WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.779 It's on page 742 if you're using a church Bible. 00:00:18.780 --> 00:00:25.660 And Isaiah 55, we're going to look at half of Isaiah 55 this morning, and then on the 00:00:25.660 --> 00:00:29.740 second of January, as we start into a new year, we're going to look at the second part. 00:00:30.219 --> 00:00:38.439 So we're going to go to verses, to verse 5, and the first reading is Isaiah 55, starting 00:00:38.439 --> 00:00:42.379 at verse 1, page 742. 00:00:47.100 --> 00:00:55.240 Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters, and you who have no money, come, buy 00:00:55.240 --> 00:00:55.980 and eat. 00:00:56.660 --> 00:01:01.660 Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 00:01:02.380 --> 00:01:07.599 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labour on what does not satisfy? 00:01:08.099 --> 00:01:14.740 Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest affair. 00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:17.240 Give ear and come to me. 00:01:17.560 --> 00:01:20.000 Hear me, that your soul may live. 00:01:20.000 --> 00:01:25.920 I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. 00:01:26.760 --> 00:01:32.159 See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of the peoples. 00:01:33.040 --> 00:01:38.280 Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations that do not know you will hasten 00:01:38.280 --> 00:01:45.539 to you because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with 00:01:45.539 --> 00:01:46.340 splendour. 00:01:46.340 --> 00:01:55.320 Keep your finger in Isaiah 55, and then turn to John's Gospel, chapter 6, which is on page 00:01:55.320 --> 00:01:56.880 1070. 00:02:01.079 --> 00:02:13.680 John chapter 6, it's on page 1070, starting at verse 25 through to 40. 00:02:13.680 --> 00:02:21.980 Verse 25. 00:02:21.979 --> 00:02:29.539 When they found Jesus on the other side of the lake, they asked him, Rabbi, when did you 00:02:29.539 --> 00:02:30.060 get here? 00:02:30.939 --> 00:02:36.439 Jesus answered, I tell you the truth, you are looking for me not because you saw the miraculous 00:02:36.439 --> 00:02:40.139 signs, but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 00:02:41.199 --> 00:02:48.379 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son 00:02:48.379 --> 00:02:52.979 of Man will give you, on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval. 00:02:54.120 --> 00:03:00.060 Then they asked him, what must we do to do the works God requires? 00:03:01.259 --> 00:03:05.900 Jesus answered, the work of God is this, to believe in the one he has sent. 00:03:06.960 --> 00:03:12.060 So they asked him, what miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe 00:03:12.060 --> 00:03:12.300 you? 00:03:12.300 --> 00:03:13.760 What will you do? 00:03:14.740 --> 00:03:20.180 Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert, as it is written, he gave them bread from heaven 00:03:20.180 --> 00:03:20.700 to eat. 00:03:21.820 --> 00:03:27.960 Jesus said to them, I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from 00:03:27.960 --> 00:03:32.060 heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 00:03:32.760 --> 00:03:37.680 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. 00:03:37.680 --> 00:03:42.659 Sir, they said, from now on give us this bread. 00:03:43.740 --> 00:03:47.060 Then Jesus declared, I am the bread of life. 00:03:47.500 --> 00:03:49.760 He who comes to me will never go hungry. 00:03:50.180 --> 00:03:52.500 He who believes in me will never be thirsty. 00:03:53.460 --> 00:03:58.460 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 00:03:59.260 --> 00:04:04.340 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive 00:04:04.340 --> 00:04:04.659 away. 00:04:05.080 --> 00:04:10.740 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will, but to do the will of him who sent 00:04:10.740 --> 00:04:10.980 me. 00:04:11.879 --> 00:04:16.399 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given 00:04:16.399 --> 00:04:19.180 me, but raise them up on the last day. 00:04:20.060 --> 00:04:26.759 For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal 00:04:26.759 --> 00:04:30.840 life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 00:04:30.839 --> 00:04:35.779 Well, let's pray together. 00:04:41.779 --> 00:04:48.519 Our Father, we thank you for the food and drink that we have had already today. 00:04:48.519 --> 00:05:00.560 But we come now to you, to the true food, asking that you would fill us and satisfy us, that 00:05:00.560 --> 00:05:08.979 your Holy Spirit would be present amongst us, enabling us to comprehend your word, but also 00:05:08.979 --> 00:05:16.659 that it would work in our lives, changing us and transforming us, helping us to see that 00:05:16.660 --> 00:05:20.200 you are the hope for this world. 00:05:21.340 --> 00:05:29.080 That Christ is the true gift, the only gift that really satisfies. 00:05:29.079 --> 00:05:34.859 So please help us all, we ask in Jesus' name. 00:05:35.659 --> 00:05:36.039 Amen. 00:05:38.039 --> 00:05:42.839 Well, there are notes going around, but the title I have given to this first part of Isaiah 00:05:42.839 --> 00:05:47.339 55 is Christmas, Hope for the Hopeless. 00:05:50.339 --> 00:05:55.339 Two years ago we were sitting on the brink of economic meltdown. 00:05:55.339 --> 00:06:03.699 Financial institutions were closing, banks were calling in their debts, panic set in, the 00:06:03.699 --> 00:06:08.759 markets got nervous, and the world as we know it went into recession. 00:06:09.699 --> 00:06:16.599 If we were unaware of what that meant, last week's budget has made it very personal and 00:06:16.599 --> 00:06:16.979 real. 00:06:17.819 --> 00:06:23.259 The other Tuesday our finance minister, Brian Lenehan, stood up in the door and he gave a very 00:06:23.259 --> 00:06:26.539 brave and determined budget speech. 00:06:27.639 --> 00:06:28.680 Let me quote to you. 00:06:29.699 --> 00:06:34.459 This has been a traumatic and worrying time for the citizens of our country. 00:06:35.259 --> 00:06:41.920 They are concerned that we had to seek external support to help us with our economic and financial 00:06:41.920 --> 00:06:42.680 difficulties. 00:06:43.399 --> 00:06:49.219 They are worried about the impact of this momentous and difficult decision on their lives. 00:06:49.220 --> 00:06:57.500 Yet, in fact, even in the most intractable and complex crisis, there are clear signs of 00:06:57.500 --> 00:06:57.920 hope. 00:06:59.500 --> 00:07:00.640 And then he concludes. 00:07:01.800 --> 00:07:04.840 We have been through a tumultuous two years. 00:07:05.280 --> 00:07:10.580 Today's budget is our first step in ensuring that we get back firmly on our own feet. 00:07:10.940 --> 00:07:15.240 We can emerge from this dark time as a stronger and fitter economy. 00:07:15.240 --> 00:07:21.860 There is every reason to be confident about the future of this economy and this country if 00:07:21.860 --> 00:07:25.060 we only have confidence in ourselves. 00:07:26.420 --> 00:07:28.620 Fighting talk, we might say. 00:07:28.759 --> 00:07:29.680 Big promises. 00:07:30.600 --> 00:07:31.439 Can they deliver? 00:07:32.480 --> 00:07:35.199 Well, we'll all have to wait and see. 00:07:36.199 --> 00:07:43.800 But without a doubt we can say that the people of our nation are desperate for hope. 00:07:43.800 --> 00:07:46.280 It is dark times. 00:07:46.439 --> 00:07:47.699 It is difficult times. 00:07:48.460 --> 00:07:50.560 And people are desperate for hope. 00:07:51.439 --> 00:07:54.259 I want you to imagine the doll tomorrow morning. 00:07:55.759 --> 00:08:01.860 Brian Cowan has just delivered his speech, which has been followed by members of the opposition. 00:08:02.639 --> 00:08:06.660 And then the proceedings are interrupted by a voice up in the balcony. 00:08:07.139 --> 00:08:12.560 And at first everybody tries to ignore it, but then they are captured by its message. 00:08:12.560 --> 00:08:16.379 Come, all you who are thirsty. 00:08:16.959 --> 00:08:18.180 Come to the waters. 00:08:18.519 --> 00:08:19.819 You who have no money. 00:08:20.360 --> 00:08:22.600 Come, buy and eat. 00:08:23.319 --> 00:08:28.000 Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 00:08:29.699 --> 00:08:30.939 Could you imagine? 00:08:32.399 --> 00:08:35.299 I'm sure they struggle to comprehend what's going on. 00:08:35.299 --> 00:08:38.819 But the message they would see is clear. 00:08:39.479 --> 00:08:41.519 It's a message of hope. 00:08:41.939 --> 00:08:43.579 It talks of restoration. 00:08:44.059 --> 00:08:45.939 It's promising something good. 00:08:46.879 --> 00:08:50.479 In fact, we know it is a message of salvation. 00:08:50.699 --> 00:08:56.000 Isaiah, the prophet, who lived 750 years before the birth of Christ, 00:08:56.620 --> 00:08:58.039 was called by God. 00:08:58.039 --> 00:09:04.719 And he was called to speak into a nation that was quite literally without hope. 00:09:05.399 --> 00:09:09.699 He spoke to a people who were living in darkness. 00:09:10.779 --> 00:09:15.360 After years of turning and running from God, they were now in exile, 00:09:16.000 --> 00:09:19.919 overpowered and run by another nation, Babylon. 