WEBVTT

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 Good morning, everyone.

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 For those of you who don't know me, my name is Sean,

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 and I am one of the pastors of Trinity Cambridge Church,

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 and it's my joy and privilege to preach God's word to you this morning.

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 If you don't have a Bible, please raise your hand.

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 We'd love to give you a copy that you can use.

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 You could use it while you're here.

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 You could take it home with you.

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 Got one for Kevin over here.

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 Thank you, Elena.

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 And please turn with me in your Bibles to Matthew chapter 1.

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 Matthew is the first book in the New Testament,

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 first of the four Gospels, which are really kind of biographies of Jesus.

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 His life, his birth, his life, his death, and this Christmas,

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 this Advent season, we're particularly remembering his birth.

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 So please turn with you to Matthew 1, verses 18 to 25.

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 Let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's word.

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 Heavenly Father, we come to your word with the conviction

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 that every word of Scripture points to

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 and is fulfilled by your Son, Jesus Christ.

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 How much more so than this passage, which is about his birth.

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 So we ask that you would exalt the name of your Son, Jesus Christ,

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 that you'd reveal his mercy, his compassion, his grace to us,

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 so that through him all glory may redound to you, God our Father.

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 Father, we are your people.

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 To whom can we turn?

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 But to you, you have the words of eternal life.

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 So speak those words to us now, in Jesus' name we pray.

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 Amen.

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 If you are able, please stand as I read from God's word

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 in honor of God who has given this word to us.

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 Matthew 1, starting in verse 18, going to the end of the chapter.

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 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way.

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 When his mother, Mary, had been betrothed to Joseph,

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 before they came together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.

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 And her husband, Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame,

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 resolved to divorce her quietly.

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 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream,

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 saying,

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 Joseph, son of David,

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 do not fear to take Mary as your wife,

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 for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

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 She will bear a son,

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 and you shall call his name Jesus,

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 for he will save his people from their sins.

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 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet.

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 Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

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 and they shall call his name Emmanuel,

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 which means God with us.

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 When Joseph woke from sleep,

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 he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.

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 He took his wife,

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 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son.

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 And he called his name Jesus.

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 This is God's holy, authoritative word.

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 You may be seated.

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 When Adam first sinned in Genesis 3,

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 all of us and all of humanity sinned in Adam

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 because Adam was the firstborn of all humans,

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 and therefore the representative head of the entire human family.

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 That's why Romans 5.12 says that sin came into the world through one man,

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 namely Adam,

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 and death through sin,

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 and so death spread to all.

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 Because it was man that sinned,

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 it also must be man that pays the price for sin.

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 Only a human being can represent humanity.

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 So already in Genesis 3.15,

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 what we call maybe the first revelation of the gospel,

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 God says to Satan, the serpent,

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 I will put enmity between you and the woman

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 and between your offspring and her offspring.

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 He shall bruise your head,

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 and you shall bruise his heel.

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 It must be the offspring of the woman,

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 a man, a human,

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 that must represent humanity

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 and do battle with the serpent.

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 The Christ, the Messiah,

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 that will save God's people,

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 therefore must be someone who partakes in human flesh and blood.

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 But what man descended of Adam will do this?

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 What man can do this?

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 Psalm 49, verses 7 to 8 clearly teaches us,

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 Truly, no man can ransom another

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 or give to God the price of his life,

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 for the ransom of their life is costly

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 and can never suffice.

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 No human being, he says,

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 can afford to redeem another human being from death.

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 Why?

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 Because the wages of sin is death,

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 and the price of a person's life

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 is therefore too high

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 for another man to bear.

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 In Ezekiel 14, 14,

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 God says that when a land sins against him

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 and by acting faithlessly to him,

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 even if these three men,

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 with the reputation of being perhaps

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 the most righteous people,

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 recorded in scripture,

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 Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it,

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 it says, God says,

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 even if these three men,

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 Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it,

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 they would deliver but their own lives

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 by their righteousness.

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 God said of Noah in Genesis 6, 9,

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 Noah was a righteous man,

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 blameless in his generation.

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 Noah walked with God.

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 In Daniel 6, 4,

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 it tells us that Babylonian satraps

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 sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel,

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 but they could find no ground for complaint

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 or any fault because he was faithful

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 and no error or fault was found in him.

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 And similarly, God says of Job,

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 in Job 1a,

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 there is none like him on all the earth,

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 a blameless and upright man

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 who fears God and turns away from evil.

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 So obviously they're still humans

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 and so they're still sinful,

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 but according to human standards,

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 they're the cream of the crop,

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 righteous, blameless,

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 by all relative human standards.

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 And yet, even if those three men

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 were to stand before God,

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 to intercede before him for our sins,

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 they could not redeem a single person

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 because they cannot afford the price.

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 And that's a big problem.

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 But in Matthew 1, 18 to 25,

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 we find God's elegant solution to this problem.

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 Jesus the Christ,

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 the messianic king,

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 the prophesied king,

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 is the God king.

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 He is the God man.

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 He is fully man and fully God

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 and so that he can save all of us from our sins.

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 That's the main point of this passage.

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 We're going to look first at the humanity of the Christ.

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 Secondly, the divinity of the Christ.

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 And finally, we'll look at the salvation of the Christ.

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 Matthew writes in verse 18, 19,

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 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way.

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 When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph,

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 before they came together,

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 she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.

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 And her husband Joseph, being a just man

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 and unwilling to put her to shame,

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 resolved to divorce her quietly.

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 We're given several crucial details here.

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 Mary was betrothed to Joseph.

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 That means she was engaged,

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 formally engaged to be married to him.

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 They had not yet had their wedding

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 and they had not yet physically consummated their marriage

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 for that reason through sexual intercourse.

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 That's why he says it's before they came together.

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 But nonetheless, Mary was found to be with child.

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 Meaning she was showing pregnant.

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 We know from Luke 1, 56,

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 that Mary, after conceiving Jesus,

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 goes to Elizabeth to stay with her, her cousin,

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 because Elizabeth knows of her pregnancy,

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 that it is from the Holy Spirit.

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 And so she kind of takes refuge with her.

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 And it says that she stays with her for three months,

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 Luke 1, 5, 156.

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 And three months is about how long it takes

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 before a woman starts to show the baby bump.

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 And after that three months, she comes home

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 and then she's found out.

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 But there was no sexual infidelity

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 or promiscuity on her part.

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 We're told that she's witchcraft from the Holy Spirit.

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 So this is a virgin conception.

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 Mary conceived Jesus miraculously by the power of God

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 while remaining a virgin.

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 And I'll talk more about that later.

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 But for now, I want us to think about

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 the troubling implications of a virgin conception.

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 What are people going to say?

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 No, really.

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 I never slept with any man.

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 Listen, this baby is from the Holy Spirit.

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 How do you know that?

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 I had a dream.

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 I had a dream.

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 Yeah, right, Mary.

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 Tell me, who's the man?

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 Fess up.

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 There will be suspicions of infidelity her entire life.

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 Jesus would be considered an illegitimate child by many.

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 So much is implied in John 8

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 when the Jews falsely accused Jesus of being a Samaritan.

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 Even though Joseph, his adopted father,

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 is not Samaritan, clearly.

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 They accuse him of Samaritan,

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 which means they're accusing him

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 of being an illegitimate child.

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 And they say to him,

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 we were not born of sexual immorality.

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 We have one father, even God.

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 It's hard for Mary.

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 Try also being in Joseph's shoes.

