WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.880 One of the things that I really love about this time of year is meeting out of town family 00:00:11.880 --> 00:00:18.120 ! It's always fun to see family resemblances. Gosh, I would have recognized you guys were 00:00:18.120 --> 00:00:24.120 ! siblings anywhere. Or I knew you were her dad as soon as I saw you walk in. You may 00:00:24.120 --> 00:00:28.240 have recognized that our scripture reader this morning looks a lot like me. And that's because 00:00:28.239 --> 00:00:34.920 he's my son, Peter. These similarities usually go deeper than looks. Children often have 00:00:34.920 --> 00:00:40.460 similar facial expressions and share a lot of personality traits with their parents. 00:00:40.460 --> 00:00:45.480 And these kinds of things aren't always limited to biology. My husband Tom and I got married 00:00:45.480 --> 00:00:50.959 when Peter was seven. And even though Tom and Peter aren't biologically related, people often 00:00:50.959 --> 00:00:54.959 think they are because they share a lot of the same mannerisms and they sometimes talk 00:00:54.960 --> 00:00:59.960 and act like each other. Some of you might have experienced this in your own lives with 00:00:59.960 --> 00:01:05.840 a step parent or with an adoptive parent. Well, this morning we're going to explore still another 00:01:05.840 --> 00:01:13.019 kind of parent-child relationship. A child born of God. We'll explore three questions as we 00:01:13.019 --> 00:01:19.640 dive into this passage together. First of all, who is a child of God? Second, how do we become 00:01:19.640 --> 00:01:26.680 children of God? And third, why would we want to become children of God? So would you pray with me? 00:01:29.819 --> 00:01:37.500 Oh Lord, thank you that we can gather this morning. Would you be our teacher? Would you light our hearts? 00:01:37.500 --> 00:01:47.480 Thank you that you made your dwelling among us. We pray these things in the name of Jesus. Amen. 00:01:50.120 --> 00:01:58.700 So first of all, who is a child of God? John wrote his gospel to two main groups. First, the Jews. 00:01:59.719 --> 00:02:05.460 John uses the phrase, in the beginning, to draw a parallel with Genesis 1. And this is something that 00:02:05.459 --> 00:02:11.819 John's Jewish readers would have recognized immediately. The word we translate as word is the 00:02:11.819 --> 00:02:19.280 Greek word logos. And for the Jews, the logos was sacred. It was God's creative expression in the 00:02:19.280 --> 00:02:26.620 world, his word, and the articulation of his thoughts. The logos was himself a creator. 00:02:28.019 --> 00:02:32.780 The Jews probably would have assumed that John was addressing only them with this message. 00:02:32.780 --> 00:02:41.080 But John subverts this assumption in several places. In verse 7, he says that John the Baptist came as a 00:02:41.080 --> 00:02:49.920 witness that through him all might believe. Verse 11 says that he came to that which was his own, 00:02:50.420 --> 00:02:57.620 but his own did not receive him. His own clearly refers to the nation of Israel, the Jews. 00:02:57.620 --> 00:03:05.020 In verses 12 and 13, John says that to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, 00:03:05.099 --> 00:03:11.659 he gave the right to become children of God. Children born not of natural descent, or of human 00:03:11.659 --> 00:03:19.599 decision, or of a husband's will, but of God. So already, observant Jews are getting a little bit 00:03:19.599 --> 00:03:30.099 uncomfortable. Wait, aren't we God's chosen people? What does all mean? And honestly, I think many of us 00:03:30.099 --> 00:03:36.180 stumble into the same problems as the Jews in Jesus' time. We assume that every verse in the Bible that 00:03:36.180 --> 00:03:42.620 praises the righteous applies to us, surely. We spend all our time with people like us that agree 00:03:42.620 --> 00:03:49.920 with us on everything, and we define our faith by our outward behavior. We're kind of like the Pharisee 00:03:49.920 --> 00:03:56.819 in Matthew's gospel, praying, thank God I'm not like that tax collector, that sinner over there. 00:03:58.640 --> 00:04:03.680 And I think honestly that Jesus, what Jesus said about the Pharisees could apply to us. 00:04:04.439 --> 00:04:09.640 We're whitewashed tombs. We're good looking on the outside, but dead within. 