WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:10.620 Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:13.480 --> 00:00:21.640 I'm so excited for Christmas and I hope we get to celebrate with many of you on Christmas Eve. 00:00:21.940 --> 00:00:25.879 It's one of my very favorite services of the year. 00:00:25.879 --> 00:00:38.840 But we've been letting some great Christmas songs point us to biblical truth about the Savior who's born at Christmas this December. 00:00:39.500 --> 00:00:43.320 And I've saved my personal favorite for today. 00:00:44.659 --> 00:00:53.340 Some of you know I love Joy to the World and it contains my favorite line in all Christmas carols. 00:00:53.340 --> 00:01:02.240 As hard as it is to compete with the remarkable reality of God and sinners reconciled. 00:01:02.640 --> 00:01:10.340 That God declares peace in the most horrible war ever and heals our relationship with Him personally. 00:01:10.859 --> 00:01:13.760 Wow! It's amazing. 00:01:13.760 --> 00:01:22.840 But I just love that He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found. 00:01:23.340 --> 00:01:28.740 You may know Joy to the World was not actually written as a Christmas song. 00:01:28.960 --> 00:01:38.240 It's based on Psalm 98 and this joyous picture of God's coming with great works of salvation and all the earth rejoicing. 00:01:39.079 --> 00:01:43.000 People and rivers and hills singing His greatness. 00:01:44.060 --> 00:01:46.240 Heaven and nature sing. 00:01:46.560 --> 00:01:49.760 All creation repeats the sounding joy. 00:01:49.760 --> 00:01:53.140 It's this huge universal celebration. 00:01:54.480 --> 00:01:59.359 So the song is pointing us not specifically to one passage, 00:02:00.060 --> 00:02:03.480 but to the bigger story of the whole Bible, 00:02:03.960 --> 00:02:06.320 which we're going to read some of today. 00:02:07.660 --> 00:02:13.800 First let's pray and ask God to prepare our hearts for Him to enter and work there. 00:02:14.360 --> 00:02:14.960 Pray with me. 00:02:14.960 --> 00:02:22.340 Jesus, we are so thankful that You have come to be with us. 00:02:23.159 --> 00:02:27.300 That You were born and lived and died and rose for us. 00:02:27.300 --> 00:02:30.620 And we ask this morning as we celebrate that, 00:02:30.700 --> 00:02:34.860 that You would come by Your Spirit to be with us again. 00:02:34.980 --> 00:02:41.980 That You would work in us that we might have soft hearts and open eyes and ears. 00:02:42.900 --> 00:02:45.160 That we might hear Your Word. 00:02:45.260 --> 00:02:49.360 That we might know You and rejoice more in who You are. 00:02:50.700 --> 00:02:54.540 Come and work in our hearts, we ask in Jesus' name. 00:02:54.540 --> 00:02:55.900 Amen. 00:02:57.300 --> 00:03:01.780 For our Advent readings this December, 00:03:01.900 --> 00:03:06.100 my family is reading through different Old Testament stories 00:03:06.100 --> 00:03:10.600 that build up to and prepare us for the birth of Jesus. 00:03:11.180 --> 00:03:14.980 I love how that helps me see the glory of Christmas, 00:03:15.100 --> 00:03:16.920 how much we need it. 00:03:17.800 --> 00:03:21.100 I mean, the Christmas story itself is beautiful, right? 00:03:21.500 --> 00:03:25.600 Baby in a manger, shepherds and angels. 00:03:25.599 --> 00:03:29.340 We'll read that story together Tuesday night. 00:03:29.680 --> 00:03:36.259 But Christmas is a part, a climactic part, of a much bigger story. 00:03:37.319 --> 00:03:42.079 Some of our favorite music helps us to see this truth. 00:03:42.579 --> 00:03:45.979 Whether it's Peterson's Behold the Lamb of God, 00:03:46.759 --> 00:03:48.780 or Handel's Messiah. 00:03:49.199 --> 00:03:51.900 They tell that bigger story, right? 00:03:51.900 --> 00:03:55.980 It's a story too big for any of us to comprehend fully, 00:03:56.379 --> 00:04:02.140 but none of us is too small to be an important character in it. 00:04:03.020 --> 00:04:06.980 It's a story of blessing and curse, 00:04:07.780 --> 00:04:14.400 and then blessing flowing as far as that curse is found. 00:04:14.400 --> 00:04:21.740 I want to read you an abridged version of that story this morning for several minutes. 