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 Here is a woman that he loves,

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 that he has pledged his troth to,

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 saying, I love you and no other,

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 and I'm going to marry you,

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 and I'm going to provide for you

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 and protect you for the rest of my life.

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 That woman that he cherishes,

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 that he wants to spend the rest of his life with,

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 before their wedding day,

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 before they can enjoy conjugal relations,

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 is pregnant.

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 Things that would go through a man's mind in that situation.

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 The betrayal.

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 The lack of trust.

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 And according to Old Testament law,

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 Deuteronomy 22,

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 a woman who was discovered not to be a virgin,

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 who had been unfaithful before the time of her wedding,

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 there was capital punishment for that.

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 That's how seriously God takes the marriage union.

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 The Jews couldn't enforce that penalty in the first century

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 because they were under Roman rule,

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 but that goes to show how grave this sin is.

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 And at this point,

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 even though they can't execute the capital punishment,

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 it's still an honor and shame culture.

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 And the exposure of Mary's pregnancy

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 would have brought endless shame to Joseph,

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 and so he really has two options to save face.

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 First option is to conceal Mary's pregnancy

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 and become her accomplice.

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 Maybe they hasten their wedding days

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 to allay some suspicions,

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 and they hide the baby for a little bit

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 and act like this is his child.

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 Or, this would have been the more likely option,

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 the most common option in a situation like this,

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 he could expose Mary's infidelity

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 and publicly bring shame in public divorce trial.

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 To say, I had nothing to do with this.

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 It was all her.

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 That would save his face,

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 help him to get out of this quandary.

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 But Joseph opts for neither of these.

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 It says in verse 19,

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 her husband Joseph, being a just man

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 and unwilling to put her to shame,

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 resolved to divorce her quietly.

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 The word just is the same word

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 that's translated often as righteous.

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 It doesn't mean merciful or considerate.

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 It means that Joseph was careful

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 in keeping the Old Testament law.

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 He was a righteous man.

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 And because Joseph is a righteous and just man,

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 he cannot marry someone who has been unfaithful,

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 an adulterous woman.

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 He must divorce her.

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 So that's what he decides to do.

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 I'm gonna divorce her.

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 However, Joseph is also a merciful man.

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 And he says he is unwilling to put her to shame.

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 So he resolved, instead of divorcing her publicly,

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 to divorce her quietly.

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 The New International Version,

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 which is an alternate translation,

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 brings out the meaning of this more clearly

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 in there, verse 19.

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 It says,

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 Because Joseph, her husband,

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 was faithful to the law

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 and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace,

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 he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

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 That's the idea.

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 And some of you might be wondering,

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 well, if they were only engaged,

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 why does he have to divorce her?

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 Betrothal in those days

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 was a much more serious and formal affair

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 than nowadays.

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 Nowadays, people break off engagements fairly commonly.

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 However, in those days,

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 engagement is a formalized thing

00:15:05.320 --> 00:15:07.759
 where you exchange the bride price.

00:15:07.879 --> 00:15:09.360
 The man would give the bride price,

00:15:09.460 --> 00:15:11.879
 which is basically the woman's inheritance.

00:15:12.160 --> 00:15:13.660
 And if he should be unfaithful to her

00:15:13.660 --> 00:15:14.379
 and divorce her,

00:15:14.600 --> 00:15:16.259
 then she has something that she can take with her

00:15:16.259 --> 00:15:17.300
 to provide for herself.

00:15:18.500 --> 00:15:20.000
 And so they would exchange that already

00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:20.780
 at the engagement.

00:15:20.779 --> 00:15:22.519
 And from that point on,

00:15:22.579 --> 00:15:23.799
 they were bound to consider

00:15:23.799 --> 00:15:25.699
 to be legally bound to one another.

00:15:26.339 --> 00:15:28.459
 And they were referred to as husband and wife.

00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:30.339
 And so breaking off the engagement

00:15:30.339 --> 00:15:32.279
 at that stage was considered divorce,

00:15:33.279 --> 00:15:36.480
 which is why Joseph resolves to divorce her.

00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:39.860
 But that's a problem here too,

00:15:40.079 --> 00:15:42.120
 because he can't divorce her.

00:15:43.480 --> 00:15:45.019
 If you remember why,

00:15:45.199 --> 00:15:47.379
 remember from Jesus' genealogy last week,

00:15:47.379 --> 00:15:49.279
 Matthew 1.16 says,

00:15:49.439 --> 00:15:51.659
 Jacob, the father of Joseph,

00:15:52.139 --> 00:15:53.379
 the husband of Mary,

00:15:53.879 --> 00:15:55.399
 of whom Jesus was born,

00:15:55.460 --> 00:15:56.720
 who is called Christ.

00:15:57.080 --> 00:15:59.439
 In order for Jesus to be the Christ,

00:15:59.539 --> 00:16:01.620
 the prophesied messianic king

00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:03.519
 descended from King David,

00:16:04.080 --> 00:16:06.480
 he has to trace his line to King David.

00:16:06.899 --> 00:16:08.279
 And his line to King David

00:16:08.279 --> 00:16:09.620
 is traced not through Mary,

00:16:09.720 --> 00:16:10.799
 but through Joseph.

00:16:13.059 --> 00:16:15.320
 Joseph has to take him as his child.

00:16:17.379 --> 00:16:20.799
 Jesus' messianic kingship depends on it.

00:16:21.639 --> 00:16:23.279
 And so the angel of the Lord intervenes

00:16:23.279 --> 00:16:24.360
 in verse 20 and 21.

00:16:25.539 --> 00:16:27.340
 Notice how the angel addresses Joseph.

00:16:28.019 --> 00:16:30.439
 Joseph, son of David.

00:16:30.919 --> 00:16:32.139
 This is why this is important.

00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:34.439
 Joseph, son of David,

00:16:34.919 --> 00:16:37.000
 do not fear to take Mary as your wife,

00:16:37.299 --> 00:16:38.740
 for that which is conceived in her

00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:39.960
 is from the Holy Spirit.

00:16:40.360 --> 00:16:41.220
 She will bear a son,

00:16:41.259 --> 00:16:42.580
 and you shall call his name Jesus,

00:16:42.580 --> 00:16:45.360
 for he will save his people from their sins.

00:16:45.360 --> 00:16:47.779
 It was the legal responsibility

00:16:47.779 --> 00:16:48.860
 of the father in those days

00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:49.879
 to name the child.

00:16:50.259 --> 00:16:51.379
 And by naming the child,

00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:53.159
 you lay claim on that child

00:16:53.159 --> 00:16:55.919
 and acknowledge that child as your heir.

00:16:56.480 --> 00:16:58.680
 And that's the idea behind Isaiah 43.1,

00:16:58.759 --> 00:17:00.639
 when God says to Israel, his people,

00:17:00.860 --> 00:17:02.360
 and consequently to us,

00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:04.160
 who are part of the new Israel in Jesus,

00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:07.000
 I have called you by name.

00:17:07.579 --> 00:17:08.420
 You are mine.

00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:11.460
 God's called his people by name.

00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:13.460
 We are his, his heirs.

00:17:13.460 --> 00:17:15.480
 And the angel addresses Joseph,

00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:16.460
 son of David,

00:17:16.700 --> 00:17:18.680
 to tell us what is at stake

00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:20.779
 and tells him,

00:17:20.900 --> 00:17:21.779
 despite his reservations,

00:17:22.360 --> 00:17:24.120
 to take Mary as his wife

00:17:24.120 --> 00:17:26.200
 and to adopt her son

00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:27.740
 and name him Jesus.

