker 4: to be baptized by you. Why would you come to me?

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Speaker 3: Jesus made his way into the water, beckoning John to

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Speaker 3: follow him.

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Speaker 4: You should baptize me John, for you and I must

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Speaker 4: both carry out the will of God.

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Speaker 3: John, amazed by the humility of Jesus, followed him into

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Speaker 3: the water. Jesus had no sins to repent of, however,

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Speaker 3: he was to identify with humanity in every way. By

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Speaker 3: being baptized, Jesus modeled repentance for all to see. The

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Speaker 3: crowd watched as John and Jesus stood beside one another

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Speaker 3: in the water. All were silent, perplexed by what was happening.

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Speaker 3: John took Jesus's back and slowly dipped him into the water.

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Speaker 3: Jesus was under for a moment, and when he emerged,

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Speaker 3: the heavens opened up like a breaking dam. Light poured

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Speaker 3: forth from the skies. People watched in amazement, and tears

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Speaker 3: fell down John's face as he beheld the glory of heaven.

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Speaker 3: Light spread in hundreds of directions, causing the crowd to

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Speaker 3: watch in awe. Then, from the opening in the skies,

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Speaker 3: the spirit of God descended like a dove. Gracefully. The

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Speaker 3: spirit soared around Jesus and settled on his shoulders. Jesus

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Speaker 3: pulled his wet hair back and looked up with a smile.

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Speaker 3: He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, basking

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Speaker 3: in the light of Lord. Cutting through the silence, a

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Speaker 3: voice poured forth from the heavens. It was a voice

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Speaker 3: that could be heard audibly, but also within the hearts

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Speaker 3: and minds of every one in attendance. The voice spoke clearly, saying,

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Speaker 3: this is my beloved son. It is in him I

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Speaker 3: am pleased. Then, in an instant, the radiance dissipated into

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Speaker 3: the atmosphere. Without saying another word, Jesus hugged John and departed.

291
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Speaker 3: The baptism of Jesus signified the beginning of a new era,

292
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Speaker 3: a new chapter in the story of God. Immanuel, God

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Speaker 3: with Us had entered the scene and began his ministry.

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Speaker 3: With the favor of the Father and the power of

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Speaker 3: his spirit, Jesus was led into the wilderness. There was

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Speaker 3: an enemy waiting for him, a giant even greater than Goliath.

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Speaker 3: It was time for the Messiah to go into battle

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Speaker 3: on behalf of humanity. It was dusk and Jesus was

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Speaker 3: looking over the land of Judea. The sound of chirping

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Speaker 3: crickets began to harmonize with rustling grass. It was time

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Speaker 3: for Jesus to begin his fast depriving his body of food.

302
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Speaker 3: For forty days, he would remove comfort and cling to God. However,

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Speaker 3: he was not alone. An ancient enemy lurked among the

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Speaker 3: reeds behind him, waiting for a moment to strike. For

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Speaker 3: forty days, Jesus had gone without food. His body was

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Speaker 3: beginning to eat away at itself, and his mind was

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Speaker 3: experiencing the dull effects of starvation. The weakness of humanity

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Speaker 3: was felt in full force by Jesus. His body trembled,

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Speaker 3: longing for any form of sustenance. It was in this

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Speaker 3: moment a slithering presence emerged from the darkness. He slid

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Speaker 3: his way behind Jesus and whispered in his ear.

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Speaker 6: Look, it is the son of God, shaking like a

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Speaker 6: starving Animonimal Satan hissed.

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Speaker 3: His voice was quiet and sharp, like the silent sting

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Speaker 3: of a scorpion.

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Speaker 6: If you truly are the son of God, why not

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Speaker 6: just just command these stones to become bred. Surely the

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Speaker 6: creator himself deserves some food.

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Speaker 3: This was the first temptation the lust of the flesh,

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Speaker 3: a tactic that worked for Adam and Eve. Once in

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Speaker 3: the garden, Jesus's body ached from hunger. The pain was

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Speaker 3: nearly unbearable. He considered for a moment what a small

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Speaker 3: all peace of bread would do. Yet Jesus came to

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Speaker 3: identify with the weakness of mankind. If he simply turned

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Speaker 3: the stones into bread, he would take advantage of the

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Speaker 3: power God gave him. Besides, he did not need bread.

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Speaker 3: The comfort of the Father was enough. Jesus, not looking

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Speaker 3: behind him, replied with scripture, saying, it is written man

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Speaker 3: does not live by bread alone, but by the very

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Speaker 3: words uttered from God himself. It was difficult for Jesus

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Speaker 3: to speak. He had a fever from the hunger, and

332
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Speaker 3: the chills caused him to shiver. Satan, still behind Jesus, scowled.

333
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Speaker 3: In an instant, he took Jesus up in his vision.

334
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Speaker 3: The two of them stood overlooking the earth. Satan showed

335
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Speaker 3: Jesus the nations of the world, gold over and jewels, armies,

336
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Speaker 3: thrones and monuments.

337
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Speaker 6: You see all this, Satan hissed, These kingdoms are mine.

338
00:23:10,200 --> 00:23:13,159
Speaker 6: They had been taken by me and are mine. To

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Speaker 6: keep all this power, all this glory.

340
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Speaker 3: Could be yours. Satan blinged in closer to Jesus, Look,

341
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Speaker 3: Son of God, look in all that could be yours,

342
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Speaker 3: to rule all you must do is worship me. This

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Speaker 3: was the second temptation, the lust for power, the temptation

344
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Speaker 3: Eve once fell for, and Satan promised she would be

345
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Speaker 3: like God. Jesus's weary eyes looked upon the nations. Satan

346
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Speaker 3: made an enticing offer to rule over his people once again.

347
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Speaker 3: Yet corruption was not the way to win the hearts

348
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Speaker 3: of man. Jesus closed his eyes and quoted the scriptures

349
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Speaker 3: once again, saying, it.

350
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Speaker 7: Is written, you shall worship the Lord, your God, him

351
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Speaker 7: and him alone.

352
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Speaker 3: You shall surf. Satan scoffed and wrapped his cloak around Jesus.

