WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.240 Well, thank you to everyone who's participated this far in our service. 00:00:06.820 --> 00:00:08.320 Folks, great to see you this evening. 00:00:09.480 --> 00:00:10.720 I love Christmas. 00:00:11.240 --> 00:00:14.500 There are some pretty scandalous things that go on at Christmas, I think you'll agree. 00:00:15.320 --> 00:00:18.120 Some pretty scandalous things that I seem to notice every year. 00:00:18.500 --> 00:00:21.140 Things that you think about and you see and you think, 00:00:21.460 --> 00:00:23.820 that just shouldn't be allowed to happen. 00:00:24.879 --> 00:00:27.000 Now, I've got your attention with that introduction, haven't I? 00:00:27.000 --> 00:00:31.039 Let me give you some examples of how this is playing out in our world at the minute. 00:00:31.120 --> 00:00:35.340 From the world of food, here are some of the Christmas products 00:00:35.340 --> 00:00:39.340 that are currently on sale in our supermarkets at Christmas time. 00:00:39.380 --> 00:00:40.019 You ready for these? 00:00:40.939 --> 00:00:46.579 Okay, pop into your local Asda and you can pick up your very own Christmas dinner pizza. 00:00:46.740 --> 00:00:47.620 Anybody fancy that one? 00:00:48.219 --> 00:00:48.659 No? 00:00:50.719 --> 00:00:52.079 Oh, wow, that's a groan. 00:00:52.079 --> 00:00:54.600 Okay, take a trip to Iceland. 00:00:54.600 --> 00:00:59.240 And you can walk away with some Christmas tree flavoured crisps. 00:01:00.939 --> 00:01:02.939 Anyone pining for that? 00:01:03.039 --> 00:01:03.160 No? 00:01:03.579 --> 00:01:03.900 No? 00:01:04.939 --> 00:01:05.780 Had to do it. 00:01:05.879 --> 00:01:06.519 Had to do it. 00:01:06.560 --> 00:01:09.519 Okay, and to get you really into the Christmas mood, and this is still Iceland, 00:01:10.400 --> 00:01:15.060 why not spice up your Christmas dinner with some Marmite sprouts? 00:01:15.140 --> 00:01:16.400 You can actually buy this stuff. 00:01:16.439 --> 00:01:17.599 Do you see what I mean by scandalous? 00:01:18.359 --> 00:01:18.560 Yeah? 00:01:18.980 --> 00:01:20.120 Or, and here's my favourite. 00:01:20.120 --> 00:01:27.640 You can take a trip to Sainsbury's, and you can walk away with, and then go home and make, 00:01:27.800 --> 00:01:31.200 your very own cup of Brussels sprout flavoured tea. 00:01:31.359 --> 00:01:32.640 Is that not incredible? 00:01:33.200 --> 00:01:36.800 There's some pretty scandalous things that go on at Christmas time. 00:01:37.980 --> 00:01:40.300 And tonight, just for ten minutes or so, 00:01:40.299 --> 00:01:46.799 I want us to think about the scandal that's right at the heart of Christmas. 00:01:47.599 --> 00:01:52.679 And it's a scandal that every single one of us here tonight is caught up in. 00:01:53.399 --> 00:01:57.539 You see, the verses that Maggie read to us just a few moments ago from the Bible, 00:01:57.640 --> 00:01:59.500 they're written by this man called John. 00:02:00.319 --> 00:02:03.060 And John was just an ordinary fisherman, 00:02:03.519 --> 00:02:07.079 working in the family business when he first encountered Jesus. 00:02:07.079 --> 00:02:07.879 That was John. 00:02:07.879 --> 00:02:13.400 And the thing about Jesus is that when John encountered him, 00:02:14.000 --> 00:02:16.439 Jesus transformed his life. 00:02:16.519 --> 00:02:18.979 He completely turned it upside down. 00:02:19.199 --> 00:02:24.419 So much so that we read in the Bible that John left everything behind 00:02:24.419 --> 00:02:27.539 to follow this man, Jesus. 00:02:27.800 --> 00:02:31.460 And John went on to become one of Jesus' closest disciples. 00:02:31.579 --> 00:02:35.340 So what that means is that John, he lived with Jesus. 00:02:35.340 --> 00:02:38.379 John, he talked with Jesus. 00:02:38.539 --> 00:02:40.700 John, he listened to Jesus. 00:02:41.060 --> 00:02:44.659 And John watched Jesus in action, up close and personal, 00:02:45.020 --> 00:02:47.580 for the last three years of Jesus' earthly life. 00:02:48.500 --> 00:02:51.180 And John watched Jesus die. 00:02:52.300 --> 00:02:57.120 And John watched this man, Jesus, come back to life again. 