WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:27.280 Hebrews chapter 2. Hebrews chapter 2. It's on page 1002. Verse 16. I suppose it's our text. It's about this morning. I've got no points. I don't think I've got any points this morning or any points this evening. I think that's the first time it's ever happened. But I'm hoping that it'll be pretty easy to follow. Hebrews 2 verse 16. 00:00:27.280 --> 00:00:41.020 Well surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of David. It's not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of David. 00:00:41.020 --> 00:00:53.420 When I was first thinking of going into Christian ministry, my minister at the time had a guy called Andrew Bowden. He's a great character. He used to take me on visits with him. He used to visit people in the congregation, particularly the older people. 00:00:54.020 --> 00:01:03.680 And we used to go and visit a man called John Lawley Thomas. Some of you might know him. He used to be at Westminster, Chapel, years ago. His wife was a ballerina. 00:01:03.679 --> 00:01:22.859 So he was a real character. And we would go there. He had a little cottage in the middle of nowhere. He'd have an open fire, a stove with a kettle on the top. And there was tea stirring continuously on the top of that stove for days on end. 00:01:22.859 --> 00:01:33.099 And I went in. As he went in, he said, as you go in and you drink the tea, he said, remember that verse from Mark 16, they will pick up snakes and drink deadly poison. And it went hard now. 00:01:34.000 --> 00:01:44.039 Anyway, I went in for the first time. There's cats absolutely everywhere. His wife would pour out this foul liquid, which had been stirring for days, pour it into the cup, and she'd hand it to me. 00:01:44.040 --> 00:01:59.500 And she would say, catch hold, Levy, catch hold. And my revulsion for that cup of tea, I suppose, was nothing compared to the revulsion of God towards my sin. 00:02:00.520 --> 00:02:08.500 And yet he catches hold. Catch hold, Levy, catch hold. And in verse 16, that is literally what the verse should read. 00:02:08.500 --> 00:02:14.439 For surely it is not angels that he catches hold of. But he catches hold of the offspring, Abraham. 00:02:16.840 --> 00:02:21.599 Abraham, the father of all those who believe. And what this text is saying to us is that this. 00:02:22.240 --> 00:02:29.639 God has actually caught hold of us in the Lord Jesus. It's a very, very strong word. 00:02:30.360 --> 00:02:33.560 And the whole message of Christmas is really captured in that word. 00:02:33.560 --> 00:02:41.219 God is not an arm's length God. He's actually caught hold of us in Jesus Christ. 00:02:41.599 --> 00:02:46.640 He's laid hold of our humanity to rescue us. Now just think about that for a moment. 00:02:47.520 --> 00:02:50.379 Think about that for the next few days. In fact, think about it for the rest of your life. 00:02:51.740 --> 00:02:56.159 What would it be like for God to actually grab hold of me? 00:02:57.180 --> 00:02:58.980 What would that be like? How do you feel about that this morning? 00:02:58.979 --> 00:03:03.159 Most people prefer, don't they, God at arm's length. 00:03:03.919 --> 00:03:06.219 You know that little poem that gets trotted out by preachers. 00:03:06.599 --> 00:03:10.099 When I was going up the stairs, I met a man who wasn't there. 00:03:10.399 --> 00:03:14.139 He wasn't there again today. Oh, how I wish he'd go away. 00:03:14.899 --> 00:03:18.419 And that sums up, doesn't it, what most people feel about God. 00:03:18.620 --> 00:03:23.620 Half the time they want him to be there, but the other half they wish he'd go away. 00:03:23.620 --> 00:03:28.420 The French philosopher John Paul Sartre and the atheists said this, 00:03:28.520 --> 00:03:31.740 That God does not exist, I cannot deny. 00:03:32.759 --> 00:03:36.480 But that my whole being cries out for him, I cannot forget. 00:03:37.719 --> 00:03:40.080 Oh, how I wish he'd go away. 00:03:41.280 --> 00:03:43.620 Most people are ambivalent, aren't they, about God. 00:03:43.680 --> 00:03:47.080 Most people in the UK, they believe in God, it's still about 80%, isn't it? 00:03:47.540 --> 00:03:49.200 But they want him to be at arm's length. 00:03:50.120 --> 00:03:51.400 And to stay at arm's length. 00:03:51.400 --> 00:03:57.200 But Christmas means God gets up close and personal with you. 00:03:58.060 --> 00:03:59.580 He gets up close and personal. 00:03:59.659 --> 00:04:00.520 Now how do you feel about that? 00:04:01.500 --> 00:04:06.500 He wants to actually, not just to draw near, but actually to grab hold of you. 00:04:07.219 --> 00:04:07.960 To lay hold of you. 00:04:09.200 --> 00:04:10.219 Literally, that is what it is. 00:04:10.560 --> 00:04:12.879 It is not angels that he lays hold of. 00:04:13.340 --> 00:04:15.240 I don't know how you would lay hold of an angel. 00:04:16.019 --> 00:04:17.639 How you'd grab them, I don't know. 00:04:18.540 --> 00:04:21.019 But it's the offspring of Abraham which lays hold. 00:04:21.939 --> 00:04:24.259 The ESV says help, it's weak. 00:04:25.359 --> 00:04:29.239 The Holman's translation which I sometimes use says, he's reaching out to help. 00:04:30.120 --> 00:04:31.179 He's reaching out to help. 00:04:31.379 --> 00:04:34.219 It's not angels that he reaches out to help, it's human beings. 00:04:35.279 --> 00:04:36.399 It's the descendants of Abraham. 00:04:36.539 --> 00:04:39.879 It is the spiritual descendants of Abraham that he reaches out to help. 00:04:40.139 --> 00:04:41.099 It's a weak translation. 00:04:41.100 --> 00:04:44.260 So compare verse 16 with verse 18. 00:04:44.259 --> 00:04:48.659 And you'll find that there's the two words help there. 00:04:48.800 --> 00:04:49.959 But they're two different words. 00:04:50.500 --> 00:04:52.599 The translators have chosen to translate them differently. 00:04:52.600 --> 00:04:57.780 In verse 18, the word help is a lending hand. 00:04:58.820 --> 00:05:00.740 He is a merciful high priest who has suffered. 00:05:01.180 --> 00:05:03.420 He's been tempted and he is able to help. 00:05:04.040 --> 00:05:06.260 He's able to lend you a helping hand. 00:05:06.360 --> 00:05:07.320 He's able to hold your hand. 00:05:07.319 --> 00:05:10.219 But in verse 16, the word there is different. 00:05:11.639 --> 00:05:12.399 It's stronger. 00:05:13.579 --> 00:05:14.500 Let me illustrate this. 00:05:15.180 --> 00:05:16.139 If you're a cat lover. 00:05:17.199 --> 00:05:18.540 I don't like cats very much. 00:05:19.319 --> 00:05:20.959 But there's a difference, isn't there, between cats and dogs. 00:05:21.040 --> 00:05:21.719 There's many differences. 00:05:21.879 --> 00:05:23.519 One is, you can command a dog. 00:05:24.060 --> 00:05:24.860 Say to a dog, sit. 00:05:25.519 --> 00:05:26.259 And it sits. 00:05:27.000 --> 00:05:28.680 Say to a dog, get out. 00:05:29.139 --> 00:05:30.039 And it gets out. 00:05:30.680 --> 00:05:32.420 But you cannot command a cat. 00:05:33.460 --> 00:05:34.500 You've never tried that. 00:05:35.400 --> 00:05:36.800 If you say to a cat, sit. 00:05:37.300 --> 00:05:37.860 It doesn't listen. 00:05:38.700 --> 00:05:40.260 Cats have got a mind of their own, don't they? 00:05:40.920 --> 00:05:42.540 When you want a cat to do something. 