JESUS James Shepherd
Series: Find HOPE
Speaker: Steve Jeffrey
Date: 19th December 2015
00:00:00 --> 00:00:01 It's fantastic to be here this morning.
00:00:01 --> 00:00:04 Let me add my welcome to Steve's.
00:00:04 --> 00:00:05 It is so glad that you are here.
00:00:06 --> 00:00:07 This is a big day for us as a church.
00:00:07 --> 00:00:09 We've got the extravaganza afterwards.
00:00:10 --> 00:00:13 It's very exciting to hear that we have over 200 people
00:00:13 --> 00:00:16 going to be on this site throughout 4.30 to 7.30,
00:00:16 --> 00:00:19 hopefully to hear the gospel spoken to their life,
00:00:19 --> 00:00:20 maybe for the first time.
00:00:20 --> 00:00:22 Isn't that wonderful and fantastic?
00:00:23 --> 00:00:26 We're going to pray now before we hear God's word,
00:00:26 --> 00:00:27 so please join me in prayer.
00:00:27 --> 00:00:31 Heavenly Father, we thank you so much for the news
00:00:31 --> 00:00:33 that this afternoon that you're going to have
00:00:33 --> 00:00:35 all these people here on site to hear your word,
00:00:35 --> 00:00:37 maybe for the first time.
00:00:38 --> 00:00:40 And Lord, that's so exciting that your word is so powerful
00:00:40 --> 00:00:42 and it can change lives forever.
00:00:43 --> 00:00:45 And so Lord, as we sit here this morning,
00:00:45 --> 00:00:47 let us be excited that we get to hear from your word,
00:00:48 --> 00:00:50 a word that might be quite familiar to us,
00:00:50 --> 00:00:53 but nonetheless, that is just as exciting,
00:00:53 --> 00:00:56 just as powerful because it's you who speaks to us.
00:00:56 --> 00:00:59 It's a word that whilst what might have been written
00:00:59 --> 00:01:02 thousands of years ago, it is still speaking to us today.
00:01:03 --> 00:01:04 It is living and active.
00:01:04 --> 00:01:07 And we pray, Lord, as we hear you this morning,
00:01:07 --> 00:01:09 would you change our hearts and our minds
00:01:09 --> 00:01:10 to love and to serve you,
00:01:10 --> 00:01:12 to be excited about Christmas
00:01:12 --> 00:01:14 and what it truly is all about.
00:01:14 --> 00:01:17 We pray these things in your son's precious name.
00:01:18 --> 00:01:18 Amen.
00:01:18 --> 00:01:18 Amen.
00:01:20 --> 00:01:22 It's less than a week till Christmas.
00:01:22 --> 00:01:23 Are you all excited?
00:01:25 --> 00:01:25 Yes.
00:01:26 --> 00:01:26 Ah, yes.
00:01:27 --> 00:01:28 The kids are excited.
00:01:28 --> 00:01:31 Christmas is generally an exciting time.
00:01:32 --> 00:01:32 I don't know about you,
00:01:32 --> 00:01:35 but I've always felt pretty excited around Christmas
00:01:35 --> 00:01:37 and I've always felt an anticipation
00:01:37 --> 00:01:39 about the day that comes.
00:01:39 --> 00:01:41 Everyone is in a very good mood.
00:01:41 --> 00:01:44 People are throwing Christmas parties all over the place.
00:01:44 --> 00:01:46 Everyone's winding down for the year.
00:01:46 --> 00:01:49 People are just more relaxed and happy.
00:01:50 --> 00:01:51 Carols are playing in shopping centres,
00:01:51 --> 00:01:52 if you like carols.
00:01:53 --> 00:01:56 People are cheerful and joyful.
00:01:56 --> 00:01:58 It is the season, right?
00:01:58 --> 00:02:01 There's so much expectation at Christmas time.
00:02:01 --> 00:02:04 Everyone looks forward to this one day.
00:02:05 --> 00:02:05 But why?
00:02:06 --> 00:02:08 What exactly is it about this day
00:02:08 --> 00:02:09 that everyone looks forward to?
00:02:09 --> 00:02:12 Is it because work shuts down for a whole week or so
00:02:12 --> 00:02:13 and everyone gets a holiday?
00:02:14 --> 00:02:16 Is it because we have an excuse to eat
00:02:16 --> 00:02:18 as much as we possibly can
00:02:18 --> 00:02:21 without any kind of regret or self or shame?
00:02:21 --> 00:02:24 Is it because of all the carol events we can go to?
00:02:24 --> 00:02:25 The main, last night.
00:02:26 --> 00:02:29 Is it because of actually not Christmas Day,
00:02:29 --> 00:02:31 but the Boxing Day test the next day?
00:02:31 --> 00:02:32 And we're all looking forward to watching that.
00:02:32 --> 00:02:36 Is it because of all the presents
00:02:36 --> 00:02:38 we're hoping to receive on the day?
00:02:38 --> 00:02:39 I imagine your kids,
00:02:39 --> 00:02:41 and if our kids are still here,
00:02:41 --> 00:02:44 that is probably what's most exciting about Christmas Day.
00:02:44 --> 00:02:47 I'm still hoping one Christmas
00:02:47 --> 00:02:49 that Stance will bring me my new surfboard
00:02:49 --> 00:02:52 that I've been asking for for quite some time now.
00:02:52 --> 00:02:55 I've sent into the dimensions to him in the North Pole,
00:02:55 --> 00:02:58 but I'm still waiting on a reply.
00:02:59 --> 00:03:01 There's so much to look forward to at Christmas time.
00:03:01 --> 00:03:06 But does the hype and the expectation last?
00:03:07 --> 00:03:08 No.
00:03:08 --> 00:03:10 As soon as Christmas rolls through,
00:03:10 --> 00:03:12 we're no longer excited about it,
00:03:12 --> 00:03:15 no longer thinking about it or talking about it
00:03:15 --> 00:03:16 or singing carols anymore.
00:03:17 --> 00:03:19 I know for myself that after the hype dies down,
00:03:19 --> 00:03:21 I feel a bit drained and a bit empty,
00:03:22 --> 00:03:26 totally drained by the expectation I put on the day itself.
00:03:26 --> 00:03:29 So much energy and time,
00:03:30 --> 00:03:33 preparation goes into this one day,
00:03:33 --> 00:03:35 and it comes and goes like that.
00:03:37 --> 00:03:39 The thing is, we know that.
00:03:39 --> 00:03:41 We're actually quite aware of that.
00:03:42 --> 00:03:44 We are not unaware of the hype
00:03:44 --> 00:03:47 and how it fizzles out very quickly once it's all over.
00:03:47 --> 00:03:50 So how do we in the Western world deal with this issue
00:03:50 --> 00:03:52 when the hype is all over?
00:03:53 --> 00:03:55 We make another event to look forward to.
00:03:56 --> 00:03:57 Boxing Day sales.
00:03:58 --> 00:04:00 A day where those of us who are a little let down
00:04:00 --> 00:04:01 by our Christmas presents
00:04:01 --> 00:04:04 can have a second chance at redeeming the excitement
00:04:04 --> 00:04:06 we lost or didn't get on Christmas Day
00:04:06 --> 00:04:08 with a good gift for ourselves.
00:04:08 --> 00:04:12 But again, Boxing Day hype doesn't last very long.
00:04:12 --> 00:04:13 It only lasts one day.
00:04:13 --> 00:04:16 And so how do we try and keep the hype going
00:04:16 --> 00:04:17 and the excitement coming?
00:04:18 --> 00:04:18 Another event.
00:04:19 --> 00:04:20 New Year's Eve.
00:04:21 --> 00:04:22 A night out on the town where we celebrate
00:04:22 --> 00:04:23 and try to forget,
00:04:23 --> 00:04:25 either try to forget the year that happened
00:04:25 --> 00:04:27 or we celebrate the year that happened
00:04:27 --> 00:04:29 and we look forward to the year that is to come.
00:04:30 --> 00:04:34 But again, New Year's Eve comes and goes
00:04:34 --> 00:04:35 and the excitement dies down
00:04:35 --> 00:04:37 as many people wake up the next day
00:04:37 --> 00:04:40 maybe not remembering the excitement of the night
00:04:40 --> 00:04:42 but certainly its consequences.