00:02:57.120 --> 00:03:02.879 And after all of that, what he said, what he did, 00:03:03.219 --> 00:03:07.099 John has sat down and he's wrote this account of Jesus' life. 00:03:07.920 --> 00:03:12.200 What he did, what he said, so that people down the generations 00:03:12.200 --> 00:03:14.759 will be able to pick this up in the years to come, 00:03:15.319 --> 00:03:17.240 read about Jesus for ourselves, 00:03:17.640 --> 00:03:21.379 and come to have life in his name by believing in him. 00:03:21.379 --> 00:03:27.099 Now essentially that's the story of everyone who has become a Christian ever since. 00:03:28.079 --> 00:03:31.299 That this man, Jesus Christ, is no joy stealer. 00:03:31.939 --> 00:03:35.680 That this man, Jesus Christ, is no happiness spoiler. 00:03:36.099 --> 00:03:41.019 That this man, Jesus Christ, is the life giver. 00:03:42.519 --> 00:03:44.500 So John says in these verses tonight, 00:03:44.620 --> 00:03:49.120 let me tell you about the scandal that's right at the heart of Christmas. 00:03:49.120 --> 00:03:54.819 Let me firstly tell you of the scandal of the God at Christmas time who said, 00:03:55.180 --> 00:03:55.680 here I am. 00:03:56.840 --> 00:04:01.900 About the God who sent his one and only son into this world. 00:04:02.500 --> 00:04:05.219 You see, John uses that word world, 00:04:05.340 --> 00:04:06.960 you might have noticed it in the reading, 00:04:07.040 --> 00:04:10.780 he uses that word four times in quick succession, right? 00:04:11.159 --> 00:04:12.719 World, world, world, world. 00:04:12.960 --> 00:04:14.080 Now why does he do that? 00:04:14.879 --> 00:04:17.040 Is it because he's got a limited vocab? 00:04:17.139 --> 00:04:17.360 No. 00:04:17.360 --> 00:04:20.340 Is it because he skipped GCSE English? 00:04:20.500 --> 00:04:20.780 No. 00:04:21.080 --> 00:04:24.020 Is it simply that he's living in a time before Thesaurus.com? 00:04:24.120 --> 00:04:24.420 No. 00:04:25.560 --> 00:04:27.379 He mentions it four times as if to say, 00:04:27.439 --> 00:04:28.759 guys, get your head around the fact, 00:04:28.860 --> 00:04:29.920 get your head around the truth, 00:04:30.040 --> 00:04:30.939 comprehend it, 00:04:31.120 --> 00:04:34.199 that Jesus really did come here, 00:04:34.879 --> 00:04:37.060 into this broken world, 00:04:38.080 --> 00:04:41.780 into our messed up lives. 00:04:42.100 --> 00:04:45.600 Jesus stepped down and he stepped in. 00:04:45.600 --> 00:04:50.020 The one through whom all creation, 00:04:50.240 --> 00:04:51.580 everything was made, 00:04:52.620 --> 00:04:53.439 became a creature. 00:04:55.000 --> 00:04:57.860 Jesus, he became one of us. 00:04:58.900 --> 00:05:00.740 He came and he lived, 00:05:00.920 --> 00:05:04.080 he literally pitched his tent where we live. 00:05:04.420 --> 00:05:06.220 He stepped down onto our level, 00:05:06.340 --> 00:05:08.180 he stepped into our mess. 00:05:08.180 --> 00:05:11.400 Jesus, the true light, 00:05:11.459 --> 00:05:16.280 he entered our world and he entered our lives of darkness. 00:05:16.500 --> 00:05:16.800 Why? 00:05:18.280 --> 00:05:20.259 To be light. 00:05:21.319 --> 00:05:22.720 To be light, that's why he did it. 00:05:22.740 --> 00:05:23.480 That's what John is saying. 00:05:24.040 --> 00:05:27.120 The true light which gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 00:05:27.120 --> 00:05:30.000 So one of the first things that they teach you, 00:05:30.040 --> 00:05:30.220 isn't it, 00:05:30.240 --> 00:05:31.980 in science class at school, 00:05:33.040 --> 00:05:35.060 if you think back to your biology class, 00:05:35.959 --> 00:05:38.139 that to all living beings, 00:05:38.280 --> 00:05:38.899 light is life. 00:05:40.240 --> 00:05:41.100 Light is life. 00:05:42.139 --> 00:05:43.620 And where there is no light, 00:05:44.360 --> 00:05:45.259 there is death. 00:05:45.459 --> 00:05:47.420 That's essentially what John is saying there. 