WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.880 All right, please take your copy of God's Word and turn to the Gospel of Mark, chapter 3, and join me in prayer. 00:00:10.960 --> 00:00:16.219 Father, we praise you for this day that we have been granted to come together and study your Word. 00:00:17.080 --> 00:00:29.060 I pray, Father, this morning that you will use our frailty and that you will maximize the preaching of your Word by its transforming power to make us more into the image of your Son for your glory. 00:00:29.059 --> 00:00:32.259 And I pray this in Christ's name. Amen. 00:00:33.479 --> 00:00:41.479 So as a general habit together here at Christ Family Church, we preach verse by verse, expositionally. 00:00:41.560 --> 00:00:44.600 And there's a number of reasons that we do that that I won't get into in their entirety. 00:00:45.200 --> 00:00:53.420 There have been many faithful preachers throughout history that have done this differently, not always preached in this fashion. 00:00:53.420 --> 00:00:58.760 An example of a fairly dogmatic verse-by-verse preacher is John Calvin. 00:00:59.000 --> 00:01:05.879 In fact, when he was driven out of Geneva for a time, he had left off, I believe he was in the book of Leviticus at the time. 00:01:06.099 --> 00:01:08.760 Forgive me if you know when I'm getting that wrong. 00:01:09.420 --> 00:01:14.939 Came back a couple of years later, was rehired, so to speak, back at the church that he was leading. 00:01:14.939 --> 00:01:20.579 And he picked right back up at the verse that he left off at a number of years prior to that. 00:01:21.239 --> 00:01:27.599 Charles Spurgeon, said to be the prince of preachers, thought that preaching verse by verse actually quenched the Spirit 00:01:27.599 --> 00:01:34.060 because a pastor wasn't required to search God for what he would have to say to the people for that week. 00:01:34.640 --> 00:01:37.959 And so I always try to find a healthy balance in that. 00:01:37.959 --> 00:01:43.399 While we preach through a book together, that's kind of the normative pattern, but each week I ask, 00:01:43.479 --> 00:01:44.679 God, is this what you would have me do? 00:01:44.799 --> 00:01:49.859 Is this the text before me that I ought to preach to this people this day? 00:01:49.939 --> 00:01:54.619 And so this week I've been preparing Mark chapter 3, verse 20 through 35, 00:01:55.060 --> 00:01:58.299 pretty fervently for what's commonly called the unpardonable sin. 00:01:58.619 --> 00:02:02.359 How about that for a week before Christmas sermon for you? 00:02:03.259 --> 00:02:04.959 We get that from verse 29. 00:02:04.959 --> 00:02:08.299 Jesus says, but this is an eternal sin. 00:02:09.039 --> 00:02:10.120 And I prepared for it. 00:02:10.199 --> 00:02:12.239 I had it all prepped and ready to go. 00:02:12.419 --> 00:02:16.340 And guess who changed my mind this morning about preaching such a sermon? 00:02:17.240 --> 00:02:21.000 So I have half a page of scribbled notes on a piece of notebook paper. 00:02:21.859 --> 00:02:25.959 And we're going to look at an entirely different text and text together today. 00:02:26.759 --> 00:02:31.199 And so I want you to start by turning to Revelation chapter 1, verse 8. 00:02:31.199 --> 00:02:37.000 And I have to tell you this morning that I come to you to preach with a pretty heavy heart. 00:02:37.339 --> 00:02:39.259 I'm grieving a bit in my heart. 00:02:39.359 --> 00:02:45.579 And the reason for that is last night we attended a great event that Sam's family does every year. 00:02:45.699 --> 00:02:49.060 Sam's mother's side of the family, she has five siblings. 00:02:49.179 --> 00:02:51.699 There's six of them, and they all have kids who now have kids. 00:02:51.799 --> 00:02:53.219 And so it's quite a troop. 00:02:53.439 --> 00:02:57.280 I have no idea how many we number in total, but it's a clan to be sure. 00:02:57.280 --> 00:03:01.819 We call it Puckett Family Christmas, and it's always the Saturday before Christmas. 00:03:02.479 --> 00:03:04.680 And last night was that very event. 00:03:04.759 --> 00:03:06.500 It kind of kicks off the season for us. 00:03:07.080 --> 00:03:12.080 And there's lots of good food and cute kids in their Christmas sweaters and the like. 00:03:12.159 --> 00:03:15.139 Presents to go around and things of this nature. 00:03:15.819 --> 00:03:19.819 And in previous years, this has happened, and it happened again last night. 00:03:19.900 --> 00:03:26.180 There's suddenly a great excitement in the room because a particular jolly character arrives at the house. 