Amen.
Noah thinks it's a boy.
Ellie thinks it's a girl.
But we're at that stage of choosing names.
There's a bit of disagreement.
We are not of one mind.
And so somebody thinks of a name, one of us thinks of a name,
and they say, well, that reminds me of such and such.
Right, we can't have that name.
And names are funny things, aren't they?
I love names that are puns.
There's a great article on the BBC.
I think it's the best article on the internet.
You can Google it.
Where it's all people that have got names which are puns.
So, stand still.
And hazelnut.
And things like this.
You're going to be thinking about them for the rest of us soon.
But I love names that are puns.
She won't mind me saying it, but when Penny Chew came to the church,
it was a glorious day.
And there's a real randomness, isn't there, in how we get our names?
In the old days, and still in parts of the world,
people have one name.
They've just got one name.
So you've just one name.
David.
John.
But because of the growth in population,
a surname was added, wasn't it?
So you might be David, but you were John's son.
And so you became David Johnson.
If you were Tom's son, you would become David Thompson.
If you were the son of a blacksmith, you would take the name Smith.
Or if you were the son of a cook, then you became David Cook.
If you were the son of a baker, you would take the name David Baker.
And then, added to that, isn't it?
And they take on some kind of attribute.
Long.
Or short.
Or white.
Or brown.
But names in the Bible aren't like that.
There's not the kind of randomness that we've got.
Names in the Bible are given deliberately.
So let's just go back briefly to Numbers chapter 13.
Numbers chapter 13.
And the names are more remarkable.
Look with me at Numbers chapter 13.
I'm going to read from verse 4.
These are the names.
Charles Spicer, 2 Spire, 2 Spire, 2 Cain, and 10 were bad, 2 were good.
So it's a long list of names.
These were their names.
From the tribe of Reuben.
Shabua.
The son of Zachor.
The son of Simeon.
Shaphat.
The son of Hori.
The tribe of Jude.
Caleb.
The son of Japhne.
From the tribe of Issachar.
Igal.
The son of Joseph.
From the tribe of Ephraim.
Hosea.
The son of Nun.
From the tribe of Benjamin.
Palte.
The son of Raphun.
From the tribe of Zebulun.
Gadiel.
The son of Sodhi.
From the tribe of Joseph.
That is from the tribe of Manasseh.
Gadiel.
The son of Susi.
From the tribe of Dan.
Amiel.
The son of Gamali.
From the tribe of Asher.
Seth and the son of Michael from the tribe of Natalie
Nabu, the son of Vopsi
the tribe of Gad
Gowl, the son of Mahi
these were the names of the men whom Joseph
sent to spy on the land and Moses
called Hoshea the son
of Nun Joshua
you see that
long listening
one spy from each of the tribes
of Israel
and we see don't we verse 8
that the man from the tribe of Ephraim was
Hoshea, son of Nun
but then you look at verse 16
and he has a name change
he renames him Joshua
and so you have the two faithful spies
you have Caleb and Joshua
Caleb from
Judah and verse 8
Joshua from Ephraim
now I know a few people
a few kids called Caleb
or Joshua, they're quite popular
but you do not meet people called
Shemua, Shaphat
Eagle, Oshea
Paul D, Galileo
those sorts of names
of the unfaithful spies
I don't know about any of them
but here's Joshua
who was Oshea
the son of Nun
from the tribe of Ephraim
and Caleb
now come with me again
to Matthew chapter 1
and here we are introduced
to the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ
which Rachel read for us
Hebrew Messiah
Christ is Greek
and Mary is pledged
we are told
verse 18
can you see that
she is pledged
she is betrothed
to Joseph
she's pledged
to be married
to Joseph
there are three stages
of marriage
in Judaism
first there was
engagement
it was like a
kind of private matter
it was worked out
between families
and then there was
the public announcement
of that engagement
which is called