00:05:47.620 --> 00:05:50.120 Light is life. 00:05:50.120 --> 00:05:52.019 So John says firstly, 00:05:52.379 --> 00:05:56.079 let me tell you about the scandal of the God who said, 00:05:56.699 --> 00:05:57.720 here I am. 00:05:58.120 --> 00:05:58.819 And secondly, 00:05:58.939 --> 00:06:03.120 let me tell you about the scandal of the world that says, 00:06:03.480 --> 00:06:04.319 away you go. 00:06:05.379 --> 00:06:06.759 Here's the tragedy, 00:06:06.959 --> 00:06:07.560 says John. 00:06:08.500 --> 00:06:09.819 The world did not what? 00:06:11.100 --> 00:06:11.840 Recognize him. 00:06:13.480 --> 00:06:14.019 They didn't, 00:06:14.340 --> 00:06:15.000 do you see what he says? 00:06:15.420 --> 00:06:17.519 The world didn't receive him. 00:06:17.519 --> 00:06:19.459 Not as in Jesus, 00:06:19.620 --> 00:06:21.659 if only you'd been wearing your conference lanyard, 00:06:21.779 --> 00:06:25.219 if only he hadn't been wearing your CEU Jimmy hat, 00:06:25.439 --> 00:06:29.799 then we might have had a chance at understanding and seeing who you really are. 00:06:29.879 --> 00:06:30.959 That's not what John is saying. 00:06:32.180 --> 00:06:35.439 John is speaking there about an heart attitude. 00:06:35.599 --> 00:06:36.259 If you think about it, 00:06:36.319 --> 00:06:36.399 right, 00:06:36.419 --> 00:06:38.000 what is the opposite of receiving? 00:06:39.519 --> 00:06:40.259 It's rejecting, 00:06:40.399 --> 00:06:40.699 isn't it? 00:06:42.180 --> 00:06:45.599 And the thing about this arm folding, 00:06:45.600 --> 00:06:47.340 fist wagging, 00:06:47.540 --> 00:06:48.700 brow frowning, 00:06:48.939 --> 00:06:51.640 teeth grinding attitude towards God, 00:06:52.180 --> 00:06:55.260 this is what I know to be true in my life, 00:06:55.760 --> 00:06:57.939 before I became a Christian, 00:06:58.740 --> 00:07:02.420 is that this runs right to the core of each one of our hearts. 00:07:04.879 --> 00:07:06.520 Do you know we've got a two-year-old girl, 00:07:06.600 --> 00:07:08.100 do you know what her favorite word of the minute is? 00:07:08.740 --> 00:07:09.460 Anyone have a guess? 00:07:10.480 --> 00:07:10.860 No. 00:07:11.520 --> 00:07:11.920 No. 00:07:13.240 --> 00:07:14.140 She just loves saying no. 00:07:14.200 --> 00:07:14.860 Do you want some dinner? 00:07:14.860 --> 00:07:15.139 No. 00:07:16.420 --> 00:07:17.520 Do you want me to help you get dressed? 00:07:17.620 --> 00:07:17.900 No. 00:07:18.060 --> 00:07:18.759 Are you just saying no? 00:07:18.800 --> 00:07:19.639 It's because you like saying no. 00:07:19.740 --> 00:07:20.000 No. 00:07:20.139 --> 00:07:21.139 I should really stop doing that, 00:07:21.220 --> 00:07:21.500 shouldn't I? 00:07:22.740 --> 00:07:25.480 But when it comes to that inward defiance, 00:07:26.040 --> 00:07:28.319 that inward desire for independence, 00:07:28.780 --> 00:07:32.840 I didn't have to send her on an intensive residential course to learn how to do that. 00:07:33.879 --> 00:07:35.000 I didn't set her down, 00:07:35.120 --> 00:07:36.360 get out my whiteboard and say, 00:07:36.439 --> 00:07:38.500 this is the philosophical meaning of the word no, 00:07:38.560 --> 00:07:40.120 and this is how one would use it in a sentence. 00:07:40.199 --> 00:07:41.280 I didn't have to do that. 00:07:41.279 --> 00:07:44.059 No one taught her to do it. 00:07:44.939 --> 00:07:46.399 No one taught her how to say no. 00:07:46.839 --> 00:07:49.359 No one taught her how to be independent in one of her own way. 00:07:49.719 --> 00:07:51.759 And do you know why I know that? 00:07:52.379 --> 00:07:54.219 Because no one taught me to do it. 00:07:54.500 --> 00:07:55.839 No one taught me how to do that. 00:07:55.839 --> 00:07:59.060 That inward desire for independence, 00:07:59.379 --> 00:08:00.259 that wants my own way, 00:08:00.339 --> 00:08:01.699 that inward rebellion that says, 00:08:01.779 --> 00:08:03.519 I don't want to go God's way. 00:08:04.039 --> 00:08:06.699 And the Bible would have a word for that sense of rebellion, 00:08:07.299 --> 00:08:08.599 and it's the word sin. 00:08:09.759 --> 00:08:11.859 You think about it, sin, three letters, right? 00:08:11.919 --> 00:08:12.500 S-I-N. 00:08:13.259 --> 00:08:15.579 Sorry God, I'm in charge. 00:08:16.000 --> 00:08:16.859 No to your ways. 00:08:17.819 --> 00:08:19.500 Sorry God, I'm in charge. 