WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.560 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:10.620 Join us. 00:00:11.820 --> 00:00:18.539 Last week, we started talking about Christmas together, about the Incarnation, preparing 00:00:18.539 --> 00:00:26.060 our hearts to celebrate, to wonder, and to be transformed by this fact that the Word 00:00:26.060 --> 00:00:27.980 became flesh. 00:00:27.980 --> 00:00:32.280 The Incarnation of the Son of God Himself. 00:00:33.920 --> 00:00:41.799 I spoke of the Incarnation of what Jesus did as the intentional entrance of the Divine Son 00:00:41.799 --> 00:00:50.420 of God into our fallen world, in human flesh, to secure our redemption at the cost of His 00:00:50.420 --> 00:00:53.579 life because of His great love. 00:00:53.579 --> 00:01:00.280 And last week, we started talking about the Incarnation by talking about our need for 00:01:00.280 --> 00:01:01.179 the Incarnation. 00:01:01.579 --> 00:01:10.459 The darkness of our world and of our hearts that required the rescue of God, that required 00:01:10.459 --> 00:01:14.019 Him breaking in to bring light and life. 00:01:14.019 --> 00:01:20.899 And the hope that Christmas reminds us of in the midst of our darkest moments is that there 00:01:20.899 --> 00:01:27.239 is light powerful enough and passionate enough to break into your darkness. 00:01:27.699 --> 00:01:33.840 No matter how thick that darkness feels to you, there's light powerful enough and passionate 00:01:33.840 --> 00:01:35.199 enough to break into it. 00:01:35.200 --> 00:01:37.799 We need that reminder, don't we? 00:01:38.200 --> 00:01:39.560 Because we feel that a lot. 00:01:40.460 --> 00:01:42.600 That's the hope of Christmas. 00:01:42.859 --> 00:01:43.960 Jesus has come. 00:01:44.480 --> 00:01:48.900 Jesus is coming again to bring light and life for us. 00:01:50.060 --> 00:01:57.520 This morning, we're actually going to consider the sacrifice required of Jesus in the Incarnation. 00:01:57.519 --> 00:02:02.739 What did He have to give up when the Word became flesh? 00:02:03.219 --> 00:02:09.120 We certainly will see this mystery of God becoming man in John chapter 1, where we're 00:02:09.120 --> 00:02:11.919 focusing most of our time this Christmas season. 00:02:12.460 --> 00:02:14.280 We're going to look there a little bit this morning. 00:02:14.379 --> 00:02:19.340 But I want us to start with the great Christ hymn in Philippians chapter 2 today. 00:02:19.479 --> 00:02:26.560 So let's turn there and read from Philippians chapter 2, beginning at verse 3. 00:02:26.560 --> 00:02:35.740 This is God's holy, inerrant, infallible Word given to us so that we would know Him, love 00:02:35.740 --> 00:02:37.659 Him, and honor Him. 00:02:38.539 --> 00:02:40.340 Philippians 2 at verse 3. 00:02:41.620 --> 00:02:48.800 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than 00:02:48.800 --> 00:02:49.300 yourselves. 00:02:50.360 --> 00:02:54.920 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 00:02:54.919 --> 00:03:01.500 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the 00:03:01.500 --> 00:03:07.539 form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, 00:03:08.539 --> 00:03:14.099 taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men, and being found in human 00:03:14.099 --> 00:03:14.619 form. 00:03:14.959 --> 00:03:21.759 He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 00:03:21.759 --> 00:03:23.979 Thus far, God's Word. 00:03:24.099 --> 00:03:26.959 Let's pray and ask for His help as we study it together. 00:03:29.219 --> 00:03:31.739 Father, we give You thanks for Your Word. 00:03:33.139 --> 00:03:39.139 And we ask that Your Spirit would come as He loves to do and shine light upon it. 00:03:39.139 --> 00:03:47.119 That those of us who struggle to understand, and when we understand, struggle to trust, struggle 00:03:47.119 --> 00:03:50.739 to follow, would have Your help. 00:03:51.559 --> 00:03:56.819 That You might teach us, that You might lead us, that You, Holy Spirit, might change us. 00:03:58.279 --> 00:04:04.699 We ask that You do that so that we might see Jesus more clearly, so that we might worship 00:04:04.699 --> 00:04:12.319 Him more fully, that this Christmas season would be one that we delight in, because we delight 00:04:12.319 --> 00:04:14.219 in the birth of our Savior. 00:04:14.899 --> 00:04:16.139 We ask it in His name. 00:04:17.180 --> 00:04:17.519 Amen. 00:04:19.920 --> 00:04:25.159 Every year when we get ready at our house to decorate the Christmas tree, I pull out this 00:04:25.159 --> 00:04:29.779 old box that is labeled, Will's Christmas Ornaments. 00:04:29.779 --> 00:04:32.599 It's getting crowded. 00:04:32.859 --> 00:04:38.639 I've got over 30 years of ornaments piled up in here now, and I pull it out and get so 00:04:38.639 --> 00:04:44.679 excited and start to look through and see which ones am I going to use this year. 00:04:44.739 --> 00:04:47.439 They go all the way back to childhood ornaments. 00:04:48.159 --> 00:04:56.459 The oldest, one of them, is this kind of cute snowflake frame picture of me when I was a baby. 00:04:56.459 --> 00:05:01.120 It's only cute if you really like chubby cheeks, then it's really, really cute. 00:05:01.180 --> 00:05:02.079 There's a lot of those. 00:05:03.259 --> 00:05:06.739 But it goes kind of downhill after that one. 00:05:07.539 --> 00:05:11.319 You get this styrofoam snowman. 00:05:11.819 --> 00:05:16.179 They're pictured up there because I know you can't see me holding them up, but he's missing 00:05:16.179 --> 00:05:17.179 some of his outfit. 00:05:17.899 --> 00:05:22.639 He's got pieces falling apart, but he used to be cute. 00:05:22.639 --> 00:05:26.419 And then there's a clothespin toy soldier. 00:05:27.300 --> 00:05:29.319 You know, he hangs like this and spins a little bit. 00:05:29.500 --> 00:05:32.219 He's got an arm that's kind of broken off to the side. 00:05:32.279 --> 00:05:33.000 It looks really painful. 00:05:33.740 --> 00:05:36.519 His hat is falling off on one side. 00:05:36.819 --> 00:05:40.199 It's barely hanging on, a little bit of extra glue helping it to stay there. 00:05:40.199 --> 00:05:52.099 But the piece de resistance, maybe my favorite, is this felt Christmas tree that I decorated 00:05:52.099 --> 00:05:53.319 when I was two years old. 00:05:53.879 --> 00:05:57.219 You know, there are all sorts of sparkly things on here. 00:05:57.680 --> 00:05:59.439 A lot of different kinds of glue. 00:05:59.560 --> 00:06:02.039 They're different colors now, the glues are. 00:06:02.040 --> 00:06:09.760 In fact, it's even decorated with bits of dirt and dust and fluff that the felt Christmas 00:06:09.760 --> 00:06:13.900 tree has picked up off of other Christmas ornaments and old Christmas trees over the 00:06:13.900 --> 00:06:14.240 years. 