WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.799 So we're reading from Mark chapter 16, verse 9 to 20. 00:00:08.980 --> 00:00:12.240 It's on page 1024 in the Red Bible. 00:00:22.920 --> 00:00:25.660 When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, 00:00:25.660 --> 00:00:27.480 he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, 00:00:27.480 --> 00:00:29.960 out of whom he had driven seven demons. 00:00:30.620 --> 00:00:32.500 She went and told those who had been with him 00:00:32.500 --> 00:00:33.859 and who were mourning and weeping. 00:00:34.460 --> 00:00:36.039 When they heard that Jesus was alive 00:00:36.039 --> 00:00:37.120 and that she had seen him, 00:00:37.399 --> 00:00:38.340 they did not believe it. 00:00:39.000 --> 00:00:40.939 Afterwards, Jesus appeared in a different form 00:00:40.939 --> 00:00:42.920 to two of them while they were walking in the country. 00:00:43.740 --> 00:00:45.579 These returned and reported it to the rest, 00:00:45.880 --> 00:00:47.420 but they did not believe them either. 00:00:48.299 --> 00:00:50.740 Later, Jesus appeared to the eleven as they were eating. 00:00:51.299 --> 00:00:52.980 He rebuked them for their lack of faith 00:00:52.980 --> 00:00:54.719 and their stubborn refusal to believe those 00:00:54.719 --> 00:00:56.019 who had seen him after he had risen. 00:00:56.540 --> 00:00:57.280 He said to them, 00:00:57.479 --> 00:01:00.399 Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 00:01:01.039 --> 00:01:03.299 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, 00:01:03.719 --> 00:01:05.640 but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 00:01:06.620 --> 00:01:08.620 And these signs will accompany those who believe. 00:01:09.120 --> 00:01:10.780 In my name they will drive out demons, 00:01:11.200 --> 00:01:12.420 they will speak in new tongues, 00:01:12.879 --> 00:01:14.519 they will pick up snakes with their hands, 00:01:14.719 --> 00:01:16.140 and when they drink deadly poison, 00:01:16.439 --> 00:01:17.679 it will not hurt them at all. 00:01:18.179 --> 00:01:19.699 They will place their hands on sick people 00:01:19.699 --> 00:01:20.519 and they will get well. 00:01:21.259 --> 00:01:23.060 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, 00:01:23.280 --> 00:01:24.379 he was taken up into heaven 00:01:24.379 --> 00:01:26.099 and he sat at the right hand of God. 00:01:26.759 --> 00:01:28.759 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, 00:01:29.199 --> 00:01:30.500 and the Lord worked with them 00:01:30.500 --> 00:01:33.079 and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied us. 00:01:33.079 --> 00:02:03.060 Thank you. 00:02:03.060 --> 00:02:33.060 00:02:33.060 --> 00:02:34.780 Just to make a note here, 00:02:34.780 --> 00:02:35.500 you'll see, 00:02:35.599 --> 00:02:37.319 and I'm sure it's in most of your Bibles, 00:02:38.039 --> 00:02:39.960 between verse 8 and verse 9, 00:02:40.080 --> 00:02:43.640 you've got this small little sentence in print, 00:02:43.740 --> 00:02:44.439 small print, 00:02:44.860 --> 00:02:47.819 and it says in my Bible anyway, 00:02:48.020 --> 00:02:50.120 and something similar in yours as well, 00:02:50.199 --> 00:02:51.860 the earliest manuscripts 00:02:51.860 --> 00:02:53.900 and some other ancient witnesses 00:02:53.900 --> 00:02:56.760 do not have Mark 16, 00:02:57.400 --> 00:02:59.220 verses 9 to 20. 00:03:00.520 --> 00:03:03.720 I'm not going to get into a big commentary 00:03:03.720 --> 00:03:06.220 on the pros and cons 00:03:06.220 --> 00:03:07.500 and what it's all about. 00:03:07.580 --> 00:03:09.300 If you want to know more about that, 00:03:09.640 --> 00:03:11.800 please speak to me afterwards, 00:03:12.580 --> 00:03:14.120 other than to say this, 00:03:14.260 --> 00:03:18.200 that any of the accounts that we have of the Gospels, 00:03:18.199 --> 00:03:20.579 we don't have any of the original ones. 00:03:21.419 --> 00:03:24.679 We do have some very early ancient witnesses 00:03:24.679 --> 00:03:25.539 and accounts, 00:03:26.179 --> 00:03:29.799 at least 10,000 different accounts 00:03:29.799 --> 00:03:31.259 of Mark's Gospel, 00:03:31.719 --> 00:03:33.280 some of which do have 00:03:33.280 --> 00:03:35.159 these last few words, 00:03:35.239 --> 00:03:36.419 from verses 9 to 20, 00:03:36.539 --> 00:03:38.219 some do not. 00:03:38.739 --> 00:03:40.739 The reason why I'm going to follow it 00:03:40.740 --> 00:03:44.500 is because it doesn't contradict anything 00:03:44.500 --> 00:03:46.980 that Mark has said so far, 00:03:47.500 --> 00:03:49.700 and it doesn't contradict anything 00:03:49.700 --> 00:03:51.780 of the other Gospels. 00:03:52.659 --> 00:03:54.800 In fact, I think it concludes 00:03:54.800 --> 00:03:57.939 Mark's Gospel well. 00:03:58.379 --> 00:04:00.420 If you want to know for other reasons 00:04:00.420 --> 00:04:01.719 and more in-depth reasons, 00:04:01.860 --> 00:04:02.540 then as I say, 00:04:02.680 --> 00:04:04.340 please do ask me afterwards. 00:04:04.439 --> 00:04:05.219 I'll be very happy 00:04:05.219 --> 00:04:07.200 to go through that all with you, 00:04:07.260 --> 00:04:08.800 but I don't want that to be a distraction, 00:04:08.800 --> 00:04:11.120 but we treat what we have here 00:04:11.120 --> 00:04:14.020 as God's Word to us today. 00:04:15.100 --> 00:04:16.960 Well, with that introduction, 00:04:17.560 --> 00:04:20.800 let's now pray and ask for God's help. 00:04:27.800 --> 00:04:29.160 He said to them, 00:04:29.939 --> 00:04:32.860 Go into all the world 00:04:32.860 --> 00:04:36.540 and preach the good news 00:04:36.540 --> 00:04:39.120 to all creation. 00:04:40.680 --> 00:04:42.160 Father, we are reminded 00:04:42.160 --> 00:04:44.620 that you came 00:04:44.620 --> 00:04:47.139 and through the angels 00:04:47.139 --> 00:04:48.800 announced the good news 00:04:48.800 --> 00:04:50.540 that Christ had come, 00:04:51.100 --> 00:04:52.800 and we pray that we, 00:04:53.100 --> 00:04:55.740 as your people in that same tradition, 00:04:57.259 --> 00:04:59.759 would be people who announce 00:04:59.759 --> 00:05:02.439 the good news 00:05:02.439 --> 00:05:04.599 of Jesus Christ. 00:05:06.599 --> 00:05:08.519 Father, may this news 00:05:08.519 --> 00:05:11.539 be wonderful to us again today. 00:05:13.079 --> 00:05:14.659 May it excite us. 00:05:15.439 --> 00:05:17.039 May it thrill us. 00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:20.459 May it continue to change us. 00:05:20.459 --> 00:05:24.199 and may it motivate us 00:05:24.199 --> 00:05:28.239 to pass on this wonderful message 00:05:28.239 --> 00:05:32.139 to those that we will meet 00:05:32.139 --> 00:05:34.079 this coming week 00:05:34.079 --> 00:05:37.479 and that it would cause us 00:05:37.479 --> 00:05:39.039 to change our lives 00:05:39.039 --> 00:05:42.139 so that we enable this good news 00:05:42.139 --> 00:05:45.399 to go out into all the world. 00:05:45.399 --> 00:05:49.779 Father, may your word to us now 00:05:49.779 --> 00:05:52.859 help us in regards to that. 00:05:53.919 --> 00:05:56.399 We pray for your help amongst us 00:05:56.399 --> 00:05:58.139 in Jesus' name. 00:05:58.859 --> 00:05:59.219 Amen. 00:06:03.019 --> 00:06:06.019 Well, we all love a good story, 00:06:06.159 --> 00:06:06.620 don't we? 00:06:07.739 --> 00:06:10.000 The best ones are the ones 00:06:10.000 --> 00:06:13.099 that we desperately want to be true. 00:06:13.100 --> 00:06:16.280 Stories that tell us perhaps 00:06:16.280 --> 00:06:17.420 about a hero 00:06:17.420 --> 00:06:19.780 who comes and takes on 00:06:19.780 --> 00:06:21.180 the powers of darkness, 00:06:21.939 --> 00:06:23.080 fighting evil, 00:06:23.640 --> 00:06:24.820 destroying evil, 00:06:25.520 --> 00:06:26.680 good winning the day. 00:06:27.600 --> 00:06:28.920 We love the stories 00:06:28.920 --> 00:06:30.580 where a hero comes 00:06:30.580 --> 00:06:32.480 and who goes into the heart 00:06:32.480 --> 00:06:33.120 of the battle 00:06:33.120 --> 00:06:35.800 and sacrifices his life, 00:06:36.960 --> 00:06:38.020 wounded and dying 00:06:38.020 --> 00:06:38.840 on the battlefield 00:06:38.840 --> 00:06:40.580 so that others can be free 00:06:40.579 --> 00:06:42.779 and live happily ever after. 00:06:44.459 --> 00:06:45.539 Well, last evening, 00:06:45.699 --> 00:06:46.800 I went with my family 00:06:46.800 --> 00:06:48.560 to watch The Hobbit, 00:06:48.859 --> 00:06:50.759 good movie, by the way. 00:06:51.579 --> 00:06:53.379 And as I came out of the cinema, 00:06:53.759 --> 00:06:54.819 there was a part of me 00:06:54.819 --> 00:06:56.259 that was so excited, 00:06:56.719 --> 00:06:59.120 I longed that it was true. 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:02.159 I wanted to be Bilbo Baggins, 00:07:02.680 --> 00:07:03.419 the Hobbit, 00:07:04.099 --> 00:07:05.419 who left the peace 00:07:05.419 --> 00:07:06.120 and the happiness 00:07:06.120 --> 00:07:07.660 of the Shire 00:07:07.660 --> 00:07:10.600 and entered into another world 00:07:10.600 --> 00:07:12.660 to take on the evil forces 00:07:12.660 --> 00:07:13.860 of Smaug, 00:07:13.980 --> 00:07:15.879 the breathing dragon, 00:07:16.019 --> 00:07:18.000 the fire-breathing dragon. 00:07:18.560 --> 00:07:19.980 I dreamed of a world 00:07:19.980 --> 00:07:21.139 where everything 00:07:21.139 --> 00:07:22.540 could be made good again 00:07:22.540 --> 00:07:23.560 and everything 00:07:23.560 --> 00:07:24.660 would be beautiful, 00:07:25.100 --> 00:07:26.280 no more evil, 00:07:26.639 --> 00:07:27.819 no more darkness. 00:07:29.199 --> 00:07:30.600 The problem is, 00:07:31.540 --> 00:07:33.519 as my family would have to remind me, 00:07:33.579 --> 00:07:34.660 is I'm not a Hobbit. 