00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:31.579
 Verses 24 to 25 tell us

00:17:31.579 --> 00:17:34.579
 that Joseph obeyed the angel's commands.

00:17:35.440 --> 00:17:35.720
 It says,

00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:37.200
 when Joseph woke from sleep,

00:17:37.200 --> 00:17:39.579
 he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.

00:17:39.579 --> 00:17:40.759
 He took his wife,

00:17:41.119 --> 00:17:42.659
 but knew her not

00:17:42.659 --> 00:17:44.619
 until she had given birth to a son.

00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:46.799
 And he called his name Jesus.

00:17:48.439 --> 00:17:51.259
 It's Jesus because of,

00:17:51.619 --> 00:17:54.159
 because Joseph takes Mary as his wife

00:17:54.159 --> 00:17:55.379
 and adopts Jesus.

00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:57.699
 He becomes a son of David through him.

00:17:59.619 --> 00:18:01.199
 And this is amazing to me

00:18:01.199 --> 00:18:04.679
 that God uses Mary and Joseph,

00:18:04.680 --> 00:18:06.480
 who are mere humans,

00:18:07.360 --> 00:18:11.600
 for such a grand, glorious,

00:18:12.220 --> 00:18:15.480
 historic, significant event

00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:16.900
 as the incarnation,

00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:21.100
 the birth and lineage of the Messiah.

00:18:22.920 --> 00:18:24.799
 Can you imagine if Joseph,

00:18:25.820 --> 00:18:27.519
 after the angel came to him and said,

00:18:28.160 --> 00:18:29.740
 no way, angel of the Lord.

00:18:30.600 --> 00:18:31.120
 No.

00:18:31.119 --> 00:18:34.359
 I come from a respectable family.

00:18:36.299 --> 00:18:38.199
 Do you know I'm descendant of David?

00:18:40.159 --> 00:18:41.000
 King David?

00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:45.019
 I can't take her as my wife.

00:18:46.819 --> 00:18:47.979
 The endless shame.

00:18:49.559 --> 00:18:50.039
 Disgrace.

00:18:53.339 --> 00:18:54.539
 By every appearance,

00:18:54.619 --> 00:18:56.139
 she's guilty of fornication and adultery.

00:18:56.140 --> 00:19:01.300
 Can you imagine

00:19:01.300 --> 00:19:04.240
 if Mary said to angel Gabriel,

00:19:05.100 --> 00:19:06.800
 no way,

00:19:08.040 --> 00:19:08.840
 a pregnancy?

00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:10.520
 Right now?

00:19:11.340 --> 00:19:12.320
 I'm a virgin.

00:19:15.120 --> 00:19:17.340
 I'm not even married yet fully.

00:19:20.520 --> 00:19:22.540
 You think Joseph's going to take me

00:19:22.540 --> 00:19:23.220
 when I'm pregnant?

00:19:23.220 --> 00:19:27.420
 This is going to ruin

00:19:27.420 --> 00:19:29.039
 my prospects for marriage.

00:19:30.160 --> 00:19:31.079
 Not just that.

00:19:31.120 --> 00:19:32.860
 It's going to ruin the rest of my life

00:19:32.860 --> 00:19:34.640
 after I get abandoned by him.

00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:36.779
 Who's going to take me now?

00:19:43.339 --> 00:19:44.579
 Salvation history

00:19:44.579 --> 00:19:46.360
 hangs in the balance

00:19:46.360 --> 00:19:47.620
 of this faithful man

00:19:47.620 --> 00:19:48.759
 and this faithful woman.

00:19:48.759 --> 00:19:54.319
 Why would God take such a risk?

00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:57.099
 Of course,

00:19:57.200 --> 00:19:57.759
 in one sense,

00:19:57.799 --> 00:19:58.879
 it's not a risk at all

00:19:58.879 --> 00:20:00.640
 because the outcome is secure

00:20:00.640 --> 00:20:02.359
 because God is sovereign

00:20:02.359 --> 00:20:03.740
 and he's in full control

00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:04.940
 over all of human history

00:20:04.940 --> 00:20:06.160
 and every human decision.

00:20:06.819 --> 00:20:07.640
 But still,

00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:09.160
 God did not have to use

00:20:09.160 --> 00:20:10.000
 Joseph and Mary.

00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:13.500
 In Acts 17.25,

00:20:13.700 --> 00:20:14.819
 it says that God is not

00:20:14.819 --> 00:20:16.420
 served by human hands

00:20:16.420 --> 00:20:17.920
 as though he needed anything

00:20:17.920 --> 00:20:19.019
 since he himself

00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:20.460
 gives to all mankind life,

00:20:20.620 --> 00:20:20.880
 breath,

00:20:20.940 --> 00:20:21.580
 and everything.

00:20:22.019 --> 00:20:23.200
 God doesn't need us

00:20:23.200 --> 00:20:24.160
 for anything.

00:20:25.140 --> 00:20:26.180
 He's not served

00:20:26.180 --> 00:20:27.039
 by human hands.

00:20:27.360 --> 00:20:28.039
 We're the ones

00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:28.800
 who need him

00:20:28.800 --> 00:20:29.900
 for everything.

00:20:31.560 --> 00:20:32.660
 God does not need

00:20:32.660 --> 00:20:33.680
 to use Joseph

00:20:33.680 --> 00:20:34.860
 and Mary.

00:20:37.180 --> 00:20:38.380
 Yet he uses,

00:20:38.580 --> 00:20:39.960
 and this is God's

00:20:39.960 --> 00:20:41.000
 mode of operation,

00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:43.740
 he uses fallible

00:20:43.740 --> 00:20:44.560
 human beings

00:20:44.560 --> 00:20:45.240
 to accomplish

00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:46.360
 his infallible

00:20:46.360 --> 00:20:47.519
 divine purposes.

00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:50.420
 And that's amazing.

00:20:54.080 --> 00:20:55.259
 So many of you,

00:20:55.420 --> 00:20:56.120
 and I'm so grateful

00:20:56.120 --> 00:20:56.700
 for you,

00:20:57.279 --> 00:20:58.039
 that so many of you

00:20:58.039 --> 00:20:58.759
 are involved

00:20:58.759 --> 00:21:00.240
 in serving our church

00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:01.120
 in various ways.

00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:02.220
 So many of you

00:21:02.220 --> 00:21:02.720
 are involved

00:21:02.720 --> 00:21:03.740
 even outside of that

00:21:03.740 --> 00:21:04.860
 in campus ministry

00:21:04.860 --> 00:21:06.259
 and various missions

00:21:06.259 --> 00:21:06.880
 organizations.

00:21:09.640 --> 00:21:10.860
 Don't ever think

00:21:10.860 --> 00:21:12.600
 that you are doing

00:21:12.600 --> 00:21:13.259
 God a favor.

00:21:13.259 --> 00:21:17.700
 you're not doing

00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:18.799
 something that he needs.

00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:22.339
 He's doing you

00:21:22.339 --> 00:21:22.759
 a favor,

00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:24.700
 involving you

00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:25.279
 in his plan,

00:21:26.379 --> 00:21:27.960
 his great purposes.

00:21:30.059 --> 00:21:31.319
 How is it?

00:21:31.900 --> 00:21:32.900
 How is it?

00:21:32.900 --> 00:21:34.480
 And I don't understand

00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:34.780
 this.