00:08:20.059 --> 00:08:21.799 No to your ways. 00:08:21.800 --> 00:08:26.280 And the thing about the sin that plagues each one of us 00:08:26.280 --> 00:08:30.680 is that it has separated us from the holy God 00:08:30.680 --> 00:08:33.779 in whose image we were made to live into relationship with him. 00:08:33.860 --> 00:08:35.139 It's separated us from him. 00:08:36.379 --> 00:08:39.740 We don't deserve to be on the receiving end of God's favor. 00:08:39.740 --> 00:08:45.000 On the contrary, we deserve to be on the receiving end 00:08:45.000 --> 00:08:49.360 of God's righteous anger against our sin. 00:08:49.860 --> 00:08:52.240 Sorry, at our sin against him. 00:08:53.840 --> 00:08:55.120 And we're lost. 00:08:56.720 --> 00:08:58.200 And we're standing down the barrel 00:08:58.200 --> 00:09:01.700 of a really hopeless and tragic future 00:09:01.700 --> 00:09:04.100 without God, without Jesus. 00:09:05.480 --> 00:09:06.700 And that's bad news. 00:09:07.360 --> 00:09:08.580 That's really bad news. 00:09:08.580 --> 00:09:13.160 But friends, we need to swallow the bad news. 00:09:13.440 --> 00:09:14.400 We need to see it. 00:09:15.060 --> 00:09:18.780 If we're ever to truly savor and see the sweetness 00:09:18.780 --> 00:09:21.060 of the good news. 00:09:22.000 --> 00:09:22.700 Think about it. 00:09:22.720 --> 00:09:25.080 Have you seen that light palace thing on George Street? 00:09:25.820 --> 00:09:26.360 Have you seen that? 00:09:28.420 --> 00:09:30.480 What time of day does that come into its own? 00:09:31.900 --> 00:09:32.860 In nighttime, isn't it? 00:09:32.940 --> 00:09:33.360 In nighttime. 00:09:34.240 --> 00:09:34.640 Why? 00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:38.860 Well, it's because it's only against the backdrop of the darkness 00:09:38.860 --> 00:09:44.460 that you truly see the splendor of the light. 00:09:45.439 --> 00:09:47.199 And that's exactly what John is saying here. 00:09:47.879 --> 00:09:49.740 And John moves, you see, from saying, 00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:50.740 let me tell you about, 00:09:51.159 --> 00:09:54.100 let me tell you of the scandal of the world who said, 00:09:54.179 --> 00:09:55.000 away you go. 00:09:55.000 --> 00:09:56.639 And he goes on to say, 00:09:56.860 --> 00:10:00.740 let me tell you about the scandal of the Savior who says, 00:10:00.860 --> 00:10:01.539 believe in me. 00:10:03.259 --> 00:10:05.100 Receive him, says John. 00:10:05.200 --> 00:10:06.100 Do you see that word there? 00:10:06.480 --> 00:10:07.059 Receive him. 00:10:07.159 --> 00:10:08.179 It's an embrace him. 00:10:08.340 --> 00:10:09.240 Take the present. 00:10:09.659 --> 00:10:11.899 It's the kind of thing we talk about this year all the time, 00:10:11.940 --> 00:10:12.120 isn't it? 00:10:12.120 --> 00:10:13.419 Because we love to receive gifts. 00:10:14.120 --> 00:10:15.360 Love to receive gifts. 00:10:15.360 --> 00:10:18.379 But the thing about receiving a gift 00:10:18.379 --> 00:10:21.100 is that that gift, 00:10:21.340 --> 00:10:22.919 we've done nothing to deserve it. 00:10:23.800 --> 00:10:25.300 Otherwise, it would be called what? 00:10:26.180 --> 00:10:27.120 Earning a gift. 00:10:28.220 --> 00:10:29.000 Earning a gift. 00:10:29.600 --> 00:10:31.060 What is it we sing about Santa? 00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:33.379 He's making a list, 00:10:34.060 --> 00:10:35.300 and he's checking it twice. 00:10:35.440 --> 00:10:37.120 As somebody commented on Twitter recently, 00:10:37.259 --> 00:10:39.120 somebody should really tell Santa 00:10:39.120 --> 00:10:41.420 that he's probably in direct contravention of Article 4 00:10:41.420 --> 00:10:43.399 of the EU General Data Protection Regulations. 00:10:43.399 --> 00:10:46.980 But what is Santa doing with his list? 00:10:47.819 --> 00:10:49.799 He's checking it twice to check out what? 00:10:50.939 --> 00:10:52.879 Who's been naughty and nice. 00:10:52.959 --> 00:10:54.699 Do you see how you earn it with Santa? 00:10:55.179 --> 00:10:56.720 You really do earn it with Santa, 00:10:57.340 --> 00:11:00.039 but that's not how the God of the Bible works. 00:11:01.100 --> 00:11:03.539 He is not a cold power broker. 