00:04:09.639 --> 00:04:18.919 And let me ask you, when you think about this first group, and how you might or might not identify 00:04:18.919 --> 00:04:25.719 with it, are you believing in the logos who formed you, or are you turning the tables 00:04:25.719 --> 00:04:30.680 and trying to be the logos, forming God in your image? 00:04:32.879 --> 00:04:38.659 The other group John was addressing was the Gentile readers. Even though non-Jewish readers 00:04:38.660 --> 00:04:44.000 wouldn't have necessarily known the Old Testament, many of them would have connected with this word 00:04:44.000 --> 00:04:50.540 logos that John uses to name Jesus. Because for Greeks, in many pagan religions in the Greco-Roman 00:04:50.540 --> 00:04:59.080 world, the word logos meant divine wisdom, the ultimate revelation. Gentile readers would have realized 00:04:59.080 --> 00:05:04.820 that John was addressing them in these same verses I already mentioned, highlighted as being subversive 00:05:04.819 --> 00:05:12.060 above. They might have been reading this thinking, but wait, I thought Jesus was Jewish. 00:05:13.099 --> 00:05:18.500 I don't really have any contact with Jews. This kind of seems like something for other people, 00:05:19.060 --> 00:05:27.159 even though it says all. Why would I want to be a part of this? Or, everybody gets to be a child of God? 00:05:27.279 --> 00:05:32.420 Okay, great. That sounds great. I get a free pass. Maybe I don't have to do anything. I just am. 00:05:32.420 --> 00:05:38.379 I'm just a child of God. And I think here, too, there are a lot of parallels. A lot of us identify 00:05:38.379 --> 00:05:43.680 with this, too. Hey, this child of God thing sounds like unconditional love, so I can do whatever I 00:05:43.680 --> 00:05:49.520 want. Or, yeah, that whole children of God thing doesn't apply to me. That's for somebody else. That's 00:05:49.520 --> 00:05:57.100 for these people over here. I'm not interested. And all of these rest on assumptions about God. 00:05:57.100 --> 00:06:07.040 If you connect more with this second group, let's think for a second. Is it wise to stake a decision 00:06:07.040 --> 00:06:11.980 this important about whether we want to be a child of God, whether we are a child of God? 00:06:13.480 --> 00:06:19.540 Is it wise to stake a decision this important on an assumption about who God is? Or would you be 00:06:19.540 --> 00:06:26.879 willing to let him speak for himself? Honestly, we're probably somewhere in the middle or a combination, 00:06:26.879 --> 00:06:36.019 of these groups. But John subverts the expectations of both. To those who receive and believe, Jesus gave 00:06:36.019 --> 00:06:44.839 the right to become children of God, full stop. We'll talk more about that phrase, he gave the right, 00:06:45.240 --> 00:06:51.240 in just a minute. But first, we're going to talk about how we become children of God. 00:06:51.240 --> 00:07:00.519 Well, John tells us. We believe in his name. It's simple, right? Okay. It's simple, but maybe not easy. 00:07:01.319 --> 00:07:08.439 I want to unpack this word believe a little bit. Sometimes we use the words believe and know and 00:07:08.439 --> 00:07:15.720 understand almost interchangeably. But there's a really important difference. Because as Beth Moore says, 00:07:15.720 --> 00:07:25.560 we act out of what we believe, not what we know. And why is this the case? Well, I think it's because 00:07:25.560 --> 00:07:32.220 when we believe in something, we're invested in it. We're affirming it. We're confessing it. We're 00:07:32.220 --> 00:07:38.460 entrusting ourselves to that thing, and we're proclaiming it with confidence. At least that's what 00:07:38.459 --> 00:07:45.799 John means here when he uses the word believe. For almost 2,000 years, Christians all over the world 00:07:45.799 --> 00:07:52.199 have confessed the Nicene Creed together as a statement of faith. Almost every bishop that came 00:07:52.199 --> 00:07:59.399 to Nicaea to help write that creed in the fourth century was maimed in some way, or bore physical scars, 00:08:00.139 --> 00:08:07.120 or had been exiled from his homeland because of his faith. Friends, they acted out of their belief 00:08:07.120 --> 00:08:14.300 faith that Christ is the son of the living God. And many of them had been tortured because of their 00:08:14.300 --> 00:08:20.660 faith. There were many people that didn't make it to the council at all because they had been martyred. 