AM Isaiah 9:1-7

[0:00] First, some intimations. So, this evening service will be at 6pm and I'll be myself again conducting the worship this evening.

[0:17] Wednesday at 7pm we will have a prayer meeting and Bible study led by Jonathan Cunyon. And as mentioned last week, we're so thankful to the Lord for the great encouragement that two trusts have responded to the church's applications for grants with offers totaling £10,000 towards the total estimate of £21,000 for the eradication of the dry rot.

[0:49] At the Deacons Court meeting last week by Zoom, they felt that it would be appropriate that the congregation be given the opportunity to make donations towards the costs as well.

[1:03] So, if any wishes, please put any gifts in the collection box in an envelope marked the Fabric Fund. The court session, as announced previously, is looking to appoint additional elders.

[1:19] Completed voting forums should be placed in the box available in the side of the table. I'm not sure where the table is. Right, right. Oh, voting forums. I can't even miss it.

[1:30] Okay. So, in the table, no later than today. So, if you haven't already done so, bring them this evening to the pop-up. The next Lord's Day at 11am and at 6pm, Reverend Douglas Cranston will have the privilege of leading us in worship.

[1:48] Let's begin worship this morning from Psalm 40. Unfortunately, we still can't sing, but we can listen to his word.

[2:03] So, Psalm 40 from the Scottish Psalter, verses 1 to 4. Yeah, verses 1 to 4. Psalm 40, verse 1 to 5.

[2:42] Psalm 40, verse 1 to 5.

[3:12] Psalm 40, verse 1 to 5.

[3:42] Psalm 40, verse 1 to 5.

[4:12] Psalm 40, verse 1 to 5. Psalm 40, verse 1 to 5.

[4:42] Tes, � Let's pray.

[5:12] Father, our Creator and Provider, we give you thanks that we can come before you together today. We thank you for the many blessings that you have given upon each of us this past week.

[5:28] We thank you, Lord, that in these strange days and difficult times, that we can still meet and give you praise.

[5:44] Our aim, Lord, is to praise and glorify your name. As sinners, we are far from you and we are distant and unable to give you full adoration, praise and glory.

[6:02] Yet, while we were sinners, Lord, you were still prepared to give your Son for us. You were still prepared to sacrifice him that we may be redeemed in his blood.

[6:17] That in his blood we may have cleansing and our sins may be forgiven. We give you, Lord, thanks for the great sacrifices that you have made for us.

[6:31] Lord, as Christ's blood cleanses us and allows us once again to have union with you through Christ, we give you thanks.

[6:48] Lord, we pray for your church. The church here in Dumfries. We know your church is more than buildings.

[7:01] This is your people who proclaim you as their saviour. We pray for your church. We pray for your church. We pray for your church. We pray that you will strengthen and focus the congregation here. That they may be a beacon to the people of the community.

[7:19] That they may reach out and preach your name. And preach the salvation that is available through Christ, your Son. And although the church is in your people, we thank you for the nations that have come forward to support the renovation of the building here.

[7:41] That it may once again be restored and used as a centre for the preaching of your word to the community. We pray for your church locally and nationally that it may be restored.

[7:57] That it may grow and reach out to folk in your name. We pray for your church internationally.

[8:10] We pray particularly for your persecuted church and we think particularly across Asia and the Far East. For those who daily suffer for their faith.

[8:22] For those who are persecuted. For those who are beaten and in times killed. For their proclamation of your word.

[8:40] Lord, as we think of the persecuted church. We think particularly of Nepal. Where some of us have the privilege of meeting your servants. And we think of Suraj.

[8:53] And the other pastors who preach the gospel. In a land where they say that it is free to preach.

[9:05] But where it is forbidden to apostatize and to bring converts to you. Yet your church grows year after year after year.

[9:15] Lord, let them know that you are with them. That your spirit supports them. Lord, closer to home we pray for you.

[9:32] For our governments and for our Queen. The Queen. The Queen is our Head of State. Who through her long reign has brought stability to this nation.

[9:45] And who has on occasions had opportunity to share her faith with individuals and communities. Lord, we pray for our governments.

[10:00] For our governments. Both at Westminster and Edinburgh in these trying days. Where things are ever changing. Where only last week we would be making plans for Christmas.

[10:14] To share with friends and family. Where on Thursday and Friday we get confirmation that those plans can be shared.