00:07:34.660 --> 00:07:37.960 And it's not true. 00:07:38.640 --> 00:07:40.820 It's just a made-up story. 00:07:41.180 --> 00:07:42.640 It's all fantasy. 00:07:44.640 --> 00:07:46.120 But look what we have here. 00:07:46.500 --> 00:07:48.440 Look what we're thinking about this week. 00:07:49.360 --> 00:07:53.300 Think of the true story of Christmas. 00:07:54.480 --> 00:07:56.600 It's all about a hero, isn't it? 00:07:57.260 --> 00:07:58.800 The ultimate hero, 00:07:59.220 --> 00:08:00.680 the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:08:01.040 --> 00:08:03.040 the God-man who left 00:08:03.040 --> 00:08:05.379 the security of heaven 00:08:05.379 --> 00:08:07.580 and who came down 00:08:07.580 --> 00:08:09.020 into this world 00:08:09.020 --> 00:08:10.620 to rescue us, 00:08:11.620 --> 00:08:12.620 the one who came 00:08:12.620 --> 00:08:14.319 with absolute power 00:08:14.319 --> 00:08:16.140 and supreme authority 00:08:16.140 --> 00:08:18.439 to restore broken lives 00:08:18.439 --> 00:08:19.580 and to renew 00:08:19.580 --> 00:08:21.020 this disordered world. 00:08:22.460 --> 00:08:24.480 The angels announced 00:08:24.480 --> 00:08:26.379 the hero's coming. 00:08:27.180 --> 00:08:28.640 You see it there on your screen. 00:08:28.639 --> 00:08:29.300 We read it, 00:08:29.519 --> 00:08:30.219 first of all, 00:08:30.240 --> 00:08:30.839 this morning. 00:08:31.319 --> 00:08:32.759 I bring you good news 00:08:32.759 --> 00:08:33.759 of great joy 00:08:33.759 --> 00:08:36.360 that will be for all the people. 00:08:36.799 --> 00:08:38.220 Today in the town of David, 00:08:38.340 --> 00:08:39.019 a saviour, 00:08:39.340 --> 00:08:40.259 the rescuer, 00:08:40.480 --> 00:08:41.939 has been born to you. 00:08:42.220 --> 00:08:43.799 He is Christ the Lord. 00:08:45.360 --> 00:08:46.699 Jesus, our hero, 00:08:47.120 --> 00:08:49.939 came into this broken world, 00:08:50.120 --> 00:08:52.600 a world that has been ruined by sin. 00:08:53.039 --> 00:08:54.419 He came to a world 00:08:54.419 --> 00:08:55.479 that was overcome 00:08:55.479 --> 00:08:56.539 with the powers 00:08:56.539 --> 00:08:57.259 of darkness 00:08:57.259 --> 00:08:58.539 and evil. 00:08:59.679 --> 00:09:01.579 And in sacrificial love, 00:09:01.899 --> 00:09:03.039 he entered into 00:09:03.039 --> 00:09:04.419 the heart of the battle 00:09:04.419 --> 00:09:05.259 for you 00:09:05.259 --> 00:09:06.339 and for me. 00:09:08.579 --> 00:09:09.939 And in one of those 00:09:09.939 --> 00:09:11.079 greatest scenes 00:09:11.079 --> 00:09:12.039 of the story, 00:09:13.079 --> 00:09:14.759 we see our hero 00:09:14.759 --> 00:09:16.399 hanging on a cross. 00:09:17.379 --> 00:09:18.599 And it seems like 00:09:18.599 --> 00:09:19.339 that evil 00:09:19.339 --> 00:09:20.379 has won. 00:09:21.459 --> 00:09:22.299 Our hero 00:09:22.299 --> 00:09:23.839 has died. 00:09:24.719 --> 00:09:25.419 Our hope 00:09:25.419 --> 00:09:28.059 seems to have been destroyed. 00:09:29.679 --> 00:09:30.219 But, 00:09:30.559 --> 00:09:32.859 the story 00:09:32.859 --> 00:09:35.199 continues on. 00:09:36.699 --> 00:09:37.259 You see, 00:09:37.359 --> 00:09:38.359 just when we think 00:09:38.359 --> 00:09:39.740 the hero is dead, 00:09:40.459 --> 00:09:42.139 look at verse 9. 00:09:43.740 --> 00:09:45.139 Jesus rose 00:09:45.139 --> 00:09:46.019 early 00:09:46.019 --> 00:09:47.699 on the first day 00:09:47.699 --> 00:09:48.939 of the week. 00:09:48.940 --> 00:09:50.520 The saviour, 00:09:50.620 --> 00:09:51.300 the rescuer, 00:09:51.440 --> 00:09:52.560 the one who was born 00:09:52.560 --> 00:09:53.760 into this world, 00:09:54.120 --> 00:09:55.120 the one who lived 00:09:55.120 --> 00:09:56.200 and who died, 00:09:56.920 --> 00:09:58.060 still lives. 00:09:58.660 --> 00:09:59.560 The story 00:09:59.560 --> 00:10:01.020 continues on. 00:10:02.040 --> 00:10:03.440 Three times 00:10:03.440 --> 00:10:05.460 Jesus told us 00:10:05.460 --> 00:10:06.400 he would die 00:10:06.400 --> 00:10:07.960 and rise again. 00:10:08.840 --> 00:10:09.620 Look back at 00:10:09.620 --> 00:10:11.360 Mark chapter 8, 00:10:12.000 --> 00:10:14.540 verse 31. 00:10:14.540 --> 00:10:14.740 Verse 31. 00:10:18.940 --> 00:10:22.780 Mark chapter 8, 00:10:22.840 --> 00:10:23.600 verse 31, 00:10:23.820 --> 00:10:25.340 the last part of it. 00:10:25.660 --> 00:10:27.060 Talking about himself, 00:10:27.560 --> 00:10:28.020 he said, 00:10:28.140 --> 00:10:28.880 he must 00:10:28.880 --> 00:10:30.080 be killed 00:10:30.080 --> 00:10:31.680 and after 00:10:31.680 --> 00:10:32.940 three days 00:10:32.940 --> 00:10:34.700 rise again. 00:10:35.660 --> 00:10:36.060 Look at 00:10:36.060 --> 00:10:36.980 chapter 9, 00:10:37.100 --> 00:10:38.220 verse 31. 00:10:40.480 --> 00:10:41.980 He said to them, 00:10:42.080 --> 00:10:43.100 the son of man, 00:10:43.200 --> 00:10:44.200 that's speaking 00:10:44.200 --> 00:10:44.760 of himself, 00:10:44.880 --> 00:10:45.560 is going to be 00:10:45.560 --> 00:10:46.340 betrayed into 00:10:46.340 --> 00:10:47.220 the hands of men. 00:10:47.220 --> 00:10:48.759 they will kill him 00:10:48.759 --> 00:10:49.840 and after 00:10:49.840 --> 00:10:50.960 three days 00:10:50.960 --> 00:10:52.740 he will rise. 00:10:53.980 --> 00:10:55.240 Chapter 10, 00:10:55.399 --> 00:10:56.759 verse 34. 00:11:03.080 --> 00:11:04.180 They will 00:11:04.180 --> 00:11:05.139 mock him, 00:11:06.160 --> 00:11:07.160 spit on him, 00:11:07.680 --> 00:11:08.460 flog him 00:11:08.460 --> 00:11:09.759 and kill him. 00:11:10.220 --> 00:11:11.019 Three days 00:11:11.019 --> 00:11:11.540 later, 00:11:12.200 --> 00:11:12.759 he will 00:11:12.759 --> 00:11:13.800 rise. 00:11:15.200 --> 00:11:15.639 And now 00:11:15.639 --> 00:11:16.179 in keeping 00:11:16.179 --> 00:11:16.980 with this 00:11:16.980 --> 00:11:18.399 great promise, 00:11:19.120 --> 00:11:19.639 he now 00:11:19.639 --> 00:11:20.259 appears 00:11:20.259 --> 00:11:21.360 to his 00:11:21.360 --> 00:11:21.960 followers 00:11:21.960 --> 00:11:23.279 to prove 00:11:23.279 --> 00:11:24.439 he is alive. 00:11:24.580 --> 00:11:25.059 So look at 00:11:25.059 --> 00:11:26.080 chapter 16, 00:11:26.259 --> 00:11:27.319 verse 9. 00:11:27.919 --> 00:11:28.720 We read there 00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:29.939 that he appeared 00:11:29.939 --> 00:11:32.019 first to Mary Magdalene, 00:11:32.259 --> 00:11:32.899 out of whom 00:11:32.899 --> 00:11:33.519 he had driven 00:11:33.519 --> 00:11:34.480 seven demons. 00:11:35.439 --> 00:11:36.600 In verse 12, 00:11:36.939 --> 00:11:37.659 afterwards, 00:11:37.819 --> 00:11:39.080 Jesus appeared 00:11:39.080 --> 00:11:40.340 in a different 00:11:40.340 --> 00:11:41.460 form to two of them 00:11:41.460 --> 00:11:41.939 while they were 00:11:41.939 --> 00:11:43.679 walking in the country. 00:11:43.679 --> 00:11:46.399 in verse 14, 00:11:46.839 --> 00:11:47.739 later Jesus 00:11:47.739 --> 00:11:48.539 appeared 00:11:48.539 --> 00:11:49.739 to the eleven 00:11:49.739 --> 00:11:50.559 as they were 00:11:50.559 --> 00:11:51.299 eating. 00:11:52.199 --> 00:11:52.659 You see, 00:11:52.959 --> 00:11:53.939 none of them 00:11:53.939 --> 00:11:55.139 believed 00:11:55.139 --> 00:11:56.120 that Jesus 00:11:56.120 --> 00:11:57.599 would rise again. 00:11:58.059 --> 00:11:58.679 None of them 00:11:58.679 --> 00:11:59.659 had expected 00:11:59.659 --> 00:12:01.019 a resurrection. 00:12:01.559 --> 00:12:02.279 They had all 00:12:02.279 --> 00:12:03.120 gone home 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:04.139 and given up. 00:12:04.579 --> 00:12:05.120 For them, 00:12:05.219 --> 00:12:05.919 the story 00:12:05.919 --> 00:12:06.959 had finished. 00:12:07.139 --> 00:12:07.899 It was over. 00:12:08.219 --> 00:12:08.639 The book 00:12:08.639 --> 00:12:09.599 was closed. 00:12:09.939 --> 00:12:10.639 But now 00:12:10.639 --> 00:12:11.339 the risen 00:12:11.339 --> 00:12:12.579 Jesus appears 00:12:12.580 --> 00:12:13.500 physically 00:12:13.500 --> 00:12:14.700 proving to them 00:12:14.700 --> 00:12:16.080 that he is alive 00:12:16.080 --> 00:12:17.040 and that they 00:12:17.040 --> 00:12:18.120 can believe. 00:12:18.820 --> 00:12:19.740 The story 00:12:19.740 --> 00:12:20.759 of Jesus 00:12:20.759 --> 00:12:21.800 who was born 00:12:21.800 --> 00:12:22.940 and died 00:12:22.940 --> 00:12:24.420 has risen again. 00:12:24.759 --> 00:12:25.700 So the story, 00:12:25.840 --> 00:12:26.800 the Christmas story 00:12:26.800 --> 00:12:27.920 continues on. 00:12:29.740 --> 00:12:31.240 Do you believe 00:12:31.240 --> 00:12:33.080 that the story 00:12:33.080 --> 00:12:33.740 continues? 00:12:35.259 --> 00:12:36.540 Or did it just 00:12:36.540 --> 00:12:37.440 stop with some 00:12:37.440 --> 00:12:38.540 baby who was born 00:12:38.540 --> 00:12:39.400 and that was it? 00:12:40.300 --> 00:12:41.440 Are you like those 00:12:41.440 --> 00:12:42.380 in verse 11? 00:12:43.460 --> 00:12:44.280 When they heard 00:12:44.280 --> 00:12:44.860 that Jesus 00:12:44.860 --> 00:12:45.740 was alive 00:12:45.740 --> 00:12:46.780 and that she 00:12:46.780 --> 00:12:47.820 had seen him, 00:12:48.260 --> 00:12:49.260 they did not 00:12:49.260 --> 00:12:50.320 believe it. 00:12:51.700 --> 00:12:52.640 Perhaps you're 00:12:52.640 --> 00:12:54.040 thinking right now, 00:12:54.140 --> 00:12:54.900 well, if Jesus 00:12:54.900 --> 00:12:55.800 turned up here 00:12:55.800 --> 00:12:56.520 right now, 00:12:56.860 --> 00:12:57.640 then I would 00:12:57.640 --> 00:12:58.340 believe it. 00:12:58.840 --> 00:12:59.880 If he appeared 00:12:59.880 --> 00:13:00.920 right now, 00:13:01.100 --> 00:13:02.180 if he appeared 00:13:02.180 --> 00:13:02.760 and walked 00:13:02.760 --> 00:13:03.880 through those doors 00:13:03.880 --> 00:13:05.080 and sat down 00:13:05.080 --> 00:13:05.940 beside me, 00:13:06.220 --> 00:13:07.240 then I would 00:13:07.240 --> 00:13:08.520 accept this 00:13:08.520 --> 00:13:09.860 story about 00:13:09.860 --> 00:13:10.500 Jesus. 