00:04:43 --> 00:04:45 And so once the excitement passes away
00:04:45 --> 00:04:46 and the new year rolls in,
00:04:47 --> 00:04:49 how do we continue to make life exciting?
00:04:50 --> 00:04:52 How do we continue the hype to keep going?
00:04:53 --> 00:04:54 Another event.
00:04:55 --> 00:04:56 Australia Day eventually comes along.
00:04:57 --> 00:04:59 Do you see where I'm going here?
00:05:00 --> 00:05:02 Our world is aware enough to realise
00:05:02 --> 00:05:05 that hype doesn't last.
00:05:05 --> 00:05:07 They know that the excitement generated
00:05:07 --> 00:05:11 at Christmas time by presents and food and holidays
00:05:11 --> 00:05:13 and family hangouts dies down eventually.
00:05:14 --> 00:05:17 And so we deal with that by constantly having events
00:05:17 --> 00:05:20 after events after events to look forward to,
00:05:20 --> 00:05:22 to fill out our lives with stuff to do,
00:05:22 --> 00:05:24 to keep us happy and distracted,
00:05:25 --> 00:05:26 to keep the hype going,
00:05:26 --> 00:05:28 to keep our lives exciting.
00:05:29 --> 00:05:31 We keep looking forward to the next thing,
00:05:32 --> 00:05:33 the next adventure,
00:05:33 --> 00:05:34 the next purchase,
00:05:35 --> 00:05:35 the next holiday.
00:05:37 --> 00:05:38 But is that enough?
00:05:39 --> 00:05:40 As we get older,
00:05:40 --> 00:05:42 there is less and less we can do
00:05:43 --> 00:05:44 until eventually one day
00:05:44 --> 00:05:46 we pass from this world
00:05:46 --> 00:05:48 and we can no longer do anything.
00:05:49 --> 00:05:50 As a 25-year-old,
00:05:50 --> 00:05:51 the world tells me
00:05:51 --> 00:05:52 that the solution to this problem
00:05:52 --> 00:05:54 is to not waste your life now,
00:05:55 --> 00:05:56 to live life full,
00:05:57 --> 00:05:59 full of venture and excitement,
00:05:59 --> 00:06:00 to give it my best shot
00:06:00 --> 00:06:02 and hopefully it will be fulfilling enough.
00:06:03 --> 00:06:05 As I reflect back on my 20s and 30s,
00:06:05 --> 00:06:06 I'll be able to say
00:06:06 --> 00:06:08 in my late 70s and 80s,
00:06:08 --> 00:06:10 I lived a good life
00:06:10 --> 00:06:11 and I'm satisfied and content.
00:06:13 --> 00:06:15 But therein lies the issue
00:06:15 --> 00:06:16 and the irony.
00:06:17 --> 00:06:18 It's not going to be fulfilling enough
00:06:18 --> 00:06:21 because as the world is aware,
00:06:22 --> 00:06:23 hype and excitement
00:06:23 --> 00:06:26 about anything doesn't last.
00:06:27 --> 00:06:29 I can live the most exciting,
00:06:30 --> 00:06:32 fulfilling life in my 20s and 30s,
00:06:32 --> 00:06:35 but the moment that it begins to slow down,
00:06:36 --> 00:06:37 I'll be longing for more.
00:06:37 --> 00:06:40 The past excitement won't be there
00:06:40 --> 00:06:41 to comfort me
00:06:41 --> 00:06:43 and keep me content and fulfilled.
00:06:43 --> 00:06:45 No, what will happen
00:06:45 --> 00:06:46 is that I will end up
00:06:46 --> 00:06:49 in a vicious, depressing cycle
00:06:49 --> 00:06:51 of trying to seek fulfillment in my 20s
00:06:51 --> 00:06:54 and when I'm let down by that outcome,
00:06:54 --> 00:06:57 I'll be left unfulfilled, unsatisfied.
00:06:59 --> 00:07:01 Our world, particularly in the West,
00:07:01 --> 00:07:05 is trapped in this unending cycle
00:07:05 --> 00:07:07 of trying to seek fulfillment,
00:07:08 --> 00:07:11 of pursuing the exciting life,
00:07:12 --> 00:07:13 yet our expectation
00:07:13 --> 00:07:16 is never satisfied.
00:07:16 --> 00:07:17 Our anticipation
00:07:17 --> 00:07:18 or what we hope for
00:07:18 --> 00:07:21 is never fully realized.
00:07:22 --> 00:07:23 It's not that we don't do enough
00:07:23 --> 00:07:24 or don't have enough
00:07:24 --> 00:07:27 or the opportunity to enjoy life.
00:07:27 --> 00:07:29 It's just that the hype
00:07:29 --> 00:07:31 and excitement of material things,
00:07:32 --> 00:07:33 of experiences,
00:07:34 --> 00:07:35 don't last.
00:07:36 --> 00:07:37 We are always left
00:07:37 --> 00:07:39 longing, longing for more.
00:07:40 --> 00:07:41 So what's the answer then?
00:07:42 --> 00:07:43 Do we resign ourselves
00:07:43 --> 00:07:44 to nihilism?
00:07:45 --> 00:07:47 Do we try and disconnect from the world
00:07:47 --> 00:07:49 not to get too attached to anything,
00:07:49 --> 00:07:50 otherwise we're disappointed in the end?
00:07:50 --> 00:07:52 No.
00:07:53 --> 00:07:55 Whilst the direction
00:07:55 --> 00:07:56 our modern world
00:07:56 --> 00:07:57 wants us to head in
00:07:57 --> 00:07:58 is destructive,
00:07:59 --> 00:08:01 a destructive cycle,
00:08:02 --> 00:08:04 it does get one small thing right.
00:08:05 --> 00:08:07 Christmas is exciting.
00:08:08 --> 00:08:09 Very exciting.
00:08:10 --> 00:08:10 However,
00:08:11 --> 00:08:13 the excitement the world focuses on
00:08:13 --> 00:08:15 is shallow and cheap
00:08:15 --> 00:08:16 compared to the real reason
00:08:16 --> 00:08:18 why Christmas is exciting.
00:08:18 --> 00:08:20 Christmas is not exciting
00:08:20 --> 00:08:21 because of food
00:08:21 --> 00:08:22 and presents
00:08:22 --> 00:08:22 and holidays
00:08:22 --> 00:08:23 and family,
00:08:23 --> 00:08:24 although they're great things.
00:08:25 --> 00:08:26 Christmas is exciting
00:08:26 --> 00:08:27 because the creator
00:08:27 --> 00:08:28 of the universe,
00:08:28 --> 00:08:30 the all-powerful God,
00:08:30 --> 00:08:31 holy and magnificent,
00:08:32 --> 00:08:33 gives us something
00:08:33 --> 00:08:34 that is more valuable
00:08:34 --> 00:08:35 than all else.
00:08:37 --> 00:08:38 He gives us something
00:08:38 --> 00:08:39 that will last,
00:08:40 --> 00:08:41 something that is eternal.
00:08:42 --> 00:08:42 Not something
00:08:42 --> 00:08:44 that loses excitement,
00:08:44 --> 00:08:45 not something that will rust
00:08:45 --> 00:08:46 or fade away,
00:08:46 --> 00:08:48 but something that will continue
00:08:48 --> 00:08:49 to fill our hearts
00:08:49 --> 00:08:50 with joy
00:08:50 --> 00:08:51 and keep us excited
00:08:51 --> 00:08:53 to love and follow him.
00:08:54 --> 00:08:55 The world
00:08:55 --> 00:08:56 was on the right track,
00:08:57 --> 00:08:58 but this morning
00:08:58 --> 00:08:58 as we continue
00:08:58 --> 00:09:00 in Matthew's gospel
00:09:00 --> 00:09:01 looking at the story
00:09:01 --> 00:09:01 of Christmas,
00:09:02 --> 00:09:02 we're going to see
00:09:02 --> 00:09:03 why Christmas
00:09:03 --> 00:09:05 is actually truly exciting.