the betrothal
and they really
didn't belong
to each other
then
at that point
but they didn't
live with each other
they were betrothed
they belonged to each other
but they didn't live
with one another
and in order to
break that betrothal
you needed a divorce
and then finally
there was this marriage
ceremony
in which the couple
come together
and they bear children
they consummate the marriage
now notice
the problem is in
verse 18
isn't it
Mary is pregnant
in the betrothal stage
so she wouldn't have
been together
with her husband
she wouldn't have
been living together
with her husband
they would not be
one in the
biblical sense
but she is pregnant
by the Holy Spirit
which means she is a virgin
and she is pregnant
isn't she
verse 19
Joseph
has every right
to expose her
she could be stoned
as an adulteress
in those days
but he is a righteous man
and he determines
that he will divorce her
quietly
but in his sleep
in verse 20
an angel comes in a dream
and says
Joseph
son of David
from the line
of David
from the lineage
of the royal king
do not fear
to take Mary
as your wife
for that which is
conceived
in her
is from the
holy spread
and so we say
don't we
in the apostles
creed
I believe
in Jesus Christ
God's only son
who was born
in Virgin Mary
there's a great moment
in presbytery
right at the end
of the meeting
on Friday
where the moderator
was a great guy
was proposing
that we have
that in the churches
we would say
in a certain part
of the service
in a baptismal service
we would say
the apostles creed
exactly without
changing any of the words
which you would
have thought
we would all agree to
it turns out
there are four
different versions
of the apostles creed
that I've seen churches
use
and so we're all
going to agree
to say the words
of the apostles creed
exactly without
changing any of the words
just the ones
that we use
it's bizarre
absolutely bizarre
anyway
you didn't want
to know that
verse 21
where it told me
she will give birth
to a son
she will give birth
to a son
did you notice that
she'll give birth
to a son
not your son
she'll give birth
to a son
not your son
but she will give birth
to a son
and you are to give him
the name Jesus
so it's not random
his name is
a lack of dead
so
he has his name
because it is a
clear command
and Jesus has chosen
this name
and those of you
who know your Bibles
at all
will know that
Jesus is the
Greek name
of the Hebrew
equivalent
Joshua
what does Joshua
mean
Joshua means
God saves
and Joshua
leads the people
into the land
of Canaan
and so therefore
Joshua is seen
as this saviour figure
and now Jesus
comes
Jesus which is
Joshua in Hebrew
and Jesus
is that name
in Greek
and his name
means that
God will save
in fact
his name
says verse 21
he will save
his people
from
their sins
so there's a
pun there
isn't there
do you see the
pun
in the name
I love puns
with names
you shall call
his name
God saves
for he shall
save
he shall save
his people
from their sins
we know
don't we
in the Old Testament
that God is the
God who saves
there's the promises
that he himself
will redeem
Israel
for all their sins
but now we are told
that God has come down
in this little baby
this anointed one
and he's going to bring
salvation
to his people
verse 21
the child is
the anointed of God
to save
the people of God
and so the one thing
that you can expect
in this church
is you can expect
in this church
Easter servants
at Christmas time
I hope you don't
complain about that
we preach about
the death
and the resurrection
of Jesus
at Christmas
because here we are
told aren't we
that this baby
in Bethlehem
has come in order
to do what
look what it says
he has come in order
to die
he has come in order
to rise
he has come in order
to save
and who has he come
to save
he has come to save
his people
from their sins
and that is what
God determined
and that's what
Jesus would do
now what does it
mean to save
this year
it's been horrific