00:21:35.280 --> 00:21:36.800
 How is it that we,

00:21:38.180 --> 00:21:39.440
 people like us,

00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:40.640
 how is it that we

00:21:40.640 --> 00:21:42.259
 get to partake

00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:43.920
 in God's saving

00:21:43.920 --> 00:21:44.540
 purposes

00:21:44.540 --> 00:21:45.660
 throughout the world

00:21:45.660 --> 00:21:47.320
 by proclaiming

00:21:47.320 --> 00:21:47.759
 the gospel

00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:48.540
 of Jesus Christ

00:21:48.540 --> 00:21:49.740
 and making disciples

00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:50.519
 of Jesus Christ?

00:21:50.600 --> 00:21:51.900
 How can it be

00:21:51.900 --> 00:21:53.160
 that we

00:21:53.160 --> 00:21:54.660
 get to be a part

00:21:54.660 --> 00:21:55.040
 of that?

00:21:55.039 --> 00:22:00.399
 And how can it be?

00:22:02.359 --> 00:22:03.039
 This is biased

00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:03.619
 to all of you

00:22:03.619 --> 00:22:04.220
 in different sense,

00:22:04.299 --> 00:22:05.319
 but how can it be

00:22:05.319 --> 00:22:06.319
 that I

00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:08.700
 get to stand here

00:22:08.700 --> 00:22:09.980
 and expound

00:22:09.980 --> 00:22:10.680
 God's word

00:22:10.680 --> 00:22:12.220
 and preach to you

00:22:12.220 --> 00:22:13.559
 week after week?

00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:20.519
 That's a privilege.

00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:23.700
 We can't take that

00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:24.139
 for granted.

00:22:24.140 --> 00:22:26.280
 it's God's grace

00:22:26.280 --> 00:22:27.280
 to involve us.

00:22:31.060 --> 00:22:32.020
 And let's also

00:22:32.020 --> 00:22:32.960
 appreciate the

00:22:32.960 --> 00:22:34.360
 gritty humanity

00:22:34.360 --> 00:22:34.880
 of Jesus'

00:22:35.320 --> 00:22:37.360
 birth.

00:22:39.800 --> 00:22:40.259
 Look at,

00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:42.880
 he was conceived

00:22:42.880 --> 00:22:43.680
 by the Holy Spirit,

00:22:43.820 --> 00:22:44.060
 yes,

00:22:44.340 --> 00:22:45.880
 but he really is born

00:22:45.880 --> 00:22:47.500
 of the Virgin Mary.

00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:48.720
 She is called

00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:49.340
 his mother

00:22:49.340 --> 00:22:50.680
 in this chapter.

00:22:52.700 --> 00:22:53.580
 Matthew 1.16

00:22:53.579 --> 00:22:54.519
 says that Joseph,

00:22:54.659 --> 00:22:55.379
 the husband of Mary,

00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:56.960
 of whom Jesus was born.

00:22:57.319 --> 00:22:58.319
 Jesus was born

00:22:58.319 --> 00:22:59.460
 as an offspring

00:22:59.460 --> 00:23:00.339
 of the woman.

00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:01.559
 Like all of us

00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:02.119
 in this room,

00:23:03.579 --> 00:23:05.039
 Jesus has a real

00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:07.159
 human genealogy

00:23:07.159 --> 00:23:09.119
 traced through

00:23:09.119 --> 00:23:10.000
 his adopted father,

00:23:10.099 --> 00:23:10.359
 Joseph.

00:23:11.839 --> 00:23:12.799
 Jesus had

00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:13.799
 a human

00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:14.740
 upbringing.

00:23:14.740 --> 00:23:14.880
 thinking,

00:23:15.940 --> 00:23:17.039
 I want to note

00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:18.240
 here that there

00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:19.000
 is no mention

00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:21.240
 of a

00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:22.299
 Catholic doctrine

00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:23.160
 of immaculate

00:23:23.160 --> 00:23:23.740
 conception,

00:23:25.420 --> 00:23:26.019
 claiming that

00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:26.660
 Mary was born

00:23:26.660 --> 00:23:27.579
 without original sin

00:23:27.579 --> 00:23:28.400
 and never sinned

00:23:28.400 --> 00:23:28.900
 personally.

00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:30.079
 Mary was not

00:23:30.079 --> 00:23:30.539
 sinless.

00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:31.960
 Jesus is the only

00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:32.980
 sinless human.

00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:34.599
 In fact,

00:23:34.660 --> 00:23:35.240
 the claim that

00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:36.259
 Mary was sinless

00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:37.099
 and that only

00:23:37.099 --> 00:23:37.880
 a sinless woman

00:23:37.880 --> 00:23:38.859
 could give birth

00:23:38.859 --> 00:23:39.539
 to Jesus

00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:40.900
 runs in the face

00:23:40.900 --> 00:23:41.339
 of Jesus'

00:23:41.579 --> 00:23:42.420
 checkered genealogy,

00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:42.980
 which we looked at

00:23:42.980 --> 00:23:43.539
 last week.

00:23:44.380 --> 00:23:45.400
 Jesus embraces

00:23:45.400 --> 00:23:46.339
 humanity in all

00:23:46.339 --> 00:23:46.880
 of its sinfulness

00:23:46.880 --> 00:23:47.579
 to raise them

00:23:47.579 --> 00:23:48.059
 up to him.

00:23:52.360 --> 00:23:53.299
 We saw in

00:23:53.299 --> 00:23:53.539
 Jesus'

00:23:53.799 --> 00:23:54.440
 genealogy

00:23:54.440 --> 00:23:54.740
 that his

00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:55.360
 ancestors were

00:23:55.360 --> 00:23:56.440
 guilty of incest,

00:23:56.980 --> 00:23:57.339
 murder,

00:23:57.559 --> 00:23:58.059
 adultery,

00:23:58.180 --> 00:23:58.839
 idolatry,

00:23:58.980 --> 00:23:59.839
 child sacrifice,

00:23:59.940 --> 00:24:00.200
 and even

00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:00.940
 prostitution.

00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:03.380
 Jesus himself

00:24:03.380 --> 00:24:04.299
 was without sin,

00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:04.660
 yes,

00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:05.279
 but he,

00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:05.740
 nonetheless,

00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:06.940
 in his person

00:24:06.940 --> 00:24:07.960
 embraces the

00:24:07.960 --> 00:24:09.120
 whole of humanity

00:24:09.120 --> 00:24:10.279
 with all of

00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:10.980
 its sordid

00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:11.920
 and sinful

00:24:11.920 --> 00:24:12.720
 history.

00:24:12.980 --> 00:24:15.880
 There's also

00:24:15.880 --> 00:24:16.420
 no hint

00:24:16.420 --> 00:24:17.099
 in this text

00:24:17.099 --> 00:24:18.039
 of the doctrine

00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:18.640
 of Mary's

00:24:18.640 --> 00:24:19.839
 perpetual virginity,

00:24:21.220 --> 00:24:21.819
 that Mary

00:24:21.819 --> 00:24:22.620
 remained a virgin

00:24:22.620 --> 00:24:23.160
 for the rest

00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:23.599
 of her life.

00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:24.220
 That's nowhere

00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:24.759
 in Scripture.

00:24:26.120 --> 00:24:26.700
 Verse 25

00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:27.360
 does not say

00:24:27.360 --> 00:24:27.720
 that Joseph

00:24:27.720 --> 00:24:28.400
 never slept

00:24:28.400 --> 00:24:28.900
 with Mary,

00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:29.140
 ever.