00:09:07 --> 00:09:07 As Sam spoke
00:09:07 --> 00:09:08 about last week,
00:09:08 --> 00:09:09 Matthew starts
00:09:09 --> 00:09:10 with a genealogy
00:09:10 --> 00:09:11 in order to testify
00:09:11 --> 00:09:13 to who Jesus is,
00:09:13 --> 00:09:16 that he is a real person
00:09:16 --> 00:09:17 who comes from a line
00:09:17 --> 00:09:18 of people
00:09:18 --> 00:09:19 going back to Abraham.
00:09:20 --> 00:09:21 There are many people
00:09:21 --> 00:09:21 in the family tree
00:09:21 --> 00:09:22 that you might not expect
00:09:22 --> 00:09:23 to be in there
00:09:23 --> 00:09:25 if you wanted to impress
00:09:25 --> 00:09:27 or show your significance
00:09:27 --> 00:09:28 in the world.
00:09:28 --> 00:09:30 But Matthew does include
00:09:30 --> 00:09:31 these people
00:09:31 --> 00:09:32 because he wants to show
00:09:32 --> 00:09:34 that our God
00:09:34 --> 00:09:35 works differently
00:09:35 --> 00:09:36 to the way
00:09:36 --> 00:09:37 we might expect,
00:09:37 --> 00:09:38 that God uses
00:09:38 --> 00:09:40 broken people,
00:09:40 --> 00:09:41 people with rough edges,
00:09:41 --> 00:09:42 people with skeletons
00:09:42 --> 00:09:43 in their closets
00:09:43 --> 00:09:44 in order to achieve
00:09:44 --> 00:09:45 his perfect
00:09:45 --> 00:09:46 and glorious plan.
00:09:47 --> 00:09:49 This big generational
00:09:49 --> 00:09:50 picture view
00:09:50 --> 00:09:52 that proves
00:09:52 --> 00:09:53 Jesus' historicity
00:09:53 --> 00:09:56 is there because
00:09:56 --> 00:09:57 he did not appear
00:09:57 --> 00:09:58 out of nowhere.
00:09:59 --> 00:10:00 That's what Matthew
00:10:00 --> 00:10:01 wants to intend to do
00:10:01 --> 00:10:02 and now Matthew
00:10:02 --> 00:10:03 will go on
00:10:03 --> 00:10:03 looking,
00:10:03 --> 00:10:05 going from that big picture
00:10:05 --> 00:10:06 to a narrow scope.
00:10:07 --> 00:10:08 Still trying to do
00:10:08 --> 00:10:08 the same thing though.
00:10:09 --> 00:10:10 He says in verse 18,
00:10:10 --> 00:10:12 this is how the birth
00:10:12 --> 00:10:12 of Jesus,
00:10:13 --> 00:10:13 the Messiah,
00:10:14 --> 00:10:14 came about.
00:10:15 --> 00:10:16 So whilst the scope
00:10:16 --> 00:10:17 has been narrowed down
00:10:17 --> 00:10:19 from this big generational view
00:10:19 --> 00:10:20 to now looking at
00:10:20 --> 00:10:21 the account of Jesus,
00:10:22 --> 00:10:23 Matthew wants to show
00:10:23 --> 00:10:24 that the Christmas story
00:10:24 --> 00:10:26 is historical.
00:10:27 --> 00:10:27 That everything
00:10:27 --> 00:10:28 that we read here
00:10:28 --> 00:10:29 is true.
00:10:29 --> 00:10:30 It happened.
00:10:30 --> 00:10:32 It happened for a reason
00:10:32 --> 00:10:33 and every detail
00:10:33 --> 00:10:34 is important.
00:10:35 --> 00:10:36 Sam mentioned last week
00:10:36 --> 00:10:37 a woman who commented
00:10:37 --> 00:10:38 on an online article
00:10:38 --> 00:10:40 saying that the Christmas story
00:10:40 --> 00:10:42 didn't really happen.
00:10:42 --> 00:10:43 It's just a story
00:10:43 --> 00:10:45 to show how much
00:10:45 --> 00:10:46 God loves us.
00:10:48 --> 00:10:49 But that does not do
00:10:49 --> 00:10:51 justice to Matthew's
00:10:51 --> 00:10:53 strong opening here.
00:10:54 --> 00:10:55 This is how the birth
00:10:55 --> 00:10:56 of Jesus,
00:10:56 --> 00:10:56 the Messiah,
00:10:56 --> 00:10:57 came about.
00:10:58 --> 00:10:59 Came about.
00:10:59 --> 00:11:00 Matthew intends
00:11:00 --> 00:11:01 to talk about
00:11:01 --> 00:11:02 the historicity,
00:11:02 --> 00:11:03 the story,
00:11:03 --> 00:11:04 the historical account
00:11:04 --> 00:11:06 of Jesus' birth.
00:11:06 --> 00:11:07 He did not just
00:11:07 --> 00:11:08 waste time
00:11:08 --> 00:11:08 going through
00:11:08 --> 00:11:09 every single
00:11:09 --> 00:11:10 or most names
00:11:10 --> 00:11:12 in his generational line
00:11:12 --> 00:11:14 to then talk about
00:11:14 --> 00:11:14 an allegory
00:11:14 --> 00:11:16 of God's love.
00:11:16 --> 00:11:17 An abstract,
00:11:17 --> 00:11:18 undefined,
00:11:19 --> 00:11:20 substance-less
00:11:20 --> 00:11:20 allegory
00:11:20 --> 00:11:21 of God's love.
00:11:21 --> 00:11:22 No, he
00:11:22 --> 00:11:23 has that lineage there
00:11:23 --> 00:11:24 because he wants
00:11:24 --> 00:11:25 to show us
00:11:25 --> 00:11:26 that the birth
00:11:26 --> 00:11:27 of Jesus is real.
00:11:28 --> 00:11:29 And when we look
00:11:29 --> 00:11:29 at the historical account
00:11:29 --> 00:11:30 of Jesus' birth,
00:11:31 --> 00:11:32 we see there
00:11:32 --> 00:11:33 God's love,
00:11:33 --> 00:11:34 truly.
00:11:35 --> 00:11:36 So let's look
00:11:36 --> 00:11:36 at the first bit
00:11:36 --> 00:11:37 of it.
00:11:38 --> 00:11:39 Verse 18.
00:11:40 --> 00:11:41 This is how
00:11:41 --> 00:11:41 the birth of Jesus
00:11:41 --> 00:11:42 Christ came about.
00:11:43 --> 00:11:43 His mother Mary
00:11:43 --> 00:11:44 was pledged
00:11:44 --> 00:11:44 to be married
00:11:44 --> 00:11:45 to Joseph.
00:11:46 --> 00:11:46 But before they
00:11:46 --> 00:11:47 came together,
00:11:47 --> 00:11:48 she was found
00:11:48 --> 00:11:48 to be a child
00:11:48 --> 00:11:49 through the Holy
00:11:49 --> 00:11:50 Spirit because
00:11:50 --> 00:11:52 Joseph, her husband,
00:11:52 --> 00:11:53 was a righteous man
00:11:53 --> 00:11:54 and did not want
00:11:54 --> 00:11:55 to expose her
00:11:55 --> 00:11:56 to a public disgrace.
00:11:57 --> 00:11:57 He had a mind
00:11:57 --> 00:11:58 to divorce her
00:11:58 --> 00:11:58 quietly.
00:11:59 --> 00:11:59 But after that,
00:11:59 --> 00:12:00 he had considered
00:12:00 --> 00:12:01 this,
00:12:01 --> 00:12:02 an angel of the Lord
00:12:02 --> 00:12:03 appeared to him
00:12:03 --> 00:12:03 in a dream
00:12:03 --> 00:12:04 and said,
00:12:04 --> 00:12:05 Joseph, son of David,
00:12:05 --> 00:12:06 do not be afraid
00:12:06 --> 00:12:07 to take Mary home
00:12:07 --> 00:12:09 as your wife
00:12:09 --> 00:12:10 because what is
00:12:10 --> 00:12:11 conceived in her
00:12:11 --> 00:12:12 is from the Holy Spirit.
00:12:13 --> 00:12:14 She will give birth
00:12:14 --> 00:12:15 to a son
00:12:15 --> 00:12:16 and you are to give
00:12:16 --> 00:12:17 him the name Jesus
00:12:17 --> 00:12:18 because he will save
00:12:18 --> 00:12:19 his people
00:12:19 --> 00:12:21 from their sins.