Black Friday
never heard of
Black Friday
before
and then something
called Cyber Monday
you know what that is
and what was
so special about
Black Friday
and about Cyber Monday
well they were about
saving money
weren't they
it was all about
if you buy on Black
Friday
you save
this last couple
of years
we have made
the change to
Lidl
why do we all
like Lidl
because Lidl
saves
Lidl saves
Black Friday
saves
Lidl saves
Jesus saves
in fact
if you go to
the M4
when I was a
little boy
you get to
Brick Ferry
just past
Fortal
and on the
brick wall
on this kind
of big
cliff
it's kind
of top
of the valley
there would be
written on the
rock in white
writing
Jesus saves
and then
Swansea
we're in the
first division
of that point
about two weeks
somebody wrote
underneath it
Jesus saves
Di Davis
for Swansea
schoolkeeper
Jesus saves
Di Davis
doesn't
now what's
the difference
what is the
difference
Black Friday
saves
Lidl saves
Di Davis
doesn't
save
Jesus
saves
what does
it mean
to you
tonight
that Jesus
saves
he saves
from the
Roman rulers
he's political
savior
Jesus
saves
from poverty
he's an
economic
liberator
is he
no
now look
what it says
he will save
his people
from their
biggest problem
and my
biggest problem
is sin
my sin
and your
biggest problem
is your
sin
so we think
about the
Lord's
supper
it brings
you back
to reality
what is
your great
problem
it's your
sin
and mine
isn't it
and that's
why Jesus
come
it's the
wonderful
thing
that he has
come to be
a savior
from sin
well I
must face
a God
and you
must face
a God
who is
both just
and who
is holy
and I
have a
record of
sin
which stands
against me
and this
verse 21
tells me
that you
shall give
him the
name
Jesus
for he
shall
rescue
his
people
from
their
sins
now how
does
Jesus
rescue
you
from
your
sins
I
think
the vast
majority
of
people
if they
have any
understanding
at all
would say
this
he does
it by
showing us
how we
can live
he does
it by
showing us
how we
can live
on
Sundays
no
sometimes
on the
afternoons
when I
want to
put a
piece of
quiet
I let
him watch
the Bible
beginners
videos
I don't
know if
you've
ever seen
them
they are
a work
of genius
for parents
25 minutes
Adrian
is writing
that down
and so
we put
on the
prodigal
son
story
the story
began
Jesus
went around
teaching
people to
be good
did he
is that
alright
in other
words if
you live
the right
way you
will save
and rescue
yourself
Jesus
went around
teaching
people to
be good
no he
didn't
that if
you live
in a
certain
way
if
you're
trustworthy
and you're
honest
and you're
faithful
then somehow
that will
make yourself
right with
God
but that
isn't what
we believe
that isn't
what Christians
believe
do we believe
that Jesus
came to
save
and the
way he
saves me
is to
show me
how I
can live
in a
way
that
pleases
!
God
well no
he doesn't
do that
because you
can't live
in a way
that pleases
God
you can't
live the
way that
Jesus
lived
can you?
there's no
good me
trying
I simply
cannot
save
myself
by living
in a
particular
way
if I
look at
you
that is
the case
that Jesus
didn't have
to go to
the cross
to die
in order
to save
you
there is
no
power
in trying
to live
morally
I cannot
save myself
that way
he
do you
see that
he
will save
his people
from their
sins
verse 21
that's what
he's about
he
will
stand me
in a
right
relationship
with God
he
will
transform
my
marriage
he
will
transform
and put
me
in a
right
relationship
with my
children
and he
will
put me
in a
right
relationship
with you
all
through
his
work
on the
cross
how does
he do
it
how does
he
rescue
me
from
that
which
drags
me
down
my
sinful
record
that I
cannot
shake
off
but this
passage
doesn't
tell us
does it
but the
gospel of
Matthew
does
let's
figure out
in
Matthew
20
verse
28
and it's
a
wonderful
verse
it tells
you about
how he
saved
Matthew
chapter
20
verse
28
all the
references
are in
Matthew 20
28
Jesus'
most frequent
way of
describing
himself is
that of
the son
of man
he says