00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:30.640
 It says

00:24:30.640 --> 00:24:31.259
 Joseph knew

00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:31.880
 Mary not

00:24:31.880 --> 00:24:32.860
 until she

00:24:32.860 --> 00:24:33.360
 had given

00:24:33.360 --> 00:24:34.319
 birth to a son,

00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:35.019
 which implies

00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:35.700
 that after

00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:36.380
 she gave

00:24:36.380 --> 00:24:36.940
 birth to Jesus,

00:24:37.079 --> 00:24:37.579
 they assumed

00:24:37.579 --> 00:24:38.099
 normal,

00:24:38.420 --> 00:24:39.180
 conjugal relations

00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:39.700
 like any

00:24:39.700 --> 00:24:40.240
 married couple.

00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:40.299
 people.

00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:42.240
 That's why

00:24:42.240 --> 00:24:42.779
 later on

00:24:42.779 --> 00:24:43.559
 in chapter 13,

00:24:43.640 --> 00:24:44.759
 verse 55 and 56,

00:24:44.900 --> 00:24:45.380
 Matthew notes

00:24:45.380 --> 00:24:45.740
 that Jesus

00:24:45.740 --> 00:24:46.819
 has brothers

00:24:46.819 --> 00:24:48.299
 and sisters,

00:24:48.859 --> 00:24:50.019
 and these

00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:50.460
 are not

00:24:50.460 --> 00:24:51.160
 referring to

00:24:51.160 --> 00:24:52.359
 spiritual brothers

00:24:52.359 --> 00:24:52.819
 and sisters

00:24:52.819 --> 00:24:53.480
 within the family

00:24:53.480 --> 00:24:53.859
 of God,

00:24:53.920 --> 00:24:54.400
 because in

00:24:54.400 --> 00:24:54.819
 John 2,

00:24:54.880 --> 00:24:55.240
 12,

00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:56.160
 it mentions

00:24:56.160 --> 00:24:56.519
 Jesus'

00:24:56.900 --> 00:24:58.019
 disciples

00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:59.079
 separate from

00:24:59.079 --> 00:24:59.720
 his brothers

00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:01.240
 and his

00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:01.980
 siblings.

00:25:01.980 --> 00:25:04.299
 Jesus had

00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:05.240
 human parents,

00:25:05.640 --> 00:25:06.140
 Jesus had

00:25:06.140 --> 00:25:07.079
 human siblings,

00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:07.980
 Jesus had

00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:08.480
 a human

00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:08.940
 upbringing

00:25:08.940 --> 00:25:09.660
 because Jesus

00:25:09.660 --> 00:25:10.720
 was fully

00:25:10.720 --> 00:25:11.200
 human.

00:25:14.779 --> 00:25:15.779
 And think

00:25:15.779 --> 00:25:16.360
 about when

00:25:16.360 --> 00:25:17.000
 the incarnation

00:25:17.000 --> 00:25:18.000
 actually began.

00:25:18.660 --> 00:25:19.259
 When did

00:25:19.259 --> 00:25:20.519
 God take

00:25:20.519 --> 00:25:21.279
 on human

00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:21.779
 flesh?

00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:24.259
 The incarnation

00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:25.180
 did not begin

00:25:25.180 --> 00:25:26.259
 with the birth.

00:25:27.480 --> 00:25:28.039
 It began

00:25:28.039 --> 00:25:29.099
 with conception.

00:25:29.099 --> 00:25:29.240
 conception.

00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:32.379
 God could

00:25:32.379 --> 00:25:32.859
 have,

00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:34.019
 imagine what

00:25:34.019 --> 00:25:34.240
 that would

00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:34.379
 have been

00:25:34.379 --> 00:25:34.500
 like,

00:25:34.539 --> 00:25:34.959
 God could

00:25:34.959 --> 00:25:35.539
 have sent

00:25:35.539 --> 00:25:36.679
 Jesus down

00:25:36.679 --> 00:25:37.899
 as an

00:25:37.899 --> 00:25:38.299
 adult.

00:25:39.419 --> 00:25:40.039
 He could

00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:40.399
 have written

00:25:40.399 --> 00:25:40.959
 the cloud

00:25:40.959 --> 00:25:41.799
 down just

00:25:41.799 --> 00:25:42.139
 like he

00:25:42.139 --> 00:25:42.519
 went up

00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:42.799
 to the

00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:43.039
 heavens.

00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:43.500
 He could

00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:43.740
 have written

00:25:43.740 --> 00:25:44.139
 the cloud

00:25:44.139 --> 00:25:44.740
 down in

00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:45.399
 adult form

00:25:45.399 --> 00:25:45.599
 and say,

00:25:45.659 --> 00:25:46.319
 here I am.

00:25:46.319 --> 00:25:51.939
 But instead,

00:25:52.419 --> 00:25:52.879
 Jesus was

00:25:52.879 --> 00:25:53.819
 conceived in

00:25:53.819 --> 00:25:54.879
 Mary's womb.

00:25:57.639 --> 00:25:58.319
 Jesus was

00:25:58.319 --> 00:25:58.799
 a human

00:25:58.799 --> 00:25:59.299
 embryo.

00:26:01.179 --> 00:26:01.899
 A pre-born

00:26:01.899 --> 00:26:02.899
 child who

00:26:02.899 --> 00:26:03.299
 went through

00:26:03.299 --> 00:26:03.819
 all of the

00:26:03.819 --> 00:26:04.319
 gestational

00:26:04.319 --> 00:26:04.799
 stages.

00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:07.839
 From the

00:26:07.839 --> 00:26:08.539
 cradle to

00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:09.079
 the grave,

00:26:09.419 --> 00:26:09.819
 from the

00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:10.539
 manger to

00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:11.279
 the cross,

00:26:11.480 --> 00:26:12.679
 Jesus embraced

00:26:12.679 --> 00:26:13.639
 human life

00:26:13.639 --> 00:26:13.960
 in its

00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:14.559
 entirety.

00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:17.099
 from

00:26:17.099 --> 00:26:17.539
 conception

00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:18.000
 to death.

00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:20.220
 As Hebrews

00:26:20.220 --> 00:26:21.059
 2 teaches

00:26:21.059 --> 00:26:21.279
 us,

00:26:21.339 --> 00:26:21.700
 in order

00:26:21.700 --> 00:26:22.419
 to save

00:26:22.419 --> 00:26:22.879
 us,

00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:24.220
 Jesus had

00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:24.559
 to be

00:26:24.559 --> 00:26:25.359
 made like

00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:25.779
 us in

00:26:25.779 --> 00:26:26.519
 every respect.

00:26:27.159 --> 00:26:27.579
 He had

00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:27.859
 to be

00:26:27.859 --> 00:26:28.519
 man to

00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:29.019
 represent

00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:29.859
 man.

00:26:30.579 --> 00:26:31.059
 He had

00:26:31.059 --> 00:26:31.379
 to take

00:26:31.379 --> 00:26:31.819
 on flesh

00:26:31.819 --> 00:26:32.220
 and blood

00:26:32.220 --> 00:26:32.679
 and become

00:26:32.679 --> 00:26:33.539
 like us.

00:26:35.279 --> 00:26:35.619
 Do you

00:26:35.619 --> 00:26:36.200
 ever doubt

00:26:36.200 --> 00:26:36.700
 that Jesus

00:26:36.700 --> 00:26:37.480
 is really

00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:38.359
 as merciful

00:26:38.359 --> 00:26:39.200
 and gracious

00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:39.960
 as God's

00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:40.619
 word teaches

00:26:40.619 --> 00:26:41.240
 us he is?