00:12:22 --> 00:12:23 This story
00:12:23 --> 00:12:24 can't simply be
00:12:24 --> 00:12:26 about God's love
00:12:26 --> 00:12:26 in a general,
00:12:27 --> 00:12:27 abstract,
00:12:28 --> 00:12:29 undefined sense.
00:12:29 --> 00:12:30 No, this story
00:12:30 --> 00:12:32 whilst is characterized
00:12:32 --> 00:12:34 by the love of God
00:12:34 --> 00:12:35 is one about redemption.
00:12:36 --> 00:12:37 Is it about salvation?
00:12:38 --> 00:12:39 The length required
00:12:39 --> 00:12:40 for God
00:12:40 --> 00:12:41 to save his people.
00:12:41 --> 00:12:41 Indeed,
00:12:42 --> 00:12:43 it's the historical nature
00:12:43 --> 00:12:44 of this account
00:12:44 --> 00:12:46 that gives substance
00:12:46 --> 00:12:47 and definition
00:12:47 --> 00:12:49 to God's love for us.
00:12:50 --> 00:12:52 The account
00:12:52 --> 00:12:53 of Jesus' birth
00:12:53 --> 00:12:54 teaches us
00:12:54 --> 00:12:55 something about humanity.
00:12:56 --> 00:12:56 Matthew records
00:12:56 --> 00:12:57 the angel saying
00:12:57 --> 00:12:59 Jesus was sent here
00:12:59 --> 00:12:59 to save us
00:12:59 --> 00:13:01 from our sins.
00:13:01 --> 00:13:02 We learn that we are
00:13:02 --> 00:13:03 a lost
00:13:03 --> 00:13:05 and broken people.
00:13:05 --> 00:13:06 We need to be saved
00:13:06 --> 00:13:07 from our sins
00:13:07 --> 00:13:08 but the only way
00:13:08 --> 00:13:09 for our sin
00:13:09 --> 00:13:10 to be dealt with
00:13:10 --> 00:13:13 was by sacrificial death.
00:13:14 --> 00:13:15 Someone had to die
00:13:15 --> 00:13:16 in our place
00:13:16 --> 00:13:17 in order to stop
00:13:17 --> 00:13:18 the eternally
00:13:18 --> 00:13:20 devastating effects
00:13:20 --> 00:13:21 of sin.
00:13:21 --> 00:13:24 the expectation
00:13:24 --> 00:13:25 would be that
00:13:25 --> 00:13:25 this baby
00:13:25 --> 00:13:26 wouldn't just remain
00:13:26 --> 00:13:27 as a baby.
00:13:27 --> 00:13:28 He would grow up
00:13:28 --> 00:13:30 to become a man
00:13:30 --> 00:13:31 who would eventually
00:13:31 --> 00:13:33 take our place
00:13:33 --> 00:13:35 and face the punishment
00:13:35 --> 00:13:36 of sin
00:13:36 --> 00:13:38 by dying for us.
00:13:39 --> 00:13:40 So much more
00:13:40 --> 00:13:41 is going on here
00:13:41 --> 00:13:42 than a simple
00:13:42 --> 00:13:42 allegory
00:13:42 --> 00:13:44 of God's love.
00:13:44 --> 00:13:44 In fact,
00:13:45 --> 00:13:45 the allegory
00:13:45 --> 00:13:46 means nothing
00:13:46 --> 00:13:46 and has nothing
00:13:46 --> 00:13:47 to stand on
00:13:47 --> 00:13:48 without its historical
00:13:48 --> 00:13:49 accounts.
00:13:49 --> 00:13:51 God's love for us
00:13:51 --> 00:13:52 is the reason
00:13:52 --> 00:13:52 he must send
00:13:52 --> 00:13:54 his son to die
00:13:54 --> 00:13:55 in order that
00:13:55 --> 00:13:55 our sins
00:13:55 --> 00:13:57 will be paid for.
00:13:57 --> 00:13:58 He cannot love us
00:13:58 --> 00:13:59 without dealing
00:13:59 --> 00:13:59 with the issue
00:13:59 --> 00:14:01 of sin first.
00:14:02 --> 00:14:03 But this death
00:14:03 --> 00:14:05 would be like no other.
00:14:06 --> 00:14:08 In order for Jesus
00:14:08 --> 00:14:09 to be a sufficient
00:14:09 --> 00:14:10 sacrifice
00:14:10 --> 00:14:11 for the whole world,
00:14:11 --> 00:14:12 he had to be
00:14:12 --> 00:14:14 more than just a man.
00:14:14 --> 00:14:15 He had to be
00:14:15 --> 00:14:16 God.
00:14:18 --> 00:14:19 The historical account
00:14:19 --> 00:14:20 puts it like this,
00:14:20 --> 00:14:21 that he was born
00:14:21 --> 00:14:23 of the Holy Spirit.
00:14:23 --> 00:14:24 Otherwise saying
00:14:24 --> 00:14:24 that he,
00:14:25 --> 00:14:26 unlike any other man
00:14:26 --> 00:14:27 who was born,
00:14:27 --> 00:14:28 this man
00:14:28 --> 00:14:29 was born
00:14:29 --> 00:14:30 as a divine person.
00:14:31 --> 00:14:31 Jesus
00:14:31 --> 00:14:33 is the God-man.
00:14:34 --> 00:14:34 Fully God
00:14:34 --> 00:14:36 and fully man.
00:14:37 --> 00:14:38 And it's this
00:14:38 --> 00:14:39 mystery
00:14:39 --> 00:14:40 and the glory
00:14:40 --> 00:14:41 of the incarnation,
00:14:42 --> 00:14:43 God taking on flesh,
00:14:44 --> 00:14:45 that really shows us
00:14:45 --> 00:14:46 how desperate
00:14:46 --> 00:14:47 we are
00:14:47 --> 00:14:49 and how much
00:14:49 --> 00:14:51 God loves us.
00:14:52 --> 00:14:53 That he would take
00:14:53 --> 00:14:54 on the likeness
00:14:54 --> 00:14:55 of sinful flesh,
00:14:56 --> 00:14:57 make himself nothing,
00:14:58 --> 00:14:59 humble himself,
00:15:00 --> 00:15:01 and be obedient
00:15:01 --> 00:15:01 to death.
00:15:03 --> 00:15:04 What we begin
00:15:04 --> 00:15:04 to see
00:15:04 --> 00:15:05 by looking
00:15:05 --> 00:15:06 at the historical
00:15:06 --> 00:15:07 account of Jesus
00:15:07 --> 00:15:08 is more than just
00:15:08 --> 00:15:09 an allegory
00:15:09 --> 00:15:10 of God's love.
00:15:10 --> 00:15:11 Indeed,
00:15:11 --> 00:15:12 turning
00:15:12 --> 00:15:14 the historical
00:15:14 --> 00:15:14 account
00:15:14 --> 00:15:15 into an allegory
00:15:15 --> 00:15:17 of God's love
00:15:17 --> 00:15:18 only serves
00:15:18 --> 00:15:19 to weaken
00:15:19 --> 00:15:20 and cheapen
00:15:20 --> 00:15:21 the love of God,
00:15:21 --> 00:15:21 which is clearly
00:15:21 --> 00:15:22 seen in the account
00:15:22 --> 00:15:23 itself.
00:15:24 --> 00:15:25 Let me clarify,
00:15:25 --> 00:15:25 though,
00:15:26 --> 00:15:27 the Christmas story
00:15:27 --> 00:15:28 is a story
00:15:28 --> 00:15:29 of God's love,
00:15:29 --> 00:15:31 but it's not
00:15:31 --> 00:15:32 a story told
00:15:32 --> 00:15:33 to make sense
00:15:33 --> 00:15:34 of a love,
00:15:34 --> 00:15:35 of God's love,
00:15:36 --> 00:15:36 that is otherwise
00:15:36 --> 00:15:37 abstract,
00:15:37 --> 00:15:37 abstract,
00:15:38 --> 00:15:39 or in general,
00:15:40 --> 00:15:41 or can't be defined.