00:08:21.920 --> 00:08:28.759 And they didn't do this because they knew something, because they knew facts about Jesus. They gave up 00:08:28.759 --> 00:08:36.740 their health and their lives because they believed in his name. So let's look at that phrase, 00:08:36.740 --> 00:08:44.159 in his name. People in the Greco-Roman world believed in the power of a name. A name was more than what you 00:08:44.159 --> 00:08:50.799 called someone. Speaking someone's name was a recognition of their personality, of their power, 00:08:50.980 --> 00:08:57.759 and their attributes, their internal qualities. It was their whole person. And we see the same thing 00:08:57.759 --> 00:09:03.960 play out in the Bible, especially when God was inviting someone into a new call and identity. 00:09:05.379 --> 00:09:12.620 God changed Jacob's name to Israel, Abram's name to Abraham. One of the most powerful scenes in the 00:09:12.620 --> 00:09:19.779 New Testament is when Jesus says to his disciples, who do you say that I am? And Peter steps forward, 00:09:20.179 --> 00:09:24.980 Simon Peter steps forward and says, you are the Messiah, the son of the living God. 00:09:24.980 --> 00:09:31.379 And in response to Peter's confession, Jesus blesses him and he gives him a new name and he says, 00:09:31.580 --> 00:09:39.440 I tell you that you are Peter. And on this rock, I will build my church and the gates of Hades will 00:09:39.440 --> 00:09:45.580 not overcome it. So when John writes this phrase to those who believed in his name, 00:09:46.060 --> 00:09:51.159 he's saying to those who entrust themselves to Jesus Christ, the Messiah. 00:09:51.159 --> 00:10:02.179 So what does it mean then that we have the right to become children of God? To answer this question, 00:10:02.279 --> 00:10:08.139 let's head back to that earlier point about the parallels with Genesis 1. In the beginning of 00:10:08.139 --> 00:10:14.419 creation, the earth was formless and empty and darkness was over the surface of the deep. 00:10:14.419 --> 00:10:21.059 As we watch the beauty and the perfection of creation burst forth, we see God bringing order 00:10:21.059 --> 00:10:28.699 out of chaos, separating the light from the darkness. God saw that the light was good, Moses writes. 00:10:29.939 --> 00:10:35.959 Man and woman, the crown jewels of God's creation are given freedom to rule and to cultivate the garden. 00:10:35.960 --> 00:10:45.379 But we know the rest of the story, don't we? They eat from the tree and sin and evil enter the world. 00:10:47.180 --> 00:10:52.540 As Paul writes in Romans, all creation was in bondage to decay. 00:10:54.519 --> 00:10:58.120 Sit with that phrase, in bondage to decay. 00:10:58.120 --> 00:11:28.100 We were enslaved. 00:11:28.100 --> 00:11:31.680 As the darkness clears away. 00:11:32.680 --> 00:11:34.560 Jesus makes the darkness light. 00:11:35.120 --> 00:11:36.340 The unclean clean. 00:11:36.840 --> 00:11:38.700 We see this all throughout the Gospels. 00:11:39.700 --> 00:11:42.259 But how does he actually do this? 00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:43.980 What's the mechanism? 00:11:44.379 --> 00:11:47.080 How does he set us free from this bondage to decay? 00:11:48.180 --> 00:11:50.180 So far we've seen that Jesus is God. 00:11:50.320 --> 00:11:51.960 That he coexisted with the Father. 00:11:52.440 --> 00:11:54.779 That he was, as we just sang, word of the Father. 00:11:55.259 --> 00:11:56.460 Begotten, not created. 00:11:56.460 --> 00:11:59.080 He's the light and the logos. 00:11:59.920 --> 00:12:02.620 The actual mechanism, though, was this. 00:12:03.720 --> 00:12:08.820 The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. 00:12:10.240 --> 00:12:11.940 Paul writes in 1 Corinthians, 00:12:11.940 --> 00:12:23.800 Throughout the New Testament, the word flesh is often used in a negative or a punitive sense. 00:12:24.460 --> 00:12:27.680 The flesh is the seat of our evil, sinful desires. 00:12:27.680 --> 00:12:29.460 It's decaying and corrupt. 