00:05:42.620 --> 00:05:43.620 You say, get out, cat. 00:05:43.680 --> 00:05:44.040 What does it do? 00:05:44.080 --> 00:05:44.900 It just stares back at you. 00:05:45.500 --> 00:05:47.200 You can't just say to a cat, go home. 00:05:47.820 --> 00:05:48.340 It won't. 00:05:48.700 --> 00:05:49.320 It doesn't work. 00:05:49.460 --> 00:05:50.140 What have you got to do? 00:05:51.020 --> 00:05:52.120 Well, I hate doing it. 00:05:52.180 --> 00:05:52.780 I don't do it. 00:05:52.780 --> 00:05:55.000 You've got to physically manhandle the cat. 00:05:55.120 --> 00:05:55.840 You know how it is. 00:05:55.960 --> 00:05:57.000 They grab hold. 00:05:57.320 --> 00:05:59.140 And you physically manhandle the cat. 00:05:59.139 --> 00:06:00.560 You gather it up into your arms. 00:06:00.939 --> 00:06:01.639 You grab hold. 00:06:01.680 --> 00:06:02.279 You open the door. 00:06:02.339 --> 00:06:03.919 You throw it out the door like that. 00:06:04.919 --> 00:06:06.240 That's the only way, isn't it? 00:06:07.159 --> 00:06:09.500 It's the only way you can do to get the cat out of the house. 00:06:09.860 --> 00:06:11.180 Now that is the word in verse 16. 00:06:12.039 --> 00:06:13.360 It's a very, very strong word. 00:06:14.279 --> 00:06:15.579 It's what Jesus has done for us. 00:06:16.500 --> 00:06:18.360 He's laid hold on us in that kind of way. 00:06:18.439 --> 00:06:19.560 It's like manhandling. 00:06:20.839 --> 00:06:22.979 It's not actually giving us some help from a distance. 00:06:23.279 --> 00:06:24.459 It's not even a helping hand. 00:06:24.579 --> 00:06:25.579 As good as that is, 00:06:25.819 --> 00:06:27.319 He's actually come to grab hold of you. 00:06:27.379 --> 00:06:28.139 To gather you up. 00:06:29.139 --> 00:06:32.379 Whether we like it or not, 00:06:33.099 --> 00:06:34.139 He's come to grab hold of you. 00:06:35.159 --> 00:06:37.180 And to deliver you into a new realm altogether. 00:06:37.360 --> 00:06:38.180 That is what He's come to do. 00:06:38.240 --> 00:06:39.139 That is the meaning of the word. 00:06:39.279 --> 00:06:40.139 It's a very strong word. 00:06:40.240 --> 00:06:41.300 Now let's look at how He does that. 00:06:42.099 --> 00:06:43.560 And it's beautiful in the context. 00:06:44.219 --> 00:06:45.199 He does it in verse 11. 00:06:45.300 --> 00:06:46.120 That's our older brother. 00:06:48.819 --> 00:06:49.680 Verse 11 says this. 00:06:49.680 --> 00:06:50.479 For he who sanctifies, 00:06:50.579 --> 00:06:51.459 For he who sets apart, 00:06:51.800 --> 00:06:53.120 And those who are sanctified, 00:06:53.240 --> 00:06:54.300 All have one source. 00:06:54.300 --> 00:06:57.360 That is why He is not ashamed to call them brothers. 00:06:58.280 --> 00:06:59.520 It's one of the themes in the Bible. 00:06:59.620 --> 00:07:01.740 It's a big theme in the Bible that we don't often look at. 00:07:02.800 --> 00:07:04.480 That Jesus is our older brother. 00:07:05.920 --> 00:07:07.400 I have two older brothers. 00:07:07.759 --> 00:07:09.340 I have one brother who is 8 years older than me, 00:07:09.400 --> 00:07:10.660 And another one who is 12 years older than me. 00:07:11.640 --> 00:07:14.960 I don't know if you've ever thought of the Lord Jesus as an older brother. 00:07:16.500 --> 00:07:17.600 And there was a film, wasn't it? 00:07:17.780 --> 00:07:19.200 A River Runs Through It. 00:07:19.300 --> 00:07:21.080 I watched it on one of those long haul flights. 00:07:22.120 --> 00:07:22.820 It's about two brothers, 00:07:22.940 --> 00:07:24.840 Two sons of the Presbyterian man. 00:07:25.940 --> 00:07:27.560 And their father was a minister in Montana. 00:07:28.320 --> 00:07:30.540 But it's a sad film in lots of ways. 00:07:31.420 --> 00:07:33.120 Two brothers growing up in the Montana country. 00:07:33.240 --> 00:07:34.300 So it goes on forever. 00:07:34.580 --> 00:07:35.800 It's one of those slow films. 00:07:36.620 --> 00:07:37.580 And the older one 00:07:37.579 --> 00:07:41.079 Is a kind of hard working, studious kind of guy. 00:07:42.159 --> 00:07:43.159 He's got a good job. 00:07:43.639 --> 00:07:45.500 He becomes a respected man in the community. 00:07:46.620 --> 00:07:49.000 But his tear away younger brother was great fun. 00:07:49.899 --> 00:07:51.360 And he's always getting himself into trouble. 00:07:52.360 --> 00:07:53.579 Always getting into scraps. 00:07:53.699 --> 00:07:55.959 Always pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable. 00:07:56.839 --> 00:07:58.979 And the younger brother ends up associating with people 00:07:58.979 --> 00:08:00.979 Who lead him deeper and deeper into trouble. 00:08:01.839 --> 00:08:04.159 And he was finally killed in a pub brawl. 00:08:05.360 --> 00:08:06.979 And his older brother couldn't help him. 00:08:07.579 --> 00:08:09.279 They grow far apart. 00:08:10.500 --> 00:08:12.800 It is a moving story. 00:08:14.139 --> 00:08:15.979 And yet what is tragic about it 00:08:15.979 --> 00:08:17.359 Is this. 00:08:17.419 --> 00:08:18.519 That the older brother 00:08:18.519 --> 00:08:20.819 Saw what was happening to his young brother. 00:08:20.939 --> 00:08:21.519 He saw it. 00:08:22.579 --> 00:08:24.620 He could see what was happening in his brother's life. 00:08:24.899 --> 00:08:26.879 He could sense the direction that he was going in. 00:08:26.939 --> 00:08:28.240 But there was nothing he could do about it. 00:08:28.519 --> 00:08:30.339 And the story of the film is that he tried and tried. 00:08:31.560 --> 00:08:33.079 The whole film is about this. 00:08:33.120 --> 00:08:34.139 But he couldn't reach out. 00:08:35.199 --> 00:08:36.039 He couldn't reach him. 00:08:36.039 --> 00:08:39.259 He couldn't come to where he was and rescue him. 00:08:39.599 --> 00:08:41.360 But what this verse is telling us. 00:08:42.059 --> 00:08:43.719 Is that Jesus has come to where we are. 00:08:44.699 --> 00:08:48.579 That our life has been made a misery by the bully. 00:08:49.599 --> 00:08:52.819 And he comes right to where we are in order to rescue us. 00:08:52.820 --> 00:08:55.420 Not in a patronising way. 00:08:55.740 --> 00:08:57.920 My brothers occasionally can be very patronising. 00:08:58.780 --> 00:09:01.540 And you can become, can't you, a little bit resentful of the older brother. 00:09:01.820 --> 00:09:03.260 Because he's always done the right thing. 00:09:04.560 --> 00:09:07.040 And it's like the story of the two brothers that Jesus tells us. 00:09:07.100 --> 00:09:09.640 The stay-at-home son who always does the right thing. 00:09:09.660 --> 00:09:10.920 And the other one who ruins his life. 00:09:11.860 --> 00:09:13.020 It's that sort of story. 00:09:13.420 --> 00:09:14.900 And we're told there in verse 11 00:09:14.899 --> 00:09:17.439 That Jesus is not ashamed to call us brothers. 00:09:18.939 --> 00:09:21.840 Our older brother is not a standoffish kind of man. 00:09:22.759 --> 00:09:26.740 Our older brother is coming to the playground as it was to rescue us from the bully. 00:09:27.159 --> 00:09:30.459 And he lays hold of us in our sin and in our misery. 00:09:31.199 --> 00:09:32.319 But how does he rescue us? 00:09:33.399 --> 00:09:33.939 We're going to sing. 00:09:35.399 --> 00:09:36.379 To close our service. 00:09:36.480 --> 00:09:38.679 Who is he on yonder storm? 