353
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Speaker 3: All of a sudden, the two of them were standing

354
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Speaker 3: over the Temple of Jerusalem. They were at its highest point,

355
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Speaker 3: overlooking the people below. The wind howled as Jesus stood

356
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Speaker 3: at the very tip of the massive structure.

357
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Speaker 5: Look.

358
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Speaker 3: Satan screamed through the wind, pointing to the people below.

359
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Speaker 6: They are all here waiting for you to show yourself,

360
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Speaker 6: make a spectacle and jump off. For you and I

361
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Speaker 6: both know what the scriptures say. They claim that the

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Speaker 6: Lord will order his angels. The pretential.

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Speaker 3: This was the third temptation, the pride of life. Jesus

364
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Speaker 3: look down at the people coming in and out of

365
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Speaker 3: the temple. If they were to see a man flying

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Speaker 3: on the wings of angels over the Holy Temple, surely

367
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Speaker 3: they would worship him. Yet it would be no greater

368
00:25:12,920 --> 00:25:17,000
Speaker 3: than a circus act. Jesus knew that it was not

369
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Speaker 3: signs and wonders that would save mankind. He knew what

370
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Speaker 3: his true purpose was.

371
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Speaker 7: You must not test the Lord, your God.

372
00:25:26,400 --> 00:25:32,399
Speaker 3: Jesus answered silently. Satan sneered at Jesus, ready to tempt

373
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Speaker 3: him again. Before he could speak, Jesus turned around, looking

374
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Speaker 3: him in the eyes for the first time. Jesus rebuked

375
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Speaker 3: Satan jarred back. The two of them were standing in

376
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Speaker 3: the wilderness once again. The stars were settled high in

377
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Speaker 3: the sky, and the howling evening wind rolled over the hills.

378
00:25:54,560 --> 00:25:59,840
Speaker 3: Satan shrunk at the voice of Jesus. They were not equals.

379
00:26:00,720 --> 00:26:06,320
Speaker 3: Jesus alone held the power, so Satan retreated back into

380
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Speaker 3: the grass so he may scheme more about how to

381
00:26:09,880 --> 00:26:15,800
Speaker 3: take the heart of man. Jesus then departed to eat, recover,

382
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Speaker 3: and pray. He had successfully resisted the temptations of the enemy,

383
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Speaker 3: temptations that had caused humanity to stumble for thousands of generations.

384
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Speaker 3: Jesus even in his most weakened state, was able to

385
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Speaker 3: overcome it. This would be a foreshadowing of things to come. Jesus,

386
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Speaker 3: even at his most afflicted, would overcome. John was sitting

387
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Speaker 3: beside the shore next to two of his disciples. The

388
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Speaker 3: three men talked to each other, staring out at the

389
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Speaker 3: tide rising and falling. The ocean breeze gracefully swayed the

390
00:26:58,520 --> 00:27:02,480
Speaker 3: harbored boats back and forth. John knew that his time

391
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Speaker 3: was drawing to a close. Not only had he spoken

392
00:27:05,960 --> 00:27:10,440
Speaker 3: out against Herod won too many times, but Jesus had come.

393
00:27:11,480 --> 00:27:14,880
Speaker 3: It was time for his followers to bind themselves to him.

394
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Speaker 3: John looked to his left, seeing Jesus walking beside the ocean.

395
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Speaker 4: Look there, John pointed, there, he is the Lamb of God.

396
00:27:26,320 --> 00:27:28,800
Speaker 3: The disciples stood and peered into the distance.

397
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Speaker 4: This is the one you should follow.

398
00:27:32,240 --> 00:27:34,440
Speaker 3: John said gently, here's the.

399
00:27:34,359 --> 00:27:36,280
Speaker 4: One I've been speaking of this whole time.

400
00:27:36,880 --> 00:27:39,960
Speaker 3: The two disciples looked at John with sorrowful eyes.

401
00:27:41,000 --> 00:27:44,919
Speaker 4: John laughed, do not worry about me, my friends. I

402
00:27:45,040 --> 00:27:49,439
Speaker 4: must decrease so he may increase. Go now.

403
00:27:49,880 --> 00:27:53,160
Speaker 3: John shewed his disciples away, and the two of them

404
00:27:53,320 --> 00:27:57,040
Speaker 3: ran to catch up to Jesus. The voice crying out

405
00:27:57,080 --> 00:28:00,240
Speaker 3: in the wilderness had said all that needed to be said.

406
00:28:01,080 --> 00:28:05,440
Speaker 3: His purpose had been fulfilled. John's example will be followed

407
00:28:05,440 --> 00:28:09,840
Speaker 3: by teachers for thousands of generations preached. The name of

408
00:28:09,920 --> 00:28:16,600
Speaker 3: Jesus then be forgotten. It was about four in the

409
00:28:16,640 --> 00:28:19,560
Speaker 3: afternoon and the heat of the day began to dissipate.

410
00:28:20,680 --> 00:28:23,600
Speaker 3: Jesus enjoyed the solitude as he walked beside the water.

411
00:28:24,560 --> 00:28:27,639
Speaker 3: He strolled for a while until he heard more footsteps

412
00:28:27,680 --> 00:28:32,639
Speaker 3: from the sand behind him. Smiling, Jesus stopped, Can I

413
00:28:32,720 --> 00:28:38,400
Speaker 3: help you? He asked the disciples, admittedly embarrassed they had

414
00:28:38,400 --> 00:28:41,720
Speaker 3: not spoken up sooner asked Jesus where he was staying.

415
00:28:42,440 --> 00:28:44,640
Speaker 4: Come and see for yourself.