[10:25] And we can look at how we were going to celebrate the birth of your son with our families. And yet yesterday evening we find that things have advanced in a way that we did not expect.

[10:39] We pray that our governments will be open to your will. And to the working of your spirit. That the decisions they make will be for the best.

[10:55] And will be guided by you. That people and their well-being will be at the centre. Lord, we pray for our government.

[11:11] We also pray particularly for our government in Edinburgh. And for the consideration of the hate speech bill. That the Christians within government will be strengthened.

[11:27] And uplifted by you to speak out. That this bill will not be allowed to shut down the preaching of your word. That we can claim that you are our Lord.

[11:42] And that as our Lord. There are things which are acceptable and unacceptable to you. There are things in men that are sinful and which we must stand against.

[11:56] We are not being hateful. But true to our love. And adoration of you. Lord.

[12:13] Lord. We pray for those within the congregation. Who are ill at present. Or who are in failing health. We pray that they will know.

[12:26] The contentment and peace of your love. The reassurance of your promises. And we pray that if it is your will. That they may be restored.

[12:38] And be back with us soon. Amen. These things we ask Lord through your Son and our Saviour. Forevermore.

[12:49] Amen. My amiss at the start. Richard have welcomed any visitors to the church this morning. And also it's pleased to have you sharing fellowship with us.

[13:03] And for anyone who doesn't know. My name is Thomas McKenzie. I'm a second year student at ETS. And thankfully we've just broke for Christmas after a hard session.

[13:17] So pleased to be back welcoming yous this morning. Boys. Have you got any girls? Yeah.

[13:29] Yeah. Apart from the wee one. Who's probably even still too young here. But. Can everybody see this? Yeah. What do you see?

[13:40] It's a sea. It's a sea. It's a sea. Uh-huh. What else do you see in the sea? What's this? It's a ball.

[13:52] It's a flag. It's a flag. It's a flag. Hmm. Yeah. It could look like a flag. It's a boat. Yep. It's a particular type of boat. It's called a yacht. Okay. In the sea.

[14:03] A yacht has a big sail. So what do you think is a flag here? It's a sail. Okay. We call it a sail. So it's for catching the wind. And it drives the boat along. It's a sail. Hmm?

[14:15] It's a sail. Right. So I had hoped to bring along a model one today. But we're moving house at the moment. So things are pretty chaotic. And things have got lost.

[14:28] But I want to tell you a story about a small boy. Who had given a model boat for his Christmas. So not that long away. So he'd been given a model boat for his Christmas.

[14:41] And he had to build this boat before he could sail it. So over the winter months he had carefully put it together bit by bit.

[14:54] Piece by piece. And it started to take shape. And then once he had built the hull which was the bottom of the boat that sails in the sea. He then put on the mast. And then he started to put on all the individual sails.

[15:07] And once he'd it all constructed. He then painted it all very very carefully. And come the spring. He thought that's good.

[15:18] We'll get out and we'll sail the boat or the yacht in the river. So there he went. Off to the river with his dad. Hoping that it would float.

[15:31] Places the boat in the river. And what do you think happened? The boat floated. And there it was. Going out into the river.

[15:43] In a nice calm breeze. But the wind got up. Now the idea with the yacht is obviously. The more the wind blows.

[15:54] The more the sail catches it. And the faster the boat goes. So the boat is gently going down the stream. When the wind gets up. And the boat starts going further and further out into the river.

[16:07] And going faster and faster. So the boy is running down the bank. Trying to recover his yacht. But it's pretty calm.

[16:18] So his dad gets a stick. And they try and catch it from the bank. But to no avail. And the yacht sails off into the distant river.

[16:31] So the boy as you can imagine is pretty sad. You know. He spent all this time building his boat. And now he's lost his boat.

[16:42] So he's pretty sad. Then one day he's walking down the high street. Going through the shops. And he passes the shop window. And there is his boat.

[16:55] So the wee boy's heart flutters. Oh. There's my boat. But then he's sad. Because he sees the cost of the boat.

[17:09] And it's too expensive for him. He can't afford it. So he goes home all sad that he's seen his boat. It's still in perfect shape.

[17:20] But he can't afford it. But he starts saving his pocket monies. And doing duties for his mum and dad. Helping them out around the house.

[17:31] To make extra monies. And eventually he saves the money to go and buy the boat. So he goes. Buys the boat. And brings it home.