00:06:14.520 --> 00:06:17.960 And they're all kind of attached to different parts of the tree. 00:06:18.120 --> 00:06:21.600 Kids, if you want to see these, you can come up and I'll help you learn how to make one 00:06:21.600 --> 00:06:22.860 for your Christmas tree. 00:06:23.540 --> 00:06:26.000 They're very special, special ornaments. 00:06:26.000 --> 00:06:32.160 But we have all of these things and I love these ornaments. 00:06:32.300 --> 00:06:35.120 I love getting them out and looking at them every year. 00:06:35.920 --> 00:06:38.420 Some of them bear kind of the scars of time. 00:06:38.939 --> 00:06:44.699 They've been worn and tattered, but I love them and I hold on to them very tightly. 00:06:45.480 --> 00:06:48.100 I don't know if you have ornaments like that at your house. 00:06:49.879 --> 00:06:51.199 I'm pretty sentimental. 00:06:52.339 --> 00:06:54.180 Okay, I'm really sentimental. 00:06:54.180 --> 00:06:57.600 So I love holding on to old things. 00:06:58.240 --> 00:07:00.800 In fact, I like keeping things in general. 00:07:00.959 --> 00:07:01.980 I'm not just sentimental. 00:07:02.160 --> 00:07:03.360 I'm also very practical. 00:07:03.920 --> 00:07:08.699 So I love holding on to things like clothes that don't fit anymore. 00:07:09.720 --> 00:07:15.019 Or if I'm honest, for me, it's more like the baggy jeans that one day are going to come 00:07:15.019 --> 00:07:15.720 back in style. 00:07:15.800 --> 00:07:18.060 There's no way skinny jeans is going to stick. 00:07:18.060 --> 00:07:25.019 And so if I keep all these baggy jeans in the garage somewhere, then one day I'm going 00:07:25.019 --> 00:07:27.100 to be ready when that day comes. 00:07:27.439 --> 00:07:29.439 So I'm hanging on to those things. 00:07:29.780 --> 00:07:30.780 I'm a pack rat. 00:07:31.360 --> 00:07:32.240 I know that. 00:07:33.060 --> 00:07:35.720 But we all have things we hold on tightly to, don't we? 00:07:36.600 --> 00:07:38.759 Things you can't imagine letting go of. 00:07:38.840 --> 00:07:41.819 You think you're always going to need them. 00:07:41.819 --> 00:07:44.379 Think about what would be on that list for you. 00:07:46.120 --> 00:07:50.920 What kinds of things are grasped tightly in your sweaty palms? 00:07:51.019 --> 00:07:55.939 If you've never seen the sweaty palms of a child sitting in a pew waiting for the offering 00:07:55.939 --> 00:08:00.000 plate to come by and the coins that are in there, by the time it gets to them, you can't 00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:02.560 even shake them off because they stick to the sweat. 00:08:02.560 --> 00:08:08.220 But what would be there stuck in your sweaty palms because you've been holding on to it 00:08:08.220 --> 00:08:09.399 so tightly? 00:08:10.759 --> 00:08:15.399 It may not be felt Christmas tree ornaments or out of style clothes. 00:08:16.399 --> 00:08:21.060 It could be money that our instinct is to hold on to tightly. 00:08:21.800 --> 00:08:26.980 So when I walk out of Target this time of year and see the Salvation Army bell ringer, I think, 00:08:26.980 --> 00:08:27.720 no way. 00:08:28.879 --> 00:08:30.819 No, no, I'm looking the other direction. 00:08:30.819 --> 00:08:35.740 Or I hear my church ask for help financially at the end of the year and I think, seriously? 00:08:36.159 --> 00:08:36.919 My money? 00:08:38.740 --> 00:08:40.059 Hold on tightly to that. 00:08:40.639 --> 00:08:43.100 Now, I want you to think this morning, what are those things? 00:08:43.879 --> 00:08:44.919 Material things? 00:08:45.559 --> 00:08:49.580 Maybe immaterial things that you cling to tightly. 00:08:50.679 --> 00:08:55.419 What would we find in your proverbial sweaty palm that you would never part with? 00:08:56.319 --> 00:08:57.720 The sacrifice would be too great. 00:08:57.720 --> 00:09:00.879 Everybody got something in mind? 00:09:01.279 --> 00:09:04.100 We're not going forward until everybody thinks of something. 00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:06.100 So you've got to think. 00:09:08.320 --> 00:09:09.540 Have that in your mind. 00:09:09.720 --> 00:09:14.860 And then listen to what Paul says as he talks about Jesus in Philippians chapter 2. 00:09:15.200 --> 00:09:21.080 He says Jesus possessed some much more valuable things than any of us ever has. 00:09:21.080 --> 00:09:31.780 And he had to sacrifice those to let it go, as it were, in order to become flesh, to bring light into our darkness. 00:09:31.780 --> 00:09:34.379 It was costly to Jesus. 00:09:35.020 --> 00:09:40.300 That act of becoming flesh, the incarnation, cost him immensely. 00:09:40.299 --> 00:09:48.019 We want to consider that sacrifice for a few minutes as we prepare to come to this table this morning. 00:09:48.299 --> 00:09:52.199 Next week, we're going to focus on what he entered into when he did that. 00:09:52.599 --> 00:09:57.139 But today, what he gave up in order to become man. 00:09:57.139 --> 00:10:06.939 See, verse 6 of Philippians 2 tells us that Jesus did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped. 00:10:07.919 --> 00:10:13.159 And it's so important for us to understand this because some people have totally misused this verse. 00:10:13.519 --> 00:10:19.779 And they said, see, Jesus didn't count equality with God something to be reached for, to be grasped at. 00:10:19.779 --> 00:10:23.199 Which proves that Jesus wasn't actually God. 00:10:23.299 --> 00:10:25.579 He didn't grasp for divinity. 00:10:26.659 --> 00:10:28.899 That's not what this verse means at all. 00:10:28.980 --> 00:10:32.659 The context makes that very clear in the word itself. 00:10:33.860 --> 00:10:39.079 Actually, in the Greek, what it's referring to is holding on to something that is yours. 00:10:39.379 --> 00:10:42.379 Grasping tightly and not letting go. 00:10:42.860 --> 00:10:44.939 Using it for your own purposes. 00:10:45.100 --> 00:10:46.220 I'll have it for me. 00:10:46.439 --> 00:10:47.679 That's what the word means. 00:10:47.679 --> 00:10:52.179 Or as in this case, Jesus not doing that. 00:10:52.859 --> 00:10:55.419 Not grasping tightly. 00:10:56.659 --> 00:11:04.500 Deciding that although he was indeed fully God, with all the benefits that are associated with that reality, 00:11:04.979 --> 00:11:10.339 he would let go of those in order to take on flesh. 00:11:11.059 --> 00:11:12.959 So that's the first thing he sacrificed. 