00:09:39.139 --> 00:09:40.100 There's ten verses. 00:09:41.059 --> 00:09:42.500 Thankfully we're only singing five of them. 00:09:42.500 --> 00:09:44.700 But it's a wonderful, wonderful carol. 00:09:45.240 --> 00:09:47.740 But I love the way that that carol connects 00:09:47.740 --> 00:09:50.960 The story of the cradle to the cross. 00:09:52.159 --> 00:09:54.940 That it takes us right the way throughout the life of Jesus. 00:09:55.919 --> 00:09:57.399 That our older brother has come. 00:09:57.460 --> 00:09:59.480 He has entered the womb of the Virgin Mary. 00:09:59.840 --> 00:10:01.899 He has become flesh and blood. 00:10:02.440 --> 00:10:05.379 He's become flesh and blood in order to bleed and die. 00:10:06.659 --> 00:10:08.460 And that is why he became flesh and blood. 00:10:09.320 --> 00:10:12.419 So this Christmas, do not coo over the little baby and say, 00:10:12.500 --> 00:10:13.159 Isn't he lovely? 00:10:13.799 --> 00:10:19.960 The reason he became a little baby was so that he could go to a cross and die for us. 00:10:21.539 --> 00:10:23.940 You see how Hebrews 2 connects Christmas through to Easter. 00:10:24.080 --> 00:10:24.879 Look at verse 14. 00:10:25.379 --> 00:10:27.440 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, 00:10:28.639 --> 00:10:31.360 He himself likewise partake of the same thing as incarnation. 00:10:32.039 --> 00:10:32.299 Christmas. 00:10:33.299 --> 00:10:35.980 That through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death. 00:10:35.980 --> 00:10:36.659 That is the devil. 00:10:37.340 --> 00:10:37.620 Easter. 00:10:37.620 --> 00:10:47.039 The big brother has come to beat the bully who has made the misery of our life as human beings. 00:10:47.159 --> 00:10:47.980 So how is he going to do that? 00:10:48.039 --> 00:10:48.740 Look at verse 17. 00:10:49.940 --> 00:10:50.759 Just by his death. 00:10:52.179 --> 00:10:54.460 Therefore he has to be made like his brothers in every respect. 00:10:54.600 --> 00:10:55.360 There is the big brother. 00:10:55.460 --> 00:10:58.000 He took our human condition in its lowest age. 00:10:58.080 --> 00:10:59.919 He came into this broken, fallen world. 00:11:00.279 --> 00:11:02.980 He has to be made like us, but without sin. 00:11:02.980 --> 00:11:11.340 So that in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God. 00:11:12.340 --> 00:11:15.779 To make propitiation the sins of the people. 00:11:16.279 --> 00:11:17.960 Christmas, therefore Easter. 00:11:19.019 --> 00:11:22.180 He came in order to become a priest. 00:11:23.399 --> 00:11:24.820 To become the sacrifice. 00:11:26.000 --> 00:11:27.080 He is the temple of the Lord. 00:11:27.080 --> 00:11:29.560 By the eternal spirit. 00:11:29.700 --> 00:11:31.160 He offered himself to God. 00:11:31.240 --> 00:11:32.940 We are told in chapter 9 verse 14. 00:11:34.160 --> 00:11:35.320 He is the priest. 00:11:35.860 --> 00:11:36.840 And the sacrifice. 00:11:37.379 --> 00:11:39.700 And he comes and he offers himself to God. 00:11:40.620 --> 00:11:41.740 For our sins. 00:11:41.840 --> 00:11:43.259 As an atonement for sins. 00:11:43.620 --> 00:11:44.480 That we might what? 00:11:46.180 --> 00:11:48.620 That we might come freely into the presence of God. 00:11:49.980 --> 00:11:52.379 So that we might meet with God in his temple. 00:11:53.920 --> 00:11:55.160 One writer said this. 00:11:55.159 --> 00:11:59.459 The road from Bethlehem leads to Golgotha. 00:12:00.159 --> 00:12:03.559 The crib and the cross were kept from the same wood. 00:12:03.939 --> 00:12:04.699 Just think about that. 00:12:05.899 --> 00:12:07.399 Meditate on that this Christmas. 00:12:08.419 --> 00:12:09.399 Here's a little poem. 00:12:09.839 --> 00:12:10.759 God in a manger. 00:12:11.639 --> 00:12:13.319 Defenseless and fleshed. 00:12:13.740 --> 00:12:15.799 Emmanuel crying and fighting for breath. 00:12:16.639 --> 00:12:18.779 God in a manger wriggling and roar. 00:12:19.360 --> 00:12:20.279 Laid out on the wood. 00:12:20.959 --> 00:12:22.319 Enthroned on the straw. 00:12:23.299 --> 00:12:24.299 God at Golgotha. 00:12:24.299 --> 00:12:25.799 Peter pierced in his flesh. 00:12:26.199 --> 00:12:28.259 Emmanuel crying and fighting for breath. 00:12:29.139 --> 00:12:31.259 God of Golgotha forsaken and lost. 00:12:31.779 --> 00:12:32.819 Stretched out on the wood. 00:12:34.120 --> 00:12:35.079 Enthroned on the cross. 00:12:36.359 --> 00:12:37.599 Taking flesh. 00:12:38.639 --> 00:12:39.439 To bleed and die. 00:12:41.199 --> 00:12:42.299 Now why does he have to do that? 00:12:43.819 --> 00:12:44.779 Why does he have to do that? 00:12:45.059 --> 00:12:46.539 Well because of what we're told in these verses. 00:12:46.659 --> 00:12:48.399 There is a bully and he's made our life of misery. 00:12:48.579 --> 00:12:48.759 Isn't he? 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:51.279 Do you remember a few years ago. 00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:55.019 There was that 10 year old girl. 00:12:55.100 --> 00:12:56.439 Walking along the street in Vienna. 00:12:56.580 --> 00:12:57.299 Who was snatched. 00:12:58.000 --> 00:12:59.980 From a street in the suburb of Vienna. 00:13:00.100 --> 00:13:01.600 Natalie can push her. 00:13:01.700 --> 00:13:02.500 I think something like that. 00:13:03.200 --> 00:13:04.200 For 8 years. 00:13:04.879 --> 00:13:05.659 She was kept. 00:13:05.720 --> 00:13:06.159 Wasn't she? 00:13:06.700 --> 00:13:07.179 Beneath. 00:13:07.600 --> 00:13:08.539 A man's house. 00:13:09.240 --> 00:13:10.720 Behind a steel door. 00:13:11.379 --> 00:13:12.580 In a windowless cell. 00:13:12.580 --> 00:13:14.420 Mercifully. 00:13:14.620 --> 00:13:15.259 A few years later. 00:13:15.379 --> 00:13:17.100 She seems to have the opportunity to escape. 00:13:17.180 --> 00:13:17.700 Do you remember that? 00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:19.060 Just imagine it. 00:13:20.040 --> 00:13:21.280 A 10 year old girl. 00:13:21.420 --> 00:13:22.379 Snatched off the street. 00:13:22.900 --> 00:13:23.300 Kidnapped. 00:13:23.420 --> 00:13:25.600 Locked in a windowless cell. 00:13:25.700 --> 00:13:26.600 Behind a closed door. 00:13:27.020 --> 00:13:27.540 A steel door. 00:13:27.759 --> 00:13:28.820 That is the human condition. 00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:31.900 And that is why the big brother has come. 00:13:33.540 --> 00:13:34.720 Because that is what has happened to us. 00:13:34.780 --> 00:13:35.500 Let me verse 14. 00:13:36.940 --> 00:13:38.900 Since therefore the children are sharing flesh and blood. 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:40.020 He himself likewise. 00:13:40.019 --> 00:13:43.340 He himself likewise. 00:13:43.679 --> 00:13:44.939 Partook of the same things. 00:13:45.039 --> 00:13:45.600 That through death. 00:13:45.659 --> 00:13:47.600 He might destroy the one who has the power of death. 00:13:47.659 --> 00:13:48.240 That is the devil. 00:13:48.600 --> 00:13:50.620 And deliver all those who through fear of death. 00:13:50.699 --> 00:13:52.039 Were subject to lifelong slavery. 00:13:53.939 --> 00:13:55.179 That is the human condition. 00:13:56.620 --> 00:13:58.840 That is why big brother Jesus. 