[17:43] This time he doesn't take it back to the river right enough. He doesn't try and sail it again. But he puts it in his bedroom. And pride of place. So this boat is very very special to him.

[17:57] So at dinner. His mum and dad is asking him how his day had been. What had been happening. And he said that he had got the boat. That he had bought his boat. And he said the boat was really precious to him.

[18:10] Not because he had paid a lot of money for it. And not because of the many hours worked that he had went into building the boat.

[18:23] But because he had owned it twice. He was so pleased to have the boat back a second time. Have any of you ever lost a toy?

[18:36] Anybody ever lost a toy? Mm-hmm. No? Well I know. When I used to lose things. He was so pleased when he found it again. And that Poison Girls made me think of.

[18:50] Our relationship with God. Yeah. Yeah. Because God made us. God made you. And he made me.

[19:01] And God created us. To be an eternal relationship with him. And to glorify him. But man separated from God.

[19:15] Because we went to our own way. So like the yacht flowed down the river. We separated from God. And we went our own way. But God.

[19:27] Redeemed us. Right. That means. He paid a price. For us. So that he could have his back. So that we again.

[19:38] Could belong to God. And we can come back. And glorify his name once more. So. When we think about it.

[19:51] God. Has always loved us. He always missed us. But he's so pleased. When we come back. To glorify his name. Okay.

[20:03] Thanks for your patience. Our. Reading this morning. Are going to be taken from. The Old Testament. From.

[20:14] Isaiah. Chapter 9. Verses 1 to 7. And from the New Testament. From Luke. Chapter 2. Verses 1 to 7.

[20:26] So Isaiah. Chapter 9. Verses 1 to 7. Verses 1 to 8.

[20:47] But there will be no gloom. For her. Who was in anguish. In the former time. He brought into contempt. The land of Zebulun. And the land of Naphtali.

[20:59] But in the latter time. He has made glorious. The way of the sea. The land beyond the Jordan. Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness.

[21:12] Have seen a great light. Those who dwelt in the land of deep darkness. In them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation.

[21:23] You have increased its joy. They rejoice before you. As was joy at the harvest. As they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden.

[21:36] And the staff for his shoulder. The rod of his oppressor. You have broken as one. As on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping.

[21:49] Warrior in battle. Tumult. And every garment rolled in blood. Will be burned. As fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born. To us a son is given.

[22:02] And the government shall be upon his shoulder. And his name shall be called. Wonderful Counselor. Mighty God. Everlasting Father. Prince of Peace.

[22:12] Of the increase of his government. And of peace. There will be no end. On the throne of David. And over his kingdom. To establish it. And to uphold it.

[22:24] With justice. And with righteousness. From this time forth. And forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts. Will do this. In the New Testament reading.

[22:39] It's from Luke. Chapter 2. Verses 1 to 7. Luke. Chapter 2. Verse 1 to 7. Luke. Luke.

[22:49] Chapter 2. Chapter 2. Starting at verse 1. Verse 7. Luke. Chapter 2. Starting at verse 1.

[23:00] To verse 7. In those days. The decree went out. From Caesar Augustus. That all the world. Should be registered. This was the first registration.

[23:11] And Quirinius. And Quirinius. Was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered. Each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee.

[23:22] From the town of Nazareth. To Judea. To Judea. To the city of David. Which is called Bethlehem. Because he was of the house. And lineage of David.

[23:33] To be registered with Mary. His betrothed. Who was with child. And while they were there. The time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son.

[23:47] And wrapped him in swaddling cloths. And laid him in a manger. Because there was no place for them in the inn. Thanks be to God. For the reading of his holy word.

[23:58] In his name be the glory of praise. Amen. Let's again sing to God's glory. In Psalm number 2.

[24:09] Verses 1 to 6. And there's Psalm 2. Verses 1 to 6. From Sing Psalms. Sing Psalms. Against God's reign.

[24:46] They take their stand against the Lord. And challenge his anointed one.

[24:57] Let us lift off their chains from us. With every space let us be done.

[25:10] The one enthroned in heaven must. The Lord Almighty writes them all.

[25:24] When he looks and in his heart. In his great and center upon them fall.

[25:36] The Lord has made it known to them. My chosen King I have been sold.

[25:51] On Zion my Lord only there. He is the one whom I have called.

[26:05] Let us pray. Lord. As we worship this morning.