00:11:12.960 --> 00:11:21.960 The infinite glory and status of being God on high to become man. 00:11:23.100 --> 00:11:28.080 Though he was in the form of God, he took on the likeness of man. 00:11:28.460 --> 00:11:34.240 John says the word was with God and the word was God. 00:11:34.940 --> 00:11:35.980 But then what happened? 00:11:35.980 --> 00:11:39.820 The word became flesh. 00:11:41.560 --> 00:11:49.960 Since you and I have never been God, we can't even begin to imagine or think about the distance here. 00:11:50.080 --> 00:11:52.700 The sacrifice that this was for Jesus. 00:11:53.259 --> 00:12:03.899 We don't have analogies to compare or words to describe the glorious mystery of fully God becoming fully man at the same time. 00:12:03.899 --> 00:12:13.079 The theologian John Murray says it this way with some rich theological words that probably help our minds start thinking a little bit. 00:12:13.079 --> 00:12:16.039 The infinite became finite. 00:12:17.259 --> 00:12:27.059 The eternal and supratemporal, outside of time, beyond time, entered time and became subject to its conditions. 00:12:27.059 --> 00:12:33.399 The immutable, the one who could never change, became mutable. 00:12:34.559 --> 00:12:38.500 And all the difficulties that he had to face alongside of that. 00:12:38.799 --> 00:12:40.639 The invisible became visible. 00:12:41.879 --> 00:12:44.139 The creator became the created. 00:12:44.719 --> 00:12:47.599 Note he's really intentional there to include the word the. 00:12:47.859 --> 00:12:49.839 It's not that he became created. 00:12:50.619 --> 00:12:53.639 But that he became part of the created. 00:12:53.639 --> 00:12:57.019 The creator walking around among his creation. 00:12:57.199 --> 00:12:59.879 The sustainer of all became dependent. 00:13:00.399 --> 00:13:02.340 The almighty infirm. 00:13:02.740 --> 00:13:07.679 All is summed in the proposition, God became man. 00:13:08.480 --> 00:13:09.960 All of these things. 00:13:10.819 --> 00:13:12.639 I don't like change at all. 00:13:12.740 --> 00:13:15.860 And the change for me is usually very small changes. 00:13:15.860 --> 00:13:20.419 This is the God who is unchanging and unchangeable. 00:13:21.139 --> 00:13:24.639 Becoming something very different from him. 00:13:25.139 --> 00:13:28.480 We are not just right there beside God. 00:13:28.940 --> 00:13:29.919 He takes on flesh. 00:13:30.080 --> 00:13:31.300 He walks on this earth. 00:13:31.680 --> 00:13:33.960 The glory that he sacrifices. 00:13:34.100 --> 00:13:35.519 Just ponder that for a minute. 00:13:36.399 --> 00:13:40.039 The fullness of glory was his. 00:13:40.500 --> 00:13:41.779 No one rivaled him. 00:13:43.399 --> 00:13:44.820 What are the things we know about God? 00:13:44.820 --> 00:13:46.720 There's none other like him. 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:48.860 He's worthy of all praise. 00:13:49.580 --> 00:13:51.840 Even the rocks know to praise him. 00:13:52.080 --> 00:13:55.180 All of creation knows who he is and worships him. 00:13:57.120 --> 00:14:01.940 To put it in my words, a little bit less long than Murray's. 00:14:03.420 --> 00:14:09.280 The one who deserved all eyes on him became one from whom men hide their faces. 00:14:09.279 --> 00:14:15.980 He goes from being recognized by everyone to ignored by many. 00:14:15.980 --> 00:14:25.820 The God who is so big that he creates with the word of his mouth the entire universe and all the solar systems. 00:14:26.580 --> 00:14:31.300 Back up and get just a glimpse of that like you're seeing it in a picture online or something. 00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:33.600 All these solar systems and stars out there. 00:14:33.920 --> 00:14:36.019 And God's bigger than that and has created all of it. 00:14:36.019 --> 00:14:42.659 And all of a sudden he becomes so small that he's contained in less than a little pinprick on a map. 00:14:43.559 --> 00:14:44.899 In one planet. 00:14:45.759 --> 00:14:47.000 In one country. 00:14:47.860 --> 00:14:50.919 In one little no name city. 00:14:50.919 --> 00:14:52.419 In a manger. 00:14:52.419 --> 00:15:00.220 The great and awesome big God becomes very small. 00:15:00.220 --> 00:15:06.440 Jesus says I'm not clinging to my glory. 00:15:07.540 --> 00:15:09.120 My status as God. 00:15:09.240 --> 00:15:10.660 I'll sacrifice that. 00:15:11.340 --> 00:15:12.519 And become man. 00:15:13.720 --> 00:15:16.500 What else is sacrificed as he does that? 00:15:16.560 --> 00:15:21.240 It's not just the fact that he's not God on high. 00:15:22.040 --> 00:15:24.540 That he's also now fully man. 00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:28.320 I'll say he sacrifices his riches and comfort. 00:15:28.320 --> 00:15:30.980 The privileges of heaven. 00:15:32.060 --> 00:15:36.320 Remember John tells us the word was with God in this perfect relationship. 00:15:37.200 --> 00:15:42.260 And he lays that perfect natural intimacy aside to become flesh. 00:15:42.900 --> 00:15:47.560 In fact Philippians 2.7 he made himself nothing. 00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:49.180 Emptied himself. 00:15:50.160 --> 00:15:51.760 We sang it earlier this morning. 00:15:52.200 --> 00:15:55.140 Thou who was rich beyond all splendor. 00:15:55.480 --> 00:15:58.240 All for love's sake became poor. 00:15:59.100 --> 00:16:01.680 Throne's for a manger did surrender. 00:16:02.160 --> 00:16:05.980 Sapphire paved courts for stable floor. 00:16:06.400 --> 00:16:09.440 Thou who was rich beyond all splendor. 00:16:09.760 --> 00:16:12.320 All for love's sake became poor. 00:16:14.060 --> 00:16:16.300 He had everything at his fingertips didn't he? 00:16:17.240 --> 00:16:18.800 Dwelling in perfection. 00:16:19.560 --> 00:16:22.320 Never even needing to slumber or sleep. 00:16:22.320 --> 00:16:22.840 Sleep. 00:16:23.980 --> 00:16:26.440 Wasn't something that ever factored into his day. 00:16:27.100 --> 00:16:29.160 Heir to all the riches of heaven. 00:16:30.080 --> 00:16:35.580 No sin to interfere with the safety and security of his day to day existence. 00:16:36.360 --> 00:16:37.100 Nothing interrupted. 00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:41.620 I'd call that a comfort zone if there ever was one right? 00:16:42.259 --> 00:16:43.560 How comfortable. 00:16:44.879 --> 00:16:47.040 How safe and secure. 00:16:47.800 --> 00:16:49.240 Nothing could touch him there. 00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:50.879 No one could harm him. 00:16:51.379 --> 00:16:52.540 God his father. 00:16:52.539 --> 00:16:55.299 The greatest good of all goods. 00:16:55.399 --> 00:16:57.179 His constant companion. 00:16:57.599 --> 00:16:59.099 With deep fellowship. 00:16:59.419 --> 00:17:00.759 Close relationship. 