00:26:42.859 --> 00:26:43.460
 Think

00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:43.759
 again,

00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:44.500
 because Jesus

00:26:44.500 --> 00:26:45.180
 was made

00:26:45.180 --> 00:26:45.779
 like his

00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:46.099
 brothers.

00:26:46.220 --> 00:26:46.440
 This is

00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:46.779
 from Hebrews

00:26:46.779 --> 00:26:47.400
 2.17.

00:26:47.879 --> 00:26:48.220
 Jesus was

00:26:48.220 --> 00:26:48.720
 made like

00:26:48.720 --> 00:26:49.240
 his brothers

00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:49.819
 in every

00:26:49.819 --> 00:26:50.960
 respect so

00:26:50.960 --> 00:26:52.519
 that he

00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:53.279
 became a

00:26:53.279 --> 00:26:54.319
 merciful and

00:26:54.319 --> 00:26:55.279
 faithful high

00:26:55.279 --> 00:26:55.660
 priest in

00:26:55.660 --> 00:26:56.079
 the service

00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:57.259
 of God to

00:26:57.259 --> 00:26:58.240
 make propitiation

00:26:58.240 --> 00:26:58.960
 for the sins

00:26:58.960 --> 00:26:59.660
 of the people.

00:27:00.379 --> 00:27:00.940
 He is

00:27:00.940 --> 00:27:02.039
 merciful to

00:27:02.039 --> 00:27:04.400
 us because

00:27:04.400 --> 00:27:05.940
 Jesus gets

00:27:05.940 --> 00:27:06.379
 us.

00:27:06.380 --> 00:27:11.120
 he knows

00:27:11.120 --> 00:27:12.540
 all of

00:27:12.540 --> 00:27:12.860
 your

00:27:12.860 --> 00:27:13.840
 and my

00:27:13.840 --> 00:27:14.840
 frailties

00:27:14.840 --> 00:27:16.020
 weaknesses.

00:27:16.800 --> 00:27:17.380
 He knows

00:27:17.380 --> 00:27:18.240
 all of

00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:18.400
 our

00:27:18.400 --> 00:27:19.000
 limitations

00:27:19.000 --> 00:27:21.020
 and because

00:27:21.020 --> 00:27:21.800
 he does

00:27:21.800 --> 00:27:22.380
 he has

00:27:22.380 --> 00:27:23.280
 compassion.

00:27:26.580 --> 00:27:27.420
 Do you

00:27:27.420 --> 00:27:27.880
 ever doubt

00:27:27.880 --> 00:27:28.320
 that Jesus

00:27:28.320 --> 00:27:29.000
 faced the

00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:29.540
 same kinds

00:27:29.540 --> 00:27:30.080
 of temptation

00:27:30.080 --> 00:27:30.680
 that we

00:27:30.680 --> 00:27:31.060
 face?

00:27:32.120 --> 00:27:32.920
 Think again

00:27:32.920 --> 00:27:33.560
 because Hebrews

00:27:33.560 --> 00:27:34.120
 4.15

00:27:34.120 --> 00:27:34.760
 says we do

00:27:34.759 --> 00:27:35.440
 not have a

00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:35.980
 high priest

00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:36.720
 Jesus who

00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:37.420
 is unable

00:27:37.420 --> 00:27:38.299
 to sympathize

00:27:38.299 --> 00:27:38.680
 with our

00:27:38.680 --> 00:27:39.660
 weaknesses but

00:27:39.660 --> 00:27:40.319
 one who in

00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:41.160
 every respect

00:27:41.160 --> 00:27:41.579
 has been

00:27:41.579 --> 00:27:42.259
 tempted as

00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:43.240
 we are yet

00:27:43.240 --> 00:27:43.900
 without sin.

00:27:45.319 --> 00:27:46.259
 Jesus has

00:27:46.259 --> 00:27:46.819
 been there.

00:27:48.720 --> 00:27:49.660
 Jesus knows

00:27:49.660 --> 00:27:50.440
 the temptations

00:27:50.440 --> 00:27:51.480
 you face and

00:27:51.480 --> 00:27:51.980
 because he

00:27:51.980 --> 00:27:53.440
 himself suffered

00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:54.160
 when tempted

00:27:54.160 --> 00:27:55.160
 he is able to

00:27:55.160 --> 00:27:56.019
 help those who

00:27:56.019 --> 00:27:56.599
 are being

00:27:56.599 --> 00:27:57.000
 tempted.

00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:00.579
 There is no

00:28:00.579 --> 00:28:01.119
 savior like

00:28:01.119 --> 00:28:01.420
 Jesus.

00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:03.740
 In fact

00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:04.559
 Jesus is the

00:28:04.559 --> 00:28:05.220
 only savior

00:28:05.220 --> 00:28:07.519
 because he

00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:08.500
 truly understands

00:28:08.500 --> 00:28:09.639
 us because

00:28:09.639 --> 00:28:10.000
 he has

00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:10.759
 compassion on

00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:11.480
 us because

00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:12.339
 he truly

00:28:12.339 --> 00:28:13.779
 represents us

00:28:13.779 --> 00:28:14.519
 as man.

00:28:17.700 --> 00:28:18.460
 There is only

00:28:18.460 --> 00:28:19.259
 one mediator

00:28:19.259 --> 00:28:19.799
 between God

00:28:19.799 --> 00:28:20.159
 and man,

00:28:20.259 --> 00:28:20.980
 the man

00:28:20.980 --> 00:28:22.159
 Christ Jesus.

00:28:24.960 --> 00:28:25.740
 But Jesus

00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:26.379
 wasn't only

00:28:26.379 --> 00:28:26.740
 a man.

00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:28.440
 He was also

00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:29.099
 fully God.

00:28:29.559 --> 00:28:29.899
 He is the

00:28:29.899 --> 00:28:31.139
 incarnate God,

00:28:31.559 --> 00:28:32.119
 the son of

00:28:32.119 --> 00:28:32.720
 God who has

00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:33.519
 taken on human

00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:34.119
 flesh.

00:28:34.180 --> 00:28:34.359
 And we are

00:28:34.359 --> 00:28:34.940
 told this in

00:28:34.940 --> 00:28:35.559
 verse 18,

00:28:35.660 --> 00:28:36.139
 verse 20,

00:28:36.220 --> 00:28:36.500
 where we are

00:28:36.500 --> 00:28:37.400
 told that he

00:28:37.400 --> 00:28:38.119
 was conceived

00:28:38.119 --> 00:28:39.200
 in Mary from

00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:40.259
 the Holy Spirit.

00:28:41.599 --> 00:28:41.900
 And that is

00:28:41.900 --> 00:28:42.920
 why verse 16

00:28:42.920 --> 00:28:43.799
 of the genealogy

00:28:43.799 --> 00:28:44.779
 is careful to

00:28:44.779 --> 00:28:45.099
 note.

00:28:45.460 --> 00:28:45.879
 It does not

00:28:45.879 --> 00:28:46.339
 follow the

00:28:46.339 --> 00:28:47.279
 standard formula.

00:28:47.460 --> 00:28:47.980
 If it followed

00:28:47.980 --> 00:28:48.619
 the standard formula

00:28:48.619 --> 00:28:48.980
 it would have

00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:49.480
 said Joseph,

00:28:49.639 --> 00:28:50.160
 the father of

00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:50.480
 Jesus.