that even
as the
son of
man
came
not to
be
served
but to
serve
and to
give his
life as
a ransom
for many
let's
think about
that
he gives
like a
ransom
for many
in other
words
you and
I
are in
bondage
to our
sin
and Jesus
lays down
his life
to set
me free
from sin
in other
words
Jesus
offers
to God
a perfect
life at
every point
where I
am
disobedient
he is
obedient
and yet
he gives
his perfect
life up to
God on the
cross
and he
dies a
death
which he
didn't
deserve
because he
never
sinned
but he
dies a
death
as my
substitute
and he
offers
to God
a perfect
life
on my
behalf
and by
living that
perfect
life for
me
and dying
that death
for me
Jesus
offers to
God
if I
can put it
like this
a ransom
to set me
free from
my sin
record
and does
God accept
it
well to
right
he does
how do
you know
well he
raises
Jesus
from the
dead
doesn't he
which is
his guarantee
which is
his warranty
that he's
accepted the
life and
death of
Jesus
as being
a redemptive
life and
death
he gives
his life
for me
the innocent
for the
undiscerning
but flip
over
a few more
pages
just to
Matthew 26
they're words
which we
know really
well aren't
they
Matthew 26
as we
take the
sacrament of
communion
later
Chris will
read these
words or
other versions
of these
words that
we find in
the New
Testament
Matthew 26
and verse 28
Jesus says
as he takes
the cup
he says
for this
is my
blood of
the covenant
which is
poured out
for many
for the
forgiveness
of sins
for the
forgiveness
of sins
my
forgiveness
he says
is freely
available
it's free
to me
forgiveness
but it's
very costly
to God
because it
involved
the very
blood of
God's own
son
you see
Jesus offers
a perfect
life to
God
there is
a substitution
that takes
place
his death
is a
substitutionary
death
accepted
by God
and shown
by his
resurrection
from the
dead
he stands
in my
place
on the
cross
it is
the cross
that I
deserve
and you
deserve
but he
did not
deserve it
and he
dies on
that cross
for me
one last
reference
Matthew 11
28
Matthew 11
28
they are
wonderfully
comforting
words
Matthew 11
28
come to
me
that's
Jesus
speaking
come to
me
come to
me all
you who
labour
and are
heavy
laden
and I
will give
you rest
take my
yoke upon
you
and learn
from me
for I'm
gentle and
lowly in
heart
and you
will find
rest in
your
sins
for my
yoke is
easy
and my
burden is
light
come to
me
you have
given him
the name
Jesus
for he
shall save
his people
from their
sins
and his
resurrection
well wonderfully
it's not at
the end of
the story
is it
that's not
the end
of the
story
he is
sent
he goes
back to
heaven
and he
is seated
at the
right hand
of God
and from
there he
pours out
his Holy
Spirit
on his
people
and now
the Holy
Spirit
lives
within us
and leads
us in the
battle against
the sin
nature
in the
fight
and the
Holy Spirit
brings forth
in our
lives
the fruit
of the
Spirit
but you've
got to
notice the
order
no Holy
Spirit
without the
work of
Jesus
no fruit
of the Holy
Spirit
no walking
in honesty
and patience
and love
without the
Holy Spirit
so without
the work of
Jesus
there is no
Holy Spirit
I'm not saying
the Holy Spirit
didn't exist
I'm not saying
the Holy Spirit
didn't work
in the Old
Testament
of course I'm
not saying
that
but in our
experience
no work of
Christ
no Holy
Spirit
without the
Holy Spirit
there is no
fruit of the
Holy Spirit
in our lives
therefore
this is my
point
you've got to
have the
work of
Jesus Christ
as basic
and trust
in that work
and through
that work
I am
forgiven
and through
Jesus Christ
work on
the cross
I receive
the Holy
Spirit
the Holy
Spirit
who lives
in me
and leads
me in the
battle
against sin
not to
trifle
and not to
play around
with sin
David
Brighard was
the first
missionary to
the American
Indians in
North America
and he was
asked this
when you go
to those
savages
do you
preach the
morality
he said
I never
preach morality
I preach
Jesus Christ
and him
crucified
and transformed
morality
follows as
the sure
and inevitable