00:15:42 --> 00:15:42 No,
00:15:42 --> 00:15:43 God's love
00:15:43 --> 00:15:44 is not abstract.
00:15:44 --> 00:15:46 It is not undefined.
00:15:46 --> 00:15:47 It expresses
00:15:47 --> 00:15:48 itself
00:15:48 --> 00:15:50 in history
00:15:50 --> 00:15:51 through the birth
00:15:51 --> 00:15:52 of our Lord Jesus
00:15:52 --> 00:15:53 and in his death.
00:15:54 --> 00:15:54 God's love
00:15:54 --> 00:15:55 is not explained
00:15:55 --> 00:15:56 and defined
00:15:56 --> 00:15:56 by the use
00:15:56 --> 00:15:57 of allegories
00:15:57 --> 00:15:58 or made-up stories.
00:15:58 --> 00:15:59 No,
00:15:59 --> 00:15:59 God's love
00:15:59 --> 00:16:00 is what is driving
00:16:00 --> 00:16:02 the narrative here.
00:16:03 --> 00:16:04 The narrative
00:16:04 --> 00:16:05 of Jesus' birth
00:16:05 --> 00:16:05 doesn't give us
00:16:05 --> 00:16:06 an idea
00:16:06 --> 00:16:07 of God's love.
00:16:07 --> 00:16:08 it itself occurs
00:16:08 --> 00:16:09 because God
00:16:09 --> 00:16:10 loves us.
00:16:13 --> 00:16:13 That's why
00:16:13 --> 00:16:14 it has to be
00:16:14 --> 00:16:15 historical.
00:16:17 --> 00:16:17 He sent
00:16:17 --> 00:16:18 his son
00:16:18 --> 00:16:19 to be born
00:16:19 --> 00:16:19 of a virgin
00:16:19 --> 00:16:20 and to die
00:16:20 --> 00:16:21 on a cross
00:16:21 --> 00:16:21 in order that
00:16:21 --> 00:16:22 we might have
00:16:22 --> 00:16:23 life.
00:16:23 --> 00:16:24 This happened
00:16:24 --> 00:16:26 in history
00:16:26 --> 00:16:27 because God
00:16:27 --> 00:16:27 loves us
00:16:27 --> 00:16:29 and his love
00:16:29 --> 00:16:30 moves him
00:16:30 --> 00:16:31 to intervene
00:16:31 --> 00:16:31 and act
00:16:31 --> 00:16:33 in history.
00:16:34 --> 00:16:35 At Christmas time
00:16:35 --> 00:16:36 we are reminded
00:16:36 --> 00:16:37 of this
00:16:37 --> 00:16:37 saviour
00:16:37 --> 00:16:38 who came
00:16:38 --> 00:16:39 and died
00:16:39 --> 00:16:40 and rose
00:16:40 --> 00:16:40 again
00:16:40 --> 00:16:41 in order
00:16:41 --> 00:16:42 we might live.
00:16:42 --> 00:16:43 At Christmas time
00:16:43 --> 00:16:43 we are reminded
00:16:43 --> 00:16:44 of the gift
00:16:44 --> 00:16:45 of salvation
00:16:45 --> 00:16:46 that Jesus
00:16:46 --> 00:16:47 has saved us
00:16:47 --> 00:16:48 from our sins
00:16:48 --> 00:16:49 that this
00:16:49 --> 00:16:50 happened
00:16:50 --> 00:16:51 in history
00:16:51 --> 00:16:52 because God
00:16:52 --> 00:16:53 loved us
00:16:53 --> 00:16:53 so much.
00:16:53 --> 00:16:56 the question
00:16:56 --> 00:16:57 is however
00:16:57 --> 00:16:58 what are we
00:16:58 --> 00:16:59 saved for?
00:17:00 --> 00:17:00 What's the
00:17:00 --> 00:17:01 point of God
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 saving us
00:17:02 --> 00:17:03 from our sins?
00:17:03 --> 00:17:04 What do we do
00:17:04 --> 00:17:04 now?
00:17:04 --> 00:17:05 Is it just
00:17:05 --> 00:17:06 to simply
00:17:06 --> 00:17:06 avoid judgment?
00:17:07 --> 00:17:08 Or is there
00:17:08 --> 00:17:08 something else
00:17:08 --> 00:17:09 going on here?
00:17:11 --> 00:17:11 There is
00:17:11 --> 00:17:12 something more
00:17:12 --> 00:17:12 going on here.
00:17:13 --> 00:17:13 You see
00:17:13 --> 00:17:14 salvation
00:17:14 --> 00:17:15 is not the
00:17:15 --> 00:17:15 end goal
00:17:15 --> 00:17:17 of the Christmas
00:17:17 --> 00:17:17 story.
00:17:18 --> 00:17:19 And dare I say it
00:17:19 --> 00:17:20 salvation is not
00:17:20 --> 00:17:20 even the greatest
00:17:20 --> 00:17:21 gift
00:17:21 --> 00:17:22 that we have
00:17:22 --> 00:17:23 at Christmas time.
00:17:24 --> 00:17:25 The greatest
00:17:25 --> 00:17:26 gift at Christmas
00:17:26 --> 00:17:28 comes through
00:17:28 --> 00:17:29 salvation.
00:17:30 --> 00:17:31 And that gift
00:17:31 --> 00:17:32 is that we
00:17:32 --> 00:17:32 get God.
00:17:33 --> 00:17:34 We
00:17:34 --> 00:17:35 get
00:17:35 --> 00:17:36 God.
00:17:37 --> 00:17:37 Look at
00:17:37 --> 00:17:38 verse 22.
00:17:39 --> 00:17:39 All this
00:17:39 --> 00:17:40 took place
00:17:40 --> 00:17:40 to fulfill
00:17:40 --> 00:17:41 what the Lord
00:17:41 --> 00:17:42 had said
00:17:42 --> 00:17:42 through the
00:17:42 --> 00:17:43 prophet.
00:17:43 --> 00:17:44 The virgin
00:17:44 --> 00:17:45 will conceive
00:17:45 --> 00:17:45 and give birth
00:17:45 --> 00:17:46 to a son
00:17:46 --> 00:17:46 and they will
00:17:46 --> 00:17:47 call him
00:17:47 --> 00:17:47 Emmanuel
00:17:47 --> 00:17:48 which means
00:17:48 --> 00:17:49 God
00:17:49 --> 00:17:50 with us.
00:17:51 --> 00:17:52 the great
00:17:52 --> 00:17:53 and wonderful
00:17:53 --> 00:17:54 gift at
00:17:54 --> 00:17:55 Christmas time
00:17:55 --> 00:17:55 is that
00:17:55 --> 00:17:56 the God
00:17:56 --> 00:17:56 of heaven
00:17:56 --> 00:17:57 the creator
00:17:57 --> 00:17:58 of all things
00:17:58 --> 00:17:59 comes down
00:17:59 --> 00:18:00 from heaven
00:18:00 --> 00:18:00 to earth
00:18:00 --> 00:18:01 with his
00:18:01 --> 00:18:02 mission
00:18:02 --> 00:18:03 and intention
00:18:03 --> 00:18:04 to dwell
00:18:04 --> 00:18:05 and to be
00:18:05 --> 00:18:05 with his
00:18:05 --> 00:18:06 people.
00:18:06 --> 00:18:07 That God
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 would be
00:18:08 --> 00:18:09 with us
00:18:09 --> 00:18:09 and that we
00:18:09 --> 00:18:10 would get
00:18:10 --> 00:18:11 to enjoy
00:18:11 --> 00:18:12 his presence
00:18:12 --> 00:18:12 and to be
00:18:12 --> 00:18:13 with him.
00:18:13 --> 00:18:14 Is that not
00:18:14 --> 00:18:14 incredible?
00:18:15 --> 00:18:16 There is no
00:18:16 --> 00:18:17 other religion
00:18:17 --> 00:18:17 in the entire
00:18:17 --> 00:18:18 world
00:18:18 --> 00:18:19 in history
00:18:19 --> 00:18:20 where God
00:18:20 --> 00:18:21 comes down
00:18:21 --> 00:18:22 and spends
00:18:22 --> 00:18:23 time with
00:18:23 --> 00:18:23 his people
00:18:23 --> 00:18:24 except ours.