00:13:12.700 --> 00:13:13.419 Well, look what 00:13:13.419 --> 00:13:14.220 Jesus said to 00:13:14.220 --> 00:13:14.980 his disciples 00:13:14.980 --> 00:13:16.100 in verse 14. 00:13:17.700 --> 00:13:18.560 When Jesus 00:13:18.560 --> 00:13:19.340 appeared to the 00:13:19.340 --> 00:13:19.980 eleven as they 00:13:19.980 --> 00:13:20.539 were eating, 00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:22.460 he rebuked 00:13:22.460 --> 00:13:24.180 them for 00:13:24.180 --> 00:13:24.980 their lack 00:13:24.980 --> 00:13:25.779 of faith 00:13:25.779 --> 00:13:27.279 and their 00:13:27.279 --> 00:13:28.060 stubborn 00:13:28.060 --> 00:13:30.159 refusal to 00:13:30.159 --> 00:13:30.940 believe those 00:13:30.940 --> 00:13:32.000 who had seen 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:33.500 him after 00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:34.500 he had been 00:13:34.500 --> 00:13:34.860 risen. 00:13:34.860 --> 00:13:37.480 You see, 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:38.200 Jesus is 00:13:38.200 --> 00:13:38.560 saying, 00:13:39.200 --> 00:13:39.820 the fact 00:13:39.820 --> 00:13:40.620 that people 00:13:40.620 --> 00:13:41.539 saw me 00:13:41.539 --> 00:13:43.180 is evidence 00:13:43.180 --> 00:13:43.680 enough. 00:13:44.779 --> 00:13:45.399 Jesus did 00:13:45.399 --> 00:13:45.980 not appear 00:13:45.980 --> 00:13:46.940 to everyone, 00:13:47.379 --> 00:13:48.080 he appeared 00:13:48.080 --> 00:13:48.940 to some 00:13:48.940 --> 00:13:50.060 people so 00:13:50.060 --> 00:13:50.659 that they 00:13:50.659 --> 00:13:51.539 might testify 00:13:51.539 --> 00:13:52.580 to everybody 00:13:52.580 --> 00:13:53.460 else the 00:13:53.460 --> 00:13:54.200 fact of his 00:13:54.200 --> 00:13:54.800 resurrection. 00:13:55.800 --> 00:13:56.320 And that's 00:13:56.320 --> 00:13:56.800 the same 00:13:56.800 --> 00:13:57.500 message that 00:13:57.500 --> 00:13:58.379 comes to 00:13:58.379 --> 00:13:59.019 us today. 00:13:59.519 --> 00:14:00.300 Believe, 00:14:01.080 --> 00:14:01.800 not because 00:14:01.800 --> 00:14:02.659 Jesus walks 00:14:02.659 --> 00:14:03.100 through the 00:14:03.100 --> 00:14:03.700 door at our 00:14:03.700 --> 00:14:04.200 demand, 00:14:04.860 --> 00:14:06.779 believe because 00:14:06.779 --> 00:14:07.940 people did 00:14:07.940 --> 00:14:09.659 see him and 00:14:09.659 --> 00:14:10.659 their eyewitness 00:14:10.659 --> 00:14:11.519 account is 00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:12.480 recorded for 00:14:12.480 --> 00:14:13.240 us in 00:14:13.240 --> 00:14:14.139 Mark's gospel. 00:14:14.960 --> 00:14:15.379 In fact, 00:14:15.539 --> 00:14:16.019 read through 00:14:16.019 --> 00:14:16.519 one of the 00:14:16.519 --> 00:14:17.500 earliest accounts 00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:19.060 in 1 Corinthians 00:14:19.060 --> 00:14:20.639 chapter 15 and 00:14:20.639 --> 00:14:21.320 it tells us 00:14:21.320 --> 00:14:21.840 there that he 00:14:21.840 --> 00:14:22.419 appeared to 00:14:22.419 --> 00:14:23.500 over 500 00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:25.379 people, all 00:14:25.379 --> 00:14:25.680 who were 00:14:25.680 --> 00:14:26.279 living at the 00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:27.120 time, so 00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:27.620 people could 00:14:27.620 --> 00:14:28.300 go and check 00:14:28.300 --> 00:14:28.960 out to see 00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:29.399 if it was 00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:29.940 true. 00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:32.500 This isn't 00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:33.620 fantasy. 00:14:33.620 --> 00:14:33.759 fantasy. 00:14:34.679 --> 00:14:35.480 This isn't 00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:36.039 the stuff 00:14:36.039 --> 00:14:37.139 of legends. 00:14:37.940 --> 00:14:38.620 This is the 00:14:38.620 --> 00:14:39.759 true story 00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:40.419 of Jesus 00:14:40.419 --> 00:14:41.019 Christ, 00:14:41.919 --> 00:14:42.679 our hero 00:14:42.679 --> 00:14:43.360 who was 00:14:43.360 --> 00:14:43.860 born, 00:14:44.240 --> 00:14:44.919 who died, 00:14:45.320 --> 00:14:45.639 and who 00:14:45.639 --> 00:14:46.379 rose again, 00:14:46.700 --> 00:14:47.179 and who 00:14:47.179 --> 00:14:48.600 lives forever. 00:14:49.600 --> 00:14:50.679 The story 00:14:50.679 --> 00:14:51.580 of Christmas 00:14:51.580 --> 00:14:52.700 is not 00:14:52.700 --> 00:14:53.580 finished. 00:14:53.580 --> 00:14:55.379 It continues 00:14:55.379 --> 00:14:56.360 on. 00:15:00.379 --> 00:15:01.840 Which leads 00:15:01.840 --> 00:15:02.240 to the 00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:03.159 second point, 00:15:04.100 --> 00:15:04.899 that this 00:15:04.899 --> 00:15:06.620 story must 00:15:06.620 --> 00:15:07.799 be told. 00:15:08.139 --> 00:15:09.200 Verse 15, 00:15:10.419 --> 00:15:11.220 he said to 00:15:11.220 --> 00:15:11.439 them, 00:15:12.200 --> 00:15:13.179 go into 00:15:13.179 --> 00:15:13.879 all the 00:15:13.879 --> 00:15:14.500 world and 00:15:14.500 --> 00:15:15.460 preach the 00:15:15.460 --> 00:15:16.320 good news 00:15:16.320 --> 00:15:17.659 to all 00:15:17.659 --> 00:15:18.399 creation. 00:15:19.600 --> 00:15:20.360 The good 00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:21.179 news that we 00:15:21.179 --> 00:15:21.899 are to tell 00:15:21.899 --> 00:15:23.019 is the true 00:15:23.019 --> 00:15:23.960 story of 00:15:23.960 --> 00:15:24.360 Jesus. 00:15:24.759 --> 00:15:25.160 We are to 00:15:25.160 --> 00:15:25.720 tell the 00:15:25.720 --> 00:15:26.200 Christmas 00:15:26.200 --> 00:15:26.960 story to 00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:27.360 people. 00:15:28.740 --> 00:15:29.480 Look back 00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:29.800 to the 00:15:29.800 --> 00:15:30.440 very first 00:15:30.440 --> 00:15:31.180 verse of 00:15:31.180 --> 00:15:32.080 Mark's 00:15:32.080 --> 00:15:32.840 gospel with 00:15:32.840 --> 00:15:33.139 me. 00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:34.440 Chapter 1, 00:15:34.519 --> 00:15:35.060 verse 1. 00:15:42.460 --> 00:15:43.139 This is 00:15:43.139 --> 00:15:43.480 what he 00:15:43.480 --> 00:15:43.740 says. 00:15:43.820 --> 00:15:44.100 This is 00:15:44.100 --> 00:15:44.420 how he 00:15:44.420 --> 00:15:45.100 introduces 00:15:45.100 --> 00:15:46.019 his 00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:46.639 gospel. 00:15:48.040 --> 00:15:48.639 The 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:49.060 beginning 00:15:49.060 --> 00:15:50.220 of the 00:15:50.220 --> 00:15:50.639 gospel. 00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:51.280 Gospel 00:15:51.280 --> 00:15:52.240 simply means 00:15:52.240 --> 00:15:53.780 good news. 00:15:53.960 --> 00:15:54.860 the 00:15:54.860 --> 00:15:55.200 beginning 00:15:55.200 --> 00:15:55.879 of the 00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:56.780 good news 00:15:56.780 --> 00:15:57.540 about 00:15:57.540 --> 00:15:58.220 Jesus 00:15:58.220 --> 00:15:58.900 Christ, 00:15:59.560 --> 00:15:59.820 the 00:15:59.820 --> 00:16:00.280 Son of 00:16:00.280 --> 00:16:00.700 God. 00:16:02.139 --> 00:16:02.440 Now 00:16:02.440 --> 00:16:02.620 there's 00:16:02.620 --> 00:16:02.900 something 00:16:02.900 --> 00:16:03.220 that I 00:16:03.220 --> 00:16:03.639 want us 00:16:03.639 --> 00:16:04.860 to notice 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:05.240 here, 00:16:05.360 --> 00:16:06.180 a connection 00:16:06.180 --> 00:16:06.519 that I 00:16:06.519 --> 00:16:06.900 want us 00:16:06.900 --> 00:16:07.360 to make. 00:16:08.100 --> 00:16:08.660 Mark's 00:16:08.660 --> 00:16:09.320 introduction 00:16:09.320 --> 00:16:10.080 here is 00:16:10.080 --> 00:16:11.200 very similar 00:16:11.200 --> 00:16:12.620 to the 00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:13.460 very first 00:16:13.460 --> 00:16:14.879 book of 00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:15.540 the Bible, 00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:15.960 the very 00:16:15.960 --> 00:16:16.840 first verse 00:16:16.840 --> 00:16:17.680 we find in 00:16:17.680 --> 00:16:18.139 the Bible. 00:16:19.100 --> 00:16:19.379 You know 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:19.700 how the 00:16:19.700 --> 00:16:20.420 first verse 00:16:20.420 --> 00:16:21.040 goes in 00:16:21.040 --> 00:16:21.420 Genesis 00:16:21.420 --> 00:16:22.200 chapter 1, 00:16:22.280 --> 00:16:22.800 verse 1? 00:16:22.799 --> 00:16:23.899 In 00:16:23.899 --> 00:16:24.539 the 00:16:24.539 --> 00:16:24.939 beginning 00:16:24.939 --> 00:16:26.419 God. 00:16:27.479 --> 00:16:27.759 And 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:28.139 Genesis 00:16:28.139 --> 00:16:29.019 records for 00:16:29.019 --> 00:16:29.339 us how 00:16:29.339 --> 00:16:29.879 the earth 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:30.699 was formless 00:16:30.699 --> 00:16:31.359 and empty. 00:16:31.779 --> 00:16:32.059 There was 00:16:32.059 --> 00:16:33.059 disorder and 00:16:33.059 --> 00:16:34.039 chaos and 00:16:34.039 --> 00:16:34.659 then God 00:16:34.659 --> 00:16:35.459 intervened. 