00:09:19.919 --> 00:09:20.120 Babylon. 00:09:21.319 --> 00:09:24.240 We've heard of the four-year recovery plan. 00:09:25.219 --> 00:09:29.139 Isaiah 55 is God's recovery plan. 00:09:29.579 --> 00:09:31.879 Not just for Israel, who are in Babylon, 00:09:32.519 --> 00:09:36.740 but for us and for the world in which we live. 00:09:37.439 --> 00:09:42.019 It's a recovery plan that's become a reality through the birth of Jesus Christ, 00:09:42.240 --> 00:09:44.159 the long-awaited Messiah, 00:09:44.159 --> 00:09:49.759 the rescuing ruler who comes to offer hope to the world. 00:09:50.919 --> 00:09:55.779 His recovery plan can be seen in three steps. 00:09:56.579 --> 00:10:00.559 The first step is one of invitation. 00:10:01.600 --> 00:10:02.539 Look at verse 1. 00:10:03.919 --> 00:10:06.759 Come, all you who are thirsty. 00:10:07.659 --> 00:10:10.379 Come to the waters. 00:10:11.100 --> 00:10:11.799 Come on. 00:10:11.799 --> 00:10:14.019 Come and buy and eat. 00:10:14.379 --> 00:10:16.799 Come and buy your wine and milk. 00:10:19.259 --> 00:10:22.079 Now we'll see what we are invited to in a minute, 00:10:22.299 --> 00:10:25.659 but let's not miss the extent of this invitation. 00:10:26.659 --> 00:10:30.339 This is an invitation that is to everyone. 00:10:31.459 --> 00:10:35.240 Come, all you who are thirsty. 00:10:35.240 --> 00:10:41.799 But in particular, it's an invitation to those who are broken and weak. 00:10:41.919 --> 00:10:47.539 It's to those who have nothing and who are desperately in need. 00:10:48.440 --> 00:10:51.000 I love getting invites to celebrations, 00:10:51.379 --> 00:10:56.379 but there is nothing worse than being the only person who doesn't get that invite, 00:10:56.539 --> 00:10:57.460 being left out. 00:10:57.460 --> 00:10:59.900 Well, here is an invitation. 00:11:00.180 --> 00:11:02.200 God's invitation to the nation. 00:11:02.920 --> 00:11:03.740 It's open. 00:11:04.519 --> 00:11:06.040 It's not exclusive. 00:11:07.080 --> 00:11:08.200 It's to all. 00:11:09.259 --> 00:11:12.240 And if anything, it favours the most needy. 00:11:12.320 --> 00:11:16.040 It reaches out to those who think themselves beyond recovery, 00:11:16.039 --> 00:11:19.459 and it says to those people especially, 00:11:20.059 --> 00:11:21.079 you can come. 00:11:23.559 --> 00:11:25.939 But what are we invited to? 00:11:26.860 --> 00:11:29.779 Well, it's not so much what we are invited to, 00:11:29.899 --> 00:11:32.139 but who we are invited to. 00:11:32.219 --> 00:11:33.539 Look at the middle of verse 2. 00:11:34.199 --> 00:11:34.719 It says, 00:11:35.259 --> 00:11:35.379 Listen. 00:11:36.500 --> 00:11:38.620 Listen to me. 00:11:38.620 --> 00:11:41.500 Verse 3. 00:11:41.700 --> 00:11:44.740 Give ear and come to me. 00:11:45.139 --> 00:11:46.240 Hear me. 00:11:47.080 --> 00:11:49.860 Who is this me that they are invited to? 00:11:50.580 --> 00:11:53.379 Well, keep your finger, please, in Isaiah 55, 00:11:53.560 --> 00:11:54.860 and go to John's Gospel, 00:11:56.299 --> 00:11:57.320 chapter 1, 00:12:00.600 --> 00:12:01.980 and verse 1. 00:12:08.620 --> 00:12:21.320 This me is an invite to come to the Lord Jesus. 00:12:21.720 --> 00:12:23.159 Chapter 1, verse 1 says, 00:12:23.320 --> 00:12:24.899 In the beginning was the Word, 00:12:25.639 --> 00:12:27.700 and the Word was with God, 00:12:28.259 --> 00:12:30.320 and the Word was God. 00:12:31.320 --> 00:12:32.519 Then in verse 14, 00:12:32.519 --> 00:12:35.699 The Word became flesh, 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:38.740 and made his dwelling among us. 00:12:40.539 --> 00:12:42.519 The Word that spoke, 00:12:43.019 --> 00:12:45.079 and offered the invitation, 00:12:45.779 --> 00:12:47.399 the invitation to come, 00:12:47.500 --> 00:12:48.879 that Word that spoke, 00:12:49.960 --> 00:12:51.220 came into the world 00:12:51.220 --> 00:12:54.059 to become like one of us. 00:12:55.419 --> 00:12:57.620 Christ came into the world, 00:12:57.899 --> 00:12:59.840 and invited us to come, 00:12:59.840 --> 00:13:02.860 and to receive from him. 00:13:04.700 --> 00:13:06.320 Flick over a bit further 00:13:06.320 --> 00:13:07.840 to chapter 7 00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:11.540 of John's Gospel. 00:13:11.660 --> 00:13:13.660 Chapter 7, verse 37. 00:13:23.800 --> 00:13:24.740 It says, 00:13:25.280 --> 00:13:26.280 On the last day, 00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:27.080 verse 37, 00:13:27.080 --> 00:13:29.879 of the last and greatest day 00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:31.100 of the feast. 00:13:31.280 --> 00:13:32.560 The feast here 00:13:32.560 --> 00:13:34.759 is known as the Feast of Tabernacles, 00:13:35.160 --> 00:13:35.940 or booths. 00:13:35.940 --> 00:13:37.440 It was an eight-day feast, 00:13:37.879 --> 00:13:39.240 eight days of celebration, 00:13:39.240 --> 00:13:40.460 when the people of Israel, 00:13:40.580 --> 00:13:40.940 literally, 00:13:41.620 --> 00:13:43.759 went camping in their back garden. 00:13:44.460 --> 00:13:45.560 They would set up tents, 00:13:45.660 --> 00:13:47.580 and everybody would move into their tents, 00:13:48.060 --> 00:13:49.460 and they would live in these tents 00:13:49.460 --> 00:13:50.300 for eight days 00:13:50.300 --> 00:13:51.640 to remind themselves 00:13:51.640 --> 00:13:54.940 of the great escape from Egypt, 00:13:54.940 --> 00:13:58.020 and how God provided for them 00:13:58.020 --> 00:13:59.740 all the way through the wilderness. 00:14:01.020 --> 00:14:02.620 And one of the great events 00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:04.620 through that wilderness journey 00:14:04.620 --> 00:14:07.580 was when Moses took his staff 00:14:07.580 --> 00:14:08.800 and he hit the rock 00:14:08.800 --> 00:14:10.480 because they had no water, 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:11.360 they were thirsty, 00:14:12.060 --> 00:14:14.160 and water flowed from it. 00:14:15.660 --> 00:14:16.900 And so Jesus says, 00:14:16.980 --> 00:14:17.720 verse 37, 00:14:17.720 --> 00:14:20.180 On the last and greatest day 00:14:20.180 --> 00:14:20.700 of this feast, 00:14:20.840 --> 00:14:21.620 Jesus stood up 00:14:21.620 --> 00:14:22.920 and said in a loud voice, 00:14:23.840 --> 00:14:25.360 If anyone is thirsty, 00:14:26.660 --> 00:14:28.840 let him come to me 00:14:28.840 --> 00:14:30.660 and drink. 00:14:33.160 --> 00:14:33.960 You see, 00:14:34.680 --> 00:14:36.540 this message 00:14:36.540 --> 00:14:37.980 in Isaiah 55, 00:14:38.300 --> 00:14:39.300 to come and listen 00:14:39.300 --> 00:14:40.320 to me, 00:14:41.259 --> 00:14:42.580 is the invite 00:14:42.580 --> 00:14:44.560 of the Lord Jesus 00:14:44.560 --> 00:14:46.180 to come to me, 00:14:46.180 --> 00:14:47.220 to come to him. 00:14:47.720 --> 00:14:49.000 And I'm sure 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:49.860 we're all going to get 00:14:49.860 --> 00:14:50.740 lots of invites 00:14:50.740 --> 00:14:51.580 this Christmas 00:14:51.580 --> 00:14:53.040 to people's houses 00:14:53.040 --> 00:14:55.160 and to various parties. 00:14:56.580 --> 00:14:58.340 Well, we must not forget 00:14:58.340 --> 00:14:59.180 that Christmas 00:14:59.180 --> 00:15:02.220 is the ultimate invitation. 00:15:03.060 --> 00:15:04.160 It is an invite 00:15:04.160 --> 00:15:04.879 to the world 00:15:04.879 --> 00:15:05.960 to say to people, 00:15:06.220 --> 00:15:07.519 come to Jesus. 00:15:09.279 --> 00:15:10.460 Because Jesus 00:15:10.460 --> 00:15:12.139 has come into the world 00:15:12.139 --> 00:15:13.080 for you 00:15:13.080 --> 00:15:14.200 and for me, 00:15:14.600 --> 00:15:15.639 for the nations, 00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:18.059 and he wants us 00:15:18.059 --> 00:15:19.360 to come to him. 00:15:21.299 --> 00:15:21.860 Listen, 00:15:22.199 --> 00:15:23.080 listen to me. 00:15:23.939 --> 00:15:24.600 Give ear 00:15:24.600 --> 00:15:25.960 and come 00:15:25.960 --> 00:15:26.899 to me. 00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:29.639 But what 00:15:29.639 --> 00:15:30.799 and why 00:15:30.799 --> 00:15:32.120 is this invitation 00:15:32.120 --> 00:15:33.980 so special? 00:15:34.980 --> 00:15:35.480 Well, 00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:36.439 the second step 00:15:36.439 --> 00:15:37.620 after invitation 00:15:37.620 --> 00:15:39.679 is salvation. 00:15:39.679 --> 00:15:39.799 salvation. 00:15:40.839 --> 00:15:42.239 It is an invitation 00:15:42.239 --> 00:15:44.019 to salvation. 00:15:45.199 --> 00:15:46.059 Look at the end 00:15:46.059 --> 00:15:46.699 of verse 1 00:15:46.699 --> 00:15:47.819 of Isaiah 55. 00:15:49.259 --> 00:15:49.719 It says, 00:15:49.819 --> 00:15:50.959 You who have no money, 00:15:51.799 --> 00:15:52.839 come buy and eat. 00:15:53.699 --> 00:15:54.859 Come buy wine 00:15:54.859 --> 00:15:55.479 and milk 00:15:55.479 --> 00:15:56.399 without money 00:15:56.399 --> 00:15:57.879 and without cost. 00:15:58.839 --> 00:15:59.939 The end of verse 2. 00:16:00.339 --> 00:16:01.620 And your soul 00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:02.839 will delight 00:16:02.839 --> 00:16:04.359 in the richest 00:16:04.359 --> 00:16:04.979 of fair. 00:16:04.980 --> 00:16:05.060 prayer. 