00:18:26 --> 00:18:27 The holy
00:18:27 --> 00:18:27 and most
00:18:27 --> 00:18:28 powerful
00:18:28 --> 00:18:29 and so
00:18:29 --> 00:18:29 and so
00:18:29 --> 00:18:30 other
00:18:30 --> 00:18:31 to us
00:18:31 --> 00:18:33 would come
00:18:33 --> 00:18:34 and dwell
00:18:34 --> 00:18:34 amongst
00:18:34 --> 00:18:35 sinners.
00:18:36 --> 00:18:37 The God
00:18:37 --> 00:18:38 whose love
00:18:38 --> 00:18:38 for us
00:18:38 --> 00:18:39 is unconditional.
00:18:40 --> 00:18:40 The God
00:18:40 --> 00:18:40 who pours out
00:18:40 --> 00:18:41 his love
00:18:41 --> 00:18:42 and mercy
00:18:42 --> 00:18:43 on us
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 each day.
00:18:44 --> 00:18:44 The God
00:18:44 --> 00:18:45 who sustains
00:18:45 --> 00:18:46 us in this
00:18:46 --> 00:18:46 life
00:18:46 --> 00:18:47 and keeps
00:18:47 --> 00:18:48 us focused
00:18:48 --> 00:18:48 on him.
00:18:49 --> 00:18:49 He has
00:18:49 --> 00:18:50 come down
00:18:50 --> 00:18:51 in the
00:18:51 --> 00:18:51 form of
00:18:51 --> 00:18:51 a baby.
00:18:53 --> 00:18:54 And that's
00:18:54 --> 00:18:54 what we get
00:18:54 --> 00:18:55 for Christmas
00:18:55 --> 00:18:56 himself.
00:18:58 --> 00:18:58 And this
00:18:58 --> 00:18:58 has always
00:18:58 --> 00:18:59 been the
00:18:59 --> 00:18:59 plan
00:18:59 --> 00:19:00 that God
00:19:00 --> 00:19:01 would dwell
00:19:01 --> 00:19:01 with his
00:19:01 --> 00:19:01 people
00:19:01 --> 00:19:02 since the
00:19:02 --> 00:19:03 very beginning
00:19:03 --> 00:19:03 where Adam
00:19:03 --> 00:19:04 and Eve
00:19:04 --> 00:19:05 enjoyed God's
00:19:05 --> 00:19:05 presence
00:19:05 --> 00:19:06 in the
00:19:06 --> 00:19:06 garden
00:19:06 --> 00:19:07 where he
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 walked
00:19:08 --> 00:19:08 with them.
00:19:09 --> 00:19:10 As such
00:19:10 --> 00:19:10 that presence
00:19:10 --> 00:19:11 was soon
00:19:11 --> 00:19:12 corrupted
00:19:12 --> 00:19:13 by sin
00:19:13 --> 00:19:13 and sin
00:19:13 --> 00:19:14 created a
00:19:14 --> 00:19:14 gulf
00:19:14 --> 00:19:15 between
00:19:15 --> 00:19:16 us
00:19:16 --> 00:19:16 and God.
00:19:17 --> 00:19:17 But then
00:19:17 --> 00:19:18 the whole
00:19:18 --> 00:19:18 Bible
00:19:18 --> 00:19:19 after that
00:19:19 --> 00:19:19 is a
00:19:19 --> 00:19:20 story
00:19:20 --> 00:19:20 that
00:19:20 --> 00:19:21 anticipates
00:19:21 --> 00:19:22 this
00:19:22 --> 00:19:23 Christmas
00:19:23 --> 00:19:23 story
00:19:23 --> 00:19:23 here
00:19:23 --> 00:19:24 in
00:19:24 --> 00:19:24 Matthew
00:19:24 --> 00:19:25 1.
00:19:26 --> 00:19:26 To the
00:19:26 --> 00:19:26 day
00:19:26 --> 00:19:27 Emmanuel
00:19:27 --> 00:19:28 would come
00:19:28 --> 00:19:28 into the
00:19:28 --> 00:19:29 world
00:19:29 --> 00:19:30 to save
00:19:30 --> 00:19:31 us from
00:19:31 --> 00:19:31 our sins
00:19:31 --> 00:19:32 in order
00:19:32 --> 00:19:32 that we
00:19:32 --> 00:19:33 might get
00:19:33 --> 00:19:34 to enjoy
00:19:34 --> 00:19:34 the presence
00:19:34 --> 00:19:35 of God.
00:19:35 --> 00:19:35 That we
00:19:35 --> 00:19:36 would get
00:19:36 --> 00:19:37 God
00:19:37 --> 00:19:39 the most
00:19:39 --> 00:19:40 valuable
00:19:40 --> 00:19:41 and precious
00:19:41 --> 00:19:42 gift
00:19:42 --> 00:19:42 that we
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 can have.
00:19:44 --> 00:19:44 He will
00:19:44 --> 00:19:45 never fade
00:19:45 --> 00:19:45 away.
00:19:46 --> 00:19:46 He will
00:19:46 --> 00:19:47 never leave
00:19:47 --> 00:19:47 us.
00:19:47 --> 00:19:48 He will
00:19:48 --> 00:19:48 never fail
00:19:48 --> 00:19:49 us.
00:19:49 --> 00:19:49 He is
00:19:49 --> 00:19:50 God
00:19:50 --> 00:19:50 and we
00:19:50 --> 00:19:51 get him.
00:19:53 --> 00:19:54 This
00:19:54 --> 00:19:54 means that
00:19:54 --> 00:19:54 we get
00:19:54 --> 00:19:55 to enjoy
00:19:55 --> 00:19:56 the confidence
00:19:56 --> 00:19:58 that throughout
00:19:58 --> 00:19:58 our life
00:19:58 --> 00:19:59 God is
00:19:59 --> 00:20:00 always with
00:20:00 --> 00:20:00 us.
00:20:01 --> 00:20:01 In the
00:20:01 --> 00:20:02 good times
00:20:02 --> 00:20:02 and in
00:20:02 --> 00:20:03 the bad
00:20:03 --> 00:20:03 he is
00:20:03 --> 00:20:04 always
00:20:04 --> 00:20:05 with us
00:20:05 --> 00:20:05 sustaining
00:20:05 --> 00:20:06 us in
00:20:06 --> 00:20:06 his love
00:20:06 --> 00:20:07 and mercy
00:20:07 --> 00:20:07 and showing
00:20:07 --> 00:20:08 us the
00:20:08 --> 00:20:08 way
00:20:08 --> 00:20:09 forward
00:20:09 --> 00:20:10 by his
00:20:10 --> 00:20:10 word.
00:20:12 --> 00:20:13 He dwells
00:20:13 --> 00:20:13 with us
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 right now
00:20:14 --> 00:20:14 by his
00:20:14 --> 00:20:15 spirit
00:20:15 --> 00:20:16 who has
00:20:16 --> 00:20:17 been sealed
00:20:17 --> 00:20:18 within us
00:20:18 --> 00:20:19 who believe
00:20:19 --> 00:20:20 and so
00:20:20 --> 00:20:21 therefore we
00:20:21 --> 00:20:21 know he
00:20:21 --> 00:20:22 can never
00:20:22 --> 00:20:23 forsake us.
00:20:24 --> 00:20:24 Again,
00:20:25 --> 00:20:25 this is a
00:20:25 --> 00:20:26 historical
00:20:26 --> 00:20:27 reality as
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 Matthew quotes
00:20:28 --> 00:20:29 from Isaiah
00:20:29 --> 00:20:30 the prophet.
00:20:30 --> 00:20:31 What was
00:20:31 --> 00:20:31 foretold
00:20:31 --> 00:20:32 has now
00:20:32 --> 00:20:33 come to
00:20:33 --> 00:20:34 pass.