00:04:22.500 --> 00:04:27.459 I figured if I'm going to be so unusual and read you the story, 00:04:28.019 --> 00:04:31.100 then I ought to sit down to do it. 00:04:32.340 --> 00:04:37.740 But listen as we begin where this greatest of all stories does. 00:04:37.740 --> 00:04:45.079 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, 00:04:45.759 --> 00:04:47.920 and God saw that it was good. 00:04:49.040 --> 00:04:49.900 Then God said, 00:04:50.340 --> 00:04:53.480 Let us make man in our image after our likeness. 00:04:54.120 --> 00:04:56.579 So God created man in His own image. 00:04:56.840 --> 00:04:58.639 In the image of God, He created him. 00:04:58.740 --> 00:05:00.699 Male and female, He created them. 00:05:01.079 --> 00:05:03.040 And God blessed them. 00:05:03.040 --> 00:05:04.879 And God said to them, 00:05:05.020 --> 00:05:08.000 Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it. 00:05:10.160 --> 00:05:13.020 But when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, 00:05:13.100 --> 00:05:14.720 and that it was a delight to the eyes, 00:05:14.840 --> 00:05:17.620 and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, 00:05:18.060 --> 00:05:19.860 she took of its fruit and ate. 00:05:20.280 --> 00:05:23.140 And she also gave some to her husband who was with her, 00:05:23.200 --> 00:05:23.960 and he ate. 00:05:25.280 --> 00:05:27.060 The Lord God said to the serpent, 00:05:27.060 --> 00:05:29.100 Because you have done this, 00:05:29.379 --> 00:05:31.720 cursed are you above all livestock 00:05:31.720 --> 00:05:33.620 and above all beasts of the field. 00:05:34.379 --> 00:05:35.740 On your belly you shall go, 00:05:35.879 --> 00:05:38.759 and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. 00:05:39.360 --> 00:05:41.340 I will put enmity between you and the woman 00:05:41.340 --> 00:05:43.939 and between your offspring and her offspring. 00:05:44.939 --> 00:05:46.680 He shall bruise your head, 00:05:47.240 --> 00:05:48.800 and you shall bruise his heel. 00:05:50.079 --> 00:05:51.480 To the woman, He said, 00:05:51.600 --> 00:05:54.160 I will surely multiply your pain and childbearing. 00:05:54.160 --> 00:05:56.340 In pain you shall bring forth children. 00:05:57.879 --> 00:05:59.019 And to Adam He said, 00:05:59.579 --> 00:06:02.300 Cursed is the ground because of you. 00:06:03.199 --> 00:06:05.500 In pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life. 00:06:06.019 --> 00:06:08.399 Thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, 00:06:08.439 --> 00:06:10.240 and you shall eat the plants of the field. 00:06:12.420 --> 00:06:14.040 Now the Lord said to Abram, 00:06:14.840 --> 00:06:16.699 I will make of you a great nation, 00:06:16.879 --> 00:06:18.519 and I will bless you, 00:06:19.019 --> 00:06:20.120 and make your name great, 00:06:20.199 --> 00:06:21.480 so that you will be a blessing. 00:06:21.480 --> 00:06:23.899 I will bless those who bless you, 00:06:24.000 --> 00:06:25.980 and him who dishonors you I will curse, 00:06:25.980 --> 00:06:30.240 and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. 00:06:31.939 --> 00:06:34.840 But they abandoned the Lord God, 00:06:35.379 --> 00:06:36.720 the God of their fathers, 00:06:37.120 --> 00:06:39.240 who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. 00:06:39.879 --> 00:06:41.480 They went after other gods. 00:06:42.720 --> 00:06:45.280 In those days there was no king in Israel. 00:06:46.080 --> 00:06:49.400 Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. 00:06:49.399 --> 00:06:52.919 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, 00:06:53.039 --> 00:06:54.500 for the Lord has spoken. 00:06:55.339 --> 00:06:57.479 Children have I reared and brought up, 00:06:57.819 --> 00:06:59.799 but they have rebelled against me. 00:07:00.599 --> 00:07:01.739 Ah, sinful nation, 00:07:01.919 --> 00:07:03.500 a people laden with iniquity, 00:07:03.799 --> 00:07:05.099 offspring of evildoers, 00:07:05.259 --> 00:07:07.000 children who deal corruptly. 00:07:07.560 --> 00:07:08.939 They have forsaken the Lord. 00:07:09.219 --> 00:07:10.699 They are utterly estranged. 00:07:11.179 --> 00:07:12.500 Your country lies desolate. 00:07:12.500 --> 00:07:14.279 Your cities are burned with fire. 00:07:14.279 --> 00:07:17.439 In your very presence foreigners devour your land. 00:07:17.719 --> 00:07:18.559 It is desolate. 00:07:19.599 --> 00:07:22.339 And the daughter of Zion is left like a booth in a vineyard, 00:07:22.679 --> 00:07:24.599 like a lodge in a cucumber field, 00:07:24.699 --> 00:07:26.659 like a besieged city. 00:07:28.839 --> 00:07:33.899 But there shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, 00:07:34.719 --> 00:07:37.199 and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. 