00:12:30.120 --> 00:12:33.480 And yet, Jesus took on flesh. 00:12:33.480 --> 00:12:36.220 But with one important difference. 00:12:37.500 --> 00:12:39.500 The writer of Hebrews says it well. 00:12:39.740 --> 00:12:44.639 For we do not have a great high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses. 00:12:45.200 --> 00:12:48.019 But one who has been tempted in every way. 00:12:48.460 --> 00:12:49.340 Just as we are. 00:12:50.200 --> 00:12:51.220 But without sin. 00:12:52.220 --> 00:12:52.840 Tim Keller. 00:12:52.840 --> 00:12:56.300 Jesus did not just die the death we should have died. 00:12:56.300 --> 00:12:58.440 He lived the life we should have lived. 00:12:59.660 --> 00:13:03.820 Fourth century bishop Gregory of Nazianzus said it beautifully when he wrote, 00:13:04.440 --> 00:13:07.220 Whatever was not assumed was not healed. 00:13:07.700 --> 00:13:17.240 Meaning, Christ's incarnation both unites us with God and redeems and restores our fallen human nature to what it was always created to be. 00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:26.060 So we see that this union with God through Christ is possible for those who receive and believe in his name. 00:13:26.500 --> 00:13:30.539 And that he made it possible through taking on flesh and making his home among us. 00:13:31.220 --> 00:13:39.039 The phrase, gave them the right, means that our freedom and ability to choose our human nature were restored. 00:13:40.919 --> 00:13:42.740 But what does this really mean? 00:13:43.860 --> 00:13:46.639 What are the implications of being God's children? 00:13:47.240 --> 00:13:50.460 Or put another way, why would we want to be God's children? 00:13:52.820 --> 00:13:56.659 Let's go back to our discussion of biological family from the beginning of the sermon. 00:13:57.399 --> 00:14:00.320 All of us get our DNA from two biological parents. 00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:02.080 50% from our mother. 00:14:02.480 --> 00:14:03.740 50% from our father. 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:09.700 So think just for a minute about what Jesus might have looked like when he walked the earth. 00:14:10.419 --> 00:14:14.600 And I'm not talking about paintings you might have seen him in or stained glass or icons. 00:14:15.700 --> 00:14:16.960 What did he look like? 00:14:17.240 --> 00:14:20.440 When he was a living, breathing human being. 00:14:21.860 --> 00:14:23.560 And what about Jesus' father? 00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:27.100 Jesus didn't have two biological parents, did he? 00:14:28.039 --> 00:14:33.279 Luke tells us that the Holy Spirit came upon Mary and the power of God overshadowed her. 00:14:33.799 --> 00:14:36.899 So while Jesus was formed in her womb, just like all of us, 00:14:36.899 --> 00:14:44.279 we can't be sure exactly how that typical 50% DNA transfer normally coming from a human father happened. 00:14:44.980 --> 00:14:46.759 Other than that, it was miraculous. 00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:52.819 But I think what it's safe to say is that Jesus probably looked a lot like Mary. 00:14:53.159 --> 00:14:55.559 It was probably really easy to tell that she was his mother. 00:14:55.559 --> 00:15:00.019 Especially because she was his only human parent. 00:15:00.019 --> 00:15:04.299 Jesus and John the Baptist might have looked alike too. 00:15:04.299 --> 00:15:06.759 Because Luke tells us that they were related. 00:15:07.759 --> 00:15:10.879 Jesus was adopted by his earthly father, Joseph. 00:15:11.279 --> 00:15:13.279 And shared Joseph's trade as a carpenter. 00:15:13.919 --> 00:15:16.500 So they likely shared many other similarities too. 00:15:17.379 --> 00:15:21.879 But already his family was very different from the families around him. 00:15:21.879 --> 00:15:26.860 And we see Jesus redefining family even more as an adult. 00:15:26.860 --> 00:15:32.360 When he says, my mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and who put it into practice. 00:15:33.360 --> 00:15:38.779 In a culture that revered biological families above all else, this was a shocking thing to say. 00:15:40.059 --> 00:15:43.259 It was also shocking that Jesus never got married. 00:15:43.679 --> 00:15:47.360 And he left his widowed mother at home to travel and to teach. 