00:03:26.180 --> 00:03:28.420 who's been hired in the past. 00:03:28.780 --> 00:03:33.659 This year it was Uncle Buster wearing an elaborate costume. 00:03:33.780 --> 00:03:35.159 I'm going to speak in code just in case. 00:03:35.219 --> 00:03:38.260 I don't want to burst any children's bubbles this morning. 00:03:38.319 --> 00:03:39.599 I'll let you do that at some point. 00:03:40.120 --> 00:03:42.500 But you know who I'm talking about. 00:03:42.620 --> 00:03:46.920 Shows up, and the house just lit up. 00:03:46.919 --> 00:03:50.059 Adults and children alike. 00:03:50.219 --> 00:03:54.959 I mean, just the excitement level in the room went from a 2 to a 10. 00:03:55.099 --> 00:03:57.879 And all the cameras came out, and everyone was so excited. 00:03:58.000 --> 00:04:00.139 One of her adult cousins came to me and said, 00:04:00.179 --> 00:04:01.699 I'm having flashbacks of being a kid. 00:04:01.759 --> 00:04:02.519 And then kept on going. 00:04:02.599 --> 00:04:05.579 I'm like, what is happening in this room right now? 00:04:06.239 --> 00:04:10.719 It almost seemed as if they were drugged. 00:04:10.719 --> 00:04:14.219 I mean, really, like the super excitement came on the room. 00:04:14.780 --> 00:04:18.279 And I started out a bit frustrated, just, you know, the kind of typical, 00:04:18.579 --> 00:04:21.500 this isn't what Christmas is about kind of frustration, 00:04:21.680 --> 00:04:24.199 which I've experienced in years past at this event. 00:04:25.639 --> 00:04:28.000 I'll tell you later if you'd like to know. 00:04:28.040 --> 00:04:32.339 I'll give you three clear reasons why we ought not do the Jolly Man. 00:04:32.339 --> 00:04:36.119 But my frustration really quickly turned to sadness. 00:04:36.699 --> 00:04:39.060 And that's really what I want to talk about today. 00:04:39.819 --> 00:04:42.659 Because I realized, and it was when Cademan ran up to me, 00:04:42.759 --> 00:04:44.359 jumped up on the couch, I was sitting on the back of the couch, 00:04:44.419 --> 00:04:47.239 came up to me and said, Dad, I just saw Santa Claus. 00:04:47.719 --> 00:04:48.879 And I went, yeah, buddy. 00:04:50.079 --> 00:04:50.919 And he hopped down. 00:04:51.319 --> 00:04:56.019 And I just, this sadness came over me because that kind of joy is infectious. 00:04:56.779 --> 00:04:57.620 Like, there's no way. 00:04:57.679 --> 00:05:00.379 Like, we've been very clear with Cade on this particular issue. 00:05:00.379 --> 00:05:03.360 And there's no way by what we've been teaching him 00:05:03.360 --> 00:05:05.639 that he should have been that stoked about it. 00:05:05.699 --> 00:05:08.699 But the whole house was really, really excited. 00:05:09.040 --> 00:05:12.540 I mean, kids who were apparently afraid of this costumed man, 00:05:12.680 --> 00:05:16.100 creepy-looking guy, were being, like, drugged to go meet him, right? 00:05:16.159 --> 00:05:19.560 Like, kicking and screaming to go see this character. 00:05:19.719 --> 00:05:21.600 There was much, much excitement. 00:05:21.980 --> 00:05:26.079 And I realized all in kind of one moment that we as a Christian people, 00:05:26.500 --> 00:05:30.159 and myself personally, we don't get that excited about Jesus. 00:05:31.379 --> 00:05:35.219 That we don't look for opportunities to make much of him 00:05:35.219 --> 00:05:37.100 in all of the various settings. 00:05:37.319 --> 00:05:38.699 This was an elaborate costume. 00:05:38.839 --> 00:05:40.959 I mean, it was well done, right? 00:05:41.000 --> 00:05:44.240 He had to leave, change, come in, the whole thing. 00:05:44.399 --> 00:05:48.719 He planned it out in order to make much of this particular character. 00:05:48.959 --> 00:05:51.199 And I hadn't even given a thought to that evening 00:05:51.199 --> 00:05:55.100 to how I was going to make much of Christ with Sam's family, right? 00:05:55.100 --> 00:05:58.100 I was going for food and Christmas sweaters 00:05:58.100 --> 00:06:00.160 and maybe some presents along the way. 00:06:01.360 --> 00:06:03.240 And we do the same thing with our church. 00:06:03.320 --> 00:06:07.600 We come together 52, 53, if you count our Christmas Eve service, 00:06:07.600 --> 00:06:10.080 times a year as a congregation 00:06:10.079 --> 00:06:13.139 to make much of Christ together. 00:06:13.319 --> 00:06:15.599 And we do some things certainly to be deliberate about that. 00:06:15.659 --> 00:06:16.740 But is it infectious? 00:06:17.879 --> 00:06:20.620 Do our kids see what we do and go, 00:06:20.819 --> 00:06:22.879 what is going on in that place? 