00:07:38.079 --> 00:07:40.419 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him. 00:07:40.859 --> 00:07:42.959 With righteousness he shall judge the poor, 00:07:42.959 --> 00:07:45.419 and decide with equity for the meek of the earth. 00:07:46.439 --> 00:07:48.319 The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, 00:07:48.959 --> 00:07:51.159 and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, 00:07:51.259 --> 00:07:53.979 and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together, 00:07:54.180 --> 00:07:56.159 and a little child shall lead them. 00:07:57.419 --> 00:07:59.439 The cow and the bear shall graze. 00:07:59.759 --> 00:08:01.459 Their young shall lie down together, 00:08:01.659 --> 00:08:04.339 and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 00:08:05.000 --> 00:08:08.120 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, 00:08:08.299 --> 00:08:11.419 and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den. 00:08:11.420 --> 00:08:14.600 They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, 00:08:14.780 --> 00:08:17.540 for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, 00:08:17.600 --> 00:08:19.379 as the waters cover the sea. 00:08:20.680 --> 00:08:23.000 In that day the root of Jesse, 00:08:23.580 --> 00:08:25.819 who shall stand as a signal for the peoples, 00:08:26.819 --> 00:08:28.879 of him shall the nations inquire, 00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:31.540 and his resting place shall be glorious. 00:08:31.540 --> 00:08:33.360 For behold, 00:08:33.440 --> 00:08:35.300 I create new heavens and a new earth, 00:08:35.460 --> 00:08:38.560 and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. 00:08:39.159 --> 00:08:42.159 But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create. 00:08:42.720 --> 00:08:43.259 For behold, 00:08:43.360 --> 00:08:45.240 I create Jerusalem to be a joy, 00:08:45.800 --> 00:08:47.440 and her people to be a gladness. 00:08:48.159 --> 00:08:49.860 I will rejoice in Jerusalem, 00:08:50.039 --> 00:08:51.420 and be glad in my people. 00:08:52.420 --> 00:08:54.920 No more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping, 00:08:55.000 --> 00:08:56.139 and the cry of distress. 00:08:57.240 --> 00:08:59.360 They shall build houses and inhabit them. 00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:01.639 They shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 00:09:02.060 --> 00:09:04.899 They shall not labor in vain or bear children for calamity, 00:09:05.000 --> 00:09:08.519 for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the Lord, 00:09:09.220 --> 00:09:10.940 and their descendants with them. 00:09:11.820 --> 00:09:13.800 The wolf and the lamb shall graze together. 00:09:14.220 --> 00:09:16.080 The lion shall eat straw like the ox, 00:09:16.139 --> 00:09:18.600 and dust shall be the serpent's food. 00:09:19.620 --> 00:09:22.759 They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, 00:09:23.360 --> 00:09:24.320 says the Lord. 00:09:24.320 --> 00:09:29.879 A curse on everything. 00:09:30.760 --> 00:09:31.720 And at this point, 00:09:31.800 --> 00:09:34.760 it still seems messed up. 00:09:35.420 --> 00:09:38.200 Although there's promise of a glorious future. 00:09:41.020 --> 00:09:42.160 And then, 00:09:43.160 --> 00:09:43.720 Christmas. 00:09:45.200 --> 00:09:45.879 Finally, 00:09:46.800 --> 00:09:48.880 things begin to get fixed. 00:09:49.780 --> 00:09:51.000 The story gets, 00:09:51.520 --> 00:09:52.160 as it were, 00:09:52.880 --> 00:09:53.780 a fresh start. 00:09:55.180 --> 00:09:56.300 In the beginning 00:09:56.300 --> 00:09:58.700 was the Word. 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:01.160 And the Word was with God, 00:10:01.220 --> 00:10:02.360 and the Word was God. 00:10:03.160 --> 00:10:04.920 He was in the beginning with God. 00:10:05.300 --> 00:10:07.080 All things were made through Him, 00:10:07.140 --> 00:10:10.520 and without Him was not anything made that was made. 00:10:11.800 --> 00:10:14.240 And the Word became flesh, 00:10:15.180 --> 00:10:16.460 and dwelt among us. 00:10:16.980 --> 00:10:18.600 And we have seen His glory, 00:10:18.960 --> 00:10:21.580 glory as of the only Son from the Father, 00:10:21.580 --> 00:10:24.900 full of grace and truth. 