00:17:02.039 --> 00:17:03.620 I'd never give that up. 00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:07.920 Boy I'd hang on to that one. 00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:10.240 But what does Jesus do? 00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:12.720 He lets that go. 00:17:12.819 --> 00:17:13.980 He lays it down. 00:17:14.099 --> 00:17:18.900 He steps out of that comfort zone of safety and security. 00:17:18.900 --> 00:17:21.160 Into a war zone. 00:17:21.720 --> 00:17:23.400 Where suffering is immediate. 00:17:24.300 --> 00:17:27.040 Where hunger is a regular experience. 00:17:27.360 --> 00:17:29.220 People are trying to kill him. 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:34.700 And eventually he will sacrifice all the way to death on a cross. 00:17:34.880 --> 00:17:36.380 But we'll talk more about that next week. 00:17:38.540 --> 00:17:44.480 This is the aspect of Jesus' sacrifice that has really just gotten at my heart this week. 00:17:45.140 --> 00:17:48.559 If you've got close relationships in your life. 00:17:49.079 --> 00:17:51.220 Just a few really close relationships. 00:17:51.339 --> 00:17:53.240 Aren't those precious relationships? 00:17:54.180 --> 00:17:55.000 Don't you love those? 00:17:55.059 --> 00:17:57.900 Wouldn't you give anything to keep those close relationships? 00:17:58.620 --> 00:18:02.299 Especially if it's maybe a father, son, father, daughter. 00:18:02.460 --> 00:18:04.660 Any parent, child relationship. 00:18:04.660 --> 00:18:08.039 If you have a beautiful close relationship with a parent. 00:18:08.400 --> 00:18:10.599 Isn't that a precious thing to you? 00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:13.519 Many would tell you who don't have them. 00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:14.519 And that's priceless. 00:18:14.680 --> 00:18:18.299 I long to have even one such close friendship. 00:18:18.700 --> 00:18:19.779 Close relationship. 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:25.319 And Jesus willingly leaves. 00:18:26.160 --> 00:18:30.599 We talked about the incarnation as the intentional entrance. 00:18:30.599 --> 00:18:32.779 With eyes wide open. 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:40.819 Jesus leaves that unique, special, unparalleled relationship. 00:18:40.819 --> 00:18:46.559 Closer than any human relationship we can imagine or desire to have. 00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:50.099 That relationship with his father and the Holy Spirit. 00:18:51.179 --> 00:18:53.019 That he's known from eternity past. 00:18:53.700 --> 00:18:55.799 It's the only thing he's ever experienced. 00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:59.319 He leaves it in order to become flesh. 00:18:59.599 --> 00:19:00.679 To bear our sins. 00:19:00.939 --> 00:19:02.539 And as he does that. 00:19:02.619 --> 00:19:03.960 And he knew where he was going. 00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:05.859 As he does bear our sins. 00:19:05.859 --> 00:19:08.539 He finds his father's face turned away from him. 00:19:08.579 --> 00:19:09.519 We hear him cry out. 00:19:09.839 --> 00:19:10.659 My God, my God. 00:19:10.719 --> 00:19:12.299 Why have you forsaken me? 00:19:13.339 --> 00:19:15.500 And one who's never known that reality. 00:19:15.839 --> 00:19:17.919 Nothing but the closeness of relationship. 00:19:18.399 --> 00:19:21.240 Knows his father's face turned from him. 00:19:21.339 --> 00:19:23.479 Can you imagine the sacrifice? 00:19:25.079 --> 00:19:27.039 That he made to become man? 00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:32.619 One more way I think we could look at it. 00:19:32.819 --> 00:19:35.079 These are obviously you could laundry list words. 00:19:35.639 --> 00:19:36.779 I just picked a couple more. 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:40.619 These verses highlight the sacrifice of his position. 00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:42.659 And prerogatives. 00:19:43.579 --> 00:19:45.480 That Jesus makes in the incarnation. 00:19:46.119 --> 00:19:47.359 Verse 7 again. 00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:51.759 Made himself nothing. 00:19:52.619 --> 00:19:54.359 Taking the form of a servant. 00:19:54.359 --> 00:19:57.740 Being born in the likeness of men. 00:19:58.019 --> 00:19:59.079 Made himself nothing. 00:19:59.399 --> 00:20:01.479 Taking the form of a servant. 00:20:02.179 --> 00:20:03.240 The Lord. 00:20:03.879 --> 00:20:06.079 The ruler of all creation. 00:20:06.779 --> 00:20:08.139 Becomes the servant. 00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:10.779 Of that which he rules. 00:20:12.039 --> 00:20:13.759 In heaven he was in charge, right? 00:20:14.339 --> 00:20:17.319 Since all glory was due him. 00:20:17.319 --> 00:20:20.539 Every decision should serve him and his purposes. 00:20:20.979 --> 00:20:23.039 The only person who's ever existed. 00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:26.500 Who could justifiably say it's all about me. 00:20:27.619 --> 00:20:28.799 And it was. 00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:34.839 And he determines not to use that for his own benefit. 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:40.000 That's part of what that word grasp means. 00:20:40.139 --> 00:20:41.399 That I was talking about earlier. 00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:43.740 You'll even see it in some translations. 00:20:43.740 --> 00:20:46.279 That write a little longer to explain a word. 00:20:46.639 --> 00:20:49.460 It's the idea of clinging tightly to something. 00:20:49.599 --> 00:20:52.420 In order to use it for your own purposes. 00:20:52.420 --> 00:20:57.480 In order so that you have it to achieve your own ends. 00:20:57.480 --> 00:21:00.259 Where the decisions are about you. 00:21:00.580 --> 00:21:05.380 Jesus determined not to cling to his divine prerogatives. 00:21:05.539 --> 00:21:07.580 Which he certainly was entitled to say. 00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:09.039 It's all about me. 00:21:09.259 --> 00:21:12.800 And every decision should be made for my purposes. 00:21:12.799 --> 00:21:14.940 Jesus lets that go. 00:21:15.859 --> 00:21:17.099 And lays it down. 00:21:17.460 --> 00:21:18.940 For the benefit of others. 00:21:19.379 --> 00:21:21.279 To serve their interests. 00:21:21.399 --> 00:21:23.079 In fact at great cost. 00:21:23.899 --> 00:21:24.879 To himself. 00:21:26.599 --> 00:21:30.799 Isn't that the context in which Paul is writing here in Philippians? 00:21:31.200 --> 00:21:34.339 He's using Jesus as an example for the Philippians. 