00:13:59.000 --> 00:14:00.240 Needed to come and rescue us. 00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:01.179 We are enslaved. 00:14:01.299 --> 00:14:03.000 We have been kidnapped by Satan. 00:14:04.439 --> 00:14:05.600 He has a hold over us. 00:14:06.699 --> 00:14:07.840 And his hold over us. 00:14:07.840 --> 00:14:09.319 Well Satan has what? 00:14:09.320 --> 00:14:10.180 The power of death. 00:14:11.680 --> 00:14:13.800 And he holds us in slavery. 00:14:14.540 --> 00:14:15.879 All our lifetimes. 00:14:16.120 --> 00:14:17.120 To the fear of death. 00:14:18.260 --> 00:14:19.700 It is Satan's trump card. 00:14:19.840 --> 00:14:20.600 The fear of death. 00:14:22.740 --> 00:14:23.760 Tolstoy wrote this. 00:14:23.900 --> 00:14:24.540 In his confessions. 00:14:25.800 --> 00:14:26.440 He said. 00:14:26.520 --> 00:14:28.480 Something strange began to happen to me. 00:14:28.840 --> 00:14:29.879 At the age of 50. 00:14:30.760 --> 00:14:31.879 I had a wife who loved me. 00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:32.760 And whom I loved. 00:14:33.500 --> 00:14:34.780 I had a large estate. 00:14:35.240 --> 00:14:37.040 Without much effort on my part. 00:14:37.039 --> 00:14:37.919 Which increased. 00:14:38.719 --> 00:14:39.980 My name was respected. 00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:41.439 I enjoyed physical strength. 00:14:41.559 --> 00:14:42.459 And yet I could not live. 00:14:42.519 --> 00:14:43.659 Because I was afraid to die. 00:14:44.759 --> 00:14:46.019 The question which brought me. 00:14:46.059 --> 00:14:47.179 To the verge of suicide. 00:14:47.559 --> 00:14:48.379 Sought an answer. 00:14:48.759 --> 00:14:50.079 Without which one cannot live. 00:14:50.860 --> 00:14:52.219 Is there any meaning in my life. 00:14:52.279 --> 00:14:53.379 That my inevitable death. 00:14:53.459 --> 00:14:54.240 Does not destroy. 00:14:54.659 --> 00:14:55.719 Today or tomorrow. 00:14:55.839 --> 00:14:56.959 Death will come to those. 00:14:56.960 --> 00:14:57.400 I love. 00:14:57.440 --> 00:14:58.220 And then to me. 00:14:59.200 --> 00:15:00.220 Soon will not only. 00:15:00.340 --> 00:15:01.340 I not exist. 00:15:01.780 --> 00:15:02.379 But eventually. 00:15:02.379 --> 00:15:03.480 No one will exist. 00:15:03.879 --> 00:15:04.440 Who will remember. 00:15:04.560 --> 00:15:05.360 Anything I've written. 00:15:05.500 --> 00:15:05.960 Or done. 00:15:06.420 --> 00:15:07.000 Why then. 00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:08.139 Go on with the effort. 00:15:08.259 --> 00:15:09.519 What is it all for. 00:15:09.879 --> 00:15:11.120 Where does it all lead to. 00:15:11.200 --> 00:15:12.480 What difference does it make. 00:15:12.560 --> 00:15:13.540 Whether I do this thing. 00:15:13.580 --> 00:15:14.139 Or that thing. 00:15:14.180 --> 00:15:15.019 Or nothing at all. 00:15:15.300 --> 00:15:15.960 So he says. 00:15:16.280 --> 00:15:17.700 I could give no rational meaning. 00:15:17.700 --> 00:15:18.920 To any single action. 00:15:19.220 --> 00:15:20.740 Or even to my whole life. 00:15:21.080 --> 00:15:22.379 But what was so surprising. 00:15:23.019 --> 00:15:24.360 Was how can we fail. 00:15:24.440 --> 00:15:25.100 To see this. 00:15:25.100 --> 00:15:27.519 For a time it's possible. 00:15:27.580 --> 00:15:28.980 To live intoxicated with life. 00:15:29.180 --> 00:15:30.519 But as soon as one is sober. 00:15:30.920 --> 00:15:32.379 It is impossible not to see. 00:15:32.460 --> 00:15:34.100 That life in the face of death. 00:15:34.200 --> 00:15:35.100 Is a fraud. 00:15:35.420 --> 00:15:36.779 And a stupid fraud. 00:15:37.580 --> 00:15:38.920 How often I've been told. 00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:39.879 You cannot understand. 00:15:40.040 --> 00:15:40.820 The meaning of life. 00:15:41.120 --> 00:15:42.139 So don't think about it. 00:15:42.200 --> 00:15:43.120 Just live. 00:15:43.560 --> 00:15:45.040 I can no longer do that. 00:15:47.040 --> 00:15:48.500 And that is the start reality. 00:15:50.100 --> 00:15:51.300 That is universal. 00:15:52.480 --> 00:15:53.460 What's the point of it all? 00:15:53.460 --> 00:15:55.560 Is we live. 00:15:56.120 --> 00:15:56.840 For a moment. 00:15:57.139 --> 00:15:58.040 And then we die. 00:15:58.100 --> 00:15:58.960 And there's nothing else. 00:16:00.180 --> 00:16:01.000 Or worse than that. 00:16:01.060 --> 00:16:01.700 Worse than that. 00:16:02.700 --> 00:16:03.540 It is appointed for man. 00:16:03.580 --> 00:16:04.080 Once to die. 00:16:04.160 --> 00:16:05.080 And then the judgment. 00:16:07.080 --> 00:16:07.980 Paul talks about this. 00:16:08.139 --> 00:16:09.300 In 1 Corinthians 15. 00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:10.160 Come with me there. 00:16:10.820 --> 00:16:11.879 It's a famous verse. 00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:13.220 1 Corinthians chapter 15. 00:16:15.379 --> 00:16:16.600 There's famous words. 00:16:16.660 --> 00:16:17.759 You hear this at the gravesite. 00:16:17.840 --> 00:16:18.320 A Christian. 00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:19.180 Verse 54. 00:16:19.179 --> 00:16:23.959 It says this. 00:16:24.219 --> 00:16:25.259 Death is swallowed up. 00:16:25.419 --> 00:16:25.839 In victory. 00:16:26.959 --> 00:16:27.659 O death. 00:16:27.899 --> 00:16:28.959 Where is your victory? 00:16:29.059 --> 00:16:29.479 O death. 00:16:29.559 --> 00:16:30.379 Where is your sting? 00:16:31.279 --> 00:16:32.599 The sting of death is sin. 00:16:32.620 --> 00:16:33.559 And the power of death. 00:16:33.659 --> 00:16:34.639 Is the law. 00:16:35.899 --> 00:16:37.620 But thanks be to God. 00:16:39.519 --> 00:16:40.819 Who gives us the victory. 00:16:40.939 --> 00:16:41.959 Through our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:16:41.960 --> 00:16:44.900 I read the story. 00:16:44.900 --> 00:16:45.340 Of a family. 00:16:45.440 --> 00:16:46.519 Driving along in the car. 00:16:47.300 --> 00:16:48.680 The window was down. 00:16:49.460 --> 00:16:50.759 And a bee flies into the car. 00:16:50.800 --> 00:16:51.960 Now that is annoying isn't it? 00:16:52.200 --> 00:16:53.019 And scary. 00:16:53.180 --> 00:16:54.160 But if you have a child. 00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:55.379 Who in the case of this family. 00:16:55.780 --> 00:16:57.200 Was allergic to bee stings. 00:16:57.300 --> 00:16:58.259 It is not only painful. 00:16:58.360 --> 00:16:59.259 It is life threatening. 00:17:00.660 --> 00:17:02.320 So dad pulls over to the side of the road. 00:17:02.420 --> 00:17:02.980 The little child. 00:17:03.160 --> 00:17:03.980 Is in the back of the car. 00:17:04.100 --> 00:17:04.420 Panicking. 00:17:05.980 --> 00:17:06.880 What the father did. 00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:07.799 Was simply pull the car. 00:17:07.840 --> 00:17:08.680 Over to the side of the road. 00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:10.319 And he managed to grab hold of the bee. 00:17:10.380 --> 00:17:11.460 Against the windscreen. 00:17:12.019 --> 00:17:13.720 He holds it there in his hand. 00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:15.680 And eventually. 00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:17.500 Shouts out in pain. 00:17:18.380 --> 00:17:19.559 And releases his grip. 00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:22.519 The bee flies out again. 