00:06:23.719 --> 00:06:23.899 Right? 00:06:24.360 --> 00:06:26.519 And I thought about some of the reasons 00:06:26.519 --> 00:06:28.599 why that's a challenging thing to do. 00:06:28.680 --> 00:06:30.199 I don't think it'd be really appropriate 00:06:30.199 --> 00:06:33.019 for us to hire somebody to dress up as Jesus 00:06:33.019 --> 00:06:34.740 and show up at our Christmas parties. 00:06:34.860 --> 00:06:36.860 I just, that would feel weird to me. 00:06:36.860 --> 00:06:41.699 So, how do we make much of Christ? 00:06:41.840 --> 00:06:43.379 And the thing I really came to realize 00:06:43.379 --> 00:06:46.740 is that we must make much of Him in our preaching. 00:06:47.560 --> 00:06:48.699 And I labor to do that, 00:06:48.759 --> 00:06:50.259 but I don't know that I do that incredibly well. 00:06:50.360 --> 00:06:51.660 I don't know that people leave here 00:06:51.660 --> 00:06:54.740 excited about our Savior, right? 00:06:55.100 --> 00:06:56.139 Wanting to run around. 00:06:56.400 --> 00:06:59.819 Wanting to be really stoked about who He is. 00:06:59.900 --> 00:07:01.600 And so I want to talk a little bit this morning 00:07:01.600 --> 00:07:04.840 about who He is 00:07:04.839 --> 00:07:08.000 and why we should celebrate Him properly this year. 00:07:08.979 --> 00:07:12.019 Christ Himself is God. 00:07:12.139 --> 00:07:15.139 We've seen that case made to us already in Mark. 00:07:15.279 --> 00:07:17.679 He Himself has proclaimed it a number of times. 00:07:17.779 --> 00:07:19.879 The great accusations that are being railed against Him 00:07:19.879 --> 00:07:22.000 is that He's speaking blasphemy. 00:07:22.479 --> 00:07:26.139 Which He would be if He weren't in fact the Lord. 00:07:26.819 --> 00:07:29.759 Revelation 1, verse 8. 00:07:30.379 --> 00:07:32.319 God the Father says this of Himself, 00:07:32.319 --> 00:07:35.000 I am the Alpha and the Omega, 00:07:35.259 --> 00:07:36.099 says the Lord God, 00:07:36.159 --> 00:07:39.019 who is and who was and who is to come. 00:07:39.399 --> 00:07:40.300 The Almighty. 00:07:40.599 --> 00:07:41.420 In the Greek alphabet, 00:07:41.579 --> 00:07:44.219 Alpha is A and Omega is Z. 00:07:44.620 --> 00:07:44.819 Right? 00:07:44.860 --> 00:07:47.300 There's nothing that existed before me. 00:07:47.439 --> 00:07:49.579 There's nothing that will exist after me. 00:07:49.680 --> 00:07:51.579 I am everything. 00:07:51.740 --> 00:07:53.939 This is a more elaborate way of Him saying, 00:07:54.139 --> 00:07:56.399 I am who I am, 00:07:56.459 --> 00:07:58.879 which is the name He gave to Moses. 00:07:58.879 --> 00:08:00.699 I am the Alpha and the Omega, 00:08:00.860 --> 00:08:03.279 who is and who was and who is to come. 00:08:03.560 --> 00:08:04.420 The Almighty. 00:08:04.759 --> 00:08:05.399 But turn, if you will, 00:08:05.420 --> 00:08:06.579 to the end of the book of Revelation. 00:08:07.560 --> 00:08:10.579 Chapter 22, verse 13. 00:08:13.040 --> 00:08:14.600 And here we see Jesus speaking, 00:08:14.680 --> 00:08:15.139 and He says, 00:08:15.560 --> 00:08:17.800 I am the Alpha and the Omega, 00:08:18.040 --> 00:08:19.980 the first and the last, 00:08:20.139 --> 00:08:22.920 the beginning and the end. 00:08:23.800 --> 00:08:24.560 In this time of year, 00:08:24.560 --> 00:08:27.579 we very readily forget 00:08:27.579 --> 00:08:30.040 that Jesus who came in the form of a baby 00:08:30.040 --> 00:08:33.539 was in fact God Himself, 00:08:34.000 --> 00:08:36.139 incarnate amongst us. 00:08:36.600 --> 00:08:36.759 Right? 00:08:36.919 --> 00:08:38.320 I think sometimes in our minds 00:08:38.320 --> 00:08:40.259 we celebrate the little baby Jesus. 00:08:40.980 --> 00:08:41.100 Right? 00:08:41.120 --> 00:08:42.080 Like we have in our mind 00:08:42.080 --> 00:08:43.799 the picture in the manger 00:08:43.799 --> 00:08:44.919 of us standing around 00:08:44.919 --> 00:08:46.639 inside Northeast Georgia room 00:08:46.639 --> 00:08:47.299 and we all kind of like 00:08:47.299 --> 00:08:48.320 take turns holding the baby 00:08:48.320 --> 00:08:48.860 and pass them on. 00:08:48.879 --> 00:08:49.620 Oh, a cute baby. 00:08:49.860 --> 00:08:50.399 Snap a photo. 00:08:50.879 --> 00:08:51.080 Right? 00:08:51.080 --> 00:08:53.180 This was God Himself 00:08:53.180 --> 00:08:56.120 who came down off His throne 00:08:56.120 --> 00:08:58.800 and dwelt amongst us. 00:08:59.460 --> 00:09:00.780 And we can see some encounters. 