00:10:26.600 --> 00:10:28.980 As Jesus was teaching in the synagogue, 00:10:29.220 --> 00:10:32.020 there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, 00:10:32.180 --> 00:10:34.160 and he cried out with a loud voice, 00:10:34.440 --> 00:10:34.720 Ha! 00:10:34.960 --> 00:10:36.400 What have you to do with us, 00:10:36.500 --> 00:10:37.660 Jesus of Nazareth? 00:10:37.860 --> 00:10:39.520 Have you come to destroy us? 00:10:39.759 --> 00:10:40.759 I know who you are, 00:10:40.800 --> 00:10:42.180 the Holy One of God. 00:10:43.180 --> 00:10:44.740 But Jesus rebuked him, 00:10:45.240 --> 00:10:45.560 saying, 00:10:45.560 --> 00:10:47.640 Be silent and come out of him. 00:10:47.639 --> 00:10:51.439 And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, 00:10:51.620 --> 00:10:52.899 he came out of him, 00:10:53.139 --> 00:10:54.580 having done him no harm. 00:10:55.539 --> 00:10:56.879 And they were all amazed, 00:10:57.039 --> 00:10:58.220 and said to one another, 00:10:58.439 --> 00:10:59.740 What is this word? 00:11:00.080 --> 00:11:01.699 For with authority and power, 00:11:01.799 --> 00:11:04.340 He commands the unclean spirits, 00:11:04.740 --> 00:11:05.919 and they come out. 00:11:05.919 --> 00:11:08.899 And Jesus awoke, 00:11:09.039 --> 00:11:10.559 and rebuked the wind, 00:11:10.839 --> 00:11:11.819 and said to the sea, 00:11:11.939 --> 00:11:13.159 Peace, be still. 00:11:14.559 --> 00:11:15.879 And the wind ceased, 00:11:16.659 --> 00:11:17.899 and there was a great calm. 00:11:19.399 --> 00:11:20.519 He said to the disciples, 00:11:20.860 --> 00:11:22.379 Why are you so afraid? 00:11:22.559 --> 00:11:23.959 Have you still no faith? 00:11:25.240 --> 00:11:27.339 And they were filled with great fear, 00:11:27.479 --> 00:11:28.479 and said to one another, 00:11:28.479 --> 00:11:30.319 Who then is this, 00:11:31.019 --> 00:11:33.579 that even the wind and the sea obey Him? 00:11:33.580 --> 00:11:36.360 They said, 00:11:36.620 --> 00:11:38.540 John the Baptist has sent us to you, 00:11:38.620 --> 00:11:38.860 saying, 00:11:39.220 --> 00:11:40.379 Are you the one who is to come, 00:11:40.480 --> 00:11:41.500 or shall we look for another? 00:11:42.900 --> 00:11:43.540 In that hour, 00:11:43.660 --> 00:11:45.600 Jesus healed many people of diseases, 00:11:45.900 --> 00:11:46.540 and plagues, 00:11:46.660 --> 00:11:47.560 and evil spirits, 00:11:47.700 --> 00:11:49.180 and on many who were blind, 00:11:49.280 --> 00:11:50.259 He bestowed sight. 00:11:50.800 --> 00:11:51.759 And He answered them, 00:11:52.080 --> 00:11:54.600 Go and tell John what you have seen and heard. 00:11:55.460 --> 00:11:56.900 The blind receive their sight, 00:11:57.200 --> 00:11:58.100 the lame walk, 00:11:58.420 --> 00:11:59.520 lepers are cleansed, 00:11:59.540 --> 00:12:00.320 and the deaf hear, 00:12:00.560 --> 00:12:01.620 the dead are raised up, 00:12:01.620 --> 00:12:03.860 the poor have good news preached to them. 00:12:05.259 --> 00:12:09.519 And blessed is the one who is not offended by Me. 00:12:11.019 --> 00:12:14.000 For the creation waits with eager longing 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:16.539 for the revealing of the sons of God. 00:12:17.080 --> 00:12:19.580 For the creation was subjected to futility, 00:12:19.700 --> 00:12:20.600 not willingly, 00:12:20.879 --> 00:12:23.080 but because of Him who subjected it, 00:12:23.740 --> 00:12:25.360 in hope that the creation itself 00:12:25.360 --> 00:12:27.799 will be set free from its bondage to corruption, 00:12:27.799 --> 00:12:31.599 and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 00:12:32.599 --> 00:12:34.459 For we know that the whole creation 00:12:34.459 --> 00:12:36.120 has been groaning together 00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:38.359 in the pains of childbirth until now. 00:12:39.000 --> 00:12:40.120 And not only the creation, 00:12:40.339 --> 00:12:41.419 but we ourselves, 00:12:41.599 --> 00:12:43.279 who have the first fruits of the Spirit, 00:12:43.719 --> 00:12:47.419 groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, 00:12:47.939 --> 00:12:49.599 the redemption of our bodies. 00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:53.040 So then those who are of faith are blessed, 00:12:53.279 --> 00:12:55.120 along with Abraham, the man of faith. 