416
00:28:44,560 --> 00:28:48,280
Speaker 3: Jesus said. They went with him to where Jesus was lodging,

417
00:28:48,840 --> 00:28:51,040
Speaker 3: and the three of them spoke for a long while

418
00:28:51,160 --> 00:28:55,040
Speaker 3: about the things of God. One of the disciples was Andrew,

419
00:28:55,480 --> 00:29:00,240
Speaker 3: the son of a fisherman. After mere moments speaking with Gesaesus,

420
00:29:00,880 --> 00:29:06,320
Speaker 3: Andrew was convinced that this was indeed the Messiah. The

421
00:29:06,360 --> 00:29:10,240
Speaker 3: next day, Andrew hurried to his brother Simon. Simon was

422
00:29:10,280 --> 00:29:13,800
Speaker 3: a rough man, A fisherman by trade. He was known

423
00:29:13,880 --> 00:29:18,880
Speaker 3: for his quick tongue, brash demeanor, and stubbornness. Simon was

424
00:29:18,880 --> 00:29:21,040
Speaker 3: tending to the nets on his boat after a long

425
00:29:21,120 --> 00:29:21,880
Speaker 3: night of fishing.

426
00:29:22,520 --> 00:29:25,960
Speaker 1: Simon Andrew yell, we have found him, We have found

427
00:29:25,960 --> 00:29:26,640
Speaker 1: the Messiah.

428
00:29:27,200 --> 00:29:29,360
Speaker 3: He barely paid any attention to his brother.

429
00:29:29,520 --> 00:29:30,840
Speaker 4: What makes you so convinced?

430
00:29:31,040 --> 00:29:31,959
Speaker 3: Simon's coughed.

431
00:29:32,400 --> 00:29:34,960
Speaker 4: It wasn't the man in camel fur your Messiah.

432
00:29:35,360 --> 00:29:38,880
Speaker 3: I cannot keep track. No, not John. Another is here,

433
00:29:39,040 --> 00:29:42,360
Speaker 3: Andrew said, shaking his head. Come and see for yourself.

434
00:29:42,640 --> 00:29:46,600
Speaker 3: Andrew brought Simon over to where Jesus was sitting. Simon

435
00:29:46,640 --> 00:29:50,160
Speaker 3: looked down at him, a bit underwhelmed. He thought the

436
00:29:50,200 --> 00:29:54,200
Speaker 3: Messiah may be taller. The two of them shook hands

437
00:29:54,200 --> 00:29:57,719
Speaker 3: as Jesus rose to his feet. Simon was surprised at

438
00:29:57,800 --> 00:30:01,360
Speaker 3: Jesus's grip. He had the hand of a craftsman, not

439
00:30:01,440 --> 00:30:06,000
Speaker 3: a rabbi, No doubt, Jesus had spent many years working

440
00:30:06,040 --> 00:30:10,040
Speaker 3: with stone and wood. The two were silent for an

441
00:30:10,080 --> 00:30:15,960
Speaker 3: awkward moment. Jesus peered into Simon's eyes, Simon, son of John.

442
00:30:16,120 --> 00:30:21,280
Speaker 3: Jesus said, your name will soon be called Peter Stone.

443
00:30:21,320 --> 00:30:24,120
Speaker 3: Simon did not know what this meant, but he had

444
00:30:24,120 --> 00:30:27,120
Speaker 3: a feeling This was not the last time Jesus would

445
00:30:27,200 --> 00:30:32,520
Speaker 3: perplex him. The next day, Jesus returned to Galilee. He

446
00:30:32,600 --> 00:30:36,480
Speaker 3: walked among the marketplace, enjoying the busyness of the city.

447
00:30:37,320 --> 00:30:40,920
Speaker 3: He watched the children playing in the streets and venders

448
00:30:40,960 --> 00:30:45,040
Speaker 3: talking amongst one another. His heart was filled with love

449
00:30:45,080 --> 00:30:49,200
Speaker 3: for them. Jesus strolled by the corner of the marketplace.

450
00:30:50,000 --> 00:30:52,520
Speaker 3: There he found a man named Philip sitting on a

451
00:30:52,600 --> 00:30:56,840
Speaker 3: ledge whittling a piece of wood. Jesus stared up at

452
00:30:56,880 --> 00:31:00,520
Speaker 3: him for a while. Philip was lost in his own world,

453
00:31:00,920 --> 00:31:06,040
Speaker 3: intended to be alone with his craft. Philip, Jesus said, Startled,

454
00:31:06,240 --> 00:31:08,720
Speaker 3: Philip fell back and landed on his back with a thud.

455
00:31:09,760 --> 00:31:13,920
Speaker 3: Jesus helped him to his feet. Philip was an awkward man,

456
00:31:14,400 --> 00:31:17,480
Speaker 3: yet filled with a passion for life. He brushed the

457
00:31:17,560 --> 00:31:20,720
Speaker 3: dust off his tunic and looked up at Jesus. May

458
00:31:20,760 --> 00:31:24,880
Speaker 3: I help you, Philip passed, follow me, Philip, Jesus answered.

459
00:31:25,840 --> 00:31:29,560
Speaker 3: Philip had heard about Jesus from Andrew, so he followed.

460
00:31:30,600 --> 00:31:33,520
Speaker 3: The two of them meandered through the market place talking.

461
00:31:34,520 --> 00:31:37,800
Speaker 3: Philip was enamored with the words of Jesus and marveled

462
00:31:37,800 --> 00:31:40,840
Speaker 3: that such an eloquent teacher would take time to speak

463
00:31:40,880 --> 00:31:44,640
Speaker 3: with him. As the day grew on, Philip was more

464
00:31:44,680 --> 00:31:47,360
Speaker 3: convinced that Jesus was whom people claimed him to be.

465
00:31:48,480 --> 00:31:52,880
Speaker 3: After speaking with Jesus, Philip had to find his friend Nathaniel,

466
00:31:53,440 --> 00:31:56,720
Speaker 3: but he was nowhere to be seen. Philip looked high

467
00:31:56,760 --> 00:32:01,280
Speaker 3: and low, but could not find him anywhere. So Philip

468
00:32:01,320 --> 00:32:05,800
Speaker 3: waited outside his home. At the bottom of a hill.

469
00:32:06,160 --> 00:32:09,479
Speaker 3: About a quarter mile away from Nathaniel's home was a

470
00:32:09,480 --> 00:32:13,520
Speaker 3: fig tree. He often sat under there speaking with God.