00:09:00.980 --> 00:09:01.960 When we see encounters 00:09:01.960 --> 00:09:03.660 of the people have with God, 00:09:03.740 --> 00:09:04.940 they lay prostrate on the ground. 00:09:05.020 --> 00:09:05.920 One of my favorites 00:09:05.920 --> 00:09:08.040 is in Exodus chapter 34. 00:09:08.540 --> 00:09:09.620 Turn there if you will with me. 00:09:09.620 --> 00:09:22.799 After Moses has gone back up on the mountain 00:09:22.799 --> 00:09:24.039 for the second time, 00:09:24.299 --> 00:09:25.620 he comes down the first time 00:09:25.620 --> 00:09:26.600 and the people are worshiping 00:09:26.600 --> 00:09:28.159 the golden calf 00:09:28.159 --> 00:09:29.159 and he breaks the tablets. 00:09:29.259 --> 00:09:30.340 He goes back up on the mountain. 00:09:30.960 --> 00:09:33.360 God gives him tablets once again. 00:09:34.279 --> 00:09:35.539 Chapter 34, verse 29. 00:09:35.740 --> 00:09:36.019 It says, 00:09:36.019 --> 00:09:38.399 When Moses came down from the Mount Sinai 00:09:38.399 --> 00:09:39.699 with the two tablets of the testimony 00:09:39.699 --> 00:09:40.259 in his hand, 00:09:40.600 --> 00:09:41.860 as he came down from the mountain, 00:09:42.240 --> 00:09:43.019 Moses did not know 00:09:43.019 --> 00:09:44.840 that the skin of his face shone 00:09:44.840 --> 00:09:47.340 because he had been talking with God. 00:09:47.439 --> 00:09:49.240 He actually was illuminated. 00:09:50.299 --> 00:09:50.379 Right? 00:09:50.500 --> 00:09:52.659 He had a countenance about him 00:09:52.659 --> 00:09:54.240 that brightened 00:09:54.240 --> 00:09:55.699 what people were seeing 00:09:55.699 --> 00:09:57.620 to be true of who he was. 00:09:57.779 --> 00:09:59.220 And we see later in this text 00:09:59.220 --> 00:10:00.659 that he actually begins to veil himself 00:10:00.659 --> 00:10:01.600 because this brightness 00:10:01.600 --> 00:10:02.919 was a fading brightness. 00:10:03.240 --> 00:10:04.419 So he would veil himself 00:10:04.419 --> 00:10:05.899 because it was going away 00:10:05.899 --> 00:10:07.179 and then he would unveil 00:10:07.179 --> 00:10:08.179 to go meet with the Lord again 00:10:08.179 --> 00:10:10.099 and he would get bright once again. 00:10:10.419 --> 00:10:12.459 And we see some commentary on this 00:10:12.459 --> 00:10:14.339 in 2 Corinthians 3. 00:10:15.000 --> 00:10:15.639 Bible drill. 00:10:15.739 --> 00:10:17.199 Go with me to 2 Corinthians 3. 00:10:25.559 --> 00:10:27.139 Paul here in 3, verse 6 00:10:27.139 --> 00:10:30.139 has talked a bit about the law itself. 00:10:30.239 --> 00:10:31.979 This law that Moses brought down 00:10:31.979 --> 00:10:33.139 on these tablets of stone. 00:10:33.699 --> 00:10:34.399 And it said, 00:10:34.519 --> 00:10:35.579 For the letter kills, 00:10:36.039 --> 00:10:37.719 but the Spirit gives life. 00:10:37.720 --> 00:10:38.899 And what he means is that the letter, 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:39.840 the law itself, 00:10:39.960 --> 00:10:41.440 simply brings the conviction of sin. 00:10:41.500 --> 00:10:42.740 It cannot deliver us from it, 00:10:42.779 --> 00:10:44.000 but it simply makes us aware 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:45.360 that it exists. 00:10:45.540 --> 00:10:46.740 So the letter kills. 00:10:46.860 --> 00:10:47.600 And then in verse 7, 00:10:47.980 --> 00:10:48.300 he says, 00:10:48.420 --> 00:10:50.080 Now if the ministry of death, 00:10:50.480 --> 00:10:51.840 carved in letters on stone, 00:10:52.220 --> 00:10:53.340 came with such glory 00:10:53.340 --> 00:10:54.840 that the Israelites could not gaze 00:10:54.840 --> 00:10:55.680 at Moses' face 00:10:55.680 --> 00:10:56.600 because of its glory, 00:10:56.899 --> 00:10:58.300 which was being brought to an end, 00:10:58.680 --> 00:11:00.259 will not the ministry of the Spirit 00:11:00.259 --> 00:11:01.820 have even more glory? 00:11:02.340 --> 00:11:03.040 For if there is glory 00:11:03.040 --> 00:11:03.720 in the ministry of condemnation, 00:11:03.720 --> 00:11:04.360 condemnation, 00:11:04.560 --> 00:11:05.720 the ministry of righteousness 00:11:05.720 --> 00:11:08.200 must far exceed it in glory. 00:11:08.840 --> 00:11:09.779 Indeed, in this case, 00:11:09.860 --> 00:11:10.720 once once had glory 00:11:10.720 --> 00:11:12.340 has come to have no glory at all 00:11:12.340 --> 00:11:13.500 because of the glory 00:11:13.500 --> 00:11:15.080 that surpasses it. 00:11:15.340 --> 00:11:15.820 The glory, 00:11:15.920 --> 00:11:17.320 the gospel of grace 00:11:17.320 --> 00:11:19.139 that surpasses the law. 00:11:19.779 --> 00:11:20.279 Verse 11, 00:11:20.840 --> 00:11:21.779 For what was being brought 00:11:21.779 --> 00:11:23.160 to an end came with glory. 