00:11:03.759 --> 00:11:07.720 He is a loving and a gracious self-giver. 00:11:08.600 --> 00:11:10.639 And this good news of grace, 00:11:10.819 --> 00:11:12.899 grace just means that we get something 00:11:12.899 --> 00:11:14.139 that we don't deserve. 00:11:15.220 --> 00:11:17.459 This good news of grace is available 00:11:17.459 --> 00:11:20.159 for all who would what? 00:11:20.879 --> 00:11:21.840 Believe in his name. 00:11:22.840 --> 00:11:23.659 Believe in his name. 00:11:23.879 --> 00:11:25.399 Not just believe that he existed. 00:11:26.720 --> 00:11:28.679 Not just believe that he came. 00:11:29.139 --> 00:11:30.659 But believe in and trust. 00:11:30.860 --> 00:11:32.620 Lean the whole weight of your life 00:11:32.620 --> 00:11:34.740 on who he is 00:11:34.740 --> 00:11:35.919 and what he did. 00:11:37.980 --> 00:11:39.919 Because this baby who was born in the crib, 00:11:41.480 --> 00:11:42.480 he would grow up 00:11:42.480 --> 00:11:45.320 and he would become the man on the cross. 00:11:46.759 --> 00:11:48.860 And a humble birth 00:11:48.860 --> 00:11:52.659 would culminate in a humiliating death. 00:11:52.659 --> 00:11:55.240 Not a tragic accident, 00:11:55.919 --> 00:11:59.120 but the fulfillment of the eternal divine plan 00:11:59.120 --> 00:12:00.719 of the Godhead 00:12:00.719 --> 00:12:02.240 to rescue people, 00:12:02.459 --> 00:12:03.100 save them, 00:12:03.559 --> 00:12:05.459 those people who are living in darkness. 00:12:06.279 --> 00:12:07.279 To reach out, 00:12:07.399 --> 00:12:08.679 extend forgiveness, 00:12:08.939 --> 00:12:10.620 whereas before there was condemnation. 00:12:10.980 --> 00:12:12.079 To give life, 00:12:12.259 --> 00:12:13.679 whereas before there was death. 00:12:13.860 --> 00:12:14.839 To give hope, 00:12:15.279 --> 00:12:16.879 whereas before there was despair. 00:12:16.879 --> 00:12:19.120 And so John says, 00:12:19.419 --> 00:12:19.960 come and receive, 00:12:20.120 --> 00:12:20.879 come and save her, 00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:21.879 come and believe in 00:12:21.879 --> 00:12:24.379 the child in the manger 00:12:24.379 --> 00:12:25.279 who would grow up to be 00:12:25.279 --> 00:12:26.220 the man on the cross. 00:12:26.559 --> 00:12:27.200 And John says, 00:12:27.259 --> 00:12:28.799 do you see the lengths that God went to? 00:12:29.240 --> 00:12:30.220 Do you see the lengths 00:12:30.220 --> 00:12:31.519 that God went to for us? 00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:33.320 I mean, if you think about it, 00:12:33.340 --> 00:12:35.120 he really didn't need to do that, did he? 00:12:35.659 --> 00:12:36.860 Really didn't need to do that. 00:12:36.899 --> 00:12:38.580 He could have quite justifiably 00:12:38.580 --> 00:12:41.000 passed over all of us. 00:12:41.080 --> 00:12:41.799 But he came. 00:12:42.519 --> 00:12:43.419 And he acted. 00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:44.440 Why? 00:12:44.440 --> 00:12:47.440 Well, because he loves us. 00:12:48.260 --> 00:12:48.700 Why? 00:12:49.700 --> 00:12:50.880 Well, because he loves us. 00:12:51.260 --> 00:12:51.900 But why? 00:12:53.120 --> 00:12:54.120 Because he loves us. 00:12:54.160 --> 00:12:54.920 He loves us. 00:12:55.260 --> 00:12:56.540 Because he loves us. 00:12:57.040 --> 00:12:58.000 Because he loves us. 00:12:58.240 --> 00:12:59.120 And do you see how God 00:12:59.120 --> 00:13:00.240 didn't just talk a good game? 00:13:01.900 --> 00:13:02.860 Do you see how he didn't just 00:13:02.860 --> 00:13:04.800 put on a band-aid charity concert for us? 00:13:05.620 --> 00:13:06.820 He didn't just talk a good game. 00:13:07.220 --> 00:13:08.180 He showed a good game. 00:13:09.380 --> 00:13:10.600 He showed a good game. 00:13:11.040 --> 00:13:13.560 And John says to all of us tonight, 00:13:13.559 --> 00:13:15.079 come and receive him. 00:13:15.559 --> 00:13:16.639 Come and bow the knee. 00:13:16.859 --> 00:13:18.699 Come and receive this gift of life 00:13:18.699 --> 00:13:19.539 that is on offer 00:13:19.539 --> 00:13:21.699 through Jesus Christ. 