471
00:32:14,560 --> 00:32:17,360
Speaker 3: Nathaniel leaned his back against the trunk of a tree,

472
00:32:17,680 --> 00:32:22,840
Speaker 3: looking up at the rustling leagues above. Tears streamed down

473
00:32:22,920 --> 00:32:27,880
Speaker 3: Nathaniel's face. There he poured his soul out before God.

474
00:32:28,800 --> 00:32:33,600
Speaker 3: The storms within Nathaniel's heart and mind would often consume him.

475
00:32:34,200 --> 00:32:36,600
Speaker 3: It was his time away with the Lord that gave

476
00:32:36,680 --> 00:32:40,920
Speaker 3: him strength. Nathaniel was a good man of good reputation.

477
00:32:41,480 --> 00:32:45,479
Speaker 3: He had a tender heart and valued God's law. Yet

478
00:32:45,520 --> 00:32:48,440
Speaker 3: his hard work and character did not come without faults.

479
00:32:49,480 --> 00:32:52,640
Speaker 3: After Nathaniel finished praying, he picked up his cart of

480
00:32:52,760 --> 00:32:57,160
Speaker 3: dry goods and went back home. There he found Philip

481
00:32:57,200 --> 00:33:01,479
Speaker 3: waiting for him. Philip helped the Daniel unload baskets from

482
00:33:01,480 --> 00:33:02,760
Speaker 3: a cart into his home.

483
00:33:03,760 --> 00:33:07,920
Speaker 8: We have found him, Nathaniel. Philip said, the Messiah he

484
00:33:07,960 --> 00:33:08,560
Speaker 8: has come.

485
00:33:09,080 --> 00:33:11,480
Speaker 7: I have been hearing rumors that John de Baptist was

486
00:33:11,520 --> 00:33:15,600
Speaker 7: the Messiah. Nathaniel said, is it not him? Philip shook

487
00:33:15,640 --> 00:33:16,360
Speaker 7: his head.

488
00:33:16,560 --> 00:33:19,920
Speaker 8: No, no, it is Jesus, the son of a craftsman

489
00:33:20,040 --> 00:33:20,600
Speaker 8: in Nazareth.

490
00:33:20,640 --> 00:33:23,600
Speaker 3: Nathaniel let out a laugh, nearly dropping the basket of

491
00:33:23,680 --> 00:33:24,360
Speaker 3: dried figs.

492
00:33:24,800 --> 00:33:28,000
Speaker 7: Did you just say Nazareth, Philip, you have never been

493
00:33:28,040 --> 00:33:31,160
Speaker 7: to that place. It is dull, dirty, and a breeding

494
00:33:31,200 --> 00:33:34,400
Speaker 7: ground for criminals. Can anything good come from that place?

495
00:33:34,800 --> 00:33:38,240
Speaker 8: See for yourself, Philip replied, I am meeting him soon.

496
00:33:39,000 --> 00:33:41,200
Speaker 8: You can be the judge of whether anything good comes

497
00:33:41,240 --> 00:33:41,920
Speaker 8: from Nazareth.

498
00:33:42,320 --> 00:33:45,200
Speaker 3: The two men came to meet Jesus. He had just

499
00:33:45,320 --> 00:33:51,480
Speaker 3: concluded teaching outside the synagogue. As Nathaniel approached, Jesus smiled

500
00:33:51,640 --> 00:33:52,920
Speaker 3: and opened his arms.

501
00:33:53,680 --> 00:33:57,680
Speaker 7: Nathaniel, now here is a genuine son of Israel, a

502
00:33:57,720 --> 00:34:00,719
Speaker 7: man with a noble heart and deep integrity.

503
00:34:01,920 --> 00:34:06,160
Speaker 3: Nathaniel looked puzzled. Jesus spoke as if he knew him,

504
00:34:06,640 --> 00:34:10,560
Speaker 3: but surely they had never met. Perhaps Philip told Jesus

505
00:34:10,600 --> 00:34:15,400
Speaker 3: about him Nathaniel looked at Philip. Philip shrugged. He had

506
00:34:15,440 --> 00:34:16,839
Speaker 3: not mentioned Nathaniel at all.

507
00:34:17,360 --> 00:34:18,759
Speaker 7: How do you know who I am?

508
00:34:18,960 --> 00:34:23,040
Speaker 3: Nathaniel asked, I could see you under the vic tree,

509
00:34:23,239 --> 00:34:29,759
Speaker 3: Jesus replied gently. Nathaniel's eyes immediately widened. His bottom lip

510
00:34:29,800 --> 00:34:33,000
Speaker 3: began to quiver. He was sure that he was alone

511
00:34:33,280 --> 00:34:37,680
Speaker 3: underneath that victory. No one else knew what he and

512
00:34:37,760 --> 00:34:43,720
Speaker 3: God those few words from Jesus were enough. Nathaniel bowed

513
00:34:43,760 --> 00:34:46,319
Speaker 3: at his feet, saying, Rabbi.

514
00:34:46,320 --> 00:34:49,160
Speaker 7: You truly are the son of God, King of Israel.

515
00:34:49,560 --> 00:34:51,120
Speaker 7: It is in honor to be near you.

516
00:34:51,880 --> 00:34:56,000
Speaker 3: Jesus knelt down at eye level with Nathaniel. He smiled

517
00:34:56,360 --> 00:34:57,720
Speaker 3: and gave a kind laugh.

518
00:34:58,360 --> 00:35:01,600
Speaker 4: You believe all this because I saw you under a tree.

519
00:35:02,320 --> 00:35:05,520
Speaker 4: Just you wait, my friend, Even greater things are yet

520
00:35:05,600 --> 00:35:06,000
Speaker 4: to come.

521
00:35:06,880 --> 00:35:09,920
Speaker 3: Jesus helped Nathaniel to his feet and brushed the dust

522
00:35:10,000 --> 00:35:10,720
Speaker 3: off his tunic.

523
00:35:11,080 --> 00:35:14,000
Speaker 4: I tell you the truth, Nathaniel. You will see Heaven

524
00:35:14,360 --> 00:35:18,360
Speaker 4: open and the angels of God showcasing the upward path

525
00:35:18,680 --> 00:35:20,520
Speaker 4: between heaven and earth.