00:21:34.339 --> 00:21:34.740 Isn't he? 00:21:35.259 --> 00:21:37.680 Look back to verse 3 where we started reading. 00:21:37.680 --> 00:21:40.400 Here's what he's telling the Philippians. 00:21:40.580 --> 00:21:43.960 Don't do anything from selfish ambition or conceit. 00:21:44.420 --> 00:21:47.620 But in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 00:21:48.340 --> 00:21:50.420 Let each of you look not only to his own interests. 00:21:50.640 --> 00:21:52.480 But also to the interests of others. 00:21:53.539 --> 00:21:53.860 How? 00:21:54.180 --> 00:21:56.060 Have this mind among yourselves. 00:21:56.299 --> 00:21:59.160 Which is yours in Christ Jesus. 00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:01.779 Who being in the form of God. 00:22:01.960 --> 00:22:02.900 Let go of it. 00:22:03.700 --> 00:22:06.000 That's what gets Paul to talking about Jesus here. 00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:06.380 Isn't it? 00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:07.980 He's saying. 00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:09.599 Here's your example. 00:22:09.900 --> 00:22:12.440 Remember the incarnation is not primarily. 00:22:12.880 --> 00:22:14.079 First and foremost. 00:22:14.460 --> 00:22:17.119 About Jesus being an example for us. 00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:18.680 That's not the focus. 00:22:19.059 --> 00:22:19.859 But here clearly. 00:22:20.059 --> 00:22:21.220 It's at least partially that. 00:22:21.299 --> 00:22:21.640 Isn't it? 00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:23.859 That's what Paul is saying. 00:22:24.299 --> 00:22:28.140 He's calling the Philippians to think the way Jesus thinks. 00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:31.140 To approach life the way Jesus does. 00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:34.839 Where others are more significant than I am. 00:22:34.839 --> 00:22:39.659 All Paul's discussion about Jesus' sacrifice and service that we've been reading. 00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:44.559 Is to demonstrate the attitude toward others that we too are called to have. 00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:46.259 Jesus had it. 00:22:46.339 --> 00:22:46.500 Yes. 00:22:46.799 --> 00:22:49.500 And you have this mind among yourselves. 00:22:49.879 --> 00:22:51.759 Which is yours in Christ Jesus. 00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:54.599 Not pridefully seeking our own position. 00:22:55.199 --> 00:22:56.259 Or own comfort. 00:22:56.779 --> 00:23:00.899 But humbly considering over and over what benefits others. 00:23:00.900 --> 00:23:06.400 See when the king loosens his grip on glory. 00:23:07.220 --> 00:23:08.840 His followers follow suit. 00:23:10.900 --> 00:23:15.780 In fact Paul implies if you're not focused on others and sacrificing for them. 00:23:15.940 --> 00:23:19.700 You will be naturally focused on serving yourself. 00:23:19.880 --> 00:23:22.240 That's our default setting isn't it? 00:23:22.680 --> 00:23:24.400 And Jesus models a new one. 00:23:24.660 --> 00:23:25.680 A different one. 00:23:26.340 --> 00:23:26.960 Sacrificing. 00:23:27.440 --> 00:23:29.700 Laying down our lives for others. 00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:34.660 And you'll notice here Jesus does more than merely show us how. 00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:36.019 And just be an example. 00:23:36.680 --> 00:23:38.600 Look back at verse 5 briefly. 00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:41.420 Have this mind among yourselves. 00:23:41.640 --> 00:23:46.180 Which is yours in Christ Jesus. 00:23:46.880 --> 00:23:48.620 Do live like this. 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:53.460 But you only can do this in Christ. 00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:57.740 For you armchair theologians among us this morning. 00:23:57.840 --> 00:24:03.240 This is one of those great verses that reminds us that the imitation of Christ. 00:24:03.680 --> 00:24:07.400 Must flow out of union with Christ. 00:24:08.400 --> 00:24:11.799 If you're not an armchair theologian and that meant nothing to you. 00:24:12.539 --> 00:24:13.460 Totally fine. 00:24:13.940 --> 00:24:15.000 Just think this way. 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:22.160 The power for living like Jesus comes from relationship with Jesus. 00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:25.460 I don't just do it on my own. 00:24:26.040 --> 00:24:31.500 He doesn't just call us to have a new work ethic and a new priority in life. 00:24:32.120 --> 00:24:35.100 He also gives us a new heart. 00:24:36.120 --> 00:24:43.200 His spirit who empowers me to sacrifice where Jesus is calling me to sacrifice. 00:24:43.700 --> 00:24:47.820 He doesn't call us to something without empowering us to the same thing. 00:24:47.819 --> 00:24:49.839 That's why we need him. 00:24:52.399 --> 00:24:54.460 Where do you think that might be for you? 00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:59.679 Where might he be calling you to sacrifice? 00:24:59.980 --> 00:25:03.579 Did you consider something earlier that you cling to tightly? 00:25:05.659 --> 00:25:07.819 Something tangible or intangible? 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:11.879 Your palm gets sweaty, gripping for so long. 00:25:14.079 --> 00:25:15.599 I was thinking about this this week. 00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:18.139 What I thought about for me was my time. 00:25:19.339 --> 00:25:23.539 Especially as the holidays are approaching and there's so much going on. 00:25:24.199 --> 00:25:26.919 And my kids get only two weeks off of school. 00:25:27.719 --> 00:25:30.980 Doesn't happen very often, you know, in the midst of a busy time. 00:25:31.379 --> 00:25:34.579 And all of a sudden have two weeks where my kids are a lot more available. 00:25:34.919 --> 00:25:38.199 And I just want to maximize all that time with them. 00:25:38.919 --> 00:25:40.919 To do all sorts of special things. 00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:42.740 To make memories together. 00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:44.759 And so I guard that time. 00:25:44.920 --> 00:25:45.519 I cling to it. 00:25:45.579 --> 00:25:48.339 I protect the calendar for those couple of weeks. 00:25:48.400 --> 00:25:50.500 How are we intentionally going to use every moment? 00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:52.839 And that can be a good thing. 00:25:54.039 --> 00:25:55.359 It can be a healthy thing. 00:25:55.740 --> 00:25:57.240 Some of us need to do that better. 