00:28:50.940 --> 00:28:51.379
 It does not

00:28:51.379 --> 00:28:51.740
 say that.

00:28:52.940 --> 00:28:53.379
 Joseph,

00:28:53.700 --> 00:28:54.879
 the husband

00:28:54.879 --> 00:28:55.500
 of Mary,

00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:57.259
 of whom Jesus

00:28:57.259 --> 00:28:57.779
 was born.

00:28:57.779 --> 00:28:59.980
 Joseph was

00:28:59.980 --> 00:29:00.660
 his legal

00:29:00.660 --> 00:29:01.319
 and adoptive

00:29:01.319 --> 00:29:01.660
 father,

00:29:02.299 --> 00:29:02.899
 but Jesus'

00:29:03.160 --> 00:29:04.139
 real father

00:29:04.139 --> 00:29:05.220
 is ultimately

00:29:05.220 --> 00:29:06.119
 God the

00:29:06.119 --> 00:29:06.379
 father.

00:29:08.740 --> 00:29:09.440
 No wonder

00:29:09.440 --> 00:29:09.980
 Joseph was

00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:10.779
 hesitant to

00:29:10.779 --> 00:29:11.680
 approach Mary

00:29:11.680 --> 00:29:12.200
 and sleep with

00:29:12.200 --> 00:29:12.819
 her even after

00:29:12.819 --> 00:29:13.399
 their marriage

00:29:13.399 --> 00:29:14.240
 ceremony.

00:29:16.099 --> 00:29:16.539
 It says in

00:29:16.539 --> 00:29:17.039
 verse 24,

00:29:17.119 --> 00:29:17.480
 25,

00:29:17.559 --> 00:29:18.200
 Joseph knew

00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:19.019
 her not until

00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:19.399
 she had given

00:29:19.399 --> 00:29:19.940
 birth to a

00:29:19.940 --> 00:29:20.139
 son.

00:29:20.299 --> 00:29:20.639
 The word

00:29:20.639 --> 00:29:21.420
 no is a

00:29:21.420 --> 00:29:21.680
 biblical

00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:22.700
 euphemism for

00:29:22.700 --> 00:29:23.740
 conjugal relations.

00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:24.960
 Matthew is

00:29:24.960 --> 00:29:25.680
 making it extra

00:29:25.680 --> 00:29:26.299
 clear that Jesus

00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:27.259
 is not a child

00:29:27.259 --> 00:29:27.859
 of Joseph

00:29:27.859 --> 00:29:29.379
 through intercourse.

00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:29.940
 Matthew is

00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:30.460
 making it

00:29:30.460 --> 00:29:31.019
 very clear.

00:29:31.519 --> 00:29:31.920
 In fact,

00:29:32.579 --> 00:29:33.279
 what man,

00:29:33.460 --> 00:29:34.480
 what faithful

00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:34.759
 man,

00:29:34.859 --> 00:29:35.539
 what believing

00:29:35.539 --> 00:29:36.140
 man in his

00:29:36.140 --> 00:29:36.720
 right mind,

00:29:36.819 --> 00:29:37.519
 knowing that

00:29:37.519 --> 00:29:39.160
 God is in

00:29:39.160 --> 00:29:40.740
 Mary's womb,

00:29:41.160 --> 00:29:41.779
 approached her.

00:29:45.799 --> 00:29:47.079
 Something sacred

00:29:47.079 --> 00:29:48.599
 and holy

00:29:48.599 --> 00:29:50.379
 has taken place.

00:29:54.059 --> 00:29:55.220
 Something divine

00:29:55.220 --> 00:29:55.279
 man.

00:29:58.059 --> 00:29:58.980
 And notice how

00:29:58.980 --> 00:29:59.779
 delicate and

00:29:59.779 --> 00:30:00.680
 restrained Matthew

00:30:00.680 --> 00:30:01.279
 is in his

00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:01.960
 description of

00:30:01.960 --> 00:30:02.200
 this.

00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:02.900
 It's very

00:30:02.900 --> 00:30:04.940
 unlike any

00:30:04.940 --> 00:30:05.700
 pagan accounts.

00:30:08.759 --> 00:30:09.100
 Ancient

00:30:09.100 --> 00:30:09.640
 Greco-Roman

00:30:09.640 --> 00:30:10.620
 texts often

00:30:10.620 --> 00:30:12.019
 tell lurid

00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:12.779
 tales of

00:30:12.779 --> 00:30:13.380
 Greco-Roman

00:30:13.380 --> 00:30:14.900
 gods impregnating

00:30:14.900 --> 00:30:15.559
 human women

00:30:15.559 --> 00:30:16.720
 and then

00:30:16.720 --> 00:30:17.079
 producing

00:30:17.079 --> 00:30:17.940
 demigods,

00:30:18.860 --> 00:30:19.779
 inferior deities

00:30:19.779 --> 00:30:20.259
 who are half

00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:20.900
 God and half

00:30:20.900 --> 00:30:21.240
 man.

00:30:21.819 --> 00:30:22.380
 But such

00:30:22.380 --> 00:30:23.120
 myths have

00:30:23.120 --> 00:30:23.559
 more in

00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:24.200
 common with

00:30:24.200 --> 00:30:25.099
 the disobedient

00:30:25.099 --> 00:30:26.059
 angelic beings

00:30:26.059 --> 00:30:26.819
 taking human

00:30:26.819 --> 00:30:27.399
 wives for

00:30:27.399 --> 00:30:27.899
 themselves and

00:30:27.899 --> 00:30:28.500
 giving birth to

00:30:28.500 --> 00:30:29.119
 the Nephilim

00:30:29.119 --> 00:30:30.299
 in Genesis 6

00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:31.599
 than the story

00:30:31.599 --> 00:30:32.039
 of Jesus'

00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:32.839
 conception and

00:30:32.839 --> 00:30:33.079
 birth.

00:30:35.200 --> 00:30:35.839
 Matthew's

00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:36.419
 unadorned

00:30:36.419 --> 00:30:37.220
 account is a

00:30:37.220 --> 00:30:38.159
 stark contrast

00:30:38.159 --> 00:30:39.039
 to these

00:30:39.039 --> 00:30:40.240
 elaborate Greco-Roman

00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:40.859
 mythologies.

00:30:41.440 --> 00:30:42.079
 He carefully

00:30:42.079 --> 00:30:43.579
 avoids any

00:30:43.579 --> 00:30:45.359
 hint of

00:30:45.359 --> 00:30:46.299
 any kind

00:30:46.299 --> 00:30:46.819
 of sexual

00:30:46.819 --> 00:30:47.259
 activity.

00:30:48.679 --> 00:30:49.179
 Jesus is

00:30:49.179 --> 00:30:49.899
 not half

00:30:49.899 --> 00:30:50.279
 God,

00:30:50.679 --> 00:30:51.279
 half man.

00:30:51.279 --> 00:30:52.500
 scripture

00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:53.200
 everywhere

00:30:53.200 --> 00:30:53.759
 and all

00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:54.119
 of church

00:30:54.119 --> 00:30:54.460
 history

00:30:54.460 --> 00:30:54.940
 confirmed

00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:55.379
 that Jesus

00:30:55.379 --> 00:30:55.940
 is fully

00:30:55.940 --> 00:30:56.879
 God and

00:30:56.879 --> 00:30:57.519
 fully man.