526
00:35:20,640 --> 00:35:23,799
Speaker 3: Nathaniel looked back at Philip. A sly grin was on

527
00:35:23,880 --> 00:35:27,920
Speaker 3: his face. Apparently something good could come out of Nazareth.

528
00:35:32,320 --> 00:35:34,719
Speaker 3: The next day, Jesus and a few of his new

529
00:35:34,760 --> 00:35:39,719
Speaker 3: friends attended a wedding celebration in Cana. The ceremony in

530
00:35:39,840 --> 00:35:44,640
Speaker 3: celebration had lasted days as guests, friends and family laughed

531
00:35:44,680 --> 00:35:50,440
Speaker 3: and danced. Mary, Jesus's mother, was also in attendance. Hundreds

532
00:35:50,440 --> 00:35:54,160
Speaker 3: of people were dancing to music, sharing stories, and allowing

533
00:35:54,200 --> 00:35:56,600
Speaker 3: the cares of the world to melt under the warmth

534
00:35:56,600 --> 00:36:01,480
Speaker 3: of friendship. Jesus loved listening to people laugh. He loved

535
00:36:01,520 --> 00:36:05,000
Speaker 3: watching the children dance. He looked as the bride and

536
00:36:05,080 --> 00:36:09,640
Speaker 3: groom cherished every moment together. These were the things he

537
00:36:09,719 --> 00:36:13,400
Speaker 3: created for man to enjoy, and he was pleased to

538
00:36:13,440 --> 00:36:17,080
Speaker 3: share it with them. As was custom in those days,

539
00:36:17,320 --> 00:36:21,359
Speaker 3: The wedding lasted several days. Food and wine flowed as

540
00:36:21,440 --> 00:36:25,880
Speaker 3: guests continued to dance and sing. Mary watched as wine

541
00:36:25,880 --> 00:36:29,400
Speaker 3: cups continued to fill and empty. She knew what was

542
00:36:29,440 --> 00:36:32,239
Speaker 3: going to happen. The hosts were going to run out

543
00:36:32,239 --> 00:36:36,879
Speaker 3: of wine, and sure enough they did. People began to stir,

544
00:36:37,280 --> 00:36:40,080
Speaker 3: and the hosts became more and more anxious about people

545
00:36:40,200 --> 00:36:45,359
Speaker 3: enjoying themselves. However, Mary was not worried. She had bore

546
00:36:45,480 --> 00:36:48,480
Speaker 3: and raised the son of God, and he was several

547
00:36:48,480 --> 00:36:52,240
Speaker 3: feet away. Jesus was reclined at one of the tables

548
00:36:52,480 --> 00:36:55,239
Speaker 3: with a few of his followers. He looked up to

549
00:36:55,280 --> 00:37:00,200
Speaker 3: see his mother approaching with purpose. Jesus smirked. He had

550
00:37:00,200 --> 00:37:03,880
Speaker 3: seen that look before. Mary put her hands on her hips.

551
00:37:04,239 --> 00:37:05,960
Speaker 7: They are out of wine.

552
00:37:05,920 --> 00:37:10,360
Speaker 3: Mary said. Jesus knew exactly what she was saying, and

553
00:37:10,480 --> 00:37:13,400
Speaker 3: what does that have to do with me. Jesus playfully

554
00:37:13,440 --> 00:37:17,160
Speaker 3: replied he knew what she wanted. She wanted him to

555
00:37:17,160 --> 00:37:20,280
Speaker 3: bring more wine. She wanted a miracle.

556
00:37:21,239 --> 00:37:24,520
Speaker 4: You know my hour has not yet come to reveal myself, mother.

557
00:37:24,719 --> 00:37:28,760
Speaker 3: Jesus said gently, in a way only a mother could.

558
00:37:29,320 --> 00:37:33,120
Speaker 3: Mary ignored her son's answer. She beckoned the servants to

559
00:37:33,160 --> 00:37:35,080
Speaker 3: come over and brought them to Jesus.

560
00:37:36,080 --> 00:37:39,200
Speaker 4: This is my son. Do what he tells you to do.

561
00:37:39,600 --> 00:37:43,239
Speaker 3: She said, and with a sly grin, Mary walked back

562
00:37:43,280 --> 00:37:46,880
Speaker 3: to her table to reassure the guests more wine was

563
00:37:46,920 --> 00:37:52,719
Speaker 3: coming soon. Jesus chuckled and rubbed his temple. Even the

564
00:37:52,760 --> 00:37:55,040
Speaker 3: son of God was not above listening to his mother.

565
00:37:56,320 --> 00:37:59,440
Speaker 3: Jesus stood to his feet and gathered the servants. He

566
00:37:59,480 --> 00:38:02,920
Speaker 3: greeted them and sent them to fill six stone jars

567
00:38:03,000 --> 00:38:07,719
Speaker 3: with water. The servants were confused, but they did as

568
00:38:07,760 --> 00:38:11,520
Speaker 3: they were told. The jars were massive and very heavy.

569
00:38:12,040 --> 00:38:15,600
Speaker 3: It took two servants to carry just one jar. They

570
00:38:15,640 --> 00:38:18,360
Speaker 3: traveled to the nearby well and filled the jars to

571
00:38:18,440 --> 00:38:22,319
Speaker 3: the brim. Although it seemed like nonsense, they did as

572
00:38:22,360 --> 00:38:26,600
Speaker 3: they were told, rolling up their sleeves. Jesus helped carry

573
00:38:26,600 --> 00:38:29,880
Speaker 3: some of the jugs back to the celebration. Then he

574
00:38:30,000 --> 00:38:33,000
Speaker 3: gestured for the servants to take the water and pour

575
00:38:33,080 --> 00:38:37,440
Speaker 3: them into people's cups. One of the servants darted his

576
00:38:37,520 --> 00:38:40,600
Speaker 3: eyes towards Jesus, then towards the bride's father.

577
00:38:41,120 --> 00:38:44,440
Speaker 4: We will look like fools if we pour water into his.