[26:18] That the words of my mouth. And the thoughts. And meditations of us all. Be acceptable in your sight. For your glory we ask. Through Christ your Son.

[26:31] Amen. As you know. While I was two times with you before. We had been looking through the book of Galatians. And we'll look at that again tonight.

[26:44] But today obviously the readings were from the birth narrative of Christ. And about Isaiah's prophecy of his coming.

[26:59] So I've heard this morning. That God keeps his promises. We heard the promise. Or the prophecy of Isaiah. And we have the fulfillment of that prophecy in Luke.

[27:11] But do we keep the faith? A question. Or rather two questions. Will your faith survive Boxing Day?

[27:25] Or will your faith survive death? And perhaps you're thinking. What a cheery note to begin a Christmas sermon. But I pray by the end of it.

[27:37] It will be a cheery note. We'll look at keeping faith in God's promises. And what they deliver for us. As we know the whole Bible has a timeless message.

[27:51] Pointing to Christ's death. For the redemption of man. Man's need to respond to the offer of salvation. And guidance on how to live our lives.

[28:03] In Christ. It teaches us of God. And his unchanging character. Even right back in the early chapters of Genesis. God is clear that he will bring forth.

[28:16] From the woman. One who will crush Satan. Remember. Satan has caused this stage. Man's fall. He has misled.

[28:29] Eve. And Adam. He's out to eat the fruit that was forbidden to him. But God promises. That he will send someone. He will send a son to redeem us.

[28:43] In Genesis 3.15. It is written. I will put enmity between you and the woman. And your offspring. And her offspring. He shall bruise your head. And you shall bruise his heel.

[28:54] As we have said this morning. There is a clear. We can clearly see. Isaiah prophesying of the future arrival.

[29:06] Of the Messiah. And God sending. His son. His birth. At Bethlehem. God keeps his promises. But do we keep our faith.

[29:17] Well first of all. What is faith? Faith. In Hebrews 11. Verse 1. Where the description of faith is.

[29:28] Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for. The convictions of things not seen. Assurances of things hoped for.

[29:40] So faith is not blind optimism. That things will be okay. It's not about just burying our heads in the sand. It's okay. Don't you worry about it. I'll be fine. It's not about believing in spite of evidence.

[29:53] So it's not about being told something. And being proven something to you. And believing the opposite anyway. It's not irrational. An assurance is a guarantee or a promise.

[30:06] It is a belief in God's promises. Based on the experience of his grace. We as Christians. Have had the experience of his grace. When we turn.

[30:17] From a life of sin. To a life of Christ. Faith is a confident obedience to God's word. Even in testing circumstances. We may experience in life.

[30:31] Faith is a rational belief. In God's promises. Because we have the evidence of their past fulfillment. It's not like the financial salesman.

[30:42] Sorry if there's anybody that does financial services. That shows great things are to be gained. And then quietly. Reminds us. That past performance is no guarantee. Of future gains.

[30:54] We have an unchanging God. God. His past performances. Are a guarantee. Of his future performance. He's kept his promises. And he will keep his promises.

[31:09] So. Let's take a look. At Joseph. And his faith. In God's promises. Most of us know the story of Joseph.

[31:20] Some may only have heard. Of the stage show. But who was Joseph? Joseph. He was one of twelve sons of Jacob. His life was one of highs and lows.

[31:34] But one that kept faith in God throughout. He was his father's favorite. And to demonstrate this. His father had made him a robe of many colors.

[31:46] He was not popular with his older brothers. And they had planned to kill him. But instead they sold him into slavery. His life as a slave. Improved over time.

[31:59] As people realized he could be trusted. And in the service of Potiphar. He became the overseer of the house. Then Potiphar's wife took a fancy to him.

[32:11] And when he refused his advances. She made false allegations against him. And he was thrown in prison. And after some years.

[32:22] He's called to interpret the dream of Pharaoh. And goes on to become the second most powerful person. In Egypt. Second only to Pharaoh. In this pen picture.

[32:35] We can see many points. Where Joseph holds to his faith. In God. Even in trying circumstances. So when he's sold into slavery. He still believes in God.

[32:47] When he's put into prison. He still holds to God's promises. He still holds to him. He still holds to him. He still holds to him. He still holds to him. Yet. The writer in Hebrews. In chapter 11.