00:17:22.620 --> 00:17:24.100 Of course the little child starts panicking. 00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:25.380 She says it is still here daddy. 00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:26.140 It is still here. 00:17:26.559 --> 00:17:27.319 And he turns around. 00:17:27.380 --> 00:17:28.299 At the back seat of the car. 00:17:28.420 --> 00:17:29.039 And he says hey. 00:17:29.319 --> 00:17:30.000 Look at my hand. 00:17:31.380 --> 00:17:32.180 Look at my hand. 00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:32.759 It is a sting. 00:17:34.460 --> 00:17:35.640 The sting is in my hand. 00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:37.660 The bee cannot hum. 00:17:38.779 --> 00:17:39.779 It can buzz. 00:17:39.779 --> 00:17:42.240 But it cannot harm you. 00:17:43.119 --> 00:17:44.160 It can't sting you anymore. 00:17:45.460 --> 00:17:46.799 And that is why our big brother is done. 00:17:48.160 --> 00:17:49.720 He has taken the sting out of death. 00:17:51.019 --> 00:17:53.399 That is the hold that the devil has upon us. 00:17:54.759 --> 00:17:55.160 You. 00:17:56.119 --> 00:17:57.259 Are going to die. 00:17:57.259 --> 00:18:02.740 And you as a sinner like me. 00:18:03.220 --> 00:18:04.200 In your death. 00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:05.960 You will encounter God in judgment. 00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:09.519 The sting of death is sin. 00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:11.839 And the strength of that sin. 00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:13.519 Is the power of the law. 00:18:13.779 --> 00:18:14.920 We deserve God's judgment. 00:18:15.079 --> 00:18:16.900 We deserve God's anger against us. 00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:18.559 Forever. 00:18:18.700 --> 00:18:19.539 Because we are sinners. 00:18:19.539 --> 00:18:21.740 And that is his trump card. 00:18:21.819 --> 00:18:22.019 Is it? 00:18:22.079 --> 00:18:22.940 So as we face death. 00:18:23.019 --> 00:18:23.519 We are terrified. 00:18:23.639 --> 00:18:24.139 We are afraid. 00:18:25.700 --> 00:18:26.980 And that is why it haunts us. 00:18:27.099 --> 00:18:27.899 It haunts us. 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:29.019 Every waking hour. 00:18:29.319 --> 00:18:30.920 But Jesus comes to us. 00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:31.619 As our big brother. 00:18:31.899 --> 00:18:32.500 And he says to us. 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:32.740 Hey. 00:18:32.879 --> 00:18:33.599 Look at my hands. 00:18:35.460 --> 00:18:36.319 Look at my hands. 00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:39.200 Nailed to the cross. 00:18:40.460 --> 00:18:40.879 He says hey. 00:18:40.920 --> 00:18:41.559 Look at the sting. 00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:44.819 He has absorbed the sting of death. 00:18:46.019 --> 00:18:46.960 Go back to Hebrews. 00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:48.920 Hebrews chapter 2. 00:18:48.920 --> 00:18:51.660 And look at verse 9. 00:18:53.560 --> 00:18:54.519 What has he done? 00:18:56.680 --> 00:18:58.400 He has tasted death. 00:19:00.560 --> 00:19:01.940 He has experienced it. 00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:03.100 With the sting in it. 00:19:04.180 --> 00:19:06.519 He was made sin for us. 00:19:07.140 --> 00:19:08.500 He who knew sin. 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:09.519 He who knew. 00:19:09.580 --> 00:19:10.440 He who knew. 00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:11.620 No sin. 00:19:12.100 --> 00:19:13.960 Was made sin for us. 00:19:14.880 --> 00:19:16.580 So that we might become the righteousness. 00:19:17.900 --> 00:19:18.259 Of God. 00:19:18.920 --> 00:19:23.700 For death. 00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:24.440 Where is your sting? 00:19:24.880 --> 00:19:25.279 Grave. 00:19:25.360 --> 00:19:26.039 Where is your victory? 00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:28.240 But thanks. 00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:29.360 Be to God. 00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:31.400 Who gives us through. 00:19:31.779 --> 00:19:32.060 Victory. 00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:33.340 Through the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:19:34.100 --> 00:19:34.860 Our Lord. 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:36.460 And our big brother. 00:19:37.880 --> 00:19:38.779 There is a lovely story. 00:19:38.860 --> 00:19:39.220 A true story. 00:19:39.320 --> 00:19:39.440 I think. 00:19:39.560 --> 00:19:40.940 About a work of art. 00:19:41.160 --> 00:19:42.300 In a London gallery. 00:19:42.299 --> 00:19:45.079 And there is a famous painting. 00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:45.839 Of Faust. 00:19:46.519 --> 00:19:47.619 Faust playing chess. 00:19:47.619 --> 00:19:48.279 With the devil. 00:19:49.899 --> 00:19:50.859 And the devil. 00:19:51.159 --> 00:19:52.740 Lears across the table. 00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:55.799 At a despairing Faust. 00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:57.619 Whom he is checkmated. 00:19:58.480 --> 00:19:59.279 So you can google it. 00:19:59.319 --> 00:19:59.759 You can see it. 00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:01.359 There is the devil there. 00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:01.919 Learing. 00:20:02.359 --> 00:20:03.019 Across the table. 00:20:03.079 --> 00:20:03.480 At Faust. 00:20:03.559 --> 00:20:04.240 Who is checkmated. 00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:05.980 And apparently. 00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:07.339 According to the story. 00:20:07.420 --> 00:20:08.380 A famous chess player. 00:20:08.380 --> 00:20:09.380 Used to come into the gallery. 00:20:10.200 --> 00:20:11.220 And he used to come in. 00:20:11.279 --> 00:20:12.000 Time and time. 00:20:12.099 --> 00:20:12.799 And time again. 00:20:13.460 --> 00:20:14.900 And he would stare at that painting. 00:20:15.940 --> 00:20:16.660 And one day. 00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:17.880 As he was staring at that painting. 00:20:17.960 --> 00:20:18.519 Yet again. 00:20:18.859 --> 00:20:20.160 And looking at the different positions. 00:20:20.160 --> 00:20:21.339 Of the pieces on the chessboard. 00:20:21.579 --> 00:20:22.200 One day. 00:20:22.259 --> 00:20:23.099 A great cry. 00:20:23.099 --> 00:20:23.660 Rang out. 00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:24.539 In that art gallery. 00:20:24.539 --> 00:20:27.059 He cried out. 00:20:27.899 --> 00:20:28.319 No. 00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:28.659 No. 00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:29.079 No. 00:20:29.859 --> 00:20:31.039 There is another move. 00:20:32.099 --> 00:20:33.339 It's not checkmate. 00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:36.720 And that is the message of Christmas. 