00:12:56.100 --> 00:12:58.820 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse. 00:12:59.580 --> 00:13:00.279 For it is written, 00:13:00.460 --> 00:13:02.440 Cursed be everyone who does not abide 00:13:02.440 --> 00:13:04.600 by all things written in the book of the law, 00:13:04.680 --> 00:13:05.180 and do them. 00:13:06.620 --> 00:13:09.120 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law 00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:11.659 by becoming a curse for us. 00:13:12.139 --> 00:13:12.920 For it is written, 00:13:13.060 --> 00:13:16.080 Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree. 00:13:16.080 --> 00:13:18.120 So that in Christ Jesus, 00:13:18.580 --> 00:13:21.700 the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles. 00:13:22.320 --> 00:13:22.780 For in him, 00:13:23.040 --> 00:13:25.160 all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 00:13:25.280 --> 00:13:28.320 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, 00:13:28.700 --> 00:13:29.900 whether on earth or in heaven, 00:13:30.340 --> 00:13:34.540 making peace by the blood of his cross. 00:13:36.440 --> 00:13:37.420 And the end. 00:13:39.100 --> 00:13:41.700 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. 00:13:41.900 --> 00:13:43.620 For the first heaven and the first earth 00:13:43.620 --> 00:13:44.460 had passed away, 00:13:44.460 --> 00:13:45.660 and the sea was no more. 00:13:46.080 --> 00:13:47.639 And I saw the holy city, 00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:48.420 New Jerusalem, 00:13:48.660 --> 00:13:50.480 coming down out of heaven from God, 00:13:50.940 --> 00:13:53.300 prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 00:13:54.440 --> 00:13:56.660 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 00:13:57.040 --> 00:14:00.460 Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. 00:14:00.800 --> 00:14:02.560 He will dwell with them, 00:14:02.700 --> 00:14:04.220 and they will be his people. 00:14:04.560 --> 00:14:08.120 And God himself will be with them as their God. 00:14:08.780 --> 00:14:11.720 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, 00:14:12.400 --> 00:14:14.300 and death shall be no more. 00:14:14.299 --> 00:14:16.579 Neither shall there be mourning, 00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:20.019 nor crying, nor pain anymore, 00:14:20.019 --> 00:14:22.459 for the former things have passed away. 00:14:24.099 --> 00:14:26.679 And he who was seated on the throne said, 00:14:26.779 --> 00:14:31.979 Behold, I am making all things new. 00:14:31.980 --> 00:14:38.220 I'm making all things new. 00:14:38.220 --> 00:14:44.580 What an amazing way to end an amazing story. 00:14:46.320 --> 00:14:49.980 Do you see how God is at work in that story, 00:14:50.420 --> 00:14:57.340 restoring all of his creation to the glory he intended it to have before we broke it? 00:14:57.340 --> 00:15:02.759 The curse is found everywhere, right? 00:15:04.100 --> 00:15:05.620 Men and women. 00:15:06.060 --> 00:15:07.879 Pain and labor. 00:15:08.300 --> 00:15:12.180 The very earth we walk on is under a curse, 00:15:12.620 --> 00:15:15.540 so that we experience that futility, 00:15:15.960 --> 00:15:19.399 that groaning of corrupt creation. 00:15:19.399 --> 00:15:29.860 We know firsthand the fallen realities of broken relationships with other people. 00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:35.340 Of storms that cause death and destruction. 00:15:36.279 --> 00:15:42.100 Of Satan battling against us and tempting us to deny God's goodness. 00:15:42.100 --> 00:15:46.759 Of predatory animals, blighted plants. 00:15:47.240 --> 00:15:51.040 Of hungry nations, malnourished babies. 00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:55.300 Of cancer cells that attack mercilessly. 00:15:56.159 --> 00:15:58.600 Y'all, do I need to keep going? 00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:06.379 This world is so far from what its creator intended. 00:16:06.379 --> 00:16:11.480 But Christmas. 00:16:13.019 --> 00:16:22.559 But at Christmas, Jesus comes to make his blessings flow as far as the curse is found. 00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:28.059 At Christmas, God lands on the beachhead of our world in the flesh 00:16:28.059 --> 00:16:33.519 and plants the flag that he is taking back his entire creation. 00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:37.039 That he is coming to take the curse. 00:16:37.399 --> 00:16:39.699 In fact, to become the curse. 