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:54.580 And his genealogy that you read about in Matthew's gospel was really spotty. 00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:57.419 It was not something you would put on your wall. 00:15:57.779 --> 00:16:01.139 There were lots of kind of shadowy characters in that lineage. 00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:06.840 So just like us, he knew the joy and sorrow of a human family. 00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:11.879 So like I said, I think we can assume that Jesus looked a lot like Mary. 00:16:13.019 --> 00:16:15.680 But he also looks like God, his father. 00:16:15.679 --> 00:16:20.899 John writes in verse 18 that Jesus has made God known. 00:16:21.679 --> 00:16:30.479 And Hebrews 1.3 says that the son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being. 00:16:31.319 --> 00:16:36.639 The passage from Isaiah that Peter read this morning extends this radiance to us. 00:16:37.419 --> 00:16:38.919 If we become his children. 00:16:40.099 --> 00:16:44.659 You will be a crown of splendor in the hand of your God. 00:16:44.659 --> 00:16:48.100 A royal diadem in the hand of the Lord. 00:16:48.740 --> 00:16:52.579 No longer will they call you deserted or name your land desolate. 00:16:52.799 --> 00:16:57.240 But you will be called my delight is in her and your land married. 00:16:58.059 --> 00:17:06.879 In the Bible, a royal diadem was a headpiece or an ornamental crown that symbolized a specific kind of authority and power. 00:17:07.339 --> 00:17:10.940 It was often decorated with precious gemstones or carvings. 00:17:10.980 --> 00:17:11.779 It was really elaborate. 00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:17.319 The Jewish high priest in the Old Testament wore a diadem as a symbol of his office. 00:17:17.319 --> 00:17:29.099 What Isaiah is saying here is that when we entrust ourselves to Jesus Christ as the Messiah, we reflect his beauty, his light, and his power. 00:17:29.099 --> 00:17:37.639 Paul writes to the Ephesians that in love, God predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ. 00:17:38.439 --> 00:17:43.719 In Greco-Roman culture, adoption wasn't just something that happened between adults and children. 00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:46.000 It was also an economic thing. 00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:53.839 Wealthy, upper-class families who didn't have a male beneficiary for their estate could adopt someone by just naming them in their will. 00:17:54.980 --> 00:18:00.799 Caesar Augustus, the emperor reigning at the time of Jesus' birth, was adopted by Julius Caesar this way. 00:18:01.460 --> 00:18:02.539 Just named him in his will. 00:18:02.819 --> 00:18:06.740 And he inherited Julius Caesar's estate and he assumed his name. 00:18:06.740 --> 00:18:16.120 But Paul takes this concept of economic adoption and he expands it far beyond anything we could possibly imagine. 00:18:16.460 --> 00:18:21.359 Reminding us that our primary identity is no longer our earthly family. 00:18:21.920 --> 00:18:31.420 But as children of God, not receiving an earthly inheritance, but sharing in all the rights and privileges of God's heavenly family. 00:18:31.420 --> 00:18:36.120 Some of you may have experienced this reality in the body of Christ. 00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:41.800 You may share deeper relationships with your spiritual family than your biological family. 00:18:42.600 --> 00:18:43.460 And that's okay. 00:18:44.140 --> 00:18:45.340 In fact, it's beautiful. 00:18:46.180 --> 00:18:48.519 Because God has adopted us. 00:18:49.160 --> 00:18:51.120 We're co-heirs with Christ. 00:18:51.980 --> 00:18:57.500 We inherit God's glorious riches because of his kindness expressed through Christ. 00:18:57.500 --> 00:19:01.779 And we become siblings with those who have come before us. 00:19:02.119 --> 00:19:04.339 Those sitting right here with you now. 00:19:05.079 --> 00:19:08.680 And most incredibly, with Jesus himself. 00:19:09.839 --> 00:19:12.720 We start to take on a new family resemblance. 00:19:13.400 --> 00:19:15.119 To God, our Father. 00:19:15.680 --> 00:19:18.279 And to Jesus Christ, our big brother. 