00:25:58.339 --> 00:26:06.240 Except sometimes when I do it, I think what I tend to do is to give my kids the impression that it's actually all about us. 00:26:06.240 --> 00:26:11.099 That family is the highest ideal that one could have. 00:26:11.339 --> 00:26:13.440 So it's family for family's sake. 00:26:14.339 --> 00:26:16.319 It's just going to be about us. 00:26:16.839 --> 00:26:21.279 And so we just think about what would we do just us as a family. 00:26:21.599 --> 00:26:27.539 Family time might be in my sweaty palm around the Christmas season. 00:26:27.539 --> 00:26:31.559 And God may be calling me to loosen my grip there. 00:26:31.819 --> 00:26:34.779 To sacrifice some of that comfort. 00:26:35.220 --> 00:26:39.500 It's a very comfortable place with all of us gathered warm and cozy around the fire. 00:26:39.639 --> 00:26:44.480 And this picture perfect evening that I've got in my mind. 00:26:44.599 --> 00:26:45.960 How's this going to go for us? 00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:54.980 God may be calling me to sacrifice some of that comfort to move towards someone else into their life. 00:26:55.200 --> 00:26:57.880 Perhaps even bringing my family along with me. 00:26:58.319 --> 00:27:03.819 That we together would not just be about us, but would be thinking about serving others. 00:27:04.920 --> 00:27:10.100 About sharing the love of Jesus with someone else outside of our family even. 00:27:11.160 --> 00:27:14.200 You know, that's actually what I want my kids to get a glimpse of. 00:27:14.200 --> 00:27:17.620 That's what I'm hoping they grow up realizing. 00:27:17.779 --> 00:27:19.200 Is that it's not just about us. 00:27:19.420 --> 00:27:24.559 But that we're actually to see Jesus love for us and have that impact us so that we love others. 00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:29.700 Oh man, that would be a great thing if they got that impression out of Christmas. 00:27:29.700 --> 00:27:33.539 Not just family for family, but our family for God. 00:27:33.779 --> 00:27:37.779 For his mission, for his purposes in the world. 00:27:39.460 --> 00:27:43.160 Perhaps our families could move out of our comfort zones. 00:27:44.200 --> 00:27:54.759 Could use some of our comfort and our position and our close relationship to consider someone lonely or hurting. 00:27:55.880 --> 00:28:02.220 Consider them more significant than ourselves this Christmas season. 00:28:02.840 --> 00:28:06.080 Come to think of it, that actually, that sounds like Christmas. 00:28:06.539 --> 00:28:10.360 To consider others more significant than yourselves. 00:28:10.359 --> 00:28:13.659 Wouldn't that be a way to celebrate Christmas? 00:28:15.319 --> 00:28:22.779 Will we enter into the lives of others with that same intentional, sacrificial mindset that Jesus had? 00:28:22.919 --> 00:28:24.419 Sometimes I don't know where to start with that. 00:28:24.619 --> 00:28:25.319 You know what I've found? 00:28:26.279 --> 00:28:31.919 A lot of times if I'll just ask the question, my kids actually know how that's going to look for us. 00:28:32.939 --> 00:28:34.179 A lot of times better than I do. 00:28:34.180 --> 00:28:36.060 They got ideas all over the place. 00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:44.560 If I just take the time to stop and say, is there somebody y'all can think of that really could use love or thoughtfulness? 00:28:44.580 --> 00:28:45.740 Or what could we do for somebody? 00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:47.759 They've usually got lots of ideas. 00:28:48.660 --> 00:28:58.060 But how are we being intentional with where God has called us and placed us to live like Jesus when he moved towards us? 00:28:58.059 --> 00:29:08.139 If we are to think about others the way Jesus does and love others the way Jesus does, and Philippians says we are, we should expect it to cost us something. 00:29:09.419 --> 00:29:15.220 It may cost me leaving my comfort zone to share about Jesus with a co-worker. 00:29:15.639 --> 00:29:20.940 I may have to sacrifice status in the community to be seen serving some of the least of these. 00:29:20.940 --> 00:29:30.660 It may cost me more money than I think I can afford or more time than I think I have to enter into the life of someone I know is struggling. 00:29:31.200 --> 00:29:34.820 But honestly, I've just been thinking it's going to be too messy and it's going to take too long. 00:29:35.880 --> 00:29:37.440 And I'm not really there right now. 00:29:39.960 --> 00:29:41.460 What will it look like for you? 00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:49.799 I don't know exactly what it looks like for each of us individually. 00:29:50.460 --> 00:29:52.819 But y'all, this is why we're here. 00:29:53.860 --> 00:29:54.079 Right? 00:29:54.980 --> 00:29:59.079 Isn't this why God called you to himself, put you here in Huntsville? 00:29:59.420 --> 00:30:01.420 This is why we're here. 00:30:01.519 --> 00:30:04.000 Not so that we could be as comfortable as possible. 00:30:04.140 --> 00:30:06.980 It's just not his highest goal for us. 00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:17.500 But actually so that we could look at ways to give up our comfort in order to show others the sacrificial love of a Savior who has done that for them. 00:30:18.420 --> 00:30:20.039 That's why we're here. 00:30:21.019 --> 00:30:23.539 Jesus is calling us as a group. 00:30:24.259 --> 00:30:25.279 As his people. 00:30:25.799 --> 00:30:27.779 You're not on your own doing this. 00:30:28.099 --> 00:30:29.519 It can feel like that sometimes. 00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:34.960 But he's called us to think, what would it look like for us to have this mind among ourselves? 00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:37.720 When he's writing to the Philippians. 00:30:38.099 --> 00:30:42.119 For us as a group to be a manifestation of this in our neighborhoods. 00:30:43.160 --> 00:30:44.299 And in our city. 00:30:44.879 --> 00:30:46.539 And in our friend groups. 00:30:46.819 --> 00:30:54.900 That they start to experience from us the sacrificial love of a Savior who gives up glory. 00:30:54.900 --> 00:31:01.040 For us to have that mind among ourselves. 00:31:01.040 --> 00:31:05.060 For us to have that mind among ourselves. 00:31:05.200 --> 00:31:07.880 To think this way about our neighborhoods. 