00:16:39.879 --> 00:16:45.079 So that God's blessing can flow to us. 00:16:45.539 --> 00:16:47.179 That's why we rejoice. 00:16:48.179 --> 00:16:51.919 Not because that war is completely finished, right? 00:16:52.759 --> 00:16:56.860 But because he has secured the ultimate victory. 00:16:57.480 --> 00:17:02.840 It's like when those forces landed on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. 00:17:03.519 --> 00:17:09.759 Full and final victory and restoration of everything would take several months, even years. 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:18.579 But when they took that beach, that beach had meant that victory was coming, right? 00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:25.119 That's what Jesus does at Christmas in God's war against Satan. 00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:29.240 The serpent who brought sin and the curse into the world. 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:33.539 Jesus comes to crush his head. 00:17:33.599 --> 00:17:33.799 Amen? 00:17:36.599 --> 00:17:42.519 Jesus comes and demonstrates his absolute power over Satan and his minions. 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:46.740 And it touches more than that spiritual war. 00:17:47.019 --> 00:17:51.000 Christmas touches everything, right? 00:17:53.220 --> 00:18:00.539 Jesus lives in the flesh, showing how much God values his material creation. 00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:06.539 It's not all there is, but it's not worthless either. 00:18:06.740 --> 00:18:09.019 Some would have you believe it's all there is. 00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:11.960 Others would have you believe it's not valuable at all. 00:18:13.099 --> 00:18:19.980 But no, even the trees clap their hands for this Savior. 00:18:21.799 --> 00:18:26.839 He gives us a taste of that creation working the way that it should as he heals 00:18:26.839 --> 00:18:32.859 and calms storms and brings life from death. 00:18:33.180 --> 00:18:36.359 Because he is the true king. 00:18:36.359 --> 00:18:42.639 So already, blessing flows to us now. 00:18:43.019 --> 00:18:47.399 Sinners reconciled today to God through Jesus. 00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:52.779 With the hope and confidence that the king is reigning over all now 00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:59.219 and is coming again to finish the work of reconciling to himself all things. 00:18:59.939 --> 00:19:02.679 Making all things new. 00:19:02.680 --> 00:19:07.980 And Christmas says, that great day is coming. 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:18.480 And then it gets even better because Jesus invites us into that amazing work alongside him. 00:19:18.620 --> 00:19:23.259 Because his blessing is also to flow through us. 00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:32.759 Just like Abraham, God says, I will bless you and you will be a blessing to all the nations of the earth. 00:19:33.160 --> 00:19:39.759 So he says that we will, that we actually play an important part in this great story. 00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:47.039 Don't we long, don't we all long to be a part of something that is bigger than ourselves? 00:19:47.039 --> 00:19:51.960 To matter in a huge story? 00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:59.500 But don't we many days and most days when we wake up feel that we're not? 00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:01.000 It's just me. 00:20:04.599 --> 00:20:10.960 Samwise Gamgee is my favorite example of someone small. 00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:13.700 A tiny hobbit. 00:20:14.920 --> 00:20:16.840 A common gardener. 00:20:18.299 --> 00:20:24.120 Someone small playing a big role in a huge story. 00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:33.980 As he and Frodo struggle toward Mount Doom with the ring of power battling for good against all the evil in the world. 00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:40.900 He stops to reflect on being a part of this big story. 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:45.180 By rights, we shouldn't even be here. 00:20:45.700 --> 00:20:46.440 But we are. 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:49.660 It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. 