00:19:19.200 --> 00:19:23.299 God who transfers us from the domain of darkness where we used to live. 00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:27.000 And into the kingdom of his beloved son. 00:19:28.919 --> 00:19:30.799 So back to that last question. 00:19:31.559 --> 00:19:34.079 Why would we want to become children of God? 00:19:34.220 --> 00:19:36.700 Friends, why would we not want to be? 00:19:42.339 --> 00:19:46.299 As we close, I want to invite you to consider three things. 00:19:46.299 --> 00:19:53.980 Is there something keeping you from believing in his name? 00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:57.919 Because we all believe and serve something. 00:19:58.399 --> 00:20:00.279 Whether we acknowledge it or not. 00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:03.859 Maybe you want to believe, but you feel uncertain. 00:20:04.799 --> 00:20:08.379 You hear stories like the one I just shared about the Council of Nicaea. 00:20:08.480 --> 00:20:11.359 And you think, I could never have that kind of faith. 00:20:12.099 --> 00:20:12.839 How could anyone? 00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:15.480 Friends, I've got great news. 00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:17.839 God's grace works through Jesus. 00:20:18.279 --> 00:20:20.099 Not the strength of your belief. 00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:24.099 Through Jesus, we have fellowship with the Father. 00:20:25.120 --> 00:20:27.720 When we cry out to him, help my unbelief. 00:20:27.880 --> 00:20:28.700 He responds. 00:20:29.799 --> 00:20:32.299 John writes in Revelation, here I am. 00:20:32.860 --> 00:20:35.240 I, Jesus, stand at the door and knock. 00:20:35.900 --> 00:20:39.000 If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, 00:20:39.140 --> 00:20:40.779 I will come in and eat with that person. 00:20:40.940 --> 00:20:41.799 And he with me. 00:20:41.799 --> 00:20:45.119 All you have to do is open the door. 00:20:46.159 --> 00:20:48.819 Or maybe you're in one of those camps I talked about earlier. 00:20:49.859 --> 00:20:53.359 You believe a set of rules about Jesus or outward behavior. 00:20:53.619 --> 00:20:55.759 Or you feel like you're doing okay without him. 00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:59.720 But either way, you're missing that fellowship. 00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:04.079 That joy of life with Jesus, of being part of the family of God. 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:10.920 Wherever you are on that spectrum, would you commit to reading the book of John? 00:21:10.920 --> 00:21:12.420 And then come talk to me. 00:21:13.060 --> 00:21:14.500 Or Thomas or Jeff. 00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:17.759 Ask Jesus to reveal himself in these pages. 00:21:17.980 --> 00:21:20.320 To show you what life with him can really be. 00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:25.160 Read where he says, if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 00:21:25.700 --> 00:21:26.980 Friends, he means this. 00:21:27.160 --> 00:21:27.800 He means it. 00:21:27.880 --> 00:21:28.980 He will set you free. 00:21:29.980 --> 00:21:30.640 Open the door. 00:21:30.640 --> 00:21:37.620 If you do believe, can you bear witness about the light? 00:21:38.200 --> 00:21:39.360 Just like John the Baptist. 00:21:40.740 --> 00:21:44.780 Henry Nouwen wrote, your true identity is as a child of God. 00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:47.240 This is the identity you have to accept. 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:49.900 Once you have claimed it and settled in it, 00:21:50.380 --> 00:21:54.160 you can live in a world that gives you much joy as well as pain. 00:21:54.160 --> 00:22:00.600 Because the identity that makes you free is anchored beyond all human praise and blame. 00:22:01.620 --> 00:22:03.800 You belong to God. 00:22:04.380 --> 00:22:07.620 And it is as a child of God that you are sent into the world. 00:22:08.900 --> 00:22:11.700 Who are we sharing this good news of the gospel with? 00:22:12.259 --> 00:22:15.620 Who are we declaring our identities as children of God to? 00:22:16.300 --> 00:22:20.000 We testify to the light so that all might believe. 