00:16:35.539 --> 00:16:36.099 He bought 00:16:36.099 --> 00:16:37.459 order and 00:16:37.459 --> 00:16:37.979 design. 00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:39.099 He created 00:16:39.099 --> 00:16:39.779 the world 00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:40.539 into something 00:16:40.539 --> 00:16:40.959 that was 00:16:40.959 --> 00:16:41.799 very good 00:16:41.799 --> 00:16:42.779 and beautiful. 00:16:43.699 --> 00:16:44.079 And now 00:16:44.079 --> 00:16:44.519 look where 00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:45.559 Mark introduces 00:16:45.559 --> 00:16:46.259 his gospel. 00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:47.219 He starts 00:16:47.219 --> 00:16:47.979 it like this, 00:16:48.439 --> 00:16:49.539 the beginning 00:16:49.539 --> 00:16:51.000 of the 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:51.419 gospel. 00:16:53.079 --> 00:16:53.519 He's 00:16:53.519 --> 00:16:54.059 saying to 00:16:54.059 --> 00:16:54.199 us, 00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:54.539 can you 00:16:54.539 --> 00:16:55.519 see that 00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:56.059 connection? 00:16:56.519 --> 00:16:56.919 There's a 00:16:56.919 --> 00:16:57.819 disorder and 00:16:57.819 --> 00:16:59.000 a chaos in 00:16:59.000 --> 00:16:59.599 our lives 00:16:59.599 --> 00:16:59.899 and in 00:16:59.899 --> 00:17:00.480 our world 00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:01.059 and it 00:17:01.059 --> 00:17:01.779 all needs 00:17:01.779 --> 00:17:02.399 to be put 00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:02.879 right. 00:17:03.819 --> 00:17:04.339 And God 00:17:04.339 --> 00:17:05.220 has intervened 00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:06.019 through Jesus, 00:17:06.399 --> 00:17:07.139 our hero, 00:17:07.399 --> 00:17:08.480 not to create 00:17:08.480 --> 00:17:09.059 the world, 00:17:09.339 --> 00:17:10.220 but to renew 00:17:10.220 --> 00:17:10.879 the world, 00:17:11.079 --> 00:17:11.879 to bring about 00:17:11.879 --> 00:17:13.200 a new creation 00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:14.440 in the lives 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:15.159 of people. 00:17:15.160 --> 00:17:16.860 So, 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:17.840 Mark chapter 00:17:17.840 --> 00:17:19.040 1 verse 14, 00:17:19.180 --> 00:17:19.900 we read this, 00:17:20.200 --> 00:17:20.900 after John 00:17:20.900 --> 00:17:21.519 was put in 00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:21.880 prison, 00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:23.200 Jesus went 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:24.040 into Galilee 00:17:24.040 --> 00:17:25.420 proclaiming 00:17:25.420 --> 00:17:25.820 the good 00:17:25.820 --> 00:17:26.300 news of 00:17:26.300 --> 00:17:26.700 God. 00:17:28.140 --> 00:17:29.100 The time 00:17:29.100 --> 00:17:29.580 has come, 00:17:29.660 --> 00:17:30.140 he said, 00:17:30.360 --> 00:17:31.080 the kingdom 00:17:31.080 --> 00:17:31.640 of God 00:17:31.640 --> 00:17:32.180 is near, 00:17:32.580 --> 00:17:33.720 repent and 00:17:33.720 --> 00:17:34.860 believe the 00:17:34.860 --> 00:17:35.700 good news. 00:17:36.680 --> 00:17:37.200 Jesus 00:17:37.200 --> 00:17:38.340 proclaimed to 00:17:38.340 --> 00:17:38.820 the people 00:17:38.820 --> 00:17:39.660 as he walked 00:17:39.660 --> 00:17:40.100 on this 00:17:40.100 --> 00:17:40.420 earth, 00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:41.120 he was 00:17:41.120 --> 00:17:41.860 telling people 00:17:41.860 --> 00:17:42.720 that he 00:17:42.720 --> 00:17:43.840 was God's 00:17:43.840 --> 00:17:45.040 chosen king, 00:17:45.160 --> 00:17:46.019 he was the 00:17:46.019 --> 00:17:46.700 Messiah, 00:17:47.080 --> 00:17:47.720 the promised 00:17:47.720 --> 00:17:48.040 one, 00:17:48.360 --> 00:17:49.000 he was the 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:49.440 one with 00:17:49.440 --> 00:17:50.680 absolute power 00:17:50.680 --> 00:17:51.380 and supreme 00:17:51.380 --> 00:17:51.900 authority, 00:17:52.380 --> 00:17:53.259 he was born 00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:53.940 to be the 00:17:53.940 --> 00:17:55.140 saviour and 00:17:55.140 --> 00:17:55.940 the rescuer 00:17:55.940 --> 00:17:56.620 of mankind, 00:17:57.140 --> 00:17:57.800 he was the 00:17:57.800 --> 00:17:58.320 one who came 00:17:58.320 --> 00:17:59.279 to die for 00:17:59.279 --> 00:17:59.500 us, 00:17:59.740 --> 00:18:00.100 the one who 00:18:00.100 --> 00:18:00.460 came to 00:18:00.460 --> 00:18:00.960 take our 00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:01.680 sin for 00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:01.920 us, 00:18:02.220 --> 00:18:02.620 so that 00:18:02.620 --> 00:18:03.080 through 00:18:03.080 --> 00:18:03.700 repentance 00:18:03.700 --> 00:18:04.360 and faith 00:18:04.360 --> 00:18:05.580 we might 00:18:05.580 --> 00:18:06.680 enter into 00:18:06.680 --> 00:18:07.759 God's 00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:08.360 kingdom, 00:18:09.140 --> 00:18:09.720 a world 00:18:09.720 --> 00:18:10.540 ruled by 00:18:10.540 --> 00:18:11.580 peace and 00:18:11.580 --> 00:18:12.080 justice, 00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:13.060 the world 00:18:13.060 --> 00:18:13.880 that we all 00:18:13.880 --> 00:18:14.740 dream of 00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:15.500 and long 00:18:15.500 --> 00:18:15.920 for. 00:18:18.960 --> 00:18:20.000 This is 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:20.759 the story 00:18:20.759 --> 00:18:21.180 that he 00:18:21.180 --> 00:18:23.279 told and 00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:24.319 this story 00:18:24.319 --> 00:18:25.640 is too 00:18:25.640 --> 00:18:26.620 good to 00:18:26.620 --> 00:18:27.200 be kept 00:18:27.200 --> 00:18:27.980 for you 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:28.480 and me 00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:29.240 just to 00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:29.960 talk about 00:18:29.960 --> 00:18:30.460 amongst 00:18:30.460 --> 00:18:31.120 ourselves. 00:18:32.440 --> 00:18:33.240 So at 00:18:33.240 --> 00:18:33.660 the end 00:18:33.660 --> 00:18:34.259 of Mark's 00:18:34.259 --> 00:18:34.579 gospel, 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:35.000 having 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:36.079 introduced 00:18:36.079 --> 00:18:37.259 the story, 00:18:37.640 --> 00:18:38.059 the good 00:18:38.059 --> 00:18:38.620 news, 00:18:39.160 --> 00:18:40.099 he concludes 00:18:40.099 --> 00:18:40.519 it by 00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:41.160 telling us 00:18:41.160 --> 00:18:41.579 in chapter 00:18:41.579 --> 00:18:42.220 16, 00:18:42.339 --> 00:18:43.139 verse 15, 00:18:44.139 --> 00:18:46.339 go into 00:18:46.339 --> 00:18:46.939 all the 00:18:46.939 --> 00:18:48.339 world and 00:18:48.339 --> 00:18:49.740 preach this 00:18:49.740 --> 00:18:50.799 good news 00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:51.859 to all 00:18:51.859 --> 00:18:52.859 creation. 00:18:54.899 --> 00:18:56.359 This story 00:18:56.359 --> 00:18:57.319 is so 00:18:57.319 --> 00:18:57.879 great, 00:18:58.460 --> 00:18:59.379 this story 00:18:59.379 --> 00:19:00.279 is so 00:19:00.279 --> 00:19:01.099 amazing 00:19:01.099 --> 00:19:02.619 that he 00:19:02.619 --> 00:19:03.139 doesn't just 00:19:03.139 --> 00:19:03.439 say, 00:19:03.919 --> 00:19:04.500 oh by the 00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:04.859 way, 00:19:05.119 --> 00:19:05.579 when you 00:19:05.579 --> 00:19:06.220 have time 00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:06.680 or if 00:19:06.680 --> 00:19:06.839 you 00:19:06.839 --> 00:19:07.600 feel like 00:19:07.600 --> 00:19:07.980 it, 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:09.600 go. 00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:10.460 It's a 00:19:10.460 --> 00:19:10.940 command. 00:19:11.480 --> 00:19:12.319 Do it. 00:19:13.940 --> 00:19:14.740 Tell the 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:15.500 good news 00:19:15.500 --> 00:19:16.920 to all 00:19:16.920 --> 00:19:18.120 places on 00:19:18.120 --> 00:19:18.819 this planet 00:19:18.819 --> 00:19:19.740 and to 00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:20.860 all people 00:19:20.860 --> 00:19:21.720 on this 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:22.140 planet. 00:19:22.660 --> 00:19:23.380 Nobody, 00:19:23.880 --> 00:19:24.440 not one 00:19:24.440 --> 00:19:25.039 race, 00:19:25.400 --> 00:19:25.880 not one 00:19:25.880 --> 00:19:26.740 people group 00:19:26.740 --> 00:19:27.559 is to be 00:19:27.559 --> 00:19:28.400 excluded 00:19:28.400 --> 00:19:29.600 from hearing 00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:30.359 this 00:19:30.359 --> 00:19:31.240 amazing 00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:32.019 story. 00:19:33.679 --> 00:19:34.359 The 00:19:34.359 --> 00:19:34.839 world 00:19:34.839 --> 00:19:36.599 is still 00:19:36.599 --> 00:19:37.319 looking for 00:19:37.319 --> 00:19:37.859 a hero. 00:19:39.379 --> 00:19:39.939 We all 00:19:39.939 --> 00:19:40.679 long for 00:19:40.679 --> 00:19:41.679 someone who 00:19:41.679 --> 00:19:42.539 can change 00:19:42.539 --> 00:19:43.179 this world, 00:19:43.480 --> 00:19:43.859 who can 00:19:43.859 --> 00:19:44.579 transform 00:19:44.579 --> 00:19:45.419 lives, 00:19:45.740 --> 00:19:46.099 who can 00:19:46.099 --> 00:19:46.959 forgive and 00:19:46.959 --> 00:19:47.599 make things 00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:48.519 right again. 