00:20:50.039 --> 00:20:51.539 The ones that really mattered. 00:20:51.920 --> 00:20:53.779 Full of darkness and danger they were. 00:20:54.319 --> 00:20:58.779 And sometimes you didn't want to know the end because how could the end be happy? 00:20:59.360 --> 00:21:03.579 How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? 00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:08.180 But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. 00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:10.319 Even darkness must pass. 00:21:10.980 --> 00:21:12.220 A new day will come. 00:21:12.900 --> 00:21:15.279 And when the sun shines, it will shine out the clearer. 00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:17.860 Those were the stories that stayed with you. 00:21:18.099 --> 00:21:19.220 That meant something. 00:21:19.440 --> 00:21:21.620 Even if you were too small to understand why. 00:21:22.940 --> 00:21:25.839 But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. 00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:27.819 I know now. 00:21:28.920 --> 00:21:32.240 Folk and those stories had lots of chances of turning back. 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:33.519 Only they didn't. 00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:35.120 They kept going. 00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:37.819 Because they were holding on to something. 00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:41.200 What are we holding on to, Sam? 00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:44.940 That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. 00:21:45.579 --> 00:21:47.680 And it's worth fighting for. 00:21:49.960 --> 00:21:50.420 Yes. 00:21:51.460 --> 00:21:52.559 He got it. 00:21:52.559 --> 00:22:09.240 See, if there's something good, if God himself has entered into our story, has been born into our world on a mission to defeat darkness and bring light to all creation in ways we've never even imagined, 00:22:09.240 --> 00:22:16.579 then we're part of something much bigger than ourselves every single day. 00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:25.740 We are a part of something cosmic and eternally significant when we care for God's creation. 00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:30.720 When we pick up trash or plant a tree. 00:22:31.359 --> 00:22:34.859 When we serve the poor or love our neighbors. 00:22:35.579 --> 00:22:41.579 When we forgive our kids or our parents or our friends. 00:22:41.579 --> 00:22:51.539 When we are faithful gardeners or mothers or coaches or engineers or students or doctors. 00:22:52.059 --> 00:22:56.899 In all these things, we are laboring for King Jesus who says, 00:22:56.900 --> 00:22:59.900 No more growing sin. 00:23:00.420 --> 00:23:01.240 Fight it. 00:23:02.100 --> 00:23:04.780 No more growing sorrows. 00:23:05.540 --> 00:23:09.060 Wipe people's tears for them. 00:23:09.900 --> 00:23:11.900 No more infesting thorns. 00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:13.540 Root them out. 00:23:14.600 --> 00:23:25.740 We're giving people a foretaste of the kind of kingdom that is coming when King Jesus fully and finally comes on his throne to dwell with us forever. 00:23:26.900 --> 00:23:33.019 One theologian said it this way in Time Magazine even this week. 00:23:34.780 --> 00:23:42.900 Those who have been rescued by the gospel are called to play a part right now in the advance renewal of the world. 00:23:43.840 --> 00:23:54.340 God will put the whole world right and in justification he puts people right by the gospel to be part of his putting right project for the world. 00:23:54.339 --> 00:24:01.399 Christian mission includes bringing real advance signs of new creation into the present world. 00:24:01.859 --> 00:24:02.359 In healing. 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.419 In justice. 00:24:03.919 --> 00:24:04.740 In beauty. 00:24:05.299 --> 00:24:12.500 In celebrating the new creation and lamenting the continuing pain of the old. 00:24:12.919 --> 00:24:14.099 Yes, that is so good. 00:24:14.099 --> 00:24:22.399 The scriptures always promised that when the life of heaven came to earth through the work of Israel's Messiah, 00:24:23.299 --> 00:24:30.619 the weak and the vulnerable would receive special care and protection and the desert would blossom like the rose. 00:24:30.619 --> 00:24:47.679 Care for the poor and the planet then becomes central, not peripheral for those who intend to live in faith and hope by the Spirit between the resurrection of Jesus and the coming renewal of all things. 