[32:58] When looking at the heroes. Of faith. When he selects Joseph. He actually selects Joseph. At the point where he's approaching death. And that seems a strange place.

[33:13] To. Start looking. At. A hero of faith's life. But we read in Genesis 50. Verses 22 to 26.

[33:27] So Joseph remained in Egypt. He and his father's house. Joseph lived 110 years. And Joseph saw. Ephraim's children.

[33:37] Of the third generation. The children also of Macher. The son of Manasseh. Were counted as Joseph's own. And Joseph said to his brothers.

[33:50] I'm about to die. But God will visit you. And bring you up. Out of this land. To a land that he swore to Abraham. To Isaac. And to Jacob. Then Joseph made the sons of Isaac.

[34:03] Swear saying. God will surely visit you. And you shall carry up my bones from here. So Joseph died. Being 110 years old.

[34:15] They embalmed him. And he was put in a coffin. In Egypt. What we see here. Is actually. Quite a calm setting. There's no distress.

[34:29] At the forthcoming loss. Of a loved one. There's no anxious. Setting rights. Of relationships. Or of distributing goods. By the dying man. Rather than verse 24.

[34:42] Joseph speaks about. Reassuring words of faith. Faith that God would not forsake. His promise to Abraham. And faith that Joseph. Would be parted.

[34:53] To the fulfilment. Of that promise. Joseph. Joseph. Joseph. Joseph. Prophesises. God's fulfilment. Of his promise. In Genesis 12.

[35:05] God had called Abraham. To leave his country. And to follow him. To a land. That God would give him. And that he would be the father. Of a great nation. And this land.

[35:16] Would be the land of Canaan. Three generations later. Joseph still holds. To the hope. Of God's promise. To his great grandfather. That the Israelites.

[35:27] Will be led. To the land. Of hope. Of God's promise. To the land of hope. And that they would.

[35:38] Possess a land. After all. Joseph. Is a product. Of that promise. Abraham. Despite his age.

[35:49] And the age of Sarah. Did. Have a son. As God promised. That he would. Have a son. He has seen this land.

[36:00] Grow through generations. And he has seen. God provide for them. In times of famine. Yet. This return to Canaan. Would seem against. All that the people of Israel.

[36:12] Were presently experiencing. In Egypt. The people of Israel. At this stage. They weren't in bondage. They weren't in slavery. They were prospering. And living in peace. In Egypt.

[36:24] Why would one wish. To venture. To an occupied land. Which would involve. Giving up. The pleasantries of life. They had. For one involving. Hardship.

[36:34] And dangers. Or fighting. To take possession. Of the land. Joseph is reminding us. That although the Israelites. Are in Egypt. They are in a foreign land.

[36:44] It is not the home. It is not their home. It is not the home. Of God's chosen people. It is not what God promised. Despite being in Egypt.

[36:56] Joseph. Was not an Egyptian. He was still an Israelite. In a foreign land. In non-godly practices. Of Egypt. The worships. Of false gods. And idols.

[37:06] And the trappings. Of success. And power. Did not weaken. His trust in God. Joseph. Joseph. Joseph. Joseph. Did not use. His family circumstances.

[37:18] His false imprisonment. And his apparent abandonment. There. As an excuse. For abandoning his faith. Are there similarities. For us today. We as believers.

[37:30] In Christ. Are in a foreign land. This is not our home. We are reminded. That although. We are in the world. And we. Have to serve God.

[37:41] In the world. We are also called. To be apart. From the world. We are God's children. We have to live in him. Not follow. The goals of the world.

[37:53] As Joseph shows. That the Israelites. Must be distinct. To preserve the position. As God's people. And so remain detached. From Egypt. Jesus warns us.

[38:04] Not to become entrapped. In the things of this world. Laying up treasures. In this world. That will decay and fade. Rather. We have to look.

[38:15] To building up. Heavenly treasures. Because where our valued. Possessions are. Is where our hearts will be. In Matthew 6. 24. Jesus tells. About the impossibility.

[38:27] Of serving two masters. He says. No one can serve two masters. For either. He will hate the one. And love the other. Or he will be devoted.

[38:38] To the one. And despise the other. We cannot serve God. And money. We cannot serve God. And man. If Israelites had became trapped.

[38:49] In the comfort of Egypt. They would forsake. The promise of God. Are we trapped. In the snares. Of the world's. Devotions. Do we need to return.