00:19:50.059 --> 00:19:50.659 While all 00:19:50.659 --> 00:19:51.019 of that 00:19:51.019 --> 00:19:51.699 longing and 00:19:51.699 --> 00:19:52.279 all of those 00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:52.819 dreams, 00:19:53.219 --> 00:19:53.719 they become 00:19:53.719 --> 00:19:54.379 a reality 00:19:54.379 --> 00:19:55.059 in the 00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:56.019 true story 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:57.119 of Jesus 00:19:57.119 --> 00:19:57.719 Christ. 00:19:57.720 --> 00:20:02.059 Now let's 00:20:02.059 --> 00:20:02.600 be clear. 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:05.100 This story 00:20:05.100 --> 00:20:06.019 is serious 00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:07.539 and it 00:20:07.539 --> 00:20:08.319 requires a 00:20:08.319 --> 00:20:09.279 response from 00:20:09.279 --> 00:20:09.779 people. 00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:10.880 Look at 00:20:10.880 --> 00:20:11.660 verse 16. 00:20:12.860 --> 00:20:13.100 Whoever 00:20:13.100 --> 00:20:14.120 believes 00:20:14.120 --> 00:20:15.539 and is 00:20:15.539 --> 00:20:16.200 baptized, 00:20:16.579 --> 00:20:17.079 baptism 00:20:17.079 --> 00:20:18.319 being that 00:20:18.319 --> 00:20:19.259 outward 00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:20.720 expression 00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:22.579 of your 00:20:22.579 --> 00:20:23.480 faith in 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:23.980 Christ. 00:20:24.620 --> 00:20:25.079 Whoever 00:20:25.079 --> 00:20:25.740 believes 00:20:25.740 --> 00:20:26.100 and is 00:20:26.100 --> 00:20:26.640 baptized 00:20:26.640 --> 00:20:27.519 will be 00:20:27.519 --> 00:20:28.139 saved, 00:20:28.940 --> 00:20:29.579 but whoever 00:20:29.579 --> 00:20:30.319 does not 00:20:30.319 --> 00:20:30.859 believe 00:20:30.859 --> 00:20:32.240 will be 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:33.119 condemned. 00:20:34.139 --> 00:20:34.700 You see, 00:20:34.779 --> 00:20:35.220 if we're to 00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:36.000 believe this 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:36.460 story, 00:20:37.839 --> 00:20:38.319 and if 00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:39.019 people are 00:20:39.019 --> 00:20:39.519 to believe 00:20:39.519 --> 00:20:40.200 this story, 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:41.180 they are to 00:20:41.180 --> 00:20:41.879 make it 00:20:41.879 --> 00:20:42.879 their own 00:20:42.879 --> 00:20:43.500 story. 00:20:44.359 --> 00:20:44.940 We've got 00:20:44.940 --> 00:20:45.779 to live it. 00:20:46.079 --> 00:20:46.720 We've got to 00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:47.779 personalize it. 00:20:48.000 --> 00:20:48.619 We've got to 00:20:48.619 --> 00:20:49.480 make it about 00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:49.960 us, 00:20:49.960 --> 00:20:50.859 because this 00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:51.940 is a story 00:20:51.940 --> 00:20:52.700 about people 00:20:52.700 --> 00:20:53.440 like you and 00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:53.639 me. 00:20:54.019 --> 00:20:54.519 People who 00:20:54.519 --> 00:20:55.099 have entered 00:20:55.099 --> 00:20:55.680 into this 00:20:55.680 --> 00:20:56.119 world, 00:20:56.119 --> 00:20:56.939 rebelling 00:20:56.939 --> 00:20:57.699 against our 00:20:57.699 --> 00:20:58.219 creator, 00:20:58.459 --> 00:20:58.859 God, 00:20:59.099 --> 00:20:59.879 people who 00:20:59.879 --> 00:21:00.500 have lived 00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:01.339 and loved 00:21:01.339 --> 00:21:02.459 themselves more 00:21:02.459 --> 00:21:02.899 than their 00:21:02.899 --> 00:21:03.479 creator, 00:21:03.939 --> 00:21:04.519 and we are 00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:05.239 in desperate 00:21:05.239 --> 00:21:05.839 need of 00:21:05.839 --> 00:21:06.319 forgiveness 00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:07.279 and rescue. 00:21:08.239 --> 00:21:08.739 And this 00:21:08.739 --> 00:21:09.599 story is 00:21:09.599 --> 00:21:10.359 telling us 00:21:10.359 --> 00:21:11.199 that if I 00:21:11.199 --> 00:21:12.000 have faith 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:12.899 in Jesus, 00:21:14.639 --> 00:21:15.359 then I 00:21:15.359 --> 00:21:15.959 can be 00:21:15.959 --> 00:21:16.439 forgiven, 00:21:17.379 --> 00:21:17.879 that I 00:21:17.879 --> 00:21:18.500 can be 00:21:18.500 --> 00:21:19.019 saved, 00:21:19.239 --> 00:21:19.579 that I 00:21:19.579 --> 00:21:20.139 can be 00:21:20.139 --> 00:21:20.659 rescued, 00:21:21.159 --> 00:21:21.539 that I 00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:22.099 can be 00:21:22.099 --> 00:21:22.839 delivered from 00:21:22.839 --> 00:21:23.719 condemnation, 00:21:23.720 --> 00:21:24.900 will escape 00:21:24.900 --> 00:21:25.819 God's 00:21:25.819 --> 00:21:26.279 judgment. 00:21:27.620 --> 00:21:28.120 That is 00:21:28.120 --> 00:21:28.660 the wonder 00:21:28.660 --> 00:21:29.140 of the 00:21:29.140 --> 00:21:29.620 story. 00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:31.460 And of 00:21:31.460 --> 00:21:31.720 course, 00:21:31.839 --> 00:21:32.519 to ignore 00:21:32.519 --> 00:21:33.259 the story, 00:21:34.200 --> 00:21:34.900 it has 00:21:34.900 --> 00:21:35.900 consequences. 00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:36.400 Look at 00:21:36.400 --> 00:21:36.720 the end 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:37.059 of verse 00:21:37.059 --> 00:21:37.680 16. 00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:40.339 But whoever 00:21:40.339 --> 00:21:41.220 does not 00:21:41.220 --> 00:21:41.920 believe 00:21:41.920 --> 00:21:43.920 will be 00:21:43.920 --> 00:21:44.400 condemned. 00:21:47.339 --> 00:21:48.000 You see, 00:21:48.180 --> 00:21:48.740 if this 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:49.559 good news 00:21:49.559 --> 00:21:51.019 is all 00:21:51.019 --> 00:21:51.900 about Jesus, 00:21:51.900 --> 00:21:53.180 who is 00:21:53.180 --> 00:21:53.840 born into 00:21:53.840 --> 00:21:54.560 this world, 00:21:55.560 --> 00:21:57.019 to renew 00:21:57.019 --> 00:21:58.540 broken lives, 00:21:59.100 --> 00:22:00.140 to restore 00:22:00.140 --> 00:22:01.280 the disordered 00:22:01.280 --> 00:22:01.720 world, 00:22:02.100 --> 00:22:02.820 to bring 00:22:02.820 --> 00:22:03.500 forgiveness, 00:22:04.519 --> 00:22:05.240 it makes 00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:05.880 sense that 00:22:05.880 --> 00:22:06.640 the kind 00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:07.320 of people 00:22:07.320 --> 00:22:08.160 who will be 00:22:08.160 --> 00:22:08.800 part of 00:22:08.800 --> 00:22:09.680 that eternal 00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:10.940 kingdom are 00:22:10.940 --> 00:22:11.880 those who 00:22:11.880 --> 00:22:12.620 see their 00:22:12.620 --> 00:22:13.040 sin, 00:22:13.820 --> 00:22:14.560 and those 00:22:14.560 --> 00:22:15.120 who see 00:22:15.120 --> 00:22:15.920 their failures, 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:17.120 and turn to 00:22:17.120 --> 00:22:17.540 Jesus, 00:22:17.820 --> 00:22:18.660 and follow 00:22:18.660 --> 00:22:19.320 him. 00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:20.880 Not because 00:22:20.880 --> 00:22:21.660 they're perfect, 00:22:21.900 --> 00:22:22.900 but because 00:22:22.900 --> 00:22:23.380 they know 00:22:23.380 --> 00:22:24.060 they're not, 00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:24.620 and they 00:22:24.620 --> 00:22:25.240 look to 00:22:25.240 --> 00:22:25.759 Christ. 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:27.800 But if 00:22:27.800 --> 00:22:28.420 people want 00:22:28.420 --> 00:22:29.019 to continue 00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:29.640 to rebel 00:22:29.640 --> 00:22:30.519 and to 00:22:30.519 --> 00:22:31.240 fight against 00:22:31.240 --> 00:22:31.460 him, 00:22:31.640 --> 00:22:32.220 if people 00:22:32.220 --> 00:22:32.800 long to 00:22:32.800 --> 00:22:33.360 be free 00:22:33.360 --> 00:22:33.960 of God's 00:22:33.960 --> 00:22:34.400 rule and 00:22:34.400 --> 00:22:35.040 just live 00:22:35.040 --> 00:22:35.880 however they 00:22:35.880 --> 00:22:36.400 want to 00:22:36.400 --> 00:22:36.700 live and 00:22:36.700 --> 00:22:37.519 do whatever 00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:38.280 they want, 00:22:39.340 --> 00:22:40.160 then there 00:22:40.160 --> 00:22:40.860 will be no 00:22:40.860 --> 00:22:41.960 place in 00:22:41.960 --> 00:22:42.420 God's 00:22:42.420 --> 00:22:42.800 kingdom. 00:22:44.019 --> 00:22:44.460 They will 00:22:44.460 --> 00:22:45.120 be condemned. 00:22:45.119 --> 00:22:45.399 end. 00:22:47.639 --> 00:22:48.639 We must, 00:22:49.919 --> 00:22:50.299 and I 00:22:50.299 --> 00:22:50.879 underline, 00:22:51.019 --> 00:22:51.799 we must 00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:53.500 tell this 00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:55.099 story because 00:22:55.099 --> 00:22:56.439 it is a 00:22:56.439 --> 00:22:57.439 matter of 00:22:57.439 --> 00:22:58.619 heaven or 00:22:58.619 --> 00:22:59.039 hell. 00:22:59.039 --> 00:23:00.399 that is 00:23:00.399 --> 00:23:01.079 the reality 00:23:01.079 --> 00:23:02.799 of Christmas. 