00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:39.720 You see the devil. 00:20:40.839 --> 00:20:42.740 He lears across the table. 00:20:44.039 --> 00:20:45.259 And he thinks he's got us. 00:20:46.319 --> 00:20:47.659 And he shouts checkmate. 00:20:48.659 --> 00:20:50.039 And he thinks he's got hold of us. 00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:51.220 He holds us in slavery. 00:20:51.220 --> 00:20:52.259 Through fear of death. 00:20:52.579 --> 00:20:53.839 And Jesus comes our big brother. 00:20:53.920 --> 00:20:54.299 And he says. 00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:55.460 Checkmate. 00:20:55.680 --> 00:20:56.000 No. 00:20:56.259 --> 00:20:56.579 No. 00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:57.079 No. 00:20:58.119 --> 00:20:59.180 There has been another move. 00:21:00.599 --> 00:21:02.480 And he comes from the cradles of the cross. 00:21:03.079 --> 00:21:04.319 And he makes atonement. 00:21:04.440 --> 00:21:05.440 By the eternal spirit. 00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:07.180 And he offers himself to God. 00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:08.119 And that is the move. 00:21:10.619 --> 00:21:11.619 And his death frees us. 00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:12.480 And he beats the bully. 00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:15.319 And he beats the hell out of him. 00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:18.220 And he takes the sting of death. 00:21:18.539 --> 00:21:19.740 His death for us. 00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:22.740 It is vicarious. 00:21:22.740 --> 00:21:24.960 And in it victorious. 00:21:26.660 --> 00:21:27.480 Because in it. 00:21:27.579 --> 00:21:28.579 He beats the bully. 00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:30.500 Who's made our life a misery. 00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:32.599 And it robs him. 00:21:33.120 --> 00:21:34.359 Of his hold over us. 00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:36.740 And it takes away the ground from under his feet. 00:21:36.799 --> 00:21:37.200 Doesn't it? 00:21:37.420 --> 00:21:38.480 And he'll come to you. 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:40.519 And he'll accuse you. 00:21:40.579 --> 00:21:40.779 And say. 00:21:40.839 --> 00:21:41.259 Hey you. 00:21:41.380 --> 00:21:41.960 You sinner. 00:21:41.960 --> 00:21:44.079 And you say to him. 00:21:44.120 --> 00:21:44.340 Yeah. 00:21:45.140 --> 00:21:46.200 I know I'm a sinner. 00:21:47.220 --> 00:21:47.900 And he'll say. 00:21:47.980 --> 00:21:49.220 You deserve God's anger. 00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:51.039 And you'll say. 00:21:51.100 --> 00:21:51.360 Yeah. 00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:52.680 I deserve God's anger. 00:21:53.840 --> 00:21:54.420 You'll say. 00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:55.440 You deserve hell. 00:21:56.539 --> 00:21:57.019 You say. 00:21:57.079 --> 00:21:57.299 Yeah. 00:21:57.880 --> 00:21:58.900 I deserve hell. 00:21:59.559 --> 00:22:00.440 I know I do. 00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:03.539 But Jesus has taken my sin. 00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:07.240 And Jesus has taken God's judgment upon himself. 00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:10.240 And Jesus has taken hell. 00:22:12.819 --> 00:22:13.819 Go to verse 13. 00:22:13.899 --> 00:22:14.359 I love this. 00:22:15.799 --> 00:22:16.700 Verse 13. 00:22:18.859 --> 00:22:19.599 And behold. 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:20.480 And again. 00:22:20.839 --> 00:22:21.319 Behold. 00:22:21.579 --> 00:22:23.139 I am the children. 00:22:24.079 --> 00:22:24.839 God has given me. 00:22:27.019 --> 00:22:27.519 Do you see? 00:22:28.599 --> 00:22:29.740 See what I'm trying to say? 00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:32.079 What I'm trying to say this Christmas is this. 00:22:32.079 --> 00:22:33.960 If Jesus catches hold of you. 00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:36.519 Satan will lose his grip on you. 00:22:37.659 --> 00:22:38.899 And he's not going to lose any of them. 00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:39.279 Behold. 00:22:39.379 --> 00:22:40.220 I and the children. 00:22:40.399 --> 00:22:41.279 God has given me. 00:22:42.899 --> 00:22:44.259 He's not going to lose any of them. 00:22:45.639 --> 00:22:47.720 Not after what he's been through to rescue them. 00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:50.019 Here I am. 00:22:50.059 --> 00:22:50.559 He says. 00:22:50.740 --> 00:22:52.000 And the children. 00:22:53.399 --> 00:22:54.539 Now let me ask you as I close. 00:22:54.659 --> 00:22:55.679 What has got hold of you? 00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:58.099 This Christmas time. 00:22:58.139 --> 00:22:58.939 What has got hold of you? 00:22:58.940 --> 00:23:02.840 What is it that's driving you? 00:23:04.940 --> 00:23:06.380 I don't quote enough high culture. 00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:07.660 So let me quote some high culture. 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:08.240 Bob Dylan. 00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:08.580 Alright. 00:23:10.860 --> 00:23:11.720 I'll quote it all. 00:23:11.860 --> 00:23:12.759 I think I've got it all up here. 00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:17.860 You may be an ambassador to England or France. 00:23:18.180 --> 00:23:19.000 You may like to gamble. 00:23:19.340 --> 00:23:20.220 You might like to dance. 00:23:21.100 --> 00:23:23.200 You may be the heavyweight champion of the world. 00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:26.160 You may be a socialite with a long string of pearls. 00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:28.779 But you're going to have to serve somebody. 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:31.640 Might be a rock and roll addict. 00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:32.800 Prancing on the stage. 00:23:33.220 --> 00:23:35.080 Might have money and drugs at your commands. 00:23:35.180 --> 00:23:36.000 Women in a cage. 00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:37.700 You may be a businessman. 00:23:38.320 --> 00:23:39.620 Or some high degree thief. 00:23:40.040 --> 00:23:41.220 They may call you doctor. 00:23:41.880 --> 00:23:43.180 Or they may call you chief. 00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:45.360 But you're going to have to serve somebody. 00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:47.640 You may be a state trooper. 00:23:48.160 --> 00:23:49.560 You might be a young Turk. 00:23:50.180 --> 00:23:52.600 You might be the head of some big TV network. 00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:54.360 You may be rich or poor. 00:23:54.359 --> 00:23:55.659 You may be blind or lame. 00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:57.139 You may be living in another country. 00:23:57.219 --> 00:23:58.099 Under another name. 00:23:58.199 --> 00:23:59.759 But you're going to have to serve somebody. 