00:20:36 --> 00:20:37 God
00:20:37 --> 00:20:38 has entered
00:20:38 --> 00:20:39 into history
00:20:39 --> 00:20:40 coming
00:20:40 --> 00:20:40 down from
00:20:40 --> 00:20:41 his royal
00:20:41 --> 00:20:41 throne
00:20:41 --> 00:20:42 to the
00:20:42 --> 00:20:42 dirt
00:20:42 --> 00:20:43 to the
00:20:43 --> 00:20:44 lowly
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 to us
00:20:45 --> 00:20:46 who are
00:20:46 --> 00:20:46 unworthy
00:20:46 --> 00:20:47 of him
00:20:47 --> 00:20:48 and that
00:20:48 --> 00:20:49 he took
00:20:49 --> 00:20:49 himself
00:20:49 --> 00:20:50 lower
00:20:50 --> 00:20:51 by dying
00:20:51 --> 00:20:51 on a
00:20:51 --> 00:20:51 cross
00:20:51 --> 00:20:52 for us.
00:20:54 --> 00:20:55 God
00:20:55 --> 00:20:56 with us
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 Emmanuel
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 is the
00:20:58 --> 00:20:59 end goal
00:20:59 --> 00:20:59 of our
00:20:59 --> 00:20:59 Christian
00:20:59 --> 00:21:00 life
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 that we
00:21:01 --> 00:21:02 would glorify
00:21:02 --> 00:21:02 him
00:21:02 --> 00:21:04 and enjoy
00:21:04 --> 00:21:04 him
00:21:04 --> 00:21:05 forever.
00:21:05 --> 00:21:05 To
00:21:05 --> 00:21:06 summarize,
00:21:06 --> 00:21:07 God is
00:21:07 --> 00:21:08 the gospel.
00:21:09 --> 00:21:09 Jesus'
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 death and
00:21:10 --> 00:21:10 resurrection
00:21:10 --> 00:21:11 is the
00:21:11 --> 00:21:12 means of
00:21:12 --> 00:21:12 which we
00:21:12 --> 00:21:13 can connect
00:21:13 --> 00:21:14 to God
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 and be
00:21:15 --> 00:21:15 in relationship
00:21:15 --> 00:21:16 with him.
00:21:18 --> 00:21:18 Certainly
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 we are
00:21:19 --> 00:21:20 amazed and
00:21:20 --> 00:21:20 we praise
00:21:20 --> 00:21:21 God for
00:21:21 --> 00:21:21 his works
00:21:21 --> 00:21:22 and acts
00:21:22 --> 00:21:22 in this
00:21:22 --> 00:21:23 world which
00:21:23 --> 00:21:23 include his
00:21:23 --> 00:21:24 death and
00:21:24 --> 00:21:25 his resurrection.
00:21:26 --> 00:21:27 But we
00:21:27 --> 00:21:28 don't worship
00:21:28 --> 00:21:28 the death and
00:21:28 --> 00:21:28 resurrection
00:21:28 --> 00:21:29 itself.
00:21:29 --> 00:21:29 We worship
00:21:29 --> 00:21:30 God
00:21:30 --> 00:21:32 and who
00:21:32 --> 00:21:33 he is
00:21:33 --> 00:21:34 and he
00:21:34 --> 00:21:34 has given
00:21:34 --> 00:21:34 himself
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 to us.
00:21:39 --> 00:21:40 Matthew
00:21:40 --> 00:21:40 started his
00:21:40 --> 00:21:41 book with
00:21:41 --> 00:21:41 this great
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 gift,
00:21:42 --> 00:21:43 telling us
00:21:43 --> 00:21:43 about Emmanuel,
00:21:44 --> 00:21:44 that he
00:21:44 --> 00:21:45 has come
00:21:45 --> 00:21:46 and he
00:21:46 --> 00:21:46 is with
00:21:46 --> 00:21:46 us.
00:21:47 --> 00:21:48 And he
00:21:48 --> 00:21:48 also ends
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 his book
00:21:49 --> 00:21:50 reminding us
00:21:50 --> 00:21:51 of the
00:21:51 --> 00:21:51 reality of
00:21:51 --> 00:21:52 this first
00:21:52 --> 00:21:53 Christmas
00:21:53 --> 00:21:55 that began
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 to institute
00:21:56 --> 00:21:57 this presence
00:21:57 --> 00:21:58 when Jesus
00:21:58 --> 00:21:58 said to his
00:21:58 --> 00:21:59 disciples,
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 Matthew 28,
00:22:00 --> 00:22:02 surely I
00:22:02 --> 00:22:02 am with
00:22:02 --> 00:22:03 you always
00:22:03 --> 00:22:04 to the
00:22:04 --> 00:22:05 very end
00:22:05 --> 00:22:05 of the
00:22:05 --> 00:22:05 age.
00:22:07 --> 00:22:07 God's
00:22:07 --> 00:22:08 presence
00:22:08 --> 00:22:08 with his
00:22:08 --> 00:22:09 people is
00:22:09 --> 00:22:10 here to
00:22:10 --> 00:22:10 stay.
00:22:11 --> 00:22:12 And this
00:22:12 --> 00:22:13 began the
00:22:13 --> 00:22:13 first Christmas
00:22:13 --> 00:22:15 and in this
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 Christmas that
00:22:16 --> 00:22:17 is what we
00:22:17 --> 00:22:17 continue to
00:22:17 --> 00:22:18 celebrate,
00:22:19 --> 00:22:20 to remember,
00:22:20 --> 00:22:21 to be
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 thankful for,
00:22:22 --> 00:22:23 that God
00:22:23 --> 00:22:23 did not
00:22:23 --> 00:22:24 choose to
00:22:24 --> 00:22:24 leave us
00:22:24 --> 00:22:25 on our
00:22:25 --> 00:22:25 own,
00:22:26 --> 00:22:26 but he
00:22:26 --> 00:22:27 came to
00:22:27 --> 00:22:27 be with
00:22:27 --> 00:22:28 us first
00:22:28 --> 00:22:29 as a
00:22:29 --> 00:22:29 man.
00:22:29 --> 00:22:31 then by
00:22:31 --> 00:22:31 his
00:22:31 --> 00:22:31 spirit,
00:22:32 --> 00:22:33 and then
00:22:33 --> 00:22:33 once again,
00:22:34 --> 00:22:34 face to
00:22:34 --> 00:22:35 face.
00:22:37 --> 00:22:38 The question
00:22:38 --> 00:22:38 I want to
00:22:38 --> 00:22:39 leave you
00:22:39 --> 00:22:39 all with
00:22:39 --> 00:22:40 is how
00:22:40 --> 00:22:40 do you
00:22:40 --> 00:22:41 see
00:22:41 --> 00:22:41 Christmas?
00:22:42 --> 00:22:42 What is
00:22:42 --> 00:22:43 it to
00:22:43 --> 00:22:43 you?
00:22:44 --> 00:22:45 Is it
00:22:45 --> 00:22:45 about
00:22:45 --> 00:22:46 presents,
00:22:46 --> 00:22:46 hanging out
00:22:46 --> 00:22:47 with family,
00:22:47 --> 00:22:47 holidays?
00:22:48 --> 00:22:49 If that's
00:22:49 --> 00:22:49 the case,
00:22:49 --> 00:22:49 is that
00:22:49 --> 00:22:50 really enough?
00:22:50 --> 00:22:53 is it
00:22:53 --> 00:22:53 possible
00:22:53 --> 00:22:55 that you've
00:22:55 --> 00:22:56 been brought
00:22:56 --> 00:22:57 into this
00:22:57 --> 00:22:58 cycle of
00:22:58 --> 00:22:59 excitement
00:22:59 --> 00:22:59 where you
00:22:59 --> 00:23:00 have to
00:23:00 --> 00:23:00 constantly
00:23:00 --> 00:23:01 be going
00:23:01 --> 00:23:02 to the
00:23:02 --> 00:23:02 next thing,
00:23:02 --> 00:23:02 to the
00:23:02 --> 00:23:03 next event,
00:23:03 --> 00:23:03 to be
00:23:03 --> 00:23:04 finding joy
00:23:04 --> 00:23:05 and exciting
00:23:05 --> 00:23:06 things,
00:23:06 --> 00:23:06 trying to
00:23:06 --> 00:23:07 sustain your
00:23:07 --> 00:23:07 joy and
00:23:07 --> 00:23:08 excitement by
00:23:08 --> 00:23:08 looking forward
00:23:08 --> 00:23:09 to each
00:23:09 --> 00:23:09 event?