00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:09.059 And third, 00:23:09.180 --> 00:23:09.740 we must be 00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:10.359 encouraged 00:23:10.359 --> 00:23:11.960 that this 00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:13.700 story has 00:23:13.700 --> 00:23:15.559 power to 00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:16.200 change 00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:17.299 people's 00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:17.859 lives. 00:23:19.059 --> 00:23:19.619 Verse 00:23:19.619 --> 00:23:20.579 19, 00:23:20.579 --> 00:23:23.859 After the 00:23:23.859 --> 00:23:24.419 Lord Jesus 00:23:24.419 --> 00:23:25.139 had spoken 00:23:25.139 --> 00:23:25.919 to them, 00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:26.619 he was 00:23:26.619 --> 00:23:27.339 taken up 00:23:27.339 --> 00:23:28.359 into heaven 00:23:28.359 --> 00:23:29.119 and he 00:23:29.119 --> 00:23:30.019 sat at 00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:30.419 the right 00:23:30.419 --> 00:23:30.859 hand of 00:23:30.859 --> 00:23:31.139 God. 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:31.559 Now to 00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:32.039 sit at 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:32.399 the right 00:23:32.399 --> 00:23:32.819 hand of 00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:33.240 God is 00:23:33.240 --> 00:23:33.679 not just 00:23:33.679 --> 00:23:34.039 kind of 00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:35.379 a location, 00:23:35.579 --> 00:23:36.139 a position, 00:23:36.839 --> 00:23:37.960 it's telling 00:23:37.960 --> 00:23:38.480 us something 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:39.259 much bigger 00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:39.619 and much 00:23:39.619 --> 00:23:40.039 greater. 00:23:40.419 --> 00:23:40.779 To sit 00:23:40.779 --> 00:23:41.019 at the 00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:41.419 right hand 00:23:41.419 --> 00:23:41.779 of God 00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:42.059 is to 00:23:42.059 --> 00:23:42.759 be given 00:23:42.759 --> 00:23:44.279 the highest 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:45.039 position 00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:45.919 possible. 00:23:46.480 --> 00:23:46.919 This is 00:23:46.919 --> 00:23:47.480 the place 00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:48.299 of all 00:23:48.299 --> 00:23:49.339 power and 00:23:49.339 --> 00:23:50.299 all authority 00:23:50.299 --> 00:23:50.980 and this 00:23:50.980 --> 00:23:51.259 is the 00:23:51.259 --> 00:23:51.799 place where 00:23:51.799 --> 00:23:52.299 Jesus 00:23:52.299 --> 00:23:53.319 reigns 00:23:53.319 --> 00:23:54.460 and rules. 00:23:55.480 --> 00:23:56.039 Now get 00:23:56.039 --> 00:23:56.500 this, 00:23:57.279 --> 00:23:58.319 the power 00:23:58.319 --> 00:23:58.919 and the 00:23:58.919 --> 00:23:59.480 authority 00:23:59.480 --> 00:24:00.299 that Jesus 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.899 has 00:24:00.899 --> 00:24:02.220 goes 00:24:02.220 --> 00:24:03.000 with 00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:03.680 his 00:24:03.680 --> 00:24:04.460 disciples 00:24:04.460 --> 00:24:05.700 as they 00:24:05.700 --> 00:24:06.319 tell the 00:24:06.319 --> 00:24:06.759 story. 00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:07.659 It goes 00:24:07.659 --> 00:24:08.259 with them 00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:09.019 as they 00:24:09.019 --> 00:24:09.500 tell the 00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:09.899 story. 00:24:10.139 --> 00:24:10.519 Look at 00:24:10.519 --> 00:24:11.200 verse 20, 00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:13.480 Then the 00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:14.119 disciples 00:24:14.119 --> 00:24:15.059 went out 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.859 and preached 00:24:15.859 --> 00:24:16.419 everywhere 00:24:16.419 --> 00:24:17.819 and the 00:24:17.819 --> 00:24:18.180 Lord 00:24:18.180 --> 00:24:19.399 worked 00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:20.360 with 00:24:20.360 --> 00:24:20.759 them. 00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:22.280 The 00:24:22.280 --> 00:24:22.680 risen 00:24:22.680 --> 00:24:23.080 Lord 00:24:23.080 --> 00:24:23.519 Jesus 00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:24.340 with 00:24:24.340 --> 00:24:24.660 all 00:24:24.660 --> 00:24:24.900 his 00:24:24.900 --> 00:24:25.360 power 00:24:25.360 --> 00:24:25.500 and 00:24:25.500 --> 00:24:26.040 authority 00:24:26.040 --> 00:24:27.060 is not 00:24:27.060 --> 00:24:27.680 absent 00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:28.100 now 00:24:28.100 --> 00:24:28.519 from 00:24:28.519 --> 00:24:28.820 his 00:24:28.820 --> 00:24:29.380 disciples 00:24:29.380 --> 00:24:30.060 but he 00:24:30.060 --> 00:24:30.420 is now 00:24:30.420 --> 00:24:31.019 present 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:31.380 with 00:24:31.380 --> 00:24:31.560 them 00:24:31.560 --> 00:24:31.980 through 00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:32.280 the 00:24:32.280 --> 00:24:32.560 Holy 00:24:32.560 --> 00:24:33.080 Spirit. 00:24:34.080 --> 00:24:34.340 He 00:24:34.340 --> 00:24:34.840 hasn't 00:24:34.840 --> 00:24:35.360 abandoned 00:24:35.360 --> 00:24:35.660 them. 00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:36.140 He 00:24:36.140 --> 00:24:36.759 is now 00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:38.860 working 00:24:38.860 --> 00:24:40.180 with 00:24:40.180 --> 00:24:40.660 them. 00:24:42.780 --> 00:24:43.519 You see 00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:44.440 the desire 00:24:44.440 --> 00:24:45.160 of 00:24:45.160 --> 00:24:45.680 Jesus 00:24:45.680 --> 00:24:47.519 is that 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:48.080 all 00:24:48.080 --> 00:24:48.759 people 00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:49.759 everywhere 00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.960 hear the 00:24:50.960 --> 00:24:51.559 story 00:24:51.559 --> 00:24:53.120 and 00:24:53.120 --> 00:24:53.880 believe 00:24:53.880 --> 00:24:54.160 the 00:24:54.160 --> 00:24:54.620 story. 00:24:55.299 --> 00:24:55.720 That's 00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:56.039 what he 00:24:56.039 --> 00:24:56.500 wants. 00:24:56.840 --> 00:24:57.440 He wants 00:24:57.440 --> 00:24:58.200 people to 00:24:58.200 --> 00:24:59.019 know the 00:24:59.019 --> 00:25:00.019 true story 00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:00.660 of Christmas. 00:25:01.120 --> 00:25:01.620 It's his 00:25:01.620 --> 00:25:02.380 desire that 00:25:02.380 --> 00:25:03.180 people know 00:25:03.180 --> 00:25:03.860 about him. 00:25:05.820 --> 00:25:06.259 And 00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:07.160 sometimes 00:25:07.160 --> 00:25:09.360 supernatural 00:25:09.360 --> 00:25:10.900 things happen 00:25:10.900 --> 00:25:12.600 to make 00:25:12.600 --> 00:25:13.160 that 00:25:13.160 --> 00:25:13.780 possible 00:25:13.780 --> 00:25:14.960 so that 00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:15.680 people 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:16.540 everywhere 00:25:16.540 --> 00:25:17.300 hear the 00:25:17.300 --> 00:25:17.820 story 00:25:17.820 --> 00:25:18.640 and so 00:25:18.640 --> 00:25:19.320 that people 00:25:19.320 --> 00:25:20.120 believe 00:25:20.120 --> 00:25:20.800 the story. 00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:22.200 Look at the 00:25:22.200 --> 00:25:22.540 end of 00:25:22.540 --> 00:25:23.100 verse 20. 00:25:23.180 --> 00:25:23.580 Well let's 00:25:23.580 --> 00:25:24.340 read verse 00:25:24.340 --> 00:25:25.019 20 again. 00:25:25.360 --> 00:25:25.660 Then the 00:25:25.660 --> 00:25:26.440 disciples went 00:25:26.440 --> 00:25:26.840 out and 00:25:26.840 --> 00:25:27.160 preached 00:25:27.160 --> 00:25:27.660 everywhere 00:25:27.660 --> 00:25:28.400 and the 00:25:28.400 --> 00:25:28.680 Lord 00:25:28.680 --> 00:25:29.200 worked 00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:30.100 with them 00:25:30.100 --> 00:25:30.680 and 00:25:30.680 --> 00:25:31.460 confirmed 00:25:31.460 --> 00:25:32.120 his 00:25:32.120 --> 00:25:32.620 word 00:25:32.620 --> 00:25:33.440 by the 00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:34.080 signs 00:25:34.080 --> 00:25:34.960 that 00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:35.519 accompanied 00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:35.980 it. 00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:37.759 Now in 00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:38.540 verse 17 00:25:38.540 --> 00:25:39.259 to 18 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:40.780 we get a 00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:41.420 description 00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:42.319 of some 00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:42.660 of these 00:25:42.660 --> 00:25:43.359 supernatural 00:25:43.359 --> 00:25:44.000 signs. 