578
00:38:44,480 --> 00:38:49,120
Speaker 3: Cup, he thought. Nevertheless, all the servants did as they

579
00:38:49,160 --> 00:38:52,200
Speaker 3: were told as they brought the jars of water to

580
00:38:52,280 --> 00:38:56,879
Speaker 3: the guests. Jesus reclined at his table. The disciples were

581
00:38:56,880 --> 00:39:00,719
Speaker 3: beside him, waiting to see what would happen next. One

582
00:39:00,719 --> 00:39:03,800
Speaker 3: of the servants approached the host and gently poured the

583
00:39:03,920 --> 00:39:08,640
Speaker 3: contents into his cup. To the servants dismay, water did

584
00:39:08,680 --> 00:39:14,320
Speaker 3: not come out, but wine, deep, fragrant red wine flowed

585
00:39:14,320 --> 00:39:17,680
Speaker 3: from the stone jar. The host took a sip and laughed.

586
00:39:18,600 --> 00:39:21,719
Speaker 4: Ha I see, we have saved the best for last.

587
00:39:21,840 --> 00:39:25,480
Speaker 3: He shouted. The servants were shocked and the disciples were

588
00:39:25,520 --> 00:39:28,880
Speaker 3: left speechless. The rest of the guests were served wine

589
00:39:29,080 --> 00:39:33,359
Speaker 3: and the celebration continued. Mary looked over at Jesus from

590
00:39:33,360 --> 00:39:37,080
Speaker 3: the other side of the room. Jesus raised his cup

591
00:39:37,120 --> 00:39:42,279
Speaker 3: to her, smiled and nodded. Mary gave a look of contentment.

592
00:39:43,080 --> 00:39:47,680
Speaker 3: It was a truly special moment. The first public miracle

593
00:39:47,960 --> 00:39:51,600
Speaker 3: Jesus ever performed was not a grand gesture of strength,

594
00:39:52,040 --> 00:39:56,040
Speaker 3: nor was it a mighty act of nature. No, it

595
00:39:56,200 --> 00:40:00,600
Speaker 3: was a small favor to please his mother. No one

596
00:40:00,680 --> 00:40:03,440
Speaker 3: knew where the wine had come from, except the servants

597
00:40:03,640 --> 00:40:08,839
Speaker 3: and the disciples. To quatch this act, Jesus showcased the

598
00:40:08,880 --> 00:40:13,040
Speaker 3: heart of Elisha. He showed that a miracle could be

599
00:40:13,120 --> 00:40:17,160
Speaker 3: a simple and kind act of service towards the ones

600
00:40:17,239 --> 00:40:17,640
Speaker 3: you love.

601
00:40:21,360 --> 00:40:24,640
Speaker 2: Our king has arrived. This episode set the tone for

602
00:40:24,719 --> 00:40:27,960
Speaker 2: the rest of our story to unfold. In a short time,

603
00:40:28,160 --> 00:40:33,440
Speaker 2: Jesus's divinity, humanity, and personality were revealed to us, but

604
00:40:33,520 --> 00:40:37,640
Speaker 2: a few things needed to happen before Jesus entered the scene. First,

605
00:40:38,040 --> 00:40:41,080
Speaker 2: we had a prelude highlighting Israel's need for a savior.

606
00:40:41,800 --> 00:40:44,279
Speaker 2: Moses and Isaiah were two of many in the Old

607
00:40:44,280 --> 00:40:48,960
Speaker 2: Testament to prophesy about a promised redeemer. Israel's problem from

608
00:40:49,000 --> 00:40:52,840
Speaker 2: the very beginning with slavery, not just slavery to foreign nations,

609
00:40:53,360 --> 00:40:57,280
Speaker 2: but to their own sin. They constantly found themselves captive

610
00:40:57,360 --> 00:41:02,799
Speaker 2: to their own depravity and selfishness. Their enslavement to Egypt, Babylon,

611
00:41:02,880 --> 00:41:06,840
Speaker 2: and Rome were merely pictures of their inner struggle. Israel

612
00:41:07,120 --> 00:41:11,239
Speaker 2: was continually captive, unable to break their chains, so they

613
00:41:11,320 --> 00:41:15,120
Speaker 2: pined after the promised deliverer to save them. How would

614
00:41:15,160 --> 00:41:17,840
Speaker 2: they know who this person was or when he would come.

615
00:41:18,600 --> 00:41:21,919
Speaker 2: God also promised a forerunner, someone to pave the way

616
00:41:21,960 --> 00:41:24,759
Speaker 2: for Jesus to come. That person was going to be

617
00:41:24,800 --> 00:41:28,040
Speaker 2: a voice crying out from the wilderness. That person ended

618
00:41:28,120 --> 00:41:32,719
Speaker 2: up being the one and only John the Baptist. The

619
00:41:32,800 --> 00:41:36,920
Speaker 2: episode begins with John the Baptist, a rugged and interesting character.

620
00:41:37,560 --> 00:41:40,880
Speaker 2: There was something mystic and strange about him, almost like

621
00:41:40,920 --> 00:41:44,600
Speaker 2: a sage or hermit found in fairy tales. His earthly

622
00:41:44,640 --> 00:41:47,560
Speaker 2: and naturalistic features were supposed to send us back to

623
00:41:47,640 --> 00:41:50,319
Speaker 2: an ancient time when people dwelt in the garden of Eden.

624
00:41:51,719 --> 00:41:54,759
Speaker 2: John was a messenger from a different plane, hearkening to

625
00:41:54,840 --> 00:41:58,840
Speaker 2: the coming of the promised son of Eve. His message

626
00:41:58,920 --> 00:42:03,319
Speaker 2: was simple, repair and be baptized. Although the message was straightforward,

627
00:42:03,520 --> 00:42:06,880
Speaker 2: it was far from easy. At this point in history,

628
00:42:07,200 --> 00:42:11,000
Speaker 2: the Jewish people were entrenched in ideology and dogma. Their

629
00:42:11,040 --> 00:42:15,120
Speaker 2: tendency toward vain religiosity made it difficult for the message

630
00:42:15,120 --> 00:42:18,480
Speaker 2: of repentance to sink in. The religious elite had a

631
00:42:18,480 --> 00:42:22,560
Speaker 2: particularly hard time receiving the message. John was proclaiming they

632
00:42:22,560 --> 00:42:27,200
Speaker 2: had spent centuries protecting themselves under religious system. John confronted

633
00:42:27,200 --> 00:42:30,600
Speaker 2: their hypocrisy, and Jesus would later continue in that fight.