00:13:22.559 --> 00:13:23.799 Come and give your life to him. 00:13:25.119 --> 00:13:26.799 Let me tell you about the scandal 00:13:26.799 --> 00:13:28.139 of the Savior who says, 00:13:28.279 --> 00:13:28.819 believe in me. 00:13:28.919 --> 00:13:29.539 And lastly, 00:13:30.139 --> 00:13:32.039 let me tell you about the scandal 00:13:32.039 --> 00:13:33.679 of the Father who says, 00:13:33.799 --> 00:13:34.419 come on home. 00:13:35.659 --> 00:13:36.539 Come on home. 00:13:36.539 --> 00:13:39.679 Because to all who did receive him, 00:13:39.719 --> 00:13:40.379 what did he do? 00:13:41.159 --> 00:13:42.099 Get your head around this. 00:13:42.179 --> 00:13:43.120 What did this God do? 00:13:43.740 --> 00:13:45.000 He gave the right. 00:13:46.019 --> 00:13:47.699 Feel the power of that word. 00:13:47.779 --> 00:13:48.559 He gave the right. 00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:51.019 As in, he's given you the full access 00:13:51.019 --> 00:13:52.439 to the family privileges 00:13:52.439 --> 00:13:54.699 to become what? 00:13:55.259 --> 00:13:56.360 Children of God. 00:13:58.000 --> 00:13:58.919 Whereas before, 00:13:59.059 --> 00:14:00.699 we were spiritual orphans. 00:14:00.700 --> 00:14:04.360 This invitation is to receive Jesus Christ 00:14:04.360 --> 00:14:07.060 and become God's spiritual child. 00:14:07.280 --> 00:14:09.879 To be adopted into his family. 00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:11.820 To do the thing 00:14:11.820 --> 00:14:13.420 that we were designed to do 00:14:13.420 --> 00:14:14.400 in the first place. 00:14:14.560 --> 00:14:15.820 Live in joyous, 00:14:16.220 --> 00:14:17.259 harmonious relationship 00:14:17.259 --> 00:14:18.520 with the God who made us. 00:14:20.440 --> 00:14:21.980 Come and know him, says John. 00:14:22.879 --> 00:14:23.620 Come and know him. 00:14:25.160 --> 00:14:26.620 And not only is knowing him 00:14:26.620 --> 00:14:27.780 the greatest privilege 00:14:27.779 --> 00:14:30.139 that you and I could ever have. 00:14:30.899 --> 00:14:32.159 Friends, it's the very reason 00:14:32.159 --> 00:14:32.980 that you and I were made 00:14:32.980 --> 00:14:33.759 in the first place. 00:14:35.100 --> 00:14:36.220 You know, I always love watching 00:14:36.220 --> 00:14:37.339 the Narnia films 00:14:37.339 --> 00:14:39.240 as they come on the telly 00:14:39.240 --> 00:14:40.000 at Christmas time. 00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:41.039 I don't know if you enjoy watching them. 00:14:41.079 --> 00:14:41.779 They're always on, aren't they? 00:14:41.839 --> 00:14:42.779 BBC One or ITV, 00:14:42.919 --> 00:14:43.299 something like that. 00:14:43.339 --> 00:14:44.259 Other channels are available, 00:14:44.319 --> 00:14:44.659 I'm sure. 00:14:44.779 --> 00:14:46.379 But I always love watching 00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:47.199 the Narnia films 00:14:47.199 --> 00:14:48.240 because personally, 00:14:48.339 --> 00:14:49.199 I found C.S. Lewis 00:14:49.199 --> 00:14:51.620 to be one of the most brilliant thinkers 00:14:51.620 --> 00:14:53.480 and writers of modern times. 00:14:54.939 --> 00:14:56.819 And his Christian faith, C.S. Lewis, 00:14:56.820 --> 00:14:59.520 the way that C.S. Lewis viewed the world 00:14:59.520 --> 00:15:00.720 and he saw the world, 00:15:01.800 --> 00:15:03.879 the life that he had found 00:15:03.879 --> 00:15:04.700 in Jesus Christ, 00:15:04.820 --> 00:15:05.760 it always comes through 00:15:05.760 --> 00:15:06.840 in his writings, doesn't it? 00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:07.920 Always comes through 00:15:07.920 --> 00:15:08.480 in his writings. 00:15:08.820 --> 00:15:09.560 And I don't know 00:15:09.560 --> 00:15:10.900 if you've seen the last battle, 00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:12.000 but there's this scene 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:13.260 at the end of the last battle 00:15:13.260 --> 00:15:14.440 where Jewel, the unicorn, 00:15:14.540 --> 00:15:15.280 is standing there, 00:15:16.700 --> 00:15:17.860 stands ready to step 00:15:17.860 --> 00:15:19.120 into Aslan's country. 00:15:19.260 --> 00:15:19.980 And he comes out 00:15:19.980 --> 00:15:23.160 with this beautiful little saying. 