00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:02.819 You may be a construction worker. 00:24:02.819 --> 00:24:03.779 Working on a home. 00:24:04.219 --> 00:24:05.459 You may be living in a mansion. 00:24:05.939 --> 00:24:07.319 Or you might live in a dome. 00:24:07.659 --> 00:24:08.879 You might own guns. 00:24:09.099 --> 00:24:10.419 And you might even own tanks. 00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:12.179 You might be somebody's landlord. 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:13.979 You might even own banks. 00:24:14.059 --> 00:24:15.619 But you're going to have to serve somebody. 00:24:16.740 --> 00:24:17.819 You may be a preacher. 00:24:18.059 --> 00:24:19.359 With your spiritual pride. 00:24:19.359 --> 00:24:21.119 You may be a city councilman. 00:24:21.179 --> 00:24:22.459 Taking brides on the side. 00:24:22.900 --> 00:24:24.340 You may be working in a barbershop. 00:24:24.700 --> 00:24:26.059 You may know how to cut hair. 00:24:26.360 --> 00:24:27.539 You may be somebody's mistress. 00:24:27.660 --> 00:24:28.620 You may be somebody's heir. 00:24:28.720 --> 00:24:30.160 But you're going to have to serve somebody. 00:24:31.559 --> 00:24:32.640 You might like to wear cotton. 00:24:32.920 --> 00:24:33.799 You might like to wear silk. 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:35.620 You might like to drink whiskey. 00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:36.779 You might like to drink milk. 00:24:37.519 --> 00:24:38.880 You might like to eat caviar. 00:24:39.299 --> 00:24:40.680 You might like to eat bread. 00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:42.440 You may be sleeping on the floor. 00:24:42.819 --> 00:24:44.480 Sleeping in a king sized bed. 00:24:44.840 --> 00:24:46.680 But you're going to have to serve somebody. 00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:47.360 Yes indeed. 00:24:47.360 --> 00:24:49.579 You're going to have to serve somebody. 00:24:49.579 --> 00:24:52.559 It may be the devil or it may be the Lord 00:24:52.559 --> 00:24:54.639 But you're going to have to serve somebody 00:24:54.639 --> 00:24:55.799 Who's it going to be? 00:24:57.559 --> 00:24:58.480 Who's it going to be? 00:25:00.539 --> 00:25:01.919 Who holds the reign 00:25:01.919 --> 00:25:03.899 To your life? 00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:06.199 Who's got a hold of you? 00:25:07.119 --> 00:25:08.639 What is driving you this morning? 00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:11.119 You've got to serve somebody 00:25:11.119 --> 00:25:14.759 Listen to how the Apostle Paul puts it 00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:17.960 In Philippians chapter 3 and verse 12 00:25:19.579 --> 00:25:21.619 One of the things I love about the Apostle Paul 00:25:21.619 --> 00:25:23.559 Is that he's always willing to tell his story 00:25:23.559 --> 00:25:25.460 Tells it at the drop of a hat 00:25:25.460 --> 00:25:28.220 He's been a Christian about 30 years 00:25:28.220 --> 00:25:29.519 When he writes this 00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:30.259 And he says this 00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:33.359 Not that I have already obtained all this 00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:35.419 Or have already arrived at my goal 00:25:35.419 --> 00:25:36.319 But here it is 00:25:36.319 --> 00:25:39.419 But I press on to take hold 00:25:39.419 --> 00:25:42.059 Of that for which Christ Jesus 00:25:42.059 --> 00:25:43.119 Took hold of me 00:25:43.119 --> 00:25:45.619 It's exactly the same word as Hebrews 3.16 00:25:45.619 --> 00:25:48.259 I press on to take hold 00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:49.599 Of that for which Christ Jesus 00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:50.400 Took hold of me 00:25:50.400 --> 00:25:53.019 It means to seize 00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:54.099 To arrest 00:25:54.099 --> 00:25:56.000 It means to be taken into 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:56.900 Protective custody 00:25:56.900 --> 00:25:57.819 And Paul says 00:25:57.819 --> 00:25:58.940 That is what Jesus did for me 00:25:58.940 --> 00:25:59.839 On the Damascus road 00:25:59.839 --> 00:26:00.519 When I met him 00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:02.440 He caught hold of me 00:26:02.440 --> 00:26:03.680 I was going the wrong way 00:26:03.680 --> 00:26:05.299 I was going in the wrong direction 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:07.059 Then the great shepherd of the sheep 00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:07.799 Came 00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:09.319 And he interposed himself 00:26:09.319 --> 00:26:11.379 He put himself between the wolf 00:26:11.379 --> 00:26:12.259 And me 00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:14.379 And he grabbed hold of me 00:26:14.379 --> 00:26:15.440 He manhandled me 00:26:15.440 --> 00:26:17.039 He took me into 00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:17.880 Protective custody 00:26:17.880 --> 00:26:18.920 Now has he done that for you? 00:26:20.779 --> 00:26:22.120 Do you know that you're safe 00:26:22.120 --> 00:26:23.160 In Jesus' grip? 00:26:24.759 --> 00:26:26.480 That is where our safety lies 00:26:26.480 --> 00:26:26.860 Isn't it? 00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:30.120 It's being laid hold of 00:26:30.120 --> 00:26:30.920 By Jesus 00:26:30.920 --> 00:26:33.779 Jesus has caught hold of me 00:26:33.779 --> 00:26:36.779 He's taken me into custody 00:26:36.779 --> 00:26:40.839 Or are you still 00:26:40.839 --> 00:26:41.700 Handcuffed to Satan? 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:44.819 It's such 00:26:44.819 --> 00:26:45.660 Such a huge stuff 00:26:45.660 --> 00:26:46.059 Isn't it? 00:26:48.019 --> 00:26:49.160 Do you long for your life 00:26:49.160 --> 00:26:50.160 To be taken hold of 00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:50.680 This morning? 00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:51.039 Maybe 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:52.079 Maybe you realise 00:26:52.079 --> 00:26:53.180 Your life is out of control 00:26:53.180 --> 00:26:55.799 You're being 00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:57.399 You're being carried away 00:26:57.399 --> 00:26:58.420 In your own lust 00:26:58.420 --> 00:26:59.480 Into places 00:26:59.480 --> 00:27:00.579 That you just don't want to go 00:27:00.579 --> 00:27:03.200 Maybe you're stuck in a rut 00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:04.059 And you can't get out 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:04.960 And you long for someone 00:27:04.960 --> 00:27:06.180 To come and manhandle you 00:27:06.180 --> 00:27:07.259 And transform you 00:27:07.259 --> 00:27:08.080 Into a different realm 00:27:08.080 --> 00:27:09.060 Well Jesus can do that 00:27:09.060 --> 00:27:10.279 Because that is why he came 00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:13.759 He can do that for you 00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:14.380 This Christmas 00:27:14.380 --> 