634
00:42:32,280 --> 00:42:35,600
Speaker 2: John's passion drew a large crowd. Many people turned from

635
00:42:35,640 --> 00:42:39,319
Speaker 2: their sin and devoted their lives to God. John was

636
00:42:39,320 --> 00:42:42,280
Speaker 2: paving the way for a new hero to emerge, Jesus.

637
00:42:43,080 --> 00:42:45,760
Speaker 2: Jesus came into the scene and was baptized by John.

638
00:42:46,320 --> 00:42:49,040
Speaker 2: It didn't take long for the story to reveal exactly

639
00:42:49,080 --> 00:42:53,560
Speaker 2: who Jesus was. The heavens opened up, the spirit descended,

640
00:42:53,920 --> 00:42:57,279
Speaker 2: and a voice cried out from the skies, declaring, this

641
00:42:57,520 --> 00:43:01,719
Speaker 2: is my beloved son in whom I'm oh please. This

642
00:43:01,800 --> 00:43:05,960
Speaker 2: event signaled the beginning of Jesus's ministry. By being baptized,

643
00:43:06,080 --> 00:43:10,319
Speaker 2: Jesus identified with humanity's need for repentance. Jesus didn't have

644
00:43:10,440 --> 00:43:13,720
Speaker 2: anything to repent from, but he was baptized to signal

645
00:43:13,800 --> 00:43:17,920
Speaker 2: the beginning of something glorious. After Jesus was baptized, he

646
00:43:18,000 --> 00:43:21,880
Speaker 2: retreated to the wilderness to fast and pray. It is

647
00:43:21,920 --> 00:43:26,120
Speaker 2: every leader's destiny to spend time in the wilderness. Moses, David,

648
00:43:26,560 --> 00:43:30,200
Speaker 2: Elijah all spent time alone in the wilderness. It is

649
00:43:30,280 --> 00:43:33,200
Speaker 2: the dry and hungry waste land where leaders find their

650
00:43:33,239 --> 00:43:36,279
Speaker 2: true strength in God. It was in the wilderness where

651
00:43:36,280 --> 00:43:39,000
Speaker 2: Satan tempted Jesus, and it was in the wilderness where

652
00:43:39,080 --> 00:43:43,680
Speaker 2: Jesus established his dominance over darkness. Everyone too as moments

653
00:43:43,680 --> 00:43:47,320
Speaker 2: of spiritual despair and temptation. In these moments, we realize

654
00:43:47,320 --> 00:43:50,960
Speaker 2: how strong our faith truly is. Faith that goes untested

655
00:43:51,120 --> 00:43:55,080
Speaker 2: is destined for failure. I want to focus on two

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00:43:55,160 --> 00:43:58,200
Speaker 2: moments in this episode that have implications for you and me.

657
00:43:59,080 --> 00:44:03,680
Speaker 2: The first is the call of Nathaniel. Initially, Nathaniel was

658
00:44:03,680 --> 00:44:06,360
Speaker 2: skeptical that anything good could come from a dirty place

659
00:44:06,440 --> 00:44:09,200
Speaker 2: like Nazareth. His God was up as he walked to

660
00:44:09,239 --> 00:44:13,480
Speaker 2: me Jesus. However, his God was immediately thrown off when

661
00:44:13,560 --> 00:44:16,839
Speaker 2: Jesus acted like he knew him. Nathaniel asked if they

662
00:44:16,840 --> 00:44:19,439
Speaker 2: had met, and he responded, I could see you under

663
00:44:19,480 --> 00:44:23,120
Speaker 2: the fig tree. This was clearly a space where Nathaniel

664
00:44:23,160 --> 00:44:26,160
Speaker 2: met God. Nobody else but God could have known about

665
00:44:26,200 --> 00:44:29,719
Speaker 2: the fig tree. Jesus immediately broke down the walls in

666
00:44:29,800 --> 00:44:32,840
Speaker 2: Nathaniel's heart. It is not a stretch for us to

667
00:44:32,920 --> 00:44:36,000
Speaker 2: imagine what this fig tree was for Nathaniel. It was

668
00:44:36,080 --> 00:44:38,760
Speaker 2: probably a secret place where he wrestled with his feelings

669
00:44:38,760 --> 00:44:42,960
Speaker 2: about God, prayed and meditated on the Word. Perhaps it

670
00:44:43,040 --> 00:44:46,200
Speaker 2: was a quiet place of contemplation and rest. Whatever it was,

671
00:44:46,640 --> 00:44:48,400
Speaker 2: we knew it was a place where he was alone,

672
00:44:48,840 --> 00:44:51,239
Speaker 2: and only he and God knew what went on there.

673
00:44:51,880 --> 00:44:54,480
Speaker 2: We all have these areas of our lives, areas that

674
00:44:54,600 --> 00:44:59,320
Speaker 2: are unseen to the rest of the world. Moments of weakness, vulnerability, honesty,

675
00:44:59,400 --> 00:45:02,799
Speaker 2: and maybe e even dreams for the future. These are

676
00:45:02,920 --> 00:45:05,880
Speaker 2: hidden parts of who we are that nobody else knows about.

677
00:45:06,480 --> 00:45:09,200
Speaker 2: It is often in these secret places where God desires

678
00:45:09,239 --> 00:45:13,320
Speaker 2: to do his greatest work. Psalm fifty one says, behold

679
00:45:13,440 --> 00:45:16,000
Speaker 2: you delight in truth, in the inward being, and you

680
00:45:16,080 --> 00:45:19,560
Speaker 2: teach me wisdom in the secret heart. There is great

681
00:45:19,600 --> 00:45:21,680
Speaker 2: safety in having a God who knows us and is

682
00:45:21,719 --> 00:45:25,160
Speaker 2: not surprised by our flaws or skeptical of our gifts.