[39:01] To refocus. On the treasures. Of God's love for us. Joseph is certain. About the promises of God. In Hebrews 6.

[39:12] We are reminded. Of the certainty. Of God's promise. And of which. We should. Maintain our faith. The writer. Recounts. In Hebrews 6.

[39:23] Verses 13 and 14. For when God made a promise. To Abraham. Since he had known greater. By whom to swear. He swore by himself. Saying. Surely I will bless you.

[39:34] And multiply you. He swore an oath. That his promise. Would be fulfilled. The certainty. Of God's promises. For us. For Joseph.

[39:45] And the Israelites. And for those hearing. The letters of the Hebrews. Is in the certainty. Of our salvation. In Jesus Christ. An important reassurance. That since Adam's first sin.

[39:58] And the resulting break. Between God and man. God. Has pursued. His plan. For our salvation. That we may once again. Have a direct relationship.

[40:09] With him. That while we are still. Living a life of sin. Far from God's desires. For us. He sacrificed his son.

[40:22] Jesus writes. In John. John writes. In John 3.16. For God so loved the world. That he gave his only son. That whoever believes in him.

[40:33] Should not perish. But have eternal life. A timeless promise. And it is a promise. That is still open today. To those who have yet.

[40:44] To accept Christ. As their saviour. Joseph then repeats. The assurance. That God will deliver his people. Back to Canaan. And makes his brothers.

[40:54] Take an oath. That they will. Take his bones with them. To be buried in Canaan. Joseph has been the provider. And protector of Israel. During his life.

[41:06] He has called them to Egypt. And provided them. During the famine. Joseph had been part. Of God's promise. To his people. To provide for them. So in death.

[41:20] Joseph wished to reinforce. The separation of God's people. From the peoples of the world. He didn't want to accept.

[41:31] The stately funeral. That he could have had. Remembering his position. Second only to Pharaoh. A state funeral. With all its pomp. And Grand Mausoleum. Would not have been out of the question.

[41:42] Rather. Joseph's outline is simple. To keep his bones. That they may go with Israelites. When God leads them back to Canaan.

[41:54] In the meantime. He would be their reassurance. Of things to come. The presence of his bones. Among them. Would be a reminder. Of his faith.

[42:05] And the fulfillment. Of God's promises. It would be a reminder. Of Joseph's trust. And patience. In the timing of God. To fulfill his promises. Joseph knew.

[42:19] From the promises to Abraham. That they would need hope. To cling to. That they would need to cling. To God's promises. Of returning to the promised land. As God had also told Abraham.

[42:32] That his offspring. Would be in bondage. For 400 years. That God would lead them. Out of Israel. So in Genesis 15. God had announced.

[42:45] Saying. The Lord said to Abraham. Know for certain. That your offspring. Will be sojourners. In the land. That is not theirs. And will be servants there. And they will be afflicted.

[42:55] For 400 years. But I will bring judgment. Upon the nation. That they serve. And afterwards. They shall come out. With great possessions. Joseph knew.

[43:06] The teachings. Of his forefathers. He knew. That the people. Would suffer. But he knew. That God. Would fulfill. His promise. Of their own. Land. And of freedom. We have looked.

[43:18] At Joseph's faith. In response. To God's promises. We have read. In Isaiah. God's promise. Of sending a saviour. For his people. In Luke.

[43:28] We read. The fulfillment. Of that promise. In the birth. Of Jesus. It's great. To rejoice. And celebrate. The birth. Of a new child. To a family.

[43:39] How much more so. For one. That would offer. Salvation. To the world. But this is not. The end of. The story. Of Christmas.

[43:49] For Christians. Jesus. In his teachings. Is looking. Towards. His crucifixion. And resurrection. Promises. That he will redeem. Those who believe.

[43:59] In him. As the son of God. In John 11. 25. He writes. Jesus told her. I am the resurrection. And the life. Anyone who believes in me.

[44:11] Will live. Even after dying. And that he will return. To take his people home. To glory. In John 14. He writes.

[44:23] Don't let your hearts. Be troubled. Trust in God. And trust also in me. There is more than enough room. In my father's home. If this were not so. Would I have told you.

[44:36] That. I am going to prepare. A place for you. When everything is ready. I will come. And get you. So that you will always be with me. Where I am. Do we hold.