00:15:23.260 --> 00:15:23.800 He says this, 00:15:23.820 --> 00:15:24.820 I've come home at last. 00:15:24.900 --> 00:15:25.580 This is what he says, 00:15:25.620 --> 00:15:26.620 I've come home at last. 00:15:27.220 --> 00:15:28.960 This is my real country. 00:15:29.160 --> 00:15:30.640 This is where I belong. 00:15:31.540 --> 00:15:32.720 This is the land 00:15:32.720 --> 00:15:33.820 that I've been looking for 00:15:33.820 --> 00:15:34.800 all my life, 00:15:35.440 --> 00:15:36.740 though I did not know it 00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:37.820 until now. 00:15:39.300 --> 00:15:40.300 And what C.S. Lewis 00:15:40.300 --> 00:15:40.960 is saying 00:15:40.960 --> 00:15:41.840 through his character, 00:15:42.020 --> 00:15:42.320 unicorn, 00:15:42.580 --> 00:15:43.800 is the same thing 00:15:43.800 --> 00:15:45.160 that John is saying 00:15:45.160 --> 00:15:45.980 in his gospel. 00:15:46.340 --> 00:15:47.580 And it's the same thing 00:15:47.580 --> 00:15:48.120 that we'll hear 00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:49.080 somebody up here 00:15:49.080 --> 00:15:49.640 in just a minute 00:15:49.640 --> 00:15:51.080 tell us about their life 00:15:51.080 --> 00:15:52.000 is true in their life 00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:53.040 in just a few moments. 00:15:53.039 --> 00:15:55.139 that to know God 00:15:55.139 --> 00:15:57.699 through faith in Jesus Christ 00:15:57.699 --> 00:16:00.139 is to come home. 00:16:01.939 --> 00:16:02.839 That's the scandal 00:16:02.839 --> 00:16:04.000 that's the heart of Christmas. 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:07.039 The scandal of the God 00:16:07.039 --> 00:16:07.399 who said, 00:16:07.599 --> 00:16:08.079 here I am. 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:10.860 The scandal of a world 00:16:10.860 --> 00:16:11.419 that says, 00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:12.199 away you go. 00:16:12.980 --> 00:16:15.059 The scandal of the Savior 00:16:15.059 --> 00:16:15.620 who says, 00:16:15.719 --> 00:16:16.539 believe in me. 00:16:16.539 --> 00:16:18.500 and the scandal 00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:19.579 of the Father 00:16:19.579 --> 00:16:20.399 who says, 00:16:21.159 --> 00:16:21.839 come on home. 00:16:23.980 --> 00:16:25.879 And we started our service. 00:16:26.019 --> 00:16:26.740 The second song 00:16:26.740 --> 00:16:28.019 was O Little Town of Bethlehem, 00:16:28.059 --> 00:16:29.659 one of my favorite carols. 00:16:30.679 --> 00:16:33.000 And it's got this chorus 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:33.259 in it. 00:16:33.259 --> 00:16:34.319 I'm sure you picked it up 00:16:34.319 --> 00:16:37.159 as we sang it together earlier. 00:16:37.360 --> 00:16:38.839 And let me just read to you 00:16:38.839 --> 00:16:39.399 these lines 00:16:39.399 --> 00:16:40.459 that capture 00:16:40.459 --> 00:16:41.839 the essence 00:16:41.839 --> 00:16:42.719 of what we've been 00:16:42.719 --> 00:16:44.099 thinking about tonight. 00:16:44.100 --> 00:16:46.440 and maybe just 00:16:46.440 --> 00:16:46.920 mull on them 00:16:46.920 --> 00:16:47.600 in your head. 00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:49.840 How silently, 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:50.779 how silently 00:16:50.779 --> 00:16:52.440 the wondrous gift 00:16:52.440 --> 00:16:54.019 is given. 00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:57.019 So God imparts 00:16:57.019 --> 00:16:58.139 to human hearts 00:16:58.139 --> 00:17:00.139 the blessings 00:17:00.139 --> 00:17:02.300 of his heaven. 00:17:03.639 --> 00:17:04.920 No ear may hear 00:17:04.920 --> 00:17:05.559 his coming, 00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:07.900 but in this world 00:17:07.900 --> 00:17:08.480 of sin, 00:17:09.960 --> 00:17:10.920 where meek 00:17:10.920 --> 00:17:12.400 souls 00:17:12.400 --> 00:17:14.380 will receive him still, 00:17:15.780 --> 00:17:16.980 the dear Christ 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:18.019 enters in. 00:17:19.180 --> 00:17:20.380 That's the invitation 00:17:20.380 --> 00:17:20.880 tonight. 