00:30:58.240 --> 00:30:58.920
 He's no

00:30:58.920 --> 00:30:59.680
 demigod,

00:30:59.799 --> 00:31:00.279
 he's no

00:31:00.279 --> 00:31:01.099
 superhuman,

00:31:01.440 --> 00:31:02.019
 he is

00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:03.839
 God and

00:31:03.839 --> 00:31:04.319
 he is

00:31:04.319 --> 00:31:04.899
 man.

00:31:07.019 --> 00:31:07.899
 That which

00:31:07.899 --> 00:31:08.480
 is conceived

00:31:08.480 --> 00:31:09.220
 in her is

00:31:09.220 --> 00:31:09.960
 from the

00:31:09.960 --> 00:31:10.740
 Holy Spirit.

00:31:10.899 --> 00:31:11.299
 Jesus is

00:31:11.299 --> 00:31:12.180
 born miraculously

00:31:12.180 --> 00:31:13.200
 with two

00:31:13.200 --> 00:31:13.899
 natures,

00:31:14.359 --> 00:31:14.700
 a human

00:31:14.700 --> 00:31:15.099
 nature and

00:31:15.099 --> 00:31:15.399
 a divine

00:31:15.399 --> 00:31:15.720
 nature,

00:31:16.119 --> 00:31:16.639
 in the

00:31:16.639 --> 00:31:17.519
 one person

00:31:17.519 --> 00:31:18.779
 of Jesus

00:31:18.779 --> 00:31:19.180
 Christ.

00:31:19.180 --> 00:31:21.320
 Christ.

00:31:21.320 --> 00:31:22.120
 The prophecy

00:31:22.120 --> 00:31:22.680
 from Isaiah

00:31:22.680 --> 00:31:23.460
 7, 14,

00:31:23.600 --> 00:31:24.039
 which Matthew

00:31:24.039 --> 00:31:24.500
 cites in

00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:24.960
 verse 22

00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:25.440
 and 23

00:31:25.440 --> 00:31:26.220
 confirms this.

00:31:26.320 --> 00:31:26.700
 Matthew is

00:31:26.700 --> 00:31:27.200
 known for

00:31:27.200 --> 00:31:28.100
 often citing

00:31:28.100 --> 00:31:28.480
 the Old

00:31:28.480 --> 00:31:29.779
 Testament and

00:31:29.779 --> 00:31:30.600
 to demonstrate

00:31:30.600 --> 00:31:31.500
 how Jesus

00:31:31.500 --> 00:31:32.460
 fulfilled the

00:31:32.460 --> 00:31:33.039
 Old Testament.

00:31:33.600 --> 00:31:34.000
 He does

00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:34.340
 this over

00:31:34.340 --> 00:31:35.259
 ten times,

00:31:35.420 --> 00:31:35.840
 uses this

00:31:35.840 --> 00:31:36.140
 formula,

00:31:36.500 --> 00:31:37.160
 this was to

00:31:37.160 --> 00:31:37.980
 fulfill what

00:31:37.980 --> 00:31:38.759
 the Lord

00:31:38.759 --> 00:31:40.060
 spoke by

00:31:40.060 --> 00:31:40.640
 so and so.

00:31:40.700 --> 00:31:41.259
 That formula

00:31:41.259 --> 00:31:41.960
 quotation is

00:31:41.960 --> 00:31:42.420
 used over

00:31:42.420 --> 00:31:43.220
 ten times in

00:31:43.220 --> 00:31:44.620
 his gospel and

00:31:44.620 --> 00:31:45.320
 five of those

00:31:45.320 --> 00:31:45.920
 occur in the

00:31:45.920 --> 00:31:47.060
 birth narrative.

00:31:49.180 --> 00:31:50.740
 So Matthew

00:31:50.740 --> 00:31:51.220
 is making it

00:31:51.220 --> 00:31:51.759
 very clear to

00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:51.920
 us,

00:31:52.060 --> 00:31:52.860
 Jesus is

00:31:52.860 --> 00:31:53.779
 the prophesied

00:31:53.779 --> 00:31:54.019
 one.

00:31:54.539 --> 00:31:55.360
 Jesus is

00:31:55.360 --> 00:31:56.039
 the promised

00:31:56.039 --> 00:31:56.340
 one.

00:31:56.580 --> 00:31:57.360
 Jesus is

00:31:57.360 --> 00:31:57.740
 the one who

00:31:57.740 --> 00:31:58.440
 fulfills all

00:31:58.440 --> 00:31:58.880
 of these

00:31:58.880 --> 00:31:59.640
 promises.

00:32:00.279 --> 00:32:00.539
 And what

00:32:00.539 --> 00:32:00.960
 did Isaiah

00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:01.620
 7, 14

00:32:01.620 --> 00:32:02.320
 prophesy?

00:32:03.220 --> 00:32:03.660
 Behold,

00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:04.360
 a virgin

00:32:04.360 --> 00:32:05.299
 shall conceive

00:32:05.299 --> 00:32:06.560
 and bear a

00:32:06.560 --> 00:32:07.360
 son and

00:32:07.360 --> 00:32:07.779
 they shall

00:32:07.779 --> 00:32:08.440
 call his

00:32:08.440 --> 00:32:09.519
 name Emmanuel,

00:32:10.279 --> 00:32:11.220
 God with

00:32:11.220 --> 00:32:11.779
 us.

00:32:12.820 --> 00:32:14.180
 How specific

00:32:14.180 --> 00:32:14.820
 can it

00:32:14.820 --> 00:32:15.299
 get?

00:32:17.420 --> 00:32:18.039
 A virgin

00:32:18.039 --> 00:32:20.639
 conceives a

00:32:20.639 --> 00:32:21.980
 child and

00:32:21.980 --> 00:32:22.720
 this child is

00:32:22.720 --> 00:32:23.319
 no ordinary

00:32:23.319 --> 00:32:23.920
 child but

00:32:23.920 --> 00:32:24.700
 this child is

00:32:24.700 --> 00:32:25.319
 a God

00:32:25.319 --> 00:32:25.920
 child,

00:32:27.000 --> 00:32:27.720
 Emmanuel,

00:32:28.680 --> 00:32:29.599
 God with

00:32:29.599 --> 00:32:30.399
 us.

00:32:30.740 --> 00:32:31.319
 All of

00:32:31.319 --> 00:32:33.759
 the Old

00:32:33.759 --> 00:32:34.059
 Testament

00:32:34.059 --> 00:32:34.559
 prophecies,

00:32:34.720 --> 00:32:35.279
 when we

00:32:35.279 --> 00:32:36.960
 read and

00:32:36.960 --> 00:32:37.599
 from,

00:32:38.159 --> 00:32:39.839
 we were

00:32:39.839 --> 00:32:40.960
 singing Psalm

00:32:40.960 --> 00:32:41.619
 34 earlier

00:32:41.619 --> 00:32:42.159
 and we were

00:32:42.159 --> 00:32:43.359
 reading in the

00:32:43.359 --> 00:32:43.799
 assurance of

00:32:43.799 --> 00:32:44.680
 pardon also of

00:32:44.680 --> 00:32:45.740
 how God is

00:32:45.740 --> 00:32:46.299
 the one who

00:32:46.299 --> 00:32:46.920
 is with us,

00:32:46.960 --> 00:32:47.460
 the Lord of

00:32:47.460 --> 00:32:47.860
 hosts is

00:32:47.860 --> 00:32:48.460
 with us.

00:32:48.660 --> 00:32:49.220
 That phrase

00:32:49.220 --> 00:32:50.160
 occurs so many

00:32:50.160 --> 00:32:50.620
 times throughout

00:32:50.620 --> 00:32:51.079
 