00:11:23.500 --> 00:11:25.340 Much more will what is permanent 00:11:25.340 --> 00:11:26.639 have glory. 00:11:27.740 --> 00:11:29.139 Since we have such a hope, 00:11:29.480 --> 00:11:30.759 we are very bold. 00:11:30.759 --> 00:11:31.980 Not like Moses 00:11:31.980 --> 00:11:32.759 who would put a veil 00:11:32.759 --> 00:11:33.460 over his face 00:11:33.460 --> 00:11:34.000 that the Israelites 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:34.720 might not gaze 00:11:34.720 --> 00:11:35.279 at the outcome 00:11:35.279 --> 00:11:36.159 of what was being brought 00:11:36.159 --> 00:11:36.740 to an end, 00:11:37.159 --> 00:11:38.539 but their minds were hardened. 00:11:38.980 --> 00:11:39.720 For to this day, 00:11:39.779 --> 00:11:40.819 when they read the Old Covenant, 00:11:40.939 --> 00:11:42.779 that same veil remains unlifted 00:11:42.779 --> 00:11:44.100 because only through Christ 00:11:44.100 --> 00:11:45.080 is it taken away. 00:11:45.980 --> 00:11:47.059 Yes, to this day, 00:11:47.179 --> 00:11:48.299 whenever Moses is read, 00:11:48.379 --> 00:11:50.019 a veil lies over their hearts. 00:11:50.700 --> 00:11:52.439 But when one turns to the Lord, 00:11:52.639 --> 00:11:54.019 the veil is removed. 00:11:54.620 --> 00:11:55.620 Now the Lord is the Spirit, 00:11:55.679 --> 00:11:56.860 and where the Spirit of the Lord is, 00:11:56.919 --> 00:11:57.539 there is freedom. 00:11:57.879 --> 00:11:58.580 And we all, 00:11:58.700 --> 00:11:59.939 with unveiled face, 00:11:59.940 --> 00:12:01.780 beholding the glory of the Lord, 00:12:01.960 --> 00:12:03.020 are being transformed 00:12:03.020 --> 00:12:03.840 to the same image 00:12:03.840 --> 00:12:04.960 from one degree of glory 00:12:04.960 --> 00:12:05.880 to another. 00:12:06.320 --> 00:12:07.800 For this comes from the Lord, 00:12:08.160 --> 00:12:09.000 who is the Spirit. 00:12:09.680 --> 00:12:11.060 You see what he's saying there now? 00:12:11.160 --> 00:12:12.220 Is that we now have 00:12:12.220 --> 00:12:13.560 this full revelation. 00:12:13.740 --> 00:12:14.540 We have looked 00:12:14.540 --> 00:12:16.520 into the face of Christ. 00:12:16.640 --> 00:12:17.600 And as such, 00:12:17.740 --> 00:12:19.060 we have a greater glory, 00:12:19.160 --> 00:12:20.860 a surpassing glory. 00:12:21.120 --> 00:12:22.400 And we don't experience 00:12:22.400 --> 00:12:24.800 this glowing skin 00:12:24.800 --> 00:12:26.160 that Moses had going on. 00:12:26.260 --> 00:12:27.400 But what we do experience 00:12:27.400 --> 00:12:28.360 is the transformation 00:12:28.360 --> 00:12:29.519 of our hearts 00:12:29.519 --> 00:12:31.200 and therefore our actions. 00:12:31.320 --> 00:12:32.500 There has to be something 00:12:32.500 --> 00:12:33.600 that comes out 00:12:33.600 --> 00:12:35.740 of a devotion to Christ. 00:12:37.019 --> 00:12:39.560 If we can't worship Christ 00:12:39.560 --> 00:12:41.560 properly during this season, 00:12:41.560 --> 00:12:43.320 it's probably because 00:12:43.320 --> 00:12:45.820 we don't know him that well. 00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:47.759 If we know him at all, 00:12:47.960 --> 00:12:50.139 we don't know him that well. 00:12:50.320 --> 00:12:52.860 He is a surpassing glory. 00:12:53.639 --> 00:12:54.080 If you look down 00:12:54.080 --> 00:12:55.360 in chapter 4, verse 6, 00:12:55.360 --> 00:12:58.220 Paul writes, 00:12:58.279 --> 00:12:59.080 For God who said, 00:12:59.340 --> 00:13:00.659 Let light shine out of darkness. 00:13:01.320 --> 00:13:04.100 This all-powerful God 00:13:04.100 --> 00:13:04.460 who said, 00:13:04.639 --> 00:13:05.680 Let light shine out of darkness 00:13:05.680 --> 00:13:07.100 has shown in our hearts 00:13:07.100 --> 00:13:07.919 to give the light 00:13:07.919 --> 00:13:08.759 of the knowledge 00:13:08.759 --> 00:13:09.759 of the glory of God 00:13:09.759 --> 00:13:10.600 in the face 00:13:10.600 --> 00:13:12.840 of Jesus Christ. 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:16.720 That is who we behold. 00:13:16.840 --> 00:13:18.919 He is more excellent 00:13:18.919 --> 00:13:22.039 than anything in this world. 00:13:22.519 --> 00:13:23.639 Certainly more excellent 00:13:23.639 --> 00:13:24.960 than Santa Claus. 00:13:26.460 --> 00:13:30.600 Who is an omniscient judge 00:13:30.600 --> 00:13:31.419 of some sort. 