[44:47] To those promises. Of Christ. Jesus. Already fulfilled. Some of his promises. To us. As Joseph. Was to be a reminder. For the Israelites.

[44:59] Christ left us. His Holy Spirit. Again. In John chapter 15. Verse 26. We read. I will send you the advocate. The spirit of truth. He will come to you.

[45:09] From the father. And will testify. All about me. And the spirit. Is within us. On a daily basis. We know that God. Was good.

[45:19] And fulfilled. His promises. To the Israelites. And fulfilled. Joseph's hopes. Because next. Is 13. 19. We read. As Moses leads the Israelites.

[45:32] In the Exodus. We read. Moses took the bones of Joseph. With him. For Joseph had made. The sons of Israel swear. Saying God will surely visit you. And she shall carry my bones.

[45:42] With you from here. And again. After the Israelites. Had taken possession of the land. In Joshua 24. 32. We read. As for the bones of Joseph.

[45:53] Which the people of Israel. Brought up from Egypt. They buried them. At Shechem. So as Joseph held to the promises of God. So he rewarded for his faith.

[46:06] For us today. Where is our trust? And whose promises. Do we have faith? For the Christian death.

[46:16] Is not. A sad and final end. And the parting. Of one's hopes. C.H. Spurgeon. Tells the story. Of a servant. Who had been sitting up all night.

[46:27] Nursing his master. And he was. Asked how his master was. In the morning. And he replied. He is dying. Full of life. Dying in faith.

[46:40] Of Christ. And in his new covenant. We die. Full of life. As our life. On earth passes. So we enter a life. Of glory. So we must hold.

[46:51] To the promises of God. That we can share. The fulfillment. Of God's promises. That we will be saved. Through faith. In our Lord. Jesus Christ. Alone.

[47:04] If. Any of you. Have not yet. Committed to Christ. As your saviour. Remember. Human actions. Cannot bring. Cleansing of our sins. Only faith. In Christ. Alone.

[47:14] The perfect redeemer. But he waits. And will you respond. Writer. Records.

[47:25] In Hebrews 13. And 8. Jesus Christ. Is the same yesterday. And today. And forever. As God. Fulfilled his promises.

[47:35] In the past. So he will fulfill them. In the future. Those with faith. In Christ. Have the promise. Of eternal life. With him. Those who reject him.

[47:48] Will be separated. For eternity. If you have not already. Opened the door. To Christ. Open it now. As he knocks. And waits.

[47:59] To be invited. As your saviour. That you may have. Eternal life. With him. And as Christians. The birth of Christ.

[48:14] Is. The start. Of the journey. Towards Calvary. And towards. Christ's resurrection. And who.

[48:25] We will have a new life. If we. In Christ. Let's just pray. Father. Father.

[48:36] We thank you. That. You are an unchanging God. The same today. Yesterday.

[48:47] And tomorrow. And as an unchanging God. And as a creator. Of all. You keep.

[48:58] Your promises. For those. Who have yet. To. Know. The beauty.

[49:09] And peace. Of life. With your son. As your saviour. We pray. That. They may reach out. And. Ask you.

[49:20] Into their hearts. As Christians. We give you thanks. That your son.

[49:32] Came to earth. At Christmas. Lived. As God. Encarnating man.

[49:44] That he knew. The struggles. Temptations. And experiences. Of man. But his.

[49:58] Divine nature. Allowed him. To overcome. The temptations. To overcome. Sin. And to pay the price.

[50:08] For us. On the cross. And we thank you. That in his resurrection. Death. Has been conquered. The penalty.

[50:19] For our sin. We give you thanks. For this gift. Of your son.

[50:33] And we ask it. In. In his name. The praise. And the glory. Amen. Our final piece of music.

[50:45] This morning. Is. Child in a manger. And as we. Listen to the words. We start with. The simple fact. Of Christ.

[50:55] Arriving at Christmas. But also. The promise. Which he offers. In the resurrection. So. Child in a manger. Child in a manger.

[51:07] It. Oh. Again. In. A lover. Cricutata.

[51:20] And of love. Child in a manger.ثر» Come as our glorious mighty Redeemer, see in victorious glorious holy soul.

[52:12] Of his mortal, yet he wins a wonder, angels behold him on his throne.

[52:30] For the Savior of all our races, happy forever on our new soul.

[52:48] Amen. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all, now and forevermore. Amen.

[53:18] Thank you for taking the worship this morning.