00:31:09.360 --> 00:31:11.560 To love this way in our city. 00:31:13.660 --> 00:31:15.980 Intentionally entering into. 00:31:16.460 --> 00:31:19.420 Proactively thinking, what could it look like for me? 00:31:20.180 --> 00:31:22.259 He's calling us to it. 00:31:22.259 --> 00:31:24.319 And as we are connected to him. 00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:25.500 The good news is. 00:31:25.900 --> 00:31:28.420 By faith he's empowering us. 00:31:28.619 --> 00:31:29.619 To that as well. 00:31:29.819 --> 00:31:31.379 He's not leaving us on our own. 00:31:31.619 --> 00:31:32.539 He's called us to it. 00:31:32.579 --> 00:31:33.819 And he's given us his spirit. 00:31:34.220 --> 00:31:36.019 That connected to Jesus. 00:31:36.339 --> 00:31:37.099 By faith. 00:31:37.859 --> 00:31:39.220 This is the mind we have. 00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:42.500 Remember no matter how much. 00:31:42.879 --> 00:31:43.900 We would sacrifice. 00:31:45.539 --> 00:31:47.339 He's given more. 00:31:47.640 --> 00:31:48.099 Way more. 00:31:48.819 --> 00:31:49.759 Than we have. 00:31:49.859 --> 00:31:49.980 Right? 00:31:49.980 --> 00:31:53.259 Far more than we could ever imagine giving up. 00:31:53.339 --> 00:31:57.440 He's let go of the glories and comforts of heaven. 00:31:58.019 --> 00:32:02.420 He's loosened his grip on the riches of divine privilege. 00:32:02.420 --> 00:32:05.059 And having it be all about him. 00:32:05.819 --> 00:32:06.620 And why? 00:32:08.279 --> 00:32:10.059 It may seem an obvious question. 00:32:10.339 --> 00:32:10.660 Why? 00:32:10.660 --> 00:32:12.740 Why did he let go of those things? 00:32:12.740 --> 00:32:18.819 So that he could cling tightly to you. 00:32:19.620 --> 00:32:20.960 And to me. 00:32:21.200 --> 00:32:23.400 He came for us. 00:32:23.900 --> 00:32:30.480 To cling to worn out, tattered, felt trees. 00:32:32.140 --> 00:32:34.039 To hold on to us. 00:32:34.480 --> 00:32:36.240 It doesn't seem to make any sense, does it? 00:32:36.240 --> 00:32:40.140 All the stuff that he had to come after us? 00:32:42.220 --> 00:32:48.299 People who've picked up more dust and dirt from the difficulties of life than we can even keep track of. 00:32:48.740 --> 00:32:53.920 Who feel perhaps worthless and not valuable to anyone. 00:32:54.019 --> 00:32:57.339 Not worthy of anybody's time or effort or attention. 00:32:57.460 --> 00:32:58.440 Have you ever felt like that? 00:33:00.019 --> 00:33:05.200 Kind of felt a little bit like one of these Christmas ornaments that you'd never let be on your Christmas tree. 00:33:05.200 --> 00:33:06.700 Especially if guests were coming over. 00:33:07.779 --> 00:33:08.620 I don't want anybody to know. 00:33:08.680 --> 00:33:09.700 I don't want anybody to see. 00:33:10.059 --> 00:33:13.559 I'm not worth anybody giving that kind of attention to. 00:33:13.880 --> 00:33:16.080 And what does the creator of the universe. 00:33:17.039 --> 00:33:19.220 The one who himself being God. 00:33:19.600 --> 00:33:20.860 Owned it all. 00:33:21.440 --> 00:33:26.100 Could have had anything in all of creation that he wanted. 00:33:26.180 --> 00:33:27.500 It was all his. 00:33:27.940 --> 00:33:28.840 And what did he say? 00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:31.039 That you're worthless? 00:33:33.240 --> 00:33:33.680 No. 00:33:33.680 --> 00:33:36.320 He said, I'm laying that aside. 00:33:37.200 --> 00:33:41.900 To come after and wrap my fist tightly around you. 00:33:42.539 --> 00:33:44.299 Tattered and broken. 00:33:45.060 --> 00:33:46.920 And maybe not looking the way you'd want to. 00:33:47.000 --> 00:33:49.380 Or feeling the way that you think you're supposed to. 00:33:49.720 --> 00:33:52.100 And Jesus came for you. 00:33:54.220 --> 00:33:56.680 You're worth so much to him. 00:33:56.680 --> 00:33:58.759 That's how precious you are to him. 00:33:58.960 --> 00:34:01.220 That he would decide of all the things in the world. 00:34:01.360 --> 00:34:03.920 To close his fist tightly around you. 00:34:03.980 --> 00:34:05.519 That's what's happening at Christmas. 00:34:05.840 --> 00:34:07.539 In that dirty manger. 00:34:07.920 --> 00:34:09.760 In that little village. 00:34:10.400 --> 00:34:12.220 Is God himself. 00:34:12.460 --> 00:34:15.119 Is coming to grab you. 00:34:15.260 --> 00:34:17.159 Jesus says in John 10. 00:34:17.500 --> 00:34:19.820 I have given them eternal life. 00:34:20.480 --> 00:34:22.139 And they will never perish. 00:34:22.139 --> 00:34:25.679 No one can snatch them out of my hand. 00:34:26.179 --> 00:34:29.239 He is clinging tightly to you. 00:34:29.359 --> 00:34:30.900 And he will not let go. 00:34:31.099 --> 00:34:33.460 Because he treasures you. 00:34:36.259 --> 00:34:37.359 That's the comfort. 00:34:38.059 --> 00:34:38.960 And joy. 00:34:39.420 --> 00:34:40.199 Of the gospel. 00:34:40.559 --> 00:34:41.639 For us to soak. 00:34:41.819 --> 00:34:43.659 In the sacrificial love. 00:34:43.879 --> 00:34:44.879 Of our savior. 00:34:44.880 --> 00:34:47.860 And it's the sacrificial love. 00:34:47.860 --> 00:34:48.900 That he shows. 00:34:49.059 --> 00:34:50.880 And pours into our lives. 00:34:51.019 --> 00:34:52.880 That we then get to pour out. 00:34:53.019 --> 00:34:53.579 To others. 00:34:53.760 --> 00:34:55.320 To give them a little taste of. 00:34:55.579 --> 00:34:58.059 As we sacrifice our comforts. 00:34:58.320 --> 00:34:59.440 And our privileges. 00:34:59.840 --> 00:35:01.200 To move toward other. 00:35:01.860 --> 00:35:03.019 Tattered felt. 00:35:03.700 --> 00:35:04.180 Trees. 00:35:05.160 --> 00:35:06.220 And cling tightly. 00:35:06.980 --> 00:35:07.539 To them. 00:35:07.640 --> 00:35:09.280 So they know how precious they are. 00:35:10.519 --> 00:35:11.320 To us yes. 00:35:11.480 --> 00:35:11.579 But. 00:35:12.579 --> 00:35:14.000 But to one who would lay down. 00:35:14.000 --> 00:35:14.960 Much more than we could. 00:35:16.159 --> 00:35:17.579 Because he loves them. 00:35:18.500 --> 00:35:19.719 And they can taste that in you. 00:35:20.280 --> 00:35:22.260 That's what this table reminds us of. 00:35:23.099 --> 00:35:25.280 It's a tangible picture for us. 00:35:25.460 --> 00:35:26.340 Of a savior. 00:35:26.719 --> 00:35:28.500 Who would give up everything. 00:35:28.920 --> 00:35:30.860 Because of his great love. 00:35:31.179 --> 00:35:31.980 For us. 00:35:32.539 --> 00:35:33.460 Jesus moving. 00:35:34.460 --> 00:35:34.860 Sacrificially. 00:35:35.380 --> 00:35:36.019 Toward us. 00:35:36.079 --> 00:35:37.119 At great cost. 00:35:37.360 --> 00:35:38.039 To himself. 00:35:38.159 --> 00:35:39.360 Just as he calls us. 00:35:39.800 --> 00:35:40.199 To do. 00:35:40.739 --> 00:35:41.340 For others. 00:35:42.440 --> 00:35:43.599 And he meets here. 00:35:44.000 --> 00:35:45.500 To commune with us. 00:35:45.800 --> 00:35:47.820 To strengthen us. 00:35:48.619 --> 00:35:50.280 To empower us. 00:35:50.280 --> 00:35:51.800 For what he has called us. 00:35:52.260 --> 00:35:52.500 To. 00:35:53.280 --> 00:35:54.179 Remember the way. 00:35:54.460 --> 00:35:56.679 Paul says it in 1 Corinthians 11. 