00:27:16.799 He can do that for you 00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:17.860 Before you leave this room 00:27:17.860 --> 00:27:21.860 It's not a bad verse 00:27:21.860 --> 00:27:22.200 This is actually 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:23.360 Philippians 3, 12 00:27:23.360 --> 00:27:24.759 The text of 2014 00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:25.740 If we did that kind of thing 00:27:25.740 --> 00:27:26.100 As a church 00:27:26.100 --> 00:27:27.299 If we had a text of the year 00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:29.180 It would be a great text to have 00:27:29.180 --> 00:27:32.080 I press on 00:27:32.080 --> 00:27:32.740 Paul says 00:27:32.740 --> 00:27:33.840 To take hold 00:27:33.840 --> 00:27:36.660 Of that 00:27:36.660 --> 00:27:39.759 For which Christ took hold of me 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:43.000 Paul says 00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:45.400 I'm taking hold of it 00:27:45.400 --> 00:27:47.000 It's commitment isn't it? 00:27:48.620 --> 00:27:49.220 This isn't just 00:27:49.220 --> 00:27:51.080 Training up to church 00:27:51.080 --> 00:27:51.600 This is saying 00:27:51.600 --> 00:27:52.700 I'm going to grab hold 00:27:52.700 --> 00:27:53.740 I'm going to catch hold 00:27:53.740 --> 00:27:54.360 Of that which 00:27:54.360 --> 00:27:55.539 For which Christ 00:27:55.539 --> 00:27:56.400 Has laid hold of me 00:27:56.400 --> 00:27:57.640 And that is the Christian life 00:27:57.640 --> 00:28:00.400 Christmas gives 00:28:00.400 --> 00:28:01.240 To you and I 00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:02.160 God 00:28:02.160 --> 00:28:03.519 In flesh 00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:05.620 He catches hold of us 00:28:05.620 --> 00:28:08.560 Let's just come back 00:28:08.560 --> 00:28:08.940 To the text 00:28:08.940 --> 00:28:09.400 That I finish 00:28:09.400 --> 00:28:11.640 It is not angels 00:28:11.640 --> 00:28:12.100 Is it? 00:28:14.100 --> 00:28:15.519 That he's caught hold of 00:28:15.519 --> 00:28:16.380 It is the descendants 00:28:16.380 --> 00:28:17.100 Of Abraham 00:28:17.100 --> 00:28:19.300 It is believers 00:28:19.300 --> 00:28:20.240 Abraham is the father 00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:20.759 Of the faithful 00:28:20.759 --> 00:28:22.420 He's the father 00:28:22.420 --> 00:28:22.920 Of all those 00:28:22.920 --> 00:28:23.380 Who believe 00:28:23.380 --> 00:28:24.200 In Jesus Christ 00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:26.980 It's not humanity 00:28:26.980 --> 00:28:27.600 In general 00:28:27.600 --> 00:28:29.720 It is those 00:28:29.720 --> 00:28:30.440 Who believe 00:28:30.440 --> 00:28:31.600 In him 00:28:31.600 --> 00:28:32.360 And are safe 00:28:32.360 --> 00:28:33.100 In his grasp 00:28:33.100 --> 00:28:35.740 Man will not live 00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:36.320 Forevermore 00:28:36.320 --> 00:28:37.320 Because of Christmas day 00:28:37.320 --> 00:28:40.040 You will only live 00:28:40.040 --> 00:28:40.700 Forevermore 00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:41.080 If you are 00:28:41.080 --> 00:28:41.440 Under the grip 00:28:41.440 --> 00:28:42.120 Of his grace 00:28:42.120 --> 00:28:43.980 If Christ 00:28:43.980 --> 00:28:44.980 Has caught hold of you 00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:48.960 He has man 00:28:48.960 --> 00:28:49.840 Handled us 00:28:49.840 --> 00:28:51.300 In order 00:28:51.300 --> 00:28:52.400 That he might become 00:28:52.400 --> 00:28:53.280 A merciful 00:28:53.280 --> 00:28:54.220 And faithful 00:28:54.220 --> 00:28:55.100 High priest 00:28:55.100 --> 00:28:56.759 Do you know 00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:57.540 What a high priest does? 00:28:58.860 --> 00:29:00.280 The job of the high priest 00:29:00.280 --> 00:29:02.100 Is to get us 00:29:02.100 --> 00:29:02.920 Into the presence 00:29:02.920 --> 00:29:03.540 Of God 00:29:03.540 --> 00:29:05.560 And get the presence 00:29:05.560 --> 00:29:06.060 Of God 00:29:06.060 --> 00:29:06.940 Into us 00:29:06.940 --> 00:29:10.300 To get you 00:29:10.300 --> 00:29:11.880 Into the presence 00:29:11.880 --> 00:29:12.440 Of God 00:29:12.440 --> 00:29:14.340 Is get the presence 00:29:14.340 --> 00:29:14.860 Of God 00:29:14.860 --> 00:29:16.259 Into you 00:29:16.259 --> 00:29:18.280 And that's what 00:29:18.280 --> 00:29:18.920 Jesus wants to do 00:29:18.920 --> 00:29:19.259 For you 00:29:19.259 --> 00:29:20.380 This Christmas 00:29:20.380 --> 00:29:23.120 So catch hold 00:29:23.120 --> 00:29:25.200 Let's pray 00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:25.779 To be ready 00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:25.779 00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:25.779 00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:25.779 00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:25.779 00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:25.779 00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:25.779 00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:26.700 To be ready 00:29:26.700 --> 00:29:26.700 00:29:26.700 --> 00:29:27.319 To be ready 00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:27.319 00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:27.319 00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:27.720 To be ready 00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:27.720 00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:28.440 To be ready 00:29:28.440 --> 00:29:29.019 To be ready 00:29:29.019 --> 00:29:30.120 To be ready 00:29:30.120 --> 00:29:30.120 00:29:30.120 --> 00:29:30.860 To be ready 00:29:30.860 --> 00:29:30.860 00:29:30.860 --> 00:29:30.860 00:29:30.860 --> 00:29:31.819 To be ready 00:29:31.819 --> 00:29:31.819 00:29:31.819 --> 00:29:31.819 00:29:31.819 --> 00:29:32.660 To be ready 00:29:32.660 --> 00:29:33.220 To be ready 00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:34.299 To be ready 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:34.299 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:34.299 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:34.299 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:34.299 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:34.299 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:34.299 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:34.299 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:34.299 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:34.299 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:34.299 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:34.299 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:34.299 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:34.299 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:34.299 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:34.299 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:34.299 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:34.299 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:34.299 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:34.299