683
00:45:25,680 --> 00:45:29,360
Speaker 2: We saw Nathaniel's cynicism melt away when he felt known

684
00:45:29,400 --> 00:45:33,560
Speaker 2: by God. His skeptical posture shifted, and he declared, Rabbi,

685
00:45:34,200 --> 00:45:36,799
Speaker 2: you are the son of God. You are the King

686
00:45:36,840 --> 00:45:40,600
Speaker 2: of Israel. Do you see the shifting pasture he went from,

687
00:45:40,840 --> 00:45:43,279
Speaker 2: if this guy is from Nazareth, so he must be

688
00:45:43,360 --> 00:45:46,160
Speaker 2: worthless to you are the son of God.

689
00:45:46,280 --> 00:45:47,000
Speaker 8: What changed?

690
00:45:47,440 --> 00:45:51,160
Speaker 2: What changed is that Nathaniel was disarmed. Jesus gave him

691
00:45:51,160 --> 00:45:54,080
Speaker 2: a word of encouragement that piqued his interests, and then

692
00:45:54,160 --> 00:45:56,960
Speaker 2: reminded him that he was there when Nathaniel was at

693
00:45:57,000 --> 00:46:01,000
Speaker 2: his most vulnerable and alone. Jesus wants to remind you

694
00:46:01,040 --> 00:46:04,040
Speaker 2: today that he sees you and understands you when nobody

695
00:46:04,040 --> 00:46:06,480
Speaker 2: else sees you, and he is there when you are

696
00:46:06,520 --> 00:46:09,080
Speaker 2: at your most lonely. For any of you who have

697
00:46:09,160 --> 00:46:13,919
Speaker 2: felt forgotten, misunderstood, and alone, Jesus is with you under

698
00:46:13,920 --> 00:46:17,600
Speaker 2: the fig tree. The episode ended with Jesus's first miracle.

699
00:46:18,120 --> 00:46:19,799
Speaker 2: There are two points I want to make about this

700
00:46:19,880 --> 00:46:23,080
Speaker 2: event before we say goodbye. The first point is small

701
00:46:23,120 --> 00:46:26,840
Speaker 2: but important. Jesus's first miracle was doing a favor for

702
00:46:26,920 --> 00:46:30,000
Speaker 2: his mother. One of his final acts before dying on

703
00:46:30,000 --> 00:46:32,399
Speaker 2: the cross will also be taking care of his mother.

704
00:46:33,239 --> 00:46:35,880
Speaker 2: Jesus was the son of God, but he was also

705
00:46:35,960 --> 00:46:38,719
Speaker 2: the son of Mary. He was able to balance the

706
00:46:38,719 --> 00:46:41,480
Speaker 2: divine call of God and the earthly call of family.

707
00:46:42,239 --> 00:46:45,320
Speaker 2: The second point is a larger point, you guys. No

708
00:46:45,400 --> 00:46:49,120
Speaker 2: scripture is multi layered. The Gospels are no exception. They

709
00:46:49,120 --> 00:46:53,239
Speaker 2: weren't written on accident, and John in particular, inserts more

710
00:46:53,280 --> 00:46:58,040
Speaker 2: commentary in the words, imagery and sentence structure than any

711
00:46:58,200 --> 00:47:01,360
Speaker 2: other of the Gospel writers. This story from a bird's

712
00:47:01,360 --> 00:47:03,680
Speaker 2: eye view is a look at the new work Jesus

713
00:47:03,800 --> 00:47:07,160
Speaker 2: is doing in replacement of the old Jewish law and tradition.

714
00:47:07,840 --> 00:47:11,120
Speaker 2: The old religious system has run out and fallen short.

715
00:47:11,560 --> 00:47:13,719
Speaker 2: Jesus is going to take what was lacking and fill

716
00:47:13,760 --> 00:47:17,520
Speaker 2: it with something new and spectacular. His work is new wine.

717
00:47:18,200 --> 00:47:20,600
Speaker 2: The tension we will see between him and the Pharisees

718
00:47:20,680 --> 00:47:24,920
Speaker 2: in future episodes exemplifies this concept. Jesus has come to

719
00:47:25,000 --> 00:47:27,840
Speaker 2: usher in a new and fresh way of living with God.

720
00:47:28,600 --> 00:47:31,680
Speaker 2: The old way has become empty and run out. New

721
00:47:31,719 --> 00:47:35,279
Speaker 2: work is ahead. In our next episode, Jesus is going

722
00:47:35,320 --> 00:47:38,200
Speaker 2: to showcase his new work through the Lowly Outcast and

723
00:47:38,320 --> 00:47:41,160
Speaker 2: people on the Fringe. His new work will not begin

724
00:47:41,239 --> 00:47:45,440
Speaker 2: with flash, pomp and glamour. It will begin with the sick, needy,

725
00:47:45,520 --> 00:47:49,319
Speaker 2: and poor. Join us next time for episode five The

726
00:47:49,440 --> 00:47:54,520
Speaker 2: Outcast Thanks again for listening. For more inspiring stories, daily prayers,

727
00:47:54,520 --> 00:47:57,840
Speaker 2: and wisdom to last a lifetime, go to pray dot com.

728
00:47:58,080 --> 00:48:01,880
Speaker 2: And to expand your heroes in the Bible journey, download

729
00:48:01,920 --> 00:48:05,879
Speaker 2: the Heroes of the Faith devotional at Tonyevans dot org.

730
00:48:05,960 --> 00:48:10,120
Speaker 2: Forward slash Heroes. Share this podcast with a family member

731
00:48:10,200 --> 00:48:12,920
Speaker 2: or friend so they can know Jesus Christ in a

732
00:48:12,960 --> 00:48:16,280
Speaker 2: personal way. You never know how great of an impact

733
00:48:16,280 --> 00:48:19,439
Speaker 2: the Bible and this podcast can have on someone's life.

734
00:48:19,719 --> 00:48:20,360
Speaker 2: God bless