00:16:06.259 --> 00:16:07.480 This is an invitation 00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:08.460 to a feast. 00:16:09.080 --> 00:16:09.860 To drink 00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:11.039 and to eat 00:16:11.039 --> 00:16:12.320 till you have your fill. 00:16:13.300 --> 00:16:14.300 And whenever we come 00:16:14.300 --> 00:16:15.000 across this 00:16:15.000 --> 00:16:15.879 in the scriptures, 00:16:16.139 --> 00:16:17.320 whenever there's an invitation 00:16:17.320 --> 00:16:18.120 to drink 00:16:18.120 --> 00:16:19.320 and to eat, 00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:20.940 it's always a metaphor 00:16:20.940 --> 00:16:21.980 for life 00:16:21.980 --> 00:16:23.779 and for salvation. 00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:25.060 Again, 00:16:25.200 --> 00:16:25.759 look at the way 00:16:25.759 --> 00:16:26.519 in which Jesus 00:16:26.519 --> 00:16:28.320 takes these very images, 00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:29.680 these very ideas, 00:16:30.320 --> 00:16:32.480 and takes these words 00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:33.940 to offer salvation 00:16:33.940 --> 00:16:34.980 to people. 00:16:35.960 --> 00:16:36.780 Go back to 00:16:36.780 --> 00:16:37.620 John's Gospel, 00:16:38.320 --> 00:16:39.240 chapter 4. 00:16:41.540 --> 00:16:42.540 These are very 00:16:42.540 --> 00:16:43.920 well-known stories. 00:16:44.940 --> 00:16:45.720 The first one 00:16:45.720 --> 00:16:46.620 in John's Gospel, 00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:47.480 chapter 4, 00:16:48.180 --> 00:16:49.300 is the woman 00:16:49.300 --> 00:16:49.980 at the well. 00:16:53.980 --> 00:16:55.560 Jesus is thirsty 00:16:55.560 --> 00:16:56.540 and he's been asking 00:16:56.540 --> 00:16:57.220 for a drink 00:16:57.220 --> 00:16:58.900 and her dialogue 00:16:58.900 --> 00:16:59.500 is there. 00:17:00.900 --> 00:17:02.600 And then in verse 13, 00:17:02.600 --> 00:17:06.880 Jesus answered, 00:17:07.059 --> 00:17:08.180 everyone who drinks 00:17:08.180 --> 00:17:09.339 this water 00:17:09.339 --> 00:17:12.180 will be thirsty again. 00:17:13.099 --> 00:17:14.440 But whoever drinks 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:16.019 the water I give him 00:17:16.019 --> 00:17:18.640 will never thirst. 00:17:19.339 --> 00:17:19.720 Indeed, 00:17:19.839 --> 00:17:21.059 the water I give him 00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:21.880 will become in him 00:17:21.880 --> 00:17:23.180 a spring of water 00:17:23.180 --> 00:17:24.440 welling up 00:17:24.440 --> 00:17:26.279 to eternal life. 00:17:27.480 --> 00:17:28.579 The invitation, 00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:29.079 you see, 00:17:29.160 --> 00:17:30.099 is Jesus to say, 00:17:30.099 --> 00:17:30.879 come to me, 00:17:31.879 --> 00:17:32.740 come and drink, 00:17:33.059 --> 00:17:34.339 because what I give you 00:17:34.339 --> 00:17:36.439 is true salvation. 00:17:36.740 --> 00:17:37.419 Have a look at 00:17:37.419 --> 00:17:38.299 chapter 6, 00:17:38.459 --> 00:17:39.500 verse 32. 00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:45.139 This is after the feeding 00:17:45.139 --> 00:17:46.939 of the 5,000. 00:17:49.099 --> 00:17:50.279 So he likens 00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:51.519 the water 00:17:51.519 --> 00:17:52.899 as salvation. 00:17:53.139 --> 00:17:54.319 He likens 00:17:54.319 --> 00:17:55.059 the bread 00:17:55.059 --> 00:17:56.659 as salvation. 00:17:57.119 --> 00:17:58.299 Verse 32, 00:17:58.299 --> 00:17:59.279 chapter 6, 00:17:59.359 --> 00:18:00.159 Jesus said to them, 00:18:00.200 --> 00:18:01.000 I tell you the truth, 00:18:01.059 --> 00:18:01.980 it is not Moses 00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:02.799 who has given you 00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:03.659 the bread for heaven, 00:18:04.059 --> 00:18:05.399 but it is my Father 00:18:05.399 --> 00:18:05.940 who gives you 00:18:05.940 --> 00:18:06.839 the true bread 00:18:06.839 --> 00:18:07.399 from heaven. 00:18:08.039 --> 00:18:09.139 For the bread of God 00:18:09.139 --> 00:18:09.919 is he 00:18:09.919 --> 00:18:11.159 who comes down 00:18:11.159 --> 00:18:11.639 from heaven 00:18:11.639 --> 00:18:12.700 and gives life 00:18:12.700 --> 00:18:13.399 to the world. 00:18:14.139 --> 00:18:14.500 Sir, 00:18:14.579 --> 00:18:14.940 they said, 00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:15.839 from now on 00:18:15.839 --> 00:18:16.759 give us this bread. 00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:18.259 Jesus answered, 00:18:19.099 --> 00:18:19.799 I am 00:18:19.799 --> 00:18:21.299 the bread of life. 00:18:21.399 --> 00:18:22.379 He who comes to me 00:18:22.379 --> 00:18:23.740 will never go hungry. 00:18:24.359 --> 00:18:25.240 He who believes 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:25.759 in me 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:27.160 will never 00:18:27.160 --> 00:18:28.440 be thirsty. 00:18:29.960 --> 00:18:31.019 Can we see 00:18:31.019 --> 00:18:32.299 how this is an invitation 00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:33.879 to come to Christ? 00:18:35.180 --> 00:18:35.839 An invitation 00:18:35.839 --> 00:18:36.900 to salvation, 00:18:37.099 --> 00:18:38.180 to find life 00:18:38.180 --> 00:18:39.859 in all its fullness. 00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:42.500 But let's notice 00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:43.759 from Isaiah 55 00:18:43.759 --> 00:18:44.740 two things 00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:45.819 about this salvation. 00:18:46.039 --> 00:18:46.339 First, 00:18:47.140 --> 00:18:47.900 it's free. 00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:50.019 In verse 1 00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:50.660 of 55 00:18:50.660 --> 00:18:51.359 it says, 00:18:51.359 --> 00:18:52.539 you who have 00:18:52.539 --> 00:18:53.159 no money 00:18:53.159 --> 00:18:55.339 got nothing 00:18:55.339 --> 00:18:56.119 in your wallets, 00:18:56.199 --> 00:18:57.339 in your bank accounts, 00:18:57.740 --> 00:18:58.879 come buy and eat 00:18:58.879 --> 00:19:00.179 without money 00:19:00.179 --> 00:19:01.740 and without cost. 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:03.519 Now we know 00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:04.199 fine well 00:19:04.199 --> 00:19:04.959 that if we're going 00:19:04.959 --> 00:19:06.339 to enjoy Christmas 00:19:06.339 --> 00:19:08.219 as the world says, 00:19:08.479 --> 00:19:09.399 we've got to 00:19:09.399 --> 00:19:10.439 spend our money. 00:19:11.419 --> 00:19:12.039 As much as 00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:12.539 our purse 00:19:12.539 --> 00:19:13.659 strings 00:19:13.659 --> 00:19:14.439 have tightened, 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:15.699 we've all got to 00:19:15.699 --> 00:19:17.139 part with our cash 00:19:17.139 --> 00:19:18.199 to get what we want. 00:19:18.539 --> 00:19:19.559 The saying is true, 00:19:19.639 --> 00:19:20.759 there is nothing free. 00:19:20.759 --> 00:19:22.180 except 00:19:22.180 --> 00:19:23.500 God's offer 00:19:23.500 --> 00:19:24.359 of salvation. 00:19:25.079 --> 00:19:25.440 That 00:19:25.440 --> 00:19:26.460 is free. 00:19:27.059 --> 00:19:27.759 We can't 00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:28.740 offer anything 00:19:28.740 --> 00:19:30.039 for God's salvation. 00:19:30.460 --> 00:19:31.059 We can't 00:19:31.059 --> 00:19:31.619 negotiate 00:19:31.619 --> 00:19:32.539 on the price. 00:19:32.660 --> 00:19:33.140 We can't 00:19:33.140 --> 00:19:34.039 bargain with him 00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:34.900 because there 00:19:34.900 --> 00:19:35.980 is no price 00:19:35.980 --> 00:19:36.640 because 00:19:36.640 --> 00:19:38.180 Jesus has 00:19:38.180 --> 00:19:38.799 paid 00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:39.859 the price. 00:19:40.640 --> 00:19:41.180 He paid 00:19:41.180 --> 00:19:41.799 the price 00:19:41.799 --> 00:19:42.740 with his own 00:19:42.740 --> 00:19:43.099 life 00:19:43.099 --> 00:19:44.180 on the cross. 00:19:44.859 --> 00:19:45.180 And so 00:19:45.180 --> 00:19:45.799 Jesus has 00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:46.779 made this gift 00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:48.079 freely available 00:19:48.079 --> 00:19:49.200 to all 00:19:49.200 --> 00:19:49.759 who will 00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:50.539 come to him 00:19:50.539 --> 00:19:51.779 and receive 00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:52.619 the life 00:19:52.619 --> 00:19:53.420 that he 00:19:53.420 --> 00:19:54.279 has to give. 00:19:55.559 --> 00:19:56.740 So it's free 00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:57.639 but it's also 00:19:57.639 --> 00:19:58.379 fulfilling. 00:19:59.659 --> 00:20:00.720 Look at verse 2. 00:20:01.819 --> 00:20:02.879 He asks the question 00:20:02.879 --> 00:20:03.819 and it's a searching 00:20:03.819 --> 00:20:04.420 question, 00:20:04.920 --> 00:20:06.420 why spend money 00:20:06.420 --> 00:20:07.920 on what is not 00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:08.399 bread 00:20:08.399 --> 00:20:10.500 and your labor 00:20:10.500 --> 00:20:11.740 on what does 00:20:11.740 --> 00:20:12.859 not satisfy? 