00:23:11 --> 00:23:11 Such will
00:23:11 --> 00:23:12 only leave
00:23:12 --> 00:23:14 you disappointed,
00:23:16 --> 00:23:16 unsatisfied,
00:23:16 --> 00:23:17 in the
00:23:17 --> 00:23:17 end.
00:23:18 --> 00:23:18 And such
00:23:18 --> 00:23:19 a view
00:23:19 --> 00:23:19 of
00:23:19 --> 00:23:20 Christmas
00:23:20 --> 00:23:20 is
00:23:20 --> 00:23:21 profoundly
00:23:21 --> 00:23:22 shallow
00:23:22 --> 00:23:23 compared to
00:23:23 --> 00:23:23 what it
00:23:23 --> 00:23:24 really is
00:23:24 --> 00:23:24 all about.
00:23:26 --> 00:23:26 Indeed,
00:23:26 --> 00:23:27 what we
00:23:27 --> 00:23:27 celebrate
00:23:27 --> 00:23:28 at
00:23:28 --> 00:23:28 Christmas
00:23:28 --> 00:23:29 time,
00:23:29 --> 00:23:29 what we
00:23:29 --> 00:23:29 celebrate
00:23:29 --> 00:23:30 at
00:23:30 --> 00:23:30 Christmas
00:23:30 --> 00:23:30 time
00:23:30 --> 00:23:31 is the
00:23:31 --> 00:23:32 end
00:23:32 --> 00:23:32 of this
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 depressing
00:23:33 --> 00:23:34 cycle
00:23:34 --> 00:23:35 the world
00:23:35 --> 00:23:36 would have
00:23:36 --> 00:23:36 us existing.
00:23:38 --> 00:23:38 At
00:23:38 --> 00:23:39 Christmas
00:23:39 --> 00:23:39 time,
00:23:39 --> 00:23:39 we don't
00:23:39 --> 00:23:40 constantly
00:23:40 --> 00:23:41 look forward
00:23:41 --> 00:23:41 to the
00:23:41 --> 00:23:42 next thing
00:23:42 --> 00:23:42 to give
00:23:42 --> 00:23:43 us any
00:23:43 --> 00:23:43 kind of
00:23:43 --> 00:23:43 hope.
00:23:44 --> 00:23:45 We look
00:23:45 --> 00:23:45 back.
00:23:46 --> 00:23:47 to the
00:23:47 --> 00:23:47 hope that
00:23:47 --> 00:23:48 came into
00:23:48 --> 00:23:48 the world,
00:23:48 --> 00:23:49 Emmanuel,
00:23:49 --> 00:23:49 in the
00:23:49 --> 00:23:50 Son of
00:23:50 --> 00:23:50 Jesus.
00:23:51 --> 00:23:51 And as
00:23:51 --> 00:23:51 we look
00:23:51 --> 00:23:52 back then,
00:23:52 --> 00:23:52 we look
00:23:52 --> 00:23:53 forward to
00:23:53 --> 00:23:53 the future
00:23:53 --> 00:23:54 when we'll
00:23:54 --> 00:23:55 get to dwell
00:23:55 --> 00:23:55 with God
00:23:55 --> 00:23:56 in perfect
00:23:56 --> 00:23:57 harmony
00:23:57 --> 00:23:58 forever
00:23:58 --> 00:23:59 and ever.
00:24:01 --> 00:24:02 At
00:24:02 --> 00:24:02 Christmas
00:24:02 --> 00:24:03 time,
00:24:03 --> 00:24:03 we are
00:24:03 --> 00:24:03 reminded of
00:24:03 --> 00:24:04 Emmanuel.
00:24:05 --> 00:24:05 And that
00:24:05 --> 00:24:06 great joy
00:24:06 --> 00:24:07 it is to
00:24:07 --> 00:24:07 know that
00:24:07 --> 00:24:08 we have a
00:24:08 --> 00:24:08 Saviour who
00:24:08 --> 00:24:09 has dealt
00:24:09 --> 00:24:10 with our
00:24:10 --> 00:24:11 sin so that
00:24:11 --> 00:24:12 we can enjoy
00:24:12 --> 00:24:13 God with us
00:24:13 --> 00:24:13 right now.
00:24:14 --> 00:24:15 At
00:24:15 --> 00:24:15 Christmas
00:24:15 --> 00:24:15 time,
00:24:15 --> 00:24:15 we are
00:24:15 --> 00:24:16 reminded that
00:24:16 --> 00:24:16 the greatest
00:24:16 --> 00:24:17 gift we've
00:24:17 --> 00:24:18 ever received
00:24:18 --> 00:24:18 is God
00:24:18 --> 00:24:19 himself.
00:24:20 --> 00:24:21 And so in
00:24:21 --> 00:24:21 a world full
00:24:21 --> 00:24:22 of chaos
00:24:22 --> 00:24:23 and disruption,
00:24:24 --> 00:24:24 we get to
00:24:24 --> 00:24:25 enjoy peace
00:24:25 --> 00:24:27 with him
00:24:27 --> 00:24:27 in the midst
00:24:27 --> 00:24:28 of that
00:24:28 --> 00:24:28 chaos.
00:24:29 --> 00:24:30 In a world
00:24:30 --> 00:24:30 full of pain
00:24:30 --> 00:24:31 and suffering,
00:24:31 --> 00:24:31 we get to
00:24:31 --> 00:24:32 enjoy the
00:24:32 --> 00:24:33 comfort and
00:24:33 --> 00:24:34 security that
00:24:34 --> 00:24:35 God is
00:24:35 --> 00:24:35 sovereign and
00:24:35 --> 00:24:36 he is not
00:24:36 --> 00:24:37 far away,
00:24:37 --> 00:24:37 he hasn't
00:24:37 --> 00:24:38 abandoned us,
00:24:38 --> 00:24:38 but he is
00:24:38 --> 00:24:39 with us
00:24:39 --> 00:24:41 in the midst
00:24:41 --> 00:24:41 of that.
00:24:42 --> 00:24:43 In a world
00:24:43 --> 00:24:43 full of
00:24:43 --> 00:24:44 hopelessness and
00:24:44 --> 00:24:45 fear,
00:24:45 --> 00:24:45 we get to
00:24:45 --> 00:24:47 enjoy hope,
00:24:48 --> 00:24:50 excitement and
00:24:50 --> 00:24:51 anticipation about
00:24:51 --> 00:24:52 our future that
00:24:52 --> 00:24:53 cannot be affected
00:24:53 --> 00:24:54 or changed by
00:24:54 --> 00:24:55 anything in this
00:24:55 --> 00:24:55 world.
00:24:56 --> 00:24:56 Our hope is
00:24:56 --> 00:24:58 based upon the
00:24:58 --> 00:24:59 fact that Emmanuel
00:24:59 --> 00:25:00 is with us.
00:25:01 --> 00:25:02 In a world that
00:25:02 --> 00:25:03 is constantly
00:25:03 --> 00:25:04 running in this
00:25:04 --> 00:25:05 cycle of hype and
00:25:05 --> 00:25:06 pursuit of
00:25:06 --> 00:25:07 excitement and
00:25:07 --> 00:25:07 happiness,
00:25:08 --> 00:25:09 we get to enjoy
00:25:09 --> 00:25:11 great contentment,
00:25:12 --> 00:25:12 excitement,
00:25:12 --> 00:25:13 excitement and
00:25:13 --> 00:25:14 a joy that
00:25:14 --> 00:25:14 will never run
00:25:14 --> 00:25:16 dry because
00:25:16 --> 00:25:17 God is with
00:25:17 --> 00:25:17 us.
00:25:18 --> 00:25:19 We get to
00:25:19 --> 00:25:19 enjoy all these
00:25:19 --> 00:25:21 things because
00:25:21 --> 00:25:21 of Emmanuel,
00:25:22 --> 00:25:23 God with us.
00:25:24 --> 00:25:25 That is the
00:25:25 --> 00:25:27 greatest gift of
00:25:27 --> 00:25:29 Christmas and
00:25:29 --> 00:25:30 that is what
00:25:30 --> 00:25:31 Christmas is all
00:25:31 --> 00:25:31 about.
00:25:32 --> 00:25:32 Amen.