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:33.799 Who hands out rewards 00:13:33.799 --> 00:13:34.879 to those who have earned it 00:13:34.879 --> 00:13:36.019 and who punishes those 00:13:36.019 --> 00:13:37.039 who haven't. 00:13:37.799 --> 00:13:39.059 If we are totally honest 00:13:39.059 --> 00:13:39.720 with our story, 00:13:39.819 --> 00:13:40.419 none of us are getting 00:13:40.419 --> 00:13:41.879 any gifts this Christmas at all. 00:13:44.080 --> 00:13:45.620 But Jesus instead comes 00:13:45.620 --> 00:13:47.360 and he pours out eternal wrath 00:13:47.360 --> 00:13:49.559 on those who have stood 00:13:49.559 --> 00:13:50.639 in opposition to him. 00:13:50.639 --> 00:13:51.679 The things that are just 00:13:51.679 --> 00:13:52.500 and do them. 00:13:52.899 --> 00:13:54.019 But by grace, 00:13:54.539 --> 00:13:55.580 by grace, 00:13:55.659 --> 00:13:56.460 not by our works, 00:13:56.519 --> 00:13:57.299 not by the good things 00:13:57.299 --> 00:13:57.720 that we could have 00:13:57.720 --> 00:13:58.659 ever possibly earned, 00:13:58.860 --> 00:13:59.699 but by grace, 00:13:59.840 --> 00:14:00.779 he gives to us 00:14:00.779 --> 00:14:01.879 eternal life. 00:14:02.419 --> 00:14:03.279 Reward in him. 00:14:03.639 --> 00:14:05.179 Adoption into his family. 00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:06.960 Jesus is more excellent 00:14:06.960 --> 00:14:08.059 than Santa Claus. 00:14:08.740 --> 00:14:09.879 What else are your kids into? 00:14:10.220 --> 00:14:11.580 Probably a million things. 00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:12.699 We have a lot of young ones in here. 00:14:12.799 --> 00:14:14.139 I couldn't think of an analogy 00:14:14.139 --> 00:14:14.740 with Thomas, 00:14:14.860 --> 00:14:15.500 the tank engine. 00:14:15.500 --> 00:14:17.460 But Jesus is more excellent 00:14:17.460 --> 00:14:18.299 than Superman. 00:14:18.480 --> 00:14:19.879 Would have been a great character 00:14:19.879 --> 00:14:21.340 of my day. 00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:22.700 If you recall some of the 00:14:22.700 --> 00:14:23.340 Superman movies, 00:14:23.379 --> 00:14:24.059 there was a movie where 00:14:24.059 --> 00:14:25.820 he turned the earth backwards 00:14:25.820 --> 00:14:27.259 and therefore turned back time. 00:14:27.539 --> 00:14:28.460 You guys remember that one? 00:14:29.059 --> 00:14:30.600 By his great strength, 00:14:30.700 --> 00:14:31.360 if you recall, 00:14:31.480 --> 00:14:33.100 this was a big feat for Superman. 00:14:33.279 --> 00:14:34.480 He flew around the earth 00:14:34.480 --> 00:14:36.200 so quickly in the opposite direction 00:14:36.200 --> 00:14:37.539 that he got it rotating 00:14:37.539 --> 00:14:38.820 in the other direction. 00:14:39.279 --> 00:14:41.279 Jesus holds the earth 00:14:41.279 --> 00:14:42.159 in its rotation 00:14:42.159 --> 00:14:43.440 by the power of his word. 00:14:43.440 --> 00:14:45.620 Superman can't stand 00:14:45.620 --> 00:14:46.960 against that. 00:14:48.180 --> 00:14:50.600 Jesus is more excellent 00:14:50.600 --> 00:14:51.460 than Superman. 00:14:51.620 --> 00:14:53.880 In fact, he's the Lord of time. 00:14:54.680 --> 00:14:55.520 Knows all things 00:14:55.520 --> 00:14:56.120 from the beginning 00:14:56.120 --> 00:14:57.780 to the very, very end. 00:14:59.560 --> 00:15:00.780 Jesus is more excellent 00:15:00.780 --> 00:15:02.060 than Iron Man. 00:15:03.520 --> 00:15:05.240 Who forsook the glory 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:06.360 of being God. 00:15:06.940 --> 00:15:09.220 Came down as a humble servant. 00:15:09.360 --> 00:15:10.700 It's the opposite of that character 00:15:10.700 --> 00:15:12.340 we see in the movie, isn't it? 00:15:12.340 --> 00:15:14.019 He came as a humble servant 00:15:14.019 --> 00:15:15.280 and emptied himself 00:15:15.280 --> 00:15:16.399 and served us 00:15:16.399 --> 00:15:18.320 to the point of death 00:15:18.320 --> 00:15:21.019 that we might have life in him. 00:15:21.600 --> 00:15:22.680 He traded his glory 00:15:22.680 --> 00:15:24.759 that we might have glory one day. 00:15:25.040 --> 00:15:26.840 He is more excellent. 00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:27.560 Why? 00:15:27.960 --> 00:15:29.240 Why in our homes 00:15:29.240 --> 00:15:31.879 do our kids love these things 00:15:31.879 --> 00:15:34.700 and they don't love Christ? 00:15:36.019 --> 00:15:38.759 The very name of Jesus 00:15:38.759 --> 00:15:40.139 ought to move us 00:15:40.139 --> 00:15:41.519 in some way in our hearts. 00:15:41.519 --> 00:15:43.000 We hear somebody say the name Jesus. 