00:25:45.619 --> 00:25:45.899 And if 00:25:45.899 --> 00:25:46.339 you were to 00:25:46.339 --> 00:25:47.200 read through 00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:48.359 on in 00:25:48.359 --> 00:25:49.000 the story 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:49.660 if you read 00:25:49.660 --> 00:25:50.480 through Acts 00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:50.940 and through 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:51.460 the letters 00:25:51.460 --> 00:25:52.460 you will see 00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:52.920 some of 00:25:52.920 --> 00:25:53.559 these things 00:25:53.559 --> 00:25:53.899 there. 00:25:55.619 --> 00:25:56.259 Sometimes 00:25:56.259 --> 00:25:58.680 as people 00:25:58.680 --> 00:25:59.259 spoke 00:25:59.259 --> 00:26:00.339 they drove 00:26:00.339 --> 00:26:01.039 out demons 00:26:01.039 --> 00:26:02.740 that God 00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:03.180 was saying 00:26:03.180 --> 00:26:03.539 that he 00:26:03.539 --> 00:26:04.379 does have 00:26:04.379 --> 00:26:05.099 power and 00:26:05.099 --> 00:26:05.700 authority 00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:07.420 over Satan 00:26:07.420 --> 00:26:08.500 and over 00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:09.220 evil. 00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:10.220 people 00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:10.860 sometimes 00:26:10.860 --> 00:26:11.720 they did 00:26:11.720 --> 00:26:12.660 speak in 00:26:12.660 --> 00:26:12.980 tongues 00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:13.380 or in 00:26:13.380 --> 00:26:13.740 different 00:26:13.740 --> 00:26:14.279 languages 00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:15.059 so that 00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:15.860 people could 00:26:15.860 --> 00:26:16.500 hear the 00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:16.980 message 00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:17.539 and the 00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:18.059 good news 00:26:18.059 --> 00:26:18.660 in their 00:26:18.660 --> 00:26:19.480 own language 00:26:19.480 --> 00:26:20.140 so that 00:26:20.140 --> 00:26:20.519 people 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:21.160 could 00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:22.039 believe. 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.440 We also 00:26:24.440 --> 00:26:25.059 read that 00:26:25.059 --> 00:26:25.559 sometimes 00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:26.259 they were 00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:26.799 protected 00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:27.579 as they 00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:28.160 brought the 00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:28.819 good news 00:26:28.819 --> 00:26:29.860 to dangerous 00:26:29.860 --> 00:26:30.799 and hostile 00:26:30.799 --> 00:26:31.519 places. 00:26:32.279 --> 00:26:32.740 So in 00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:33.440 verse 18 00:26:33.440 --> 00:26:34.000 we read 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:34.599 they will 00:26:34.599 --> 00:26:35.059 pick up 00:26:35.059 --> 00:26:35.559 snakes 00:26:35.559 --> 00:26:36.039 with their 00:26:36.039 --> 00:26:36.559 hands 00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:37.140 and they 00:26:37.140 --> 00:26:37.680 will drink 00:26:37.680 --> 00:26:38.099 deadly 00:26:38.099 --> 00:26:38.680 poison. 00:26:39.180 --> 00:26:39.400 It will 00:26:39.400 --> 00:26:40.240 not hurt 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:40.640 them at 00:26:40.640 --> 00:26:40.980 all. 00:26:42.500 --> 00:26:42.980 And through 00:26:42.980 --> 00:26:43.539 time 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:44.660 God has 00:26:44.660 --> 00:26:45.359 kept his 00:26:45.359 --> 00:26:45.940 messengers 00:26:45.940 --> 00:26:47.039 to bring 00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:47.819 the good 00:26:47.819 --> 00:26:48.319 news 00:26:48.319 --> 00:26:49.200 to distant 00:26:49.200 --> 00:26:49.779 places 00:26:49.779 --> 00:26:50.480 and to 00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:50.880 hostile 00:26:50.880 --> 00:26:51.660 and difficult 00:26:51.660 --> 00:26:52.220 places 00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:52.819 and he 00:26:52.819 --> 00:26:53.559 has protected 00:26:53.559 --> 00:26:54.460 his messengers 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:55.440 as they 00:26:55.440 --> 00:26:55.980 have brought 00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:56.619 the good 00:26:56.619 --> 00:26:57.180 news. 00:26:59.460 --> 00:27:00.180 Sometimes 00:27:00.180 --> 00:27:00.859 they were 00:27:00.859 --> 00:27:01.380 able to 00:27:01.380 --> 00:27:01.839 heal the 00:27:01.839 --> 00:27:02.099 sick 00:27:02.099 --> 00:27:02.599 to 00:27:02.599 --> 00:27:03.059 convince 00:27:03.059 --> 00:27:03.319 the 00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:03.579 most 00:27:03.579 --> 00:27:04.000 cynical 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:04.779 and the 00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:05.159 hardened 00:27:05.159 --> 00:27:05.399 of 00:27:05.399 --> 00:27:05.779 people 00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:06.480 so that 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:06.639 they 00:27:06.639 --> 00:27:06.799 would 00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:06.980 be 00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:07.480 convinced 00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:07.719 that 00:27:07.719 --> 00:27:07.899 the 00:27:07.899 --> 00:27:08.379 story 00:27:08.379 --> 00:27:08.619 of 00:27:08.619 --> 00:27:09.000 Jesus 00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:09.559 was 00:27:09.559 --> 00:27:10.099 true. 00:27:10.699 --> 00:27:11.159 We read 00:27:11.159 --> 00:27:11.500 that at 00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:11.799 the end 00:27:11.799 --> 00:27:12.159 of verse 00:27:12.159 --> 00:27:12.559 18. 00:27:12.879 --> 00:27:13.179 They will 00:27:13.179 --> 00:27:13.719 place their 00:27:13.719 --> 00:27:14.279 hands on 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:14.899 sick people 00:27:14.899 --> 00:27:15.240 and they 00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:15.619 will get 00:27:15.619 --> 00:27:16.019 well. 00:27:17.299 --> 00:27:17.879 And those 00:27:17.879 --> 00:27:18.259 who had 00:27:18.259 --> 00:27:19.019 no belief 00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:19.699 whatsoever 00:27:19.699 --> 00:27:20.259 were 00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:20.899 convinced 00:27:20.899 --> 00:27:22.759 it was 00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.419 confirming 00:27:23.419 --> 00:27:24.039 the word 00:27:24.039 --> 00:27:24.519 that this 00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:25.179 was real. 00:27:30.919 --> 00:27:31.879 Of course 00:27:31.880 --> 00:27:34.340 these signs 00:27:34.340 --> 00:27:36.020 are not an 00:27:36.020 --> 00:27:36.420 absolute 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:37.000 guarantee 00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:37.560 that they 00:27:37.560 --> 00:27:38.280 continue to 00:27:38.280 --> 00:27:38.780 happen or 00:27:38.780 --> 00:27:39.340 happen all 00:27:39.340 --> 00:27:39.860 the time. 00:27:41.060 --> 00:27:41.720 We only 00:27:41.720 --> 00:27:42.120 need to 00:27:42.120 --> 00:27:42.600 read on 00:27:42.600 --> 00:27:42.920 in the 00:27:42.920 --> 00:27:43.360 story 00:27:43.360 --> 00:27:44.720 where we 00:27:44.720 --> 00:27:45.140 read of 00:27:45.140 --> 00:27:45.640 many who 00:27:45.640 --> 00:27:46.200 did bring 00:27:46.200 --> 00:27:46.580 the good 00:27:46.580 --> 00:27:47.100 news of 00:27:47.100 --> 00:27:47.700 Jesus and 00:27:47.700 --> 00:27:48.120 they were 00:27:48.120 --> 00:27:48.840 persecuted. 00:27:50.040 --> 00:27:50.920 They did 00:27:50.920 --> 00:27:51.540 die for 00:27:51.540 --> 00:27:52.180 their faith. 00:27:53.520 --> 00:27:54.140 People who 00:27:54.140 --> 00:27:54.680 were sick 00:27:54.680 --> 00:27:55.520 weren't 00:27:55.520 --> 00:27:56.580 healed but 00:27:56.580 --> 00:27:56.960 yet they 00:27:56.960 --> 00:27:57.880 still believed. 00:27:59.020 --> 00:27:59.360 And we 00:27:59.360 --> 00:27:59.900 can read 00:27:59.900 --> 00:28:00.540 this throughout 00:28:00.539 --> 00:28:01.440 the rest 00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:01.759 of the 00:28:01.759 --> 00:28:01.960 New 00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:02.440 Testament. 00:28:03.159 --> 00:28:04.000 But the 00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:04.839 point still 00:28:04.839 --> 00:28:05.639 stands and 00:28:05.639 --> 00:28:06.180 this is what 00:28:06.180 --> 00:28:06.720 I want us 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:07.139 to take 00:28:07.139 --> 00:28:07.480 away. 00:28:07.899 --> 00:28:08.519 That Jesus 00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:09.599 still uses 00:28:09.599 --> 00:28:10.759 his power 00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:11.559 and his 00:28:11.559 --> 00:28:12.839 authority in 00:28:12.839 --> 00:28:13.399 the lives 00:28:13.399 --> 00:28:13.819 of his 00:28:13.819 --> 00:28:15.399 people to 00:28:15.399 --> 00:28:16.220 make sure 00:28:16.220 --> 00:28:17.059 that his 00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:18.460 story is 00:28:18.460 --> 00:28:20.159 heard in 00:28:20.159 --> 00:28:20.700 all the 00:28:20.700 --> 00:28:22.299 world and 00:28:22.299 --> 00:28:23.039 that people 00:28:23.039 --> 00:28:24.500 believe in 00:28:24.500 --> 00:28:25.399 Jesus Christ. 