00:17:21.440 --> 00:17:23.140 To come to this God 00:17:23.140 --> 00:17:24.860 and through faith 00:17:24.860 --> 00:17:25.580 and trust 00:17:25.580 --> 00:17:26.680 in his Son 00:17:26.680 --> 00:17:27.360 Jesus Christ 00:17:27.360 --> 00:17:27.680 and everything 00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:28.759 that he's done for us, 00:17:29.300 --> 00:17:30.840 have life 00:17:30.840 --> 00:17:31.320 in his name. 00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:32.920 What a God. 00:17:33.600 --> 00:17:34.200 What a God. 00:17:34.300 --> 00:17:34.560 Folks, 00:17:35.080 --> 00:17:36.240 I love Christmas time. 00:17:36.640 --> 00:17:36.880 Do you know why 00:17:36.880 --> 00:17:37.680 I love Christmas time? 00:17:38.080 --> 00:17:38.900 Not because of the turkey, 00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:39.700 not because of the 00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:40.360 Brussels sprouts, 00:17:40.720 --> 00:17:41.140 not because of the 00:17:41.140 --> 00:17:41.980 Queen's Speech and Telly. 00:17:41.980 --> 00:17:42.319 Do you know why 00:17:42.319 --> 00:17:42.839 I love Christmas? 00:17:43.079 --> 00:17:43.740 Because of this. 00:17:44.400 --> 00:17:45.079 This is awesome. 00:17:45.860 --> 00:17:47.400 Life in his name. 00:17:47.599 --> 00:17:47.900 Come, 00:17:48.220 --> 00:17:49.200 if you want to tonight, 00:17:49.299 --> 00:17:50.220 come and let's chat it out 00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:51.180 what this means tonight. 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:51.860 Because there's been some 00:17:51.860 --> 00:17:53.380 big scandals at the heart 00:17:53.380 --> 00:17:53.720 of Christmas, 00:17:53.860 --> 00:17:54.079 isn't there? 00:17:54.140 --> 00:17:54.819 Let's come and chat 00:17:54.819 --> 00:17:55.480 this out tonight. 00:17:55.839 --> 00:17:56.720 May tonight be the night 00:17:56.720 --> 00:17:57.620 where you put your faith 00:17:57.620 --> 00:17:58.180 and your trust 00:17:58.180 --> 00:17:58.819 in the Saviour, 00:17:58.900 --> 00:17:59.599 Jesus Christ. 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:01.700 So I'm going to pray 00:18:01.700 --> 00:18:04.480 and just before I pray 00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:06.080 and then we're going to 00:18:06.080 --> 00:18:07.580 move on in our service. 00:18:07.660 --> 00:18:08.400 Let's just be still 00:18:08.400 --> 00:18:10.460 for just a few moments 00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:11.460 and let's just contemplate 00:18:11.460 --> 00:18:12.160 everything that we've been 00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:13.000 thinking about tonight. 00:18:19.160 --> 00:18:19.720 Dear God, 00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:21.220 what an amazing God you are. 00:18:21.220 --> 00:18:25.980 that despite of who we are, 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:28.600 you sent Jesus 00:18:28.600 --> 00:18:30.759 to seek us 00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:33.420 and to save us 00:18:33.420 --> 00:18:36.380 and to bring us back to you. 00:18:36.380 --> 00:18:39.080 Dearest Heavenly Father, 00:18:39.160 --> 00:18:40.760 we ask that in all the fun 00:18:40.760 --> 00:18:41.640 of Christmas time 00:18:41.640 --> 00:18:43.160 and all the great things 00:18:43.160 --> 00:18:44.120 that we get to do 00:18:44.120 --> 00:18:45.060 and share in, 00:18:45.780 --> 00:18:46.740 that you would help us 00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:49.140 to delight most of all 00:18:49.140 --> 00:18:51.240 in the glorious truth 00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:53.380 of the child Jesus Christ 00:18:53.380 --> 00:18:54.340 who you sent in the manger. 00:18:55.140 --> 00:18:55.440 Father, 00:18:55.580 --> 00:18:56.820 thank you that you hear us 00:18:56.820 --> 00:18:58.600 because we pray in his 00:18:58.600 --> 00:19:00.380 worthy and precious name. 00:19:01.020 --> 00:19:01.360 Amen.