00:15:43.120 --> 00:15:43.899 Has it become just 00:15:43.899 --> 00:15:45.759 commonplace to you? 00:15:45.819 --> 00:15:47.840 Is it blasé in your life? 00:15:48.840 --> 00:15:49.840 It ought to perk your ears. 00:15:49.919 --> 00:15:50.779 It ought to get your heart 00:15:50.779 --> 00:15:52.679 motivated and open and warm. 00:15:53.399 --> 00:15:54.019 This One, 00:15:54.120 --> 00:15:55.399 this Jesus Christ, 00:15:55.539 --> 00:15:57.100 salvation from God, 00:15:57.179 --> 00:15:57.860 the Messiah, 00:15:57.980 --> 00:15:59.799 it should warm us. 00:15:59.819 --> 00:16:00.579 It should want us 00:16:00.579 --> 00:16:01.579 to engage in conversation. 00:16:01.939 --> 00:16:02.799 It should be the very thing 00:16:02.799 --> 00:16:03.579 we want to talk about 00:16:03.579 --> 00:16:04.840 in all places 00:16:04.840 --> 00:16:06.860 at all times. 00:16:07.460 --> 00:16:09.059 Turn to Philippians 2. 00:16:09.059 --> 00:16:14.579 God has given this name 00:16:14.579 --> 00:16:15.119 to Christ. 00:16:15.219 --> 00:16:16.059 Chapter 2, verse 9, 00:16:16.119 --> 00:16:16.779 Therefore God 00:16:16.779 --> 00:16:18.439 has highly exalted him, 00:16:18.779 --> 00:16:19.000 Jesus, 00:16:19.159 --> 00:16:19.859 and bestowed on him 00:16:19.859 --> 00:16:20.279 the name 00:16:20.279 --> 00:16:22.259 that is above every name. 00:16:22.759 --> 00:16:23.779 So that the name of Jesus 00:16:23.779 --> 00:16:24.559 every knee should bow 00:16:24.559 --> 00:16:25.219 in heaven and on earth 00:16:25.219 --> 00:16:25.859 and under the earth, 00:16:25.979 --> 00:16:27.079 and every tongue confess 00:16:27.079 --> 00:16:28.059 that Jesus Christ 00:16:28.059 --> 00:16:29.539 is Lord. 00:16:29.539 --> 00:16:31.219 To the glory of God, 00:16:31.599 --> 00:16:32.259 the Father. 00:16:32.939 --> 00:16:33.559 Turn to Psalm, 00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:34.459 chapter 66. 00:16:34.460 --> 00:16:39.340 So what happens 00:16:39.340 --> 00:16:40.120 when I scribble notes? 00:16:40.200 --> 00:16:40.920 You've got to go with me 00:16:40.920 --> 00:16:41.920 to the text. 00:16:53.139 --> 00:16:54.019 Psalm 66, 00:16:54.139 --> 00:16:54.900 beginning in verse 1. 00:16:55.300 --> 00:16:57.080 Shout for joy to God, 00:16:57.200 --> 00:16:58.000 all the earth. 00:16:58.580 --> 00:17:00.320 Sing the glory of His name. 00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:02.639 Give to Him glorious praise. 00:17:02.639 --> 00:17:04.079 Say to God, 00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:05.879 how awesome are your deeds. 00:17:06.299 --> 00:17:07.359 So great is your power 00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:07.960 that your enemies 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:09.139 come cringing to you. 00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:10.960 All the earth worships you 00:17:10.960 --> 00:17:12.119 and sings praises to you. 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:13.400 They sing praises 00:17:13.400 --> 00:17:14.859 to your name. 00:17:16.440 --> 00:17:18.680 This should be our heart 00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:20.740 during the Christmas season, 00:17:20.839 --> 00:17:22.220 and it should be such 00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:23.940 that it is infectious. 00:17:25.019 --> 00:17:26.099 We should look 00:17:26.099 --> 00:17:27.119 for opportunities, 00:17:27.619 --> 00:17:28.839 deliberate chances 00:17:28.839 --> 00:17:31.319 to make much of Christ. 00:17:31.319 --> 00:17:31.439 Christ. 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:34.039 We have such limited time 00:17:34.039 --> 00:17:34.779 together. 00:17:35.200 --> 00:17:36.019 As I said before, 00:17:36.359 --> 00:17:37.579 53 services 00:17:37.579 --> 00:17:38.460 that we'll have 00:17:38.460 --> 00:17:39.379 this next year. 00:17:40.339 --> 00:17:41.700 Many of you will get sick. 00:17:42.079 --> 00:17:42.779 I know I do. 00:17:43.379 --> 00:17:44.519 You'll go on vacations. 00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:46.559 So let's give you 48. 00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:50.980 Times we get to come together 00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:52.779 into this holy assembly, 00:17:53.079 --> 00:17:54.079 this thing that has been 00:17:54.079 --> 00:17:55.379 specifically set apart 00:17:55.379 --> 00:17:56.859 to honor Christ in. 00:17:57.279 --> 00:17:58.039 Do we come? 00:17:58.099 --> 00:17:59.460 Do we even come prepared 00:17:59.460 --> 00:18:01.319 to do what we do together? 