fruit
one after
another
but to
preach
morality
you are
preaching
an impossibility
that will
only frustrate
people
he will
bring
salvation
come to
him
come to
the Lord
Jesus
come trusting
in his
work on
the cross
and you
will be
saved
and you
will be
forgiven
and you
will be
given his
Holy Spirit
and your
life will
be transformed
I think
that's a
massive
danger
isn't it
that actually
we think
well being
nice
being kind
speaking in
really generic
terms about
God's
love
without ever
telling them
the message
of the
crucified
God
of Jesus
Christ
and him
crucified
we are
teaching
them
morality
we preach
Jesus
Christ
and him
crucified
we tell
them of
a suffering
saviour
and they
come to
faith in
a suffering
saviour
and the
Holy Spirit
he works
in their
lives
and they
are transformed
and they
are changed
and they
bear the
fruit of
the Holy Spirit
and they
begin to
live more
lives
but you've
got to
get the
order right
haven't you
the danger
for us
is we
teach our
children
and the
young
people
isn't it
be good
that's a
good thing
but we want
their hearts
changed
don't we
we want
them to
know
Jesus
Christ
that
inclusive
light
and through
that you
know the
word
let me ask
you two
questions
it's
brief
tonight
are you
one of
his
people
are you
one of
his
people
have you
come to
him
is your
trust and
your
reliance
in him
and not
in you
not in you
to earn
your way
somehow
there
but in
him
because
God
sent him
to be
the
saviour
call
him
Jesus
Joshua
for he
shall
save
his
people
from
their
sins
the
second
question
is this
I worry
that very
often I
have preached
the
incarnation
of Jesus
Christ as if
it's only a
message for
outsiders
it's such a
great evangelistic
opportunity
that we
forget as
believers to
feed on the
incarnation
and so the
second question
is this
I think
Jesus saves
his people
from their
sins
so the
question
that we've
got to
ask is
is the
Holy Spirit
leading you
and I
not to
dabble in
sin
but to
continually
turn away
from it
because
God
sent
Jesus
to be
a
saviour
from
sin
giving him
the name
Jesus
Joshua
for
he is
that
Christ
the
messiah
and he
has
come
to
save
his
people
from
their
sins
Jesus
name
above
all
names
beautiful
saviour
glorious
lord
Emmanuel
God
is
with
us
blessed
redeemer
living
word
Jesus
he has
come
to
save
us
from
our
sins
look at
the last
hymn
before we
sing
it
well it's
not the
last
hymn
before
communion
and for
those who
are observant
you'll know
that we sang it
last Sunday
morning
now we normally
don't repeat
songs for
months is
normally my
rule
but we're
going to
sing it
tonight
part of you
because it's
so so good
so look at
verse 3
there are
10
descriptions
of the
Lord Jesus
in verse
3
of 299
it's
number 299
it's written
by John
Newton
it's the same
guy that
wrote amazing
grace
number 299
so the
10
descriptions
Jesus
my shepherd
brother
that is
right
John
Newton
actually wrote
husband
it's really
interesting
isn't it
husband
bride of
Christ
Jesus
my shepherd
husband
friend
my prophet
priest
and king
my Lord
my life
my way
my end
10 things
except the
praise I
bring
but look at
the first
verse
how sweet
the name
of Jesus
sons
in a
believer's
year
it soothes
our sorrows
heals
our wounds
and drives
away
our fear
I wonder
whether Jesus
has done
that for you
tonight
because he
can do
that
tonight
as he
comes
to the
table
has he
soothed
your
sorrows
you've
got them
haven't you
every single
one of us
has got
them
you've got
those
disappointments
and griefs
in life
have you
come to him
and let him
soothe your
sorrows
what about
those wounds
they're so
deep and
they're so
hurtful
aren't they
and yet
if you
come to
him
he will
heal
and what
about our
fear
those anxieties
that we live
with
those
worries
that we
have
that we
never
ever
seem
to
get hold
of
have we
come to
him
and we
have
them
drive
had him
drive
away
you
shall
call his
name
jesus
joshua
not
o shay
but joshua
for he
shall save
his people
from their
sins
let's pray