00:24:47.680 --> 00:25:00.039 See, God's grace and His justice and His beauty and His righteousness are blessings to you. 00:25:00.539 --> 00:25:15.580 And they are to be blessings through you today and every day to your family, your neighbor, your friend, the least, the lonely, the lost. 00:25:15.579 --> 00:25:28.099 So that they, in their experience of the curse, taste the blessing that the baby in the manger has landed with the first fruits that the foretastes of. 00:25:28.099 --> 00:25:31.199 That He has reversed the curse. 00:25:31.500 --> 00:25:34.879 That He is making everything sad come untrue. 00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:37.699 And they will experience that in their lives. 00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:46.480 And so they will long for Him and the fullness of restoration and blessing that He will one day bring. 00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:52.799 After all, it is the King, the baby. 00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:56.720 Christmas is coming to us. 00:25:57.080 --> 00:26:00.460 That's at the center of this story, right? 00:26:00.460 --> 00:26:01.460 Christmas is coming to us. 00:26:01.460 --> 00:26:07.720 Whatever we do to play our small part in this grand story, it's all about Him. 00:26:10.460 --> 00:26:13.620 Tough to beat the way Sally Lloyd-Jones says it. 00:26:14.620 --> 00:26:17.980 At the center of the story, there is a baby. 00:26:19.740 --> 00:26:23.160 Every story in the Bible whispers His name. 00:26:23.840 --> 00:26:25.720 He is like the missing piece in a puzzle. 00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:28.740 The piece that makes all the other pieces fit together. 00:26:28.740 --> 00:26:31.599 And suddenly you can see a beautiful picture. 00:26:32.880 --> 00:26:35.420 And this is no ordinary baby. 00:26:36.059 --> 00:26:40.559 This is the child upon whom everything would depend. 00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:47.019 Everything depends on the child given to us. 00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:48.759 All creation. 00:26:49.579 --> 00:26:58.240 Every broken person or place or thing longing to be fixed looks. 00:26:58.740 --> 00:26:59.640 To Him. 00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:06.359 And so the message to go tell on the mountain is joy. 00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:08.559 Rejoice. 00:27:09.339 --> 00:27:11.700 Jesus Christ is born. 00:27:12.519 --> 00:27:13.940 The Lord has come. 00:27:14.519 --> 00:27:15.920 And is coming again. 00:27:17.359 --> 00:27:18.279 Let's pray. 00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:21.480 Oh, Jesus. 00:27:21.660 --> 00:27:23.700 We do rejoice in that. 00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:26.500 In the fact that You have come. 00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:28.440 That You have conquered. 00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:32.680 And in particular that You are coming again. 00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:36.339 And that You will make all things new. 00:27:36.339 --> 00:27:40.319 We need that in our hearts and lives. 00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:43.899 We thank You that You make us new. 00:27:44.059 --> 00:27:47.659 And bring us back into relationship with our Father. 00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:57.060 And now, Jesus, we ask that You would give us great joy in being a part of Your restoration project. 00:27:57.320 --> 00:27:59.080 Of Your putting things right. 00:28:00.160 --> 00:28:07.740 Sharing the joy of a Savior and a King who rules over all of it with everybody we know. 00:28:07.740 --> 00:28:18.319 Might we be a part, humbly and gratefully a part of Your great work in this glorious story. 00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:21.240 We give You all the praise. 00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:23.000 In Jesus' name. 00:28:23.640 --> 00:28:23.920 Amen. 00:28:23.920 --> 00:28:24.019 Amen. 00:28:29.019 --> 00:28:33.820 For more information, visit us online at southwood.org.