00:18:01.840 --> 00:18:03.220 Do we simply roll out of bed, 00:18:03.539 --> 00:18:04.100 hit the car, 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:04.740 get here, 00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:05.740 go through the motion, 00:18:05.920 --> 00:18:06.640 and take off? 00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:09.940 Do we really devote time 00:18:09.940 --> 00:18:10.880 and energy 00:18:10.880 --> 00:18:12.039 to seeing how it is 00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:12.920 we can exalt Christ 00:18:12.920 --> 00:18:13.980 in our meetings together? 00:18:14.680 --> 00:18:15.680 And I know you're thinking, 00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:16.539 that's kind of your job. 00:18:16.680 --> 00:18:17.220 You put together 00:18:17.220 --> 00:18:18.579 the service aspect of it. 00:18:18.579 --> 00:18:19.420 And yes, I agree. 00:18:19.600 --> 00:18:20.120 It is. 00:18:20.700 --> 00:18:21.620 And it's a labor 00:18:21.620 --> 00:18:22.460 that I have got 00:18:22.460 --> 00:18:23.480 to put my nose to. 00:18:24.079 --> 00:18:25.120 But you play a part 00:18:25.120 --> 00:18:25.860 in it as well. 00:18:26.539 --> 00:18:27.460 The condition of your heart 00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:27.940 matters. 00:18:28.620 --> 00:18:29.759 You start coming to this place 00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:31.079 ready to exalt Christ, 00:18:31.180 --> 00:18:32.000 you will find yourself 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:32.700 exalting Him 00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:34.079 in all sorts 00:18:34.079 --> 00:18:35.500 of unique ways. 00:18:36.299 --> 00:18:37.480 In your meeting beforehand, 00:18:37.660 --> 00:18:38.400 in your meeting after, 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:39.319 in the singing of praises 00:18:39.319 --> 00:18:39.860 to His name, 00:18:40.160 --> 00:18:41.360 even just in your listening. 00:18:41.460 --> 00:18:42.420 You want sermons to matter 00:18:42.420 --> 00:18:43.460 and mean something to you? 00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:44.500 Set your mind 00:18:44.500 --> 00:18:45.440 to exalting Christ 00:18:45.440 --> 00:18:46.579 as you come together 00:18:46.579 --> 00:18:47.860 with the people of God. 00:18:49.319 --> 00:18:50.000 How are we going 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:50.840 to treat Christmas? 00:18:51.059 --> 00:18:51.740 Those of you with kids, 00:18:51.799 --> 00:18:52.660 those of you without kids 00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:53.480 who may have kids 00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:54.340 someday, 00:18:54.340 --> 00:18:55.180 those of you who have 00:18:55.180 --> 00:18:56.480 some influence over kids 00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:57.860 in some way. 00:18:58.180 --> 00:19:00.180 Are you more excited 00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:01.519 about Christ 00:19:01.519 --> 00:19:02.539 than all of the other 00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:03.440 trappings that come 00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:04.100 along with Christmas? 00:19:04.340 --> 00:19:04.840 And those things 00:19:04.840 --> 00:19:05.740 aren't bad and evil 00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:06.279 in themselves. 00:19:06.680 --> 00:19:08.420 I say out-give the world 00:19:08.420 --> 00:19:10.299 but point people to Christ. 00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:11.900 I say out-decorate the world 00:19:11.900 --> 00:19:13.019 but point people to Christ. 00:19:13.160 --> 00:19:13.980 Out-eat the world 00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:15.160 but point people to Christ 00:19:15.160 --> 00:19:16.019 in all of that. 00:19:16.620 --> 00:19:17.400 Show the world 00:19:17.400 --> 00:19:19.380 that this is a lesser joy. 00:19:19.880 --> 00:19:20.080 Right? 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:21.320 That it's just a simple, 00:19:21.320 --> 00:19:21.519 I mean, 00:19:21.600 --> 00:19:23.420 a tiny, minute shadow 00:19:23.420 --> 00:19:24.300 of the greater, 00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:25.800 more excellent joy 00:19:25.800 --> 00:19:27.800 that is found in Christ. 00:19:28.320 --> 00:19:29.100 Let's pray together.