00:20:12.859 --> 00:20:15.500 one commentator 00:20:15.500 --> 00:20:15.959 has helped 00:20:15.959 --> 00:20:16.159 me 00:20:16.159 --> 00:20:16.779 pointed out 00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:17.139 that when 00:20:17.139 --> 00:20:17.839 Israel went 00:20:17.839 --> 00:20:18.699 into exile 00:20:18.699 --> 00:20:19.899 they were not 00:20:19.899 --> 00:20:20.579 only moving 00:20:20.579 --> 00:20:21.279 physically 00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:24.179 from Judah 00:20:24.179 --> 00:20:25.099 to Babylon 00:20:25.099 --> 00:20:26.240 they were 00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:27.219 moving away 00:20:27.219 --> 00:20:28.179 spiritually. 00:20:28.839 --> 00:20:29.579 They were moving 00:20:29.579 --> 00:20:30.579 away from God 00:20:30.579 --> 00:20:31.719 and in an attempt 00:20:31.719 --> 00:20:33.000 to fill the void 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:33.959 to fill the gut 00:20:33.959 --> 00:20:34.899 they immersed 00:20:34.899 --> 00:20:35.759 themselves into 00:20:35.759 --> 00:20:36.479 the culture 00:20:36.479 --> 00:20:37.479 that was in Babylon. 00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:39.180 they filled 00:20:39.180 --> 00:20:39.960 themselves with 00:20:39.960 --> 00:20:40.539 the religion 00:20:40.539 --> 00:20:41.279 that they found 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:41.420 there. 00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:41.960 They filled 00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:42.640 themselves with 00:20:42.640 --> 00:20:43.120 the gods 00:20:43.120 --> 00:20:43.579 that were there. 00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:44.380 They just 00:20:44.380 --> 00:20:45.980 imbibed the 00:20:45.980 --> 00:20:46.759 whole culture 00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:48.559 but it left 00:20:48.559 --> 00:20:49.480 them empty 00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:51.380 and unfulfilled 00:20:51.380 --> 00:20:52.440 and so these 00:20:52.440 --> 00:20:53.000 are the words 00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:53.519 that are being 00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:54.559 spoken into 00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:55.860 these unfulfilled 00:20:55.860 --> 00:20:56.819 unsatisfied 00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:57.460 people. 00:20:57.460 --> 00:21:00.500 And I think 00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:01.100 it's just so 00:21:01.100 --> 00:21:01.700 true of our 00:21:01.700 --> 00:21:02.279 own nation 00:21:02.279 --> 00:21:02.860 and perhaps 00:21:02.860 --> 00:21:03.460 in our own 00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:03.880 lives. 00:21:05.860 --> 00:21:06.779 We try to 00:21:06.779 --> 00:21:07.360 find our 00:21:07.360 --> 00:21:07.940 satisfaction 00:21:07.940 --> 00:21:08.700 and our 00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:09.519 fulfilment 00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:10.700 outside of 00:21:10.700 --> 00:21:11.059 God. 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:12.840 Outside of 00:21:12.840 --> 00:21:13.259 Christ. 00:21:14.539 --> 00:21:15.059 And in the 00:21:15.059 --> 00:21:15.779 recession and 00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:16.120 in the 00:21:16.120 --> 00:21:16.539 struggles 00:21:16.539 --> 00:21:17.720 people will 00:21:17.720 --> 00:21:18.640 say if only 00:21:18.640 --> 00:21:19.380 I had a bit 00:21:19.380 --> 00:21:19.940 more money. 00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:21.640 If only I 00:21:21.640 --> 00:21:21.980 could get 00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:22.700 another job 00:21:22.700 --> 00:21:23.160 that was a 00:21:23.160 --> 00:21:23.519 little bit 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:24.259 more stable. 00:21:24.660 --> 00:21:25.579 If only we 00:21:25.579 --> 00:21:26.140 could get out 00:21:26.140 --> 00:21:26.460 of this 00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:26.880 recession. 00:21:26.880 --> 00:21:28.180 If only I 00:21:28.180 --> 00:21:28.540 could get 00:21:28.540 --> 00:21:28.880 this. 00:21:29.040 --> 00:21:29.860 If only I 00:21:29.860 --> 00:21:30.240 could have 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:30.580 that. 00:21:31.200 --> 00:21:31.920 You fill in 00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:32.460 the gap for 00:21:32.460 --> 00:21:32.860 yourself. 00:21:33.020 --> 00:21:33.980 If only I 00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:34.640 could have. 00:21:36.220 --> 00:21:37.420 Then everything 00:21:37.420 --> 00:21:38.140 would be so 00:21:38.140 --> 00:21:38.780 much better. 00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:41.340 But whatever 00:21:41.340 --> 00:21:42.520 we turn to, 00:21:43.100 --> 00:21:43.820 whatever we 00:21:43.820 --> 00:21:44.380 fill our 00:21:44.380 --> 00:21:45.340 lives with, 00:21:46.700 --> 00:21:47.680 this is a 00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:48.380 reminder to 00:21:48.380 --> 00:21:49.020 say that it 00:21:49.020 --> 00:21:49.520 will never 00:21:49.520 --> 00:21:51.360 truly satisfy. 00:21:52.400 --> 00:21:53.220 Look at the 00:21:53.220 --> 00:21:53.900 end of verse 00:21:53.900 --> 00:21:54.280 two. 00:21:55.460 --> 00:21:55.960 Listen. 00:21:56.880 --> 00:21:57.860 Listen to 00:21:57.860 --> 00:21:58.220 me. 00:21:58.800 --> 00:21:59.880 Eat what 00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:00.820 is good 00:22:00.820 --> 00:22:03.440 and your 00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:04.160 soul will 00:22:04.160 --> 00:22:04.880 delight in 00:22:04.880 --> 00:22:05.360 the richest 00:22:05.360 --> 00:22:05.860 affair. 00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:06.920 Give ear and 00:22:06.920 --> 00:22:07.280 come to 00:22:07.280 --> 00:22:07.460 me. 00:22:07.560 --> 00:22:08.140 Hear me 00:22:08.140 --> 00:22:09.340 that your 00:22:09.340 --> 00:22:11.120 soul may 00:22:11.120 --> 00:22:11.660 live. 00:22:14.040 --> 00:22:14.900 As much 00:22:14.900 --> 00:22:15.440 as there is 00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:16.020 a recession, 00:22:16.940 --> 00:22:17.820 we do see 00:22:17.820 --> 00:22:18.720 people going 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:19.480 mad, buying 00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:20.020 this, that 00:22:20.020 --> 00:22:20.320 and the 00:22:20.320 --> 00:22:20.540 other. 00:22:21.140 --> 00:22:21.620 People will 00:22:21.620 --> 00:22:21.900 be getting 00:22:21.900 --> 00:22:22.680 these gifts 00:22:22.680 --> 00:22:23.160 and that 00:22:23.160 --> 00:22:23.500 gift. 00:22:24.300 --> 00:22:24.860 They'll be 00:22:24.859 --> 00:22:25.559 eating far 00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:26.079 too much, 00:22:26.199 --> 00:22:26.959 drinking far 00:22:26.959 --> 00:22:27.619 too much. 00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:29.939 The days 00:22:29.939 --> 00:22:30.599 will go by 00:22:30.599 --> 00:22:30.939 and then 00:22:30.939 --> 00:22:31.399 people will 00:22:31.399 --> 00:22:31.740 be looking 00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:32.299 for more 00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:32.899 food and 00:22:32.899 --> 00:22:33.579 more things. 00:22:34.379 --> 00:22:34.899 Presents 00:22:34.899 --> 00:22:35.379 will break, 00:22:35.459 --> 00:22:35.679 there'll be 00:22:35.679 --> 00:22:36.279 more things 00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:36.679 that they'll 00:22:36.679 --> 00:22:37.500 want in life. 00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:39.139 But it 00:22:39.139 --> 00:22:39.759 never truly 00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:40.419 satisfies. 00:22:42.599 --> 00:22:43.599 The reminder 00:22:43.599 --> 00:22:44.359 of Christmas 00:22:44.359 --> 00:22:45.139 is to say 00:22:45.139 --> 00:22:45.599 that the 00:22:45.599 --> 00:22:46.179 ultimate 00:22:46.179 --> 00:22:46.959 Christmas 00:22:46.959 --> 00:22:47.639 promise, 00:22:47.919 --> 00:22:48.599 the ultimate 00:22:48.599 --> 00:22:49.099 gift, 00:22:49.719 --> 00:22:50.299 is that we 00:22:50.299 --> 00:22:50.819 will never 00:22:50.819 --> 00:22:51.679 thirst again, 00:22:51.680 --> 00:22:52.400 we will 00:22:52.400 --> 00:22:53.360 never go 00:22:53.360 --> 00:22:54.100 hungry, 00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:56.019 because we 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:56.880 have everything 00:22:56.880 --> 00:22:57.420 that we 00:22:57.420 --> 00:22:58.700 need in 00:22:58.700 --> 00:22:59.140 Christ. 00:23:01.140 --> 00:23:01.940 It's a big 00:23:01.940 --> 00:23:02.420 searching 00:23:02.420 --> 00:23:02.960 question. 00:23:03.120 --> 00:23:03.740 Why spend 00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:04.220 money on 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:04.779 what is not 00:23:04.779 --> 00:23:05.039 bread? 00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:05.820 Why give 00:23:05.820 --> 00:23:06.299 our lives 00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:06.759 to things 00:23:06.759 --> 00:23:07.080 that are 00:23:07.080 --> 00:23:07.560 never going 00:23:07.560 --> 00:23:07.960 to truly 00:23:07.960 --> 00:23:08.519 satisfy? 00:23:09.920 --> 00:23:10.640 Come to 00:23:10.640 --> 00:23:11.120 Christ, 00:23:11.560 --> 00:23:12.880 because in 00:23:12.880 --> 00:23:13.480 him we have 00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:14.120 everything that 00:23:14.120 --> 00:23:14.640 we need. 00:23:16.259 --> 00:23:17.180 Let me read 00:23:17.180 --> 00:23:17.560 to you a 00:23:17.560 --> 00:23:17.880 quote. 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:18.480 There is a 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:19.240 Narnia film 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:19.960 coming out in 00:23:19.960 --> 00:23:20.480 the cinemas. 00:23:20.480 --> 00:23:21.460 This is a 00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:22.019 quote from 00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:22.640 The Silver 00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:23.220 Chair. 00:23:24.339 --> 00:23:24.960 Jill, the 00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:25.660 character, has 00:23:25.660 --> 00:23:26.299 just entered 00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:27.200 into Narnia, 00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:29.819 and she's 00:23:29.819 --> 00:23:30.839 incredibly 00:23:30.839 --> 00:23:31.579 thirsty. 00:23:32.319 --> 00:23:33.019 She hears 00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:33.640 the sound 00:23:33.640 --> 00:23:34.539 of a stream, 00:23:35.099 --> 00:23:35.559 and she 00:23:35.559 --> 00:23:36.039 makes her 00:23:36.039 --> 00:23:36.480 way to 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:37.000 the stream, 00:23:37.099 --> 00:23:37.500 and as she 00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:37.980 gets to 00:23:37.980 --> 00:23:38.500 the stream, 00:23:39.059 --> 00:23:39.480 she's 00:23:39.480 --> 00:23:40.099 confronted 00:23:40.099 --> 00:23:42.120 with Aslan, 00:23:42.579 --> 00:23:43.380 the lion. 00:23:45.120 --> 00:23:45.960 Are you 00:23:45.960 --> 00:23:46.460 thirsty? 00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:47.940 said the 00:23:47.940 --> 00:23:48.200 lion. 00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:50.080 I'm dying 00:23:50.080 --> 00:23:50.799 of thirst, 00:23:51.240 --> 00:23:51.779 said Jill. 00:23:52.360 --> 00:23:53.600 Then drink, 00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:54.700 said the 00:23:54.700 --> 00:23:55.000 lion. 00:23:56.019 --> 00:23:56.600 May I? 00:23:56.980 --> 00:23:57.460 Could I? 00:23:58.200 --> 00:23:58.640 Would you 00:23:58.640 --> 00:23:59.279 mind going 00:23:59.279 --> 00:24:00.100 away while I 00:24:00.100 --> 00:24:00.400 do? 00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:01.600 said Jill. 00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:03.360 The lion 00:24:03.360 --> 00:24:04.059 answered this 00:24:04.059 --> 00:24:04.700 only by a 00:24:04.700 --> 00:24:05.160 look and a 00:24:05.160 --> 00:24:05.700 very low 00:24:05.700 --> 00:24:06.160 growl, 00:24:06.720 --> 00:24:07.340 and as 00:24:07.340 --> 00:24:08.160 Jill gazed 00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:09.120 at its 00:24:09.120 --> 00:24:09.779 motionless 00:24:09.779 --> 00:24:10.200 bulk, 00:24:10.580 --> 00:24:11.440 she realised 00:24:11.440 --> 00:24:11.860 that she 00:24:11.860 --> 00:24:12.340 might as 00:24:12.340 --> 00:24:12.700 well have 00:24:12.700 --> 00:24:13.100 asked the 00:24:13.100 --> 00:24:13.680 whole mountain 00:24:13.680 --> 00:24:14.140 to move 00:24:14.140 --> 00:24:14.740 aside for 00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:15.400 her convenience. 00:24:15.400 --> 00:24:17.340 The delicious 00:24:17.340 --> 00:24:18.259 rippling noise 00:24:18.259 --> 00:24:18.600 of the 00:24:18.600 --> 00:24:19.200 stream was 00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:19.780 driving her 00:24:19.780 --> 00:24:20.620 nearly frantic. 00:24:22.360 --> 00:24:23.180 Will you 00:24:23.180 --> 00:24:23.980 promise not 00:24:23.980 --> 00:24:24.980 to do 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:25.680 anything to 00:24:25.680 --> 00:24:26.580 me if I 00:24:26.580 --> 00:24:27.360 do come? 00:24:28.060 --> 00:24:28.640 said Jill. 00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:30.019 I make 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:30.920 no promise, 00:24:31.560 --> 00:24:31.980 said the 00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:32.259 lion. 00:24:33.400 --> 00:24:33.920 Jill was 00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:34.580 so thirsty 00:24:34.580 --> 00:24:35.160 now that, 00:24:35.360 --> 00:24:36.120 without noticing 00:24:36.120 --> 00:24:37.120 it, she 00:24:37.120 --> 00:24:37.740 had come a 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.740 step nearer. 00:24:40.180 --> 00:24:40.980 Do you 00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:41.740 eat girls? 00:24:42.240 --> 00:24:42.800 she said. 00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:43.599 I have 00:24:43.599 --> 00:24:44.240 swallowed up 00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:45.059 girls and 00:24:45.059 --> 00:24:46.059 boys, women 00:24:46.059 --> 00:24:47.059 and men, kings 00:24:47.059 --> 00:24:47.859 and emperors, 00:24:48.180 --> 00:24:48.919 cities and 00:24:48.919 --> 00:24:50.259 realms, said 00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:50.700 the lion. 00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:52.759 It didn't say 00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:53.480 this as if it 00:24:53.480 --> 00:24:54.159 were boasting, 00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:55.460 nor as if it 00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:57.119 were sorry, nor 00:24:57.119 --> 00:24:57.680 as if it were 00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:58.139 angry. 00:24:58.940 --> 00:25:00.000 It just said 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:00.259 it. 00:25:01.599 --> 00:25:02.740 I daren't 00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:03.159 come and 00:25:03.159 --> 00:25:04.399 drink, said 00:25:04.399 --> 00:25:04.680 Jill. 00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:06.159 Then you 00:25:06.159 --> 00:25:06.839 will die 00:25:06.839 --> 00:25:07.899 of thirst, 00:25:08.680 --> 00:25:09.099 said the 00:25:09.099 --> 00:25:09.379 lion. 00:25:10.519 --> 00:25:11.180 Oh dear, 00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:12.480 said Jill, 00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:13.680 coming another 00:25:13.680 --> 00:25:14.500 step nearer. 00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:15.620 I suppose I 00:25:15.620 --> 00:25:16.140 must go and 00:25:16.140 --> 00:25:16.480 look for 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:17.279 another stream 00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:17.599 then. 00:25:18.680 --> 00:25:19.720 There is 00:25:19.720 --> 00:25:20.640 no other 00:25:20.640 --> 00:25:21.160 stream, 00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:22.539 said the 00:25:22.539 --> 00:25:22.839 lion. 00:25:24.819 --> 00:25:25.539 It's a 00:25:25.539 --> 00:25:26.140 question to 00:25:26.140 --> 00:25:26.620 ask us 00:25:26.620 --> 00:25:27.200 all, where 00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:27.620 will we 00:25:27.620 --> 00:25:28.660 go to 00:25:28.660 --> 00:25:29.440 find life? 00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:31.500 What do 00:25:31.500 --> 00:25:32.420 you pursue 00:25:32.420 --> 00:25:35.000 to quench 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:35.759 your thirst? 00:25:36.839 --> 00:25:37.400 What do 00:25:37.400 --> 00:25:37.920 you want to 00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:38.299 fill your 00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:38.799 life with? 00:25:39.079 --> 00:25:39.400 What do 00:25:39.400 --> 00:25:39.960 other people 00:25:39.960 --> 00:25:40.400 want to 00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:40.740 fill their 00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:41.319 life with? 00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:42.920 There is 00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:43.420 only one 00:25:43.420 --> 00:25:44.299 stream that 00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:44.579 we are 00:25:44.579 --> 00:25:45.299 invited to, 00:25:45.400 --> 00:25:45.900 that is the 00:25:45.900 --> 00:25:46.620 stream of 00:25:46.620 --> 00:25:47.500 Jesus Christ. 00:25:48.339 --> 00:25:49.079 And Christmas 00:25:49.079 --> 00:25:49.599 is that 00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:50.720 invitation for 00:25:50.720 --> 00:25:51.240 us to come 00:25:51.240 --> 00:25:52.039 and drink of 00:25:52.039 --> 00:25:52.839 that salvation. 00:25:54.180 --> 00:25:54.620 And what 00:25:54.620 --> 00:25:55.420 Jesus offers, 00:25:55.640 --> 00:25:56.400 we will find 00:25:56.400 --> 00:25:57.620 nowhere else. 00:26:00.140 --> 00:26:01.259 Come is the 00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:01.839 invitation, 00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:03.319 to come to 00:26:03.319 --> 00:26:03.799 Christ, 00:26:04.740 --> 00:26:05.819 to come and 00:26:05.819 --> 00:26:06.599 find his 00:26:06.599 --> 00:26:07.160 salvation. 00:26:07.160 --> 00:26:07.240 salvation. 00:26:08.440 --> 00:26:08.960 But there's 00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:09.320 one more 00:26:09.320 --> 00:26:09.800 step in 00:26:09.800 --> 00:26:10.600 this process, 00:26:11.120 --> 00:26:12.600 because it's 00:26:12.600 --> 00:26:13.320 not just a 00:26:13.320 --> 00:26:14.100 recovery for 00:26:14.100 --> 00:26:15.400 us individually, 00:26:15.920 --> 00:26:17.460 this is to 00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:18.220 be a recovery 00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:19.220 plan for the 00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:20.200 whole world. 00:26:21.220 --> 00:26:22.040 The third 00:26:22.040 --> 00:26:23.360 step I've 00:26:23.360 --> 00:26:23.600 called 00:26:23.600 --> 00:26:24.460 transformation, 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:25.320 verse 3. 00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:29.000 Give ear and 00:26:29.000 --> 00:26:29.619 come to 00:26:29.619 --> 00:26:29.859 me. 00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:31.779 Hear me 00:26:31.779 --> 00:26:32.299 that your 00:26:32.299 --> 00:26:33.500 soul may 00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:34.700 live, and 00:26:34.700 --> 00:26:35.259 I will make 00:26:35.259 --> 00:26:35.879 an everlasting 00:26:35.879 --> 00:26:36.960 covenant with 00:26:36.960 --> 00:26:38.259 you, my 00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:39.059 faithful or 00:26:39.059 --> 00:26:40.619 steadfast love 00:26:40.619 --> 00:26:42.119 promised to 00:26:42.119 --> 00:26:42.439 David. 00:26:43.179 --> 00:26:44.000 David, of 00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:44.659 course, was the 00:26:44.659 --> 00:26:45.500 greatest king 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:46.399 that Israel ever 00:26:46.399 --> 00:26:46.879 had. 00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:48.259 But the 00:26:48.259 --> 00:26:48.899 mention of 00:26:48.899 --> 00:26:49.679 David, we 00:26:49.679 --> 00:26:50.179 should know, 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:50.740 was always 00:26:50.740 --> 00:26:52.039 synonymous with 00:26:52.039 --> 00:26:53.159 the expectation 00:26:53.160 --> 00:26:54.060 of a coming 00:26:54.060 --> 00:26:54.640 Messiah. 00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:57.019 To mention 00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:57.900 David, who 00:26:57.900 --> 00:26:58.820 had been all 00:26:58.820 --> 00:26:59.360 those years 00:26:59.360 --> 00:27:00.080 ago, was a 00:27:00.080 --> 00:27:01.519 promise that 00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:02.240 God was going 00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:03.000 to raise up a 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:04.120 new king, a 00:27:04.120 --> 00:27:04.900 new kind of 00:27:04.900 --> 00:27:05.180 leader. 00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:06.779 So to those 00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:07.200 who were in 00:27:07.200 --> 00:27:07.980 exile at the 00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:09.120 time, this 00:27:09.120 --> 00:27:10.100 message to 00:27:10.100 --> 00:27:10.980 come, to 00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:11.580 come to the 00:27:11.580 --> 00:27:14.200 king, was 00:27:14.200 --> 00:27:15.019 one of hope 00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:16.000 and peace and 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:16.759 restoration. 00:27:17.240 --> 00:27:17.900 A king who 00:27:17.900 --> 00:27:18.519 was going to 00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:19.600 deliver everything 00:27:19.600 --> 00:27:20.400 that God had 00:27:20.400 --> 00:27:21.600 promised, pure 00:27:21.600 --> 00:27:22.300 salvation. 00:27:23.160 --> 00:27:24.120 And we know 00:27:24.120 --> 00:27:25.000 that David was 00:27:25.000 --> 00:27:25.779 a great leader 00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:27.019 because it was 00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:27.740 only under 00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:28.540 David that the 00:27:28.540 --> 00:27:29.200 whole nation 00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:30.160 was ever united. 00:27:30.900 --> 00:27:31.860 We also know 00:27:31.860 --> 00:27:32.620 that he was a 00:27:32.620 --> 00:27:33.840 great commander. 00:27:34.779 --> 00:27:35.380 Look at verse 00:27:35.380 --> 00:27:35.740 four. 00:27:36.140 --> 00:27:36.779 See, I have 00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:37.420 made him a 00:27:37.420 --> 00:27:38.200 witness to the 00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:39.140 peoples, a 00:27:39.140 --> 00:27:40.380 leader and 00:27:40.380 --> 00:27:41.279 commander of 00:27:41.279 --> 00:27:41.779 the peoples. 00:27:42.800 --> 00:27:43.400 The greatest 00:27:43.400 --> 00:27:44.240 victories that 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:46.320 Israel had were 00:27:46.320 --> 00:27:47.279 always under 00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:47.600 David. 00:27:48.040 --> 00:27:49.040 He was the 00:27:49.040 --> 00:27:49.820 greatest leader, 00:27:49.920 --> 00:27:50.360 the greatest 00:27:50.360 --> 00:27:51.160 king that they 00:27:51.160 --> 00:27:51.820 had ever known. 00:27:51.819 --> 00:27:51.879 king. 00:27:52.220 --> 00:27:52.980 And now it's 00:27:52.980 --> 00:27:53.899 pointing forward 00:27:53.899 --> 00:27:55.839 to a different 00:27:55.839 --> 00:27:57.119 kind of king, a 00:27:57.119 --> 00:27:58.119 new king, a 00:27:58.119 --> 00:27:59.099 new messiah that 00:27:59.099 --> 00:27:59.720 is going to 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:00.039 come. 00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:01.819 The ultimate 00:28:01.819 --> 00:28:02.879 leader, the 00:28:02.879 --> 00:28:04.159 ultimate commander 00:28:04.159 --> 00:28:05.939 who would be the 00:28:05.939 --> 00:28:06.619 Lord Jesus 00:28:06.619 --> 00:28:07.240 Christ. 00:28:08.019 --> 00:28:09.059 The one who 00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:09.720 would win the 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:11.240 greatest victory 00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:13.419 on the cross. 00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:15.000 The one who 00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:15.700 would win the 00:28:15.700 --> 00:28:17.139 victory over sin 00:28:17.139 --> 00:28:18.299 and death. 00:28:18.299 --> 00:28:19.639 death as he 00:28:19.639 --> 00:28:20.159 took the 00:28:20.159 --> 00:28:21.399 penalty, as he 00:28:21.399 --> 00:28:22.159 defeated the 00:28:22.159 --> 00:28:23.279 grave and rose 00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:24.259 victoriously. 00:28:24.619 --> 00:28:25.399 Here was the 00:28:25.399 --> 00:28:26.460 greatest commander, 00:28:26.619 --> 00:28:27.619 the greatest king 00:28:27.619 --> 00:28:28.240 who came. 00:28:29.099 --> 00:28:29.940 And here was the 00:28:29.940 --> 00:28:30.799 greatest king who 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:31.940 would unite people 00:28:31.940 --> 00:28:33.119 from all nations 00:28:33.119 --> 00:28:35.099 and make them one 00:28:35.099 --> 00:28:36.000 under his 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:36.700 lordship. 00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:39.980 And so it's 00:28:39.980 --> 00:28:40.620 saying to these 00:28:40.620 --> 00:28:41.460 people here, 00:28:42.019 --> 00:28:43.440 there is a 00:28:43.440 --> 00:28:45.319 king and I 00:28:45.319 --> 00:28:46.080 have made him a 00:28:46.080 --> 00:28:46.720 witness to 00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:48.559 people, a 00:28:48.559 --> 00:28:49.240 leader and a 00:28:49.240 --> 00:28:50.140 commander of the 00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:50.460 people. 00:28:51.360 --> 00:28:52.160 And when we 00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:52.900 come to this 00:28:52.900 --> 00:28:54.039 king, when we 00:28:54.039 --> 00:28:54.980 accept his 00:28:54.980 --> 00:28:56.240 invitation, when 00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:57.559 we receive his 00:28:57.559 --> 00:28:59.400 salvation, our 00:28:59.400 --> 00:29:00.120 lives are 00:29:00.120 --> 00:29:01.519 completely and 00:29:01.519 --> 00:29:03.380 utterly transformed. 00:29:03.380 --> 00:29:07.900 Look at the 00:29:07.900 --> 00:29:08.460 end of verse 00:29:08.460 --> 00:29:09.740 5 to see this 00:29:09.740 --> 00:29:10.560 transformation. 00:29:12.360 --> 00:29:13.000 The end of 00:29:13.000 --> 00:29:14.100 verse 5 says, 00:29:14.200 --> 00:29:14.940 for he has 00:29:14.940 --> 00:29:16.420 endowed you 00:29:16.420 --> 00:29:17.260 with splendour. 00:29:17.360 --> 00:29:17.780 He has 00:29:17.780 --> 00:29:19.280 beautified you 00:29:19.280 --> 00:29:20.300 with splendour. 00:29:21.580 --> 00:29:22.100 You see, the 00:29:22.100 --> 00:29:22.960 salvation that 00:29:22.960 --> 00:29:24.120 Christ brings is 00:29:24.120 --> 00:29:25.300 nothing less than 00:29:25.300 --> 00:29:26.500 absolute beauty. 00:29:27.500 --> 00:29:28.640 Without Christ, 00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:29.360 we are an 00:29:29.360 --> 00:29:30.640 absolute mess. 00:29:31.680 --> 00:29:32.220 But with 00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:33.100 Christ in our 00:29:33.100 --> 00:29:33.700 lives, we 00:29:33.700 --> 00:29:34.779 are something 00:29:34.779 --> 00:29:35.360 beautiful. 00:29:36.700 --> 00:29:37.220 Look at the 00:29:37.220 --> 00:29:37.980 contrast from 00:29:37.980 --> 00:29:38.620 verse 1. 00:29:38.980 --> 00:29:39.259 They were 00:29:39.259 --> 00:29:40.059 thirsty, they 00:29:40.059 --> 00:29:40.759 were hungry, 00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:41.720 there was no 00:29:41.720 --> 00:29:42.420 money, they 00:29:42.420 --> 00:29:43.400 were unfulfilled, 00:29:43.579 --> 00:29:45.000 unsatisfied, there 00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:45.600 was nothing. 00:29:46.380 --> 00:29:47.860 Now in verse 5, 00:29:48.660 --> 00:29:49.460 it's completely 00:29:49.460 --> 00:29:50.000 reversed. 00:29:50.140 --> 00:29:50.440 They are 00:29:50.440 --> 00:29:52.019 satisfied and 00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:52.660 now they are 00:29:52.660 --> 00:29:54.940 covered in 00:29:54.940 --> 00:29:55.900 splendour. 00:29:57.799 --> 00:29:58.240 From 00:29:58.240 --> 00:29:59.700 paupers to 00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:00.579 princes and 00:30:00.579 --> 00:30:01.839 princesses, they 00:30:01.839 --> 00:30:02.679 have now become 00:30:02.679 --> 00:30:03.819 children of the 00:30:03.819 --> 00:30:04.079 king. 00:30:04.919 --> 00:30:05.559 They have been 00:30:05.559 --> 00:30:06.279 given, as it 00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:07.919 says at the 00:30:07.919 --> 00:30:08.579 end of verse 2, 00:30:08.659 --> 00:30:09.359 the richest 00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:10.079 affair. 00:30:14.879 --> 00:30:15.779 You see, the 00:30:15.779 --> 00:30:16.699 salvation that 00:30:16.699 --> 00:30:17.439 comes from 00:30:17.439 --> 00:30:18.419 Jesus Christ, 00:30:18.899 --> 00:30:19.779 our Messiah, 00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:20.819 our king, is 00:30:20.819 --> 00:30:21.539 full, it's 00:30:21.539 --> 00:30:22.419 complete, it's 00:30:22.419 --> 00:30:23.619 satisfying, it's 00:30:23.619 --> 00:30:24.500 everything that we 00:30:24.500 --> 00:30:25.480 need, and he 00:30:25.480 --> 00:30:26.859 utterly changes us 00:30:26.859 --> 00:30:28.000 and transforms us, 00:30:28.240 --> 00:30:29.259 not bringing just 00:30:29.259 --> 00:30:30.480 forgiveness, but 00:30:30.480 --> 00:30:31.960 totally transforming 00:30:31.960 --> 00:30:33.539 our lives so 00:30:33.539 --> 00:30:33.940 that we are 00:30:33.940 --> 00:30:34.900 something beautiful, 00:30:37.299 --> 00:30:40.559 something that 00:30:40.559 --> 00:30:41.860 God changes us 00:30:41.860 --> 00:30:42.700 and makes us a 00:30:42.700 --> 00:30:44.220 new creation, a 00:30:44.220 --> 00:30:45.099 new kind of 00:30:45.099 --> 00:30:45.460 people. 00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:47.900 But there's a 00:30:47.900 --> 00:30:48.799 whole reason for 00:30:48.799 --> 00:30:49.579 this transformation, 00:30:49.940 --> 00:30:50.360 there's a whole 00:30:50.360 --> 00:30:51.140 reason for this 00:30:51.140 --> 00:30:53.339 change, and we 00:30:53.339 --> 00:30:54.120 see that at the 00:30:54.120 --> 00:30:54.900 beginning of verse 00:30:54.900 --> 00:30:55.240 5. 00:30:55.240 --> 00:30:57.120 He says, 00:30:57.240 --> 00:30:58.059 Surely you will 00:30:58.059 --> 00:30:59.160 summon nations 00:30:59.160 --> 00:31:00.599 you know not, 00:31:00.980 --> 00:31:02.440 and nations that 00:31:02.440 --> 00:31:03.680 do not know you 00:31:03.680 --> 00:31:05.019 will hasten to 00:31:05.019 --> 00:31:05.180 you. 00:31:05.420 --> 00:31:06.200 Nations are going 00:31:06.200 --> 00:31:07.180 to run to you. 00:31:07.839 --> 00:31:08.599 You see, God's 00:31:08.599 --> 00:31:09.400 plan for the 00:31:09.400 --> 00:31:10.319 people of Israel 00:31:10.319 --> 00:31:11.220 was that they 00:31:11.220 --> 00:31:11.740 would be a 00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:12.940 magnet, like a 00:31:12.940 --> 00:31:14.099 people pulling the 00:31:14.099 --> 00:31:15.160 surrounding nations 00:31:15.160 --> 00:31:16.440 towards them to 00:31:16.440 --> 00:31:17.500 draw them towards 00:31:17.500 --> 00:31:18.539 God's salvation. 00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:20.220 They were to be a 00:31:20.220 --> 00:31:21.120 nation that was to 00:31:21.120 --> 00:31:22.599 be the envy of all 00:31:22.599 --> 00:31:23.460 the other nations, 00:31:23.460 --> 00:31:24.799 so that as people 00:31:24.799 --> 00:31:25.700 looked in on 00:31:25.700 --> 00:31:27.279 Israel, they would 00:31:27.279 --> 00:31:28.460 see what they had 00:31:28.460 --> 00:31:29.759 from God, and they 00:31:29.759 --> 00:31:31.000 would also want it. 00:31:31.059 --> 00:31:31.640 They would want 00:31:31.640 --> 00:31:32.759 this God too. 00:31:33.819 --> 00:31:34.740 They were to be a 00:31:34.740 --> 00:31:35.620 beautiful and 00:31:35.620 --> 00:31:36.860 attractive nation 00:31:36.860 --> 00:31:38.120 that had been so 00:31:38.120 --> 00:31:39.460 transformed and so 00:31:39.460 --> 00:31:41.059 changed that nations 00:31:41.059 --> 00:31:42.000 that they didn't 00:31:42.000 --> 00:31:43.460 know would come 00:31:43.460 --> 00:31:44.500 running towards 00:31:44.500 --> 00:31:46.539 them to get the 00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:48.039 salvation that God 00:31:48.039 --> 00:31:48.500 had. 00:31:50.660 --> 00:31:51.700 Well, Christmas 00:31:51.700 --> 00:31:52.600 reminds us. 00:31:53.460 --> 00:31:54.600 that the King 00:31:54.600 --> 00:31:56.759 has come, that 00:31:56.759 --> 00:31:58.799 Jesus is the 00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:59.720 beautiful one. 00:32:00.440 --> 00:32:01.579 He is so 00:32:01.579 --> 00:32:02.519 attractive. 00:32:03.660 --> 00:32:04.340 He is the 00:32:04.340 --> 00:32:05.200 sinless one, the 00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:06.019 perfect one. 00:32:07.019 --> 00:32:08.140 He is God's 00:32:08.140 --> 00:32:09.039 Son, the God 00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:09.819 Man, Jesus 00:32:09.819 --> 00:32:10.400 Christ. 00:32:11.000 --> 00:32:12.039 And the salvation 00:32:12.039 --> 00:32:13.100 and the life that 00:32:13.100 --> 00:32:14.799 he offers, as he 00:32:14.799 --> 00:32:15.640 comes into the 00:32:15.640 --> 00:32:17.000 world, he is like 00:32:17.000 --> 00:32:17.500 the magnet. 00:32:17.660 --> 00:32:18.480 He is the one who 00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:19.740 draws people to 00:32:19.740 --> 00:32:20.200 himself. 00:32:20.200 --> 00:32:22.819 But the point I 00:32:22.819 --> 00:32:23.500 think in these 00:32:23.500 --> 00:32:24.319 verses here in 00:32:24.319 --> 00:32:26.100 verse 5, is that 00:32:26.100 --> 00:32:26.900 if we have 00:32:26.900 --> 00:32:27.640 received the 00:32:27.640 --> 00:32:28.460 salvation of 00:32:28.460 --> 00:32:30.120 Jesus, we 00:32:30.120 --> 00:32:31.319 become people who 00:32:31.319 --> 00:32:33.400 are beautiful and 00:32:33.400 --> 00:32:34.740 in turn our 00:32:34.740 --> 00:32:36.180 lives are to 00:32:36.180 --> 00:32:36.720 become an 00:32:36.720 --> 00:32:37.259 attraction. 00:32:38.420 --> 00:32:39.759 Our lives are to 00:32:39.759 --> 00:32:40.500 be an attraction. 00:32:42.539 --> 00:32:45.080 Growing up as a 00:32:45.080 --> 00:32:47.259 kid, and I know 00:32:47.259 --> 00:32:47.980 Kirsty always 00:32:47.980 --> 00:32:48.940 laughs at this, but 00:32:48.940 --> 00:32:49.579 we didn't have a 00:32:49.579 --> 00:32:50.180 lot of money. 00:32:51.019 --> 00:32:51.900 And I always found 00:32:51.900 --> 00:32:53.059 myself wishing and 00:32:53.059 --> 00:32:54.519 wanting the gifts that 00:32:54.519 --> 00:32:55.460 all the other kids 00:32:55.460 --> 00:32:55.879 have. 00:32:56.559 --> 00:32:57.599 As they got on their 00:32:57.599 --> 00:32:59.259 brand new BMX and I 00:32:59.259 --> 00:33:00.240 hopped around to my 00:33:00.240 --> 00:33:02.000 space hopper, I 00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:03.160 wished that I had 00:33:03.160 --> 00:33:04.059 what they had. 00:33:04.460 --> 00:33:05.579 They always had the 00:33:05.579 --> 00:33:06.519 best toys, the 00:33:06.519 --> 00:33:07.160 better gifts. 00:33:08.220 --> 00:33:08.920 They were the 00:33:08.920 --> 00:33:09.319 envy. 00:33:09.319 --> 00:33:10.839 I wanted what 00:33:10.839 --> 00:33:11.619 they had. 00:33:13.460 --> 00:33:14.639 And when we come 00:33:14.639 --> 00:33:15.339 to see what 00:33:15.339 --> 00:33:16.980 Christmas truly has 00:33:16.980 --> 00:33:18.079 to offer, when we 00:33:18.079 --> 00:33:19.119 come to see Christ 00:33:19.119 --> 00:33:20.099 in all his beauty 00:33:20.099 --> 00:33:20.700 and all his 00:33:20.700 --> 00:33:23.000 wonder, when we 00:33:23.000 --> 00:33:23.799 see the true 00:33:23.799 --> 00:33:24.759 gift, when we 00:33:24.759 --> 00:33:25.759 have the true 00:33:25.759 --> 00:33:27.539 gift, others 00:33:27.539 --> 00:33:28.259 will be wanting 00:33:28.259 --> 00:33:29.200 what we have. 00:33:30.139 --> 00:33:31.319 They will see in 00:33:31.319 --> 00:33:32.299 us a life that 00:33:32.299 --> 00:33:33.279 has been changed 00:33:33.279 --> 00:33:34.299 and transformed, 00:33:35.179 --> 00:33:36.039 a life that has 00:33:36.039 --> 00:33:37.000 become beautiful, 00:33:37.000 --> 00:33:39.200 a life that has 00:33:39.200 --> 00:33:40.039 become so 00:33:40.039 --> 00:33:40.599 attractive. 00:33:40.759 --> 00:33:41.339 Do you see there 00:33:41.339 --> 00:33:42.140 in verse 5? 00:33:43.019 --> 00:33:43.980 Nations that you 00:33:43.980 --> 00:33:45.079 do not know will 00:33:45.079 --> 00:33:46.339 run to you. 00:33:49.799 --> 00:33:50.900 People will come 00:33:50.900 --> 00:33:51.259 to us. 00:33:51.319 --> 00:33:52.140 They will see us 00:33:52.140 --> 00:33:53.279 as a community of 00:33:53.279 --> 00:33:54.440 people that have 00:33:54.440 --> 00:33:55.299 been changed. 00:33:56.500 --> 00:33:57.480 And they will be 00:33:57.480 --> 00:33:59.619 drawn in by the 00:33:59.619 --> 00:34:00.039 love. 00:34:00.359 --> 00:34:01.019 They will be drawn 00:34:01.019 --> 00:34:02.160 in by the forgiveness, 00:34:02.920 --> 00:34:03.880 by the way in which 00:34:03.880 --> 00:34:05.420 people repent towards 00:34:05.420 --> 00:34:06.000 one another. 00:34:07.000 --> 00:34:10.179 they will be 00:34:10.179 --> 00:34:11.239 attracted because 00:34:11.239 --> 00:34:13.119 Christ has changed 00:34:13.119 --> 00:34:13.460 us. 00:34:15.400 --> 00:34:16.280 You see, our 00:34:16.280 --> 00:34:17.500 nation is desperate 00:34:17.500 --> 00:34:18.619 for hope. 00:34:20.539 --> 00:34:21.840 We long for the 00:34:21.840 --> 00:34:22.440 new year. 00:34:22.559 --> 00:34:23.699 We long for a new 00:34:23.699 --> 00:34:25.059 election, a new 00:34:25.059 --> 00:34:26.079 government, someone 00:34:26.079 --> 00:34:27.219 or something who's 00:34:27.219 --> 00:34:28.099 going to make it all 00:34:28.099 --> 00:34:29.280 better, to make it 00:34:29.280 --> 00:34:30.320 all go away. 00:34:31.760 --> 00:34:32.940 We long for the 00:34:32.940 --> 00:34:33.920 good old days of 00:34:33.920 --> 00:34:35.079 Charlie McCreevey, 00:34:35.079 --> 00:34:36.880 the Santa Claus of 00:34:36.880 --> 00:34:38.019 budgets, who gave 00:34:38.019 --> 00:34:39.199 presents beyond our 00:34:39.199 --> 00:34:40.159 wildest dreams. 00:34:41.360 --> 00:34:42.699 But we all know now 00:34:42.699 --> 00:34:43.340 that it wasn't 00:34:43.340 --> 00:34:44.179 without cost. 00:34:46.779 --> 00:34:48.019 We're having to pay 00:34:48.019 --> 00:34:48.500 for it. 00:34:49.319 --> 00:34:50.819 And the reality was 00:34:50.819 --> 00:34:51.860 it never filled, 00:34:52.759 --> 00:34:54.199 it never satisfied, 00:34:54.199 --> 00:34:54.319 satisfied. 00:34:55.319 --> 00:34:56.319 It has left people 00:34:56.319 --> 00:34:58.359 hungry and thirsty. 00:34:59.439 --> 00:35:00.519 They have delved 00:35:00.519 --> 00:35:01.879 in to try and find 00:35:01.879 --> 00:35:02.819 what's satisfied, 00:35:03.379 --> 00:35:04.059 and it never 00:35:04.059 --> 00:35:04.519 delivered. 00:35:06.119 --> 00:35:07.480 In Christmas, we 00:35:07.480 --> 00:35:08.259 have the greatest 00:35:08.259 --> 00:35:09.879 invitation, an 00:35:09.879 --> 00:35:11.019 invitation to take 00:35:11.019 --> 00:35:12.099 the greatest gift, 00:35:12.439 --> 00:35:13.359 the gift of Jesus 00:35:13.359 --> 00:35:14.859 Christ, the ultimate 00:35:14.859 --> 00:35:15.939 King who offers 00:35:15.939 --> 00:35:18.319 pure salvation, a 00:35:18.319 --> 00:35:19.259 gift that is so 00:35:19.259 --> 00:35:20.539 beautiful and so 00:35:20.539 --> 00:35:22.119 attractive that if we 00:35:22.119 --> 00:35:23.199 would only open it, 00:35:23.199 --> 00:35:23.960 if we would learn 00:35:23.960 --> 00:35:27.019 to enjoy it, if we 00:35:27.019 --> 00:35:27.839 would learn to be 00:35:27.839 --> 00:35:29.639 thirsty and hungry, 00:35:30.500 --> 00:35:31.379 and only be 00:35:31.379 --> 00:35:33.000 satisfied by Christ, 00:35:35.019 --> 00:35:36.219 then people will 00:35:36.219 --> 00:35:37.379 see within us an 00:35:37.379 --> 00:35:38.539 attraction, they 00:35:38.539 --> 00:35:41.339 will see Christ, and 00:35:41.339 --> 00:35:42.099 they will be drawn 00:35:42.099 --> 00:35:42.839 to him. 00:35:44.480 --> 00:35:45.839 And the reality is, 00:35:45.859 --> 00:35:46.279 is what we're 00:35:46.279 --> 00:35:48.399 saying is that because 00:35:48.399 --> 00:35:50.679 of Christ, because of 00:35:50.679 --> 00:35:51.559 our message, because 00:35:51.559 --> 00:35:53.639 of our lives, we 00:35:53.639 --> 00:35:54.659 bring the message of 00:35:54.659 --> 00:35:56.079 hope to the 00:35:56.079 --> 00:35:56.840 hopeless world. 00:35:58.860 --> 00:35:59.940 We have got 00:35:59.940 --> 00:36:00.980 something to say to 00:36:00.980 --> 00:36:01.320 people. 00:36:03.500 --> 00:36:04.860 May God give us the 00:36:04.860 --> 00:36:05.679 courage and the 00:36:05.679 --> 00:36:07.699 strength to live out 00:36:07.699 --> 00:36:09.460 this hope and to 00:36:09.460 --> 00:36:11.519 speak his hope to a 00:36:11.519 --> 00:36:12.179 needy world. 00:36:12.179 --> 00:36:13.679 let's pray together. 00:36:13.679 --> 00:36:13.799 Amen. 00:36:31.799 --> 00:36:33.319 We thank you, Father 00:36:33.319 --> 00:36:34.819 God, that you did 00:36:34.819 --> 00:36:36.899 send your son, 00:36:36.900 --> 00:36:41.320 that you didn't wait 00:36:41.320 --> 00:36:42.720 for an invitation from 00:36:42.720 --> 00:36:44.860 us, but that you 00:36:44.860 --> 00:36:45.740 took the initiative, 00:36:46.840 --> 00:36:47.599 and that you 00:36:47.599 --> 00:36:48.539 entered into our 00:36:48.539 --> 00:36:50.680 world, into all its 00:36:50.680 --> 00:36:51.700 mess and all its 00:36:51.700 --> 00:36:54.519 darkness, into its 00:36:54.519 --> 00:36:54.820 sin. 00:36:56.860 --> 00:36:58.780 And you came like 00:36:58.780 --> 00:37:00.660 one of us and 00:37:00.660 --> 00:37:02.000 invited us to come 00:37:02.000 --> 00:37:02.440 to you. 00:37:02.440 --> 00:37:04.840 forgive us for the 00:37:04.840 --> 00:37:05.760 times where we 00:37:05.760 --> 00:37:07.900 reject that invitation 00:37:07.900 --> 00:37:09.039 when we run from 00:37:09.039 --> 00:37:11.740 you, where we go 00:37:11.740 --> 00:37:12.679 chasing our own 00:37:12.679 --> 00:37:13.760 dreams and our own 00:37:13.760 --> 00:37:14.380 ideas. 00:37:16.720 --> 00:37:17.980 Turn our hearts that 00:37:17.980 --> 00:37:18.980 we would ever run to 00:37:18.980 --> 00:37:22.539 you, that we would 00:37:22.539 --> 00:37:23.679 always find everything 00:37:23.679 --> 00:37:24.800 that we need in you, 00:37:25.880 --> 00:37:27.760 that you would create a 00:37:27.760 --> 00:37:29.740 genuine thirst and 00:37:29.740 --> 00:37:30.940 hunger within us, 00:37:30.940 --> 00:37:32.920 create a thirst and a 00:37:32.920 --> 00:37:33.880 hunger within this 00:37:33.880 --> 00:37:36.659 community, that 00:37:36.659 --> 00:37:38.659 draws them and has 00:37:38.659 --> 00:37:39.400 them running to 00:37:39.400 --> 00:37:41.720 Christ, that they 00:37:41.720 --> 00:37:43.000 will never find or 00:37:43.000 --> 00:37:45.280 never rest until they 00:37:45.280 --> 00:37:46.220 do come to you. 00:37:48.980 --> 00:37:50.420 We pray, Father, that 00:37:50.420 --> 00:37:51.440 you would help us to 00:37:51.440 --> 00:37:53.340 enjoy you, to know 00:37:53.340 --> 00:37:56.039 you, and we pray that 00:37:56.039 --> 00:37:56.780 you would give us 00:37:56.780 --> 00:37:58.300 courage to speak the 00:37:58.300 --> 00:38:00.079 hope that only Christ 00:38:00.079 --> 00:38:02.279 can bring into a 00:38:02.279 --> 00:38:03.960 hopeless and needy 00:38:03.960 --> 00:38:04.239 world. 00:38:06.380 --> 00:38:07.900 We pray these things 00:38:07.900 --> 00:38:08.900 in Jesus' name. 00:38:09.699 --> 00:38:10.079 Amen. 00:38:10.079 --> 00:38:10.239 Amen. 00:38:12.799 --> 00:38:14.920 Amen. 00:38:14.920 --> 00:38:15.079 Amen. 00:38:15.299 --> 00:38:17.099 Amen. 00:38:17.099 --> 00:38:17.659 Amen. 00:38:17.659 --> 00:38:18.299 Amen. 00:38:18.299 --> 00:38:18.599 Amen. 00:38:18.599 --> 00:38:19.219 Amen. 00:38:19.219 --> 00:38:20.299 Amen. 00:38:20.299 --> 00:38:20.679 Amen. 00:38:20.679 --> 00:38:21.119 Amen. 00:38:21.119 --> 00:38:22.259 Amen. 00:38:22.259 --> 00:38:22.299 Amen. 00:38:22.299 --> 00:38:22.360 Amen. 00:38:22.360 --> 00:38:22.679 Amen.