00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:21.460 We reflect his light. 00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:24.860 We are his royal diadem and crown of splendor. 00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:30.279 Some of you probably took the evangelism class this fall with Pastor Jeff. 00:22:30.680 --> 00:22:35.620 And he gave out lots of great resources to equip us to share this good news with others. 00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:39.299 If you weren't able to take the class, feel free to reach out to Jeff, 00:22:39.360 --> 00:22:41.299 and he can send some of these things over to you. 00:22:42.900 --> 00:22:46.400 Can you invite someone who doesn't know Christ into your life? 00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:47.680 Share your story. 00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:49.460 Share a meal with them. 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:51.880 Share his grace and truth with them. 00:22:52.900 --> 00:23:00.059 Everything good and beautiful about us reflects the heart of God to a hurting and broken world. 00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:04.140 John Newton wrote so many years ago in the hymn, 00:23:04.279 --> 00:23:05.900 Pensive Doubting, Fearful Heart. 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:08.759 All thy wastes I will repair. 00:23:09.660 --> 00:23:11.559 Thou shalt be rebuilt anew. 00:23:11.559 --> 00:23:22.720 Share with others what the God of love has done in your life. 00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:28.879 And lastly, all that we've talked about this morning leads us to worship. 00:23:28.880 --> 00:23:29.080 Worship. 00:23:30.080 --> 00:23:33.560 Many years ago, I heard someone, I don't remember who, say, 00:23:33.800 --> 00:23:37.580 pain clouds perspective, worship restores it. 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:41.980 When we really sit with the reality of what Christ has done for us, 00:23:42.020 --> 00:23:46.420 when we entrust himself, when we entrust ourselves to Christ as Messiah, 00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:49.720 worship is a natural response. 00:23:50.600 --> 00:23:53.860 Again, we respond like Isaiah in that passage that we read. 00:23:53.859 --> 00:23:56.279 We delight greatly in the Lord. 00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:58.819 We let our souls rejoice in him. 00:23:59.279 --> 00:24:02.139 We acknowledge that he has given us a new name, 00:24:02.719 --> 00:24:06.779 that he delights in us and has clothed us in garments of salvation. 00:24:07.399 --> 00:24:09.979 We join with Mary and we say, 00:24:10.299 --> 00:24:12.859 my soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, 00:24:12.939 --> 00:24:15.839 and my spirit exalts in God my Savior, 00:24:16.500 --> 00:24:19.099 for he has looked with mercy on my lowliness. 00:24:19.099 --> 00:24:23.799 And from now on, all generations will call me blessed. 00:24:25.599 --> 00:24:29.099 Begin and end each day with praise and thanksgiving 00:24:29.099 --> 00:24:32.139 for God's staggering mercy and kindness. 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:36.279 Friends, our King and Savior is here. 00:24:37.439 --> 00:24:38.959 Come, let us adore him. 00:24:40.699 --> 00:24:41.699 Let's pray. 00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:49.319 Oh, Lord, we thank you that your light shines in the darkness, 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:52.660 that the darkness has not overcome it. 00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:57.779 Thank you that you give the right to those who believe in your name 00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:59.860 to become children of God. 00:25:01.539 --> 00:25:05.380 Lord, we pray for courage to open the door if we haven't done that. 00:25:06.620 --> 00:25:09.120 And, Lord, we pray for courage to share our faith. 00:25:09.119 --> 00:25:13.019 And, Lord, we worship you because you are seated on the throne 00:25:13.019 --> 00:25:15.439 far above all rulers and authorities. 00:25:15.879 --> 00:25:18.679 And we magnify and praise your mighty name. 00:25:19.879 --> 00:25:20.199 Amen.