00:35:57.019 --> 00:35:57.460 He says. 00:35:57.539 --> 00:35:58.639 I received from the Lord. 00:35:58.719 --> 00:36:00.300 What I also delivered to you. 00:36:00.659 --> 00:36:01.619 That the Lord Jesus. 00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:03.320 On the night when he was betrayed. 00:36:03.460 --> 00:36:04.039 Took bread. 00:36:04.500 --> 00:36:05.619 And when he had given thanks. 00:36:05.619 --> 00:36:06.380 He broke it. 00:36:06.900 --> 00:36:07.340 And said. 00:36:07.559 --> 00:36:08.360 This is my body. 00:36:08.440 --> 00:36:09.480 Which is for you. 00:36:09.900 --> 00:36:10.460 Do this. 00:36:10.460 --> 00:36:11.920 In remembrance of me. 00:36:12.400 --> 00:36:13.539 And in the same way also. 00:36:13.679 --> 00:36:14.360 He took the cup. 00:36:14.400 --> 00:36:15.099 After supper. 00:36:15.260 --> 00:36:15.519 Saying. 00:36:15.960 --> 00:36:17.119 This cup is the new covenant. 00:36:17.119 --> 00:36:17.920 In my blood. 00:36:18.220 --> 00:36:19.039 Do this as often. 00:36:19.039 --> 00:36:19.780 As you drink it. 00:36:19.840 --> 00:36:21.059 In remembrance of me. 00:36:21.480 --> 00:36:22.159 For as often. 00:36:22.159 --> 00:36:23.380 As you eat this bread. 00:36:23.800 --> 00:36:24.960 And drink the cup. 00:36:25.099 --> 00:36:26.720 You proclaim the Lord's death. 00:36:27.559 --> 00:36:28.699 Until he comes. 00:36:30.099 --> 00:36:30.920 The word. 00:36:31.619 --> 00:36:32.880 Became flesh. 00:36:33.240 --> 00:36:34.380 And became obedient. 00:36:35.420 --> 00:36:36.420 To the point of death. 00:36:36.420 --> 00:36:37.440 Even death. 00:36:37.440 --> 00:36:38.679 On a cross. 00:36:39.280 --> 00:36:40.400 And we remember that. 00:36:40.659 --> 00:36:41.780 And celebrate that. 00:36:42.079 --> 00:36:43.500 Sacrifice here at this table. 00:36:43.599 --> 00:36:44.440 It's his table. 00:36:45.159 --> 00:36:46.679 It's not Southwood's table. 00:36:46.800 --> 00:36:48.539 It's not a Presbyterian table. 00:36:48.900 --> 00:36:50.460 This is the Lord's table. 00:36:51.079 --> 00:36:52.300 And if you know him. 00:36:52.519 --> 00:36:54.480 And have trusted in his sacrifice. 00:36:54.480 --> 00:36:55.320 For you. 00:36:55.940 --> 00:36:56.400 Come. 00:36:56.700 --> 00:36:57.460 And eat. 00:36:57.840 --> 00:36:59.139 And commune with him. 00:36:59.200 --> 00:37:00.139 And be strengthened. 00:37:00.139 --> 00:37:01.740 For what he has called you. 00:37:01.740 --> 00:37:03.179 To in this world. 00:37:04.300 --> 00:37:05.320 If you don't. 00:37:05.619 --> 00:37:06.159 Know Jesus. 00:37:06.159 --> 00:37:07.839 If you've not. 00:37:08.059 --> 00:37:09.480 Professed your faith in him. 00:37:09.599 --> 00:37:10.259 Joined yourself. 00:37:10.359 --> 00:37:11.420 To part of his body. 00:37:11.519 --> 00:37:12.539 The local church. 00:37:13.420 --> 00:37:14.460 Then I'd encourage you. 00:37:14.500 --> 00:37:15.679 Not to come to this table. 00:37:16.500 --> 00:37:18.159 Don't come and eat bread. 00:37:18.239 --> 00:37:18.839 And juice. 00:37:19.039 --> 00:37:20.139 And do something. 00:37:20.219 --> 00:37:21.619 When it doesn't mean anything. 00:37:22.099 --> 00:37:23.420 But I would encourage you. 00:37:23.460 --> 00:37:24.899 Instead to consider Jesus. 00:37:24.899 --> 00:37:26.179 This Christmas season. 00:37:26.599 --> 00:37:27.420 There's going to be all sorts. 00:37:27.420 --> 00:37:29.019 Of Christmas stuff going on. 00:37:30.379 --> 00:37:30.859 Theoretically. 00:37:30.960 --> 00:37:31.859 At least the word. 00:37:32.319 --> 00:37:33.500 Is about Jesus. 00:37:33.500 --> 00:37:35.440 It's about the coming. 00:37:35.440 --> 00:37:36.420 Of the Christ. 00:37:36.980 --> 00:37:37.940 Would you consider. 00:37:37.940 --> 00:37:39.559 Your need for him. 00:37:40.199 --> 00:37:41.900 Consider his love for you. 00:37:42.000 --> 00:37:43.139 That he would love you. 00:37:43.179 --> 00:37:44.099 And value you enough. 00:37:44.179 --> 00:37:45.340 To give up everything. 00:37:46.400 --> 00:37:47.739 To have you be his. 00:37:48.139 --> 00:37:49.219 Wouldn't you love to know. 00:37:49.460 --> 00:37:50.420 Love like that. 00:37:50.679 --> 00:37:51.000 For you. 00:37:51.059 --> 00:37:52.500 We'd love to share with you. 00:37:52.579 --> 00:37:53.059 About that. 00:37:53.420 --> 00:37:53.820 So don't. 00:37:53.900 --> 00:37:54.760 Don't come to this table. 00:37:54.760 --> 00:37:55.179 This morning. 00:37:55.300 --> 00:37:56.860 Come and consider Jesus. 00:37:57.519 --> 00:37:59.139 We'd love to have that conversation. 00:37:59.239 --> 00:38:00.179 Even to pray with you. 00:38:00.179 --> 00:38:01.859 If you'd like us to. 00:38:01.940 --> 00:38:02.359 This morning. 00:38:02.559 --> 00:38:03.119 Let me pray. 00:38:03.239 --> 00:38:04.619 And then we'll come to this table together. 00:38:07.839 --> 00:38:08.239 Jesus. 00:38:08.399 --> 00:38:09.179 We thank you. 00:38:10.219 --> 00:38:11.799 For your sacrificial love. 00:38:12.599 --> 00:38:13.940 And the privilege we have. 00:38:14.119 --> 00:38:16.219 Of not just thinking about it. 00:38:17.739 --> 00:38:19.419 But of now by your spirit. 00:38:19.419 --> 00:38:21.319 Meeting with you. 00:38:22.619 --> 00:38:23.940 Tasting of your bread. 00:38:24.779 --> 00:38:25.579 Your body. 00:38:26.940 --> 00:38:27.440 Wine. 00:38:27.699 --> 00:38:28.239 Your blood. 00:38:28.239 --> 00:38:31.119 It's given for us. 00:38:32.799 --> 00:38:35.019 Would you set these common elements aside. 00:38:35.279 --> 00:38:36.659 For a sacred purpose. 00:38:36.859 --> 00:38:38.179 That they would be in our hearts. 00:38:38.259 --> 00:38:39.719 Exactly what you intend. 00:38:40.159 --> 00:38:42.479 To be a source of strength. 00:38:42.679 --> 00:38:44.059 And empowering of us. 00:38:44.919 --> 00:38:46.819 To the things that you've called us to. 00:38:48.459 --> 00:38:49.959 We pray it in Jesus name. 00:38:50.679 --> 00:38:51.059 Amen. 00:38:51.059 --> 00:38:51.199 Amen. 00:38:54.500 --> 00:38:55.719 For more information. 00:38:56.119 --> 00:38:57.019 Visit us online. 00:38:57.019 --> 00:38:58.320 at southwood.org 00:39:06.139 --> 00:39:06.980 And we'll see you in the next and next question. 00:39:07.039 --> 00:39:07.280 Bye. 00:39:07.420 --> 00:39:08.039 Bye. 00:39:08.039 --> 00:39:08.119 Bye. 00:39:08.179 --> 00:39:08.599 Bye. 00:39:09.800 --> 00:39:09.820 Bye. 00:39:10.079 --> 00:39:10.759 Bye. 00:39:12.119 --> 00:39:12.259 Bye. 00:39:19.019 --> 00:39:19.139 Bye. 00:39:19.380 --> 00:39:19.900 Bye. 00:39:19.960 --> 00:39:20.280 Bye. 00:39:22.840 --> 00:39:22.960 Bye. 00:39:24.980 --> 00:39:25.980 Bye.