00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:27.079 He still 00:28:27.079 --> 00:28:28.319 works with 00:28:28.319 --> 00:28:28.819 us through 00:28:28.819 --> 00:28:29.439 the power 00:28:29.439 --> 00:28:30.039 of his 00:28:30.039 --> 00:28:30.799 Holy Spirit 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:31.579 to see 00:28:31.579 --> 00:28:32.659 lives changed 00:28:32.659 --> 00:28:33.099 so that 00:28:33.099 --> 00:28:33.599 people are 00:28:33.599 --> 00:28:34.899 convinced of 00:28:34.899 --> 00:28:35.460 who he 00:28:35.460 --> 00:28:35.980 is. 00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:40.139 It changes 00:28:40.139 --> 00:28:40.859 people's 00:28:40.859 --> 00:28:41.279 lives. 00:28:43.179 --> 00:28:43.679 And this 00:28:43.679 --> 00:28:44.299 week we are 00:28:44.299 --> 00:28:44.740 going to 00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:45.159 celebrate 00:28:45.159 --> 00:28:45.639 Christmas. 00:28:47.039 --> 00:28:47.639 We will 00:28:47.639 --> 00:28:49.299 remember on 00:28:49.299 --> 00:28:50.220 Wednesday that 00:28:50.220 --> 00:28:51.220 Jesus Christ, 00:28:52.119 --> 00:28:52.740 our true 00:28:52.740 --> 00:28:53.919 hero, came 00:28:53.919 --> 00:28:54.359 into the 00:28:54.359 --> 00:28:55.019 world to be 00:28:55.019 --> 00:28:55.759 our saviour. 00:28:55.759 --> 00:28:57.079 and as we 00:28:57.079 --> 00:28:57.779 celebrate 00:28:57.779 --> 00:28:59.079 Christmas and 00:28:59.079 --> 00:28:59.740 as we sing 00:28:59.740 --> 00:29:00.299 our Christmas 00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:01.200 carols as we 00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:01.680 have done 00:29:01.680 --> 00:29:03.099 today, let's 00:29:03.099 --> 00:29:04.000 remember this. 00:29:05.359 --> 00:29:06.259 This week 00:29:06.259 --> 00:29:08.480 2.91 00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:10.779 billion people 00:29:10.779 --> 00:29:15.700 or 7,292 00:29:15.700 --> 00:29:17.079 people groups 00:29:17.079 --> 00:29:18.000 on our 00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:19.879 planet will 00:29:19.879 --> 00:29:21.500 not celebrate 00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:22.539 Christmas 00:29:22.539 --> 00:29:24.500 because they 00:29:24.500 --> 00:29:24.899 have never 00:29:24.899 --> 00:29:25.980 heard the 00:29:25.980 --> 00:29:26.599 good news 00:29:26.599 --> 00:29:27.700 of Jesus. 00:29:28.960 --> 00:29:29.720 Get your 00:29:29.720 --> 00:29:30.299 head around 00:29:30.299 --> 00:29:31.119 those numbers. 00:29:32.159 --> 00:29:33.200 2.91 00:29:33.200 --> 00:29:35.039 billion people 00:29:35.039 --> 00:29:36.420 will not 00:29:36.420 --> 00:29:36.940 celebrate 00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:38.139 because they 00:29:38.139 --> 00:29:38.480 have not 00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:39.440 heard the 00:29:39.440 --> 00:29:40.059 good news 00:29:40.059 --> 00:29:40.980 of Jesus. 00:29:42.579 --> 00:29:43.440 Think of 00:29:43.440 --> 00:29:44.159 these countries 00:29:44.159 --> 00:29:44.819 that we hear 00:29:44.819 --> 00:29:45.440 about in the 00:29:45.440 --> 00:29:46.399 news, so 00:29:46.399 --> 00:29:47.579 ruined and 00:29:47.579 --> 00:29:48.079 broken. 00:29:49.319 --> 00:29:49.680 The 00:29:49.680 --> 00:29:50.359 Qashqai 00:29:50.359 --> 00:29:51.700 people of 00:29:51.700 --> 00:29:53.480 Iran, the 00:29:53.480 --> 00:29:54.019 Bedouin 00:29:54.019 --> 00:29:54.920 people of 00:29:54.920 --> 00:29:56.860 Iraq, the 00:29:56.860 --> 00:29:57.420 Tamanai 00:29:57.420 --> 00:29:58.480 people of 00:29:58.480 --> 00:29:59.180 Afghanistan. 00:30:00.640 --> 00:30:01.140 Think of 00:30:01.140 --> 00:30:01.620 the brutal 00:30:01.620 --> 00:30:02.519 regime in 00:30:02.519 --> 00:30:03.259 North Korea, 00:30:04.140 --> 00:30:05.200 people like 00:30:05.200 --> 00:30:05.620 you and 00:30:05.620 --> 00:30:07.080 me, never 00:30:07.080 --> 00:30:08.400 heard and 00:30:08.400 --> 00:30:08.840 do not 00:30:08.840 --> 00:30:09.120 know. 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:12.799 The world 00:30:12.799 --> 00:30:14.180 longs for 00:30:14.180 --> 00:30:14.640 a hero. 00:30:16.180 --> 00:30:16.980 People are 00:30:16.980 --> 00:30:17.720 still looking 00:30:17.720 --> 00:30:18.440 for someone 00:30:18.440 --> 00:30:18.920 who will 00:30:18.920 --> 00:30:20.120 renew broken 00:30:20.120 --> 00:30:21.340 lives and 00:30:21.339 --> 00:30:22.179 restore this 00:30:22.179 --> 00:30:22.799 disordered 00:30:22.799 --> 00:30:23.259 world. 00:30:24.259 --> 00:30:25.019 People long 00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:25.459 to be 00:30:25.459 --> 00:30:26.179 finding a 00:30:26.179 --> 00:30:26.639 saviour, 00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:27.279 someone who 00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:28.059 will forgive. 00:30:29.159 --> 00:30:29.399 Well, you 00:30:29.399 --> 00:30:29.779 know what? 00:30:29.839 --> 00:30:30.159 We know 00:30:30.159 --> 00:30:30.980 that story. 00:30:31.959 --> 00:30:32.859 We've heard 00:30:32.859 --> 00:30:33.220 it. 00:30:33.980 --> 00:30:34.379 And he 00:30:34.379 --> 00:30:34.959 tells us 00:30:34.959 --> 00:30:35.359 in verse 00:30:35.359 --> 00:30:35.919 15, 00:30:36.619 --> 00:30:37.799 go into 00:30:37.799 --> 00:30:38.759 all the 00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:40.299 world and 00:30:40.299 --> 00:30:40.819 preach the 00:30:40.819 --> 00:30:41.419 good news 00:30:41.419 --> 00:30:42.679 to all 00:30:42.679 --> 00:30:43.619 creation. 00:30:43.619 --> 00:30:44.619 God's 00:30:44.619 --> 00:30:45.619 salvation. 00:30:45.619 --> 00:30:46.639 So this 00:30:46.639 --> 00:30:47.239 Christmas, 00:30:48.619 --> 00:30:49.339 may God 00:30:49.339 --> 00:30:50.199 give us 00:30:50.199 --> 00:30:51.759 every 00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:52.739 opportunity 00:30:52.739 --> 00:30:54.599 to tell 00:30:54.599 --> 00:30:55.299 the story 00:30:55.299 --> 00:30:55.979 to those 00:30:55.979 --> 00:30:56.939 who have 00:30:56.939 --> 00:30:57.459 not yet 00:30:57.459 --> 00:30:59.619 heard and 00:30:59.619 --> 00:31:00.139 to those 00:31:00.139 --> 00:31:00.659 of our 00:31:00.659 --> 00:31:01.739 friends and 00:31:01.739 --> 00:31:02.319 our family 00:31:02.319 --> 00:31:03.939 who have 00:31:03.939 --> 00:31:04.639 not yet 00:31:04.639 --> 00:31:05.759 believed. 00:31:06.619 --> 00:31:07.519 That is the 00:31:07.519 --> 00:31:09.079 reality of 00:31:09.079 --> 00:31:09.500 Christmas. 00:31:09.500 --> 00:31:09.660 Christmas. 00:31:10.660 --> 00:31:11.220 We've got 00:31:11.220 --> 00:31:11.980 good news. 00:31:12.420 --> 00:31:13.019 We have a 00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:13.660 message to 00:31:13.660 --> 00:31:13.960 tell. 00:31:15.240 --> 00:31:16.059 Let's pray. 00:31:16.059 --> 00:31:16.119 Let's pray. 00:31:16.119 --> 00:31:33.399 In the 00:31:33.399 --> 00:31:34.099 quietness, 00:31:38.619 --> 00:31:39.659 each of us 00:31:39.659 --> 00:31:40.379 just think 00:31:40.379 --> 00:31:41.579 of someone 00:31:41.579 --> 00:31:42.279 who we know 00:31:42.279 --> 00:31:42.759 we're going 00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:43.299 to meet 00:31:43.299 --> 00:31:45.519 over this 00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:46.220 coming week, 00:31:47.019 --> 00:31:47.759 a friend, 00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:50.119 somebody 00:31:50.119 --> 00:31:50.639 within our 00:31:50.639 --> 00:31:51.099 family, 00:31:52.660 --> 00:31:55.000 perhaps 00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:55.359 they've 00:31:55.359 --> 00:31:56.920 heard the 00:31:56.920 --> 00:31:57.500 good news 00:31:57.500 --> 00:31:58.420 and they 00:31:58.420 --> 00:31:58.859 have not 00:31:58.859 --> 00:31:59.139 yet 00:31:59.139 --> 00:31:59.740 believed. 00:32:05.279 --> 00:32:06.139 Pray for 00:32:06.139 --> 00:32:06.559 them now 00:32:06.559 --> 00:32:07.180 that God 00:32:07.180 --> 00:32:08.200 will use 00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:11.059 you to 00:32:11.059 --> 00:32:11.400 be the 00:32:11.400 --> 00:32:12.240 person who 00:32:12.240 --> 00:32:13.139 shares 00:32:13.139 --> 00:32:13.700 through 00:32:13.700 --> 00:32:14.740 conversation, 00:32:15.519 --> 00:32:17.920 or through 00:32:17.920 --> 00:32:18.420 giving a 00:32:18.420 --> 00:32:18.799 book. 00:32:25.599 --> 00:32:26.379 Pray that 00:32:26.379 --> 00:32:27.079 God would 00:32:27.079 --> 00:32:27.779 by the 00:32:27.779 --> 00:32:28.299 power of 00:32:28.299 --> 00:32:28.779 his Holy 00:32:28.779 --> 00:32:29.379 Spirit 00:32:29.379 --> 00:32:32.559 convince 00:32:32.559 --> 00:32:33.779 people of 00:32:33.779 --> 00:32:34.440 its truth, 00:32:36.420 --> 00:32:37.039 opening up 00:32:37.039 --> 00:32:37.639 their blind 00:32:37.639 --> 00:32:38.119 eyes 00:32:38.119 --> 00:32:41.059 and blocking 00:32:41.059 --> 00:32:41.639 their deaf 00:32:41.639 --> 00:32:42.099 ears 00:32:42.099 --> 00:32:44.419 to the 00:32:44.419 --> 00:32:44.839 truth 00:32:44.839 --> 00:32:45.480 of 00:32:45.480 --> 00:32:45.879 Jesus 00:32:45.879 --> 00:32:46.539 Christ. 00:32:48.539 --> 00:32:49.519 Just pray 00:32:49.519 --> 00:32:49.899 for that 00:32:49.899 --> 00:32:50.500 right now. 00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:51.879 Just pray for that 00:32:51.879 --> 00:32:52.639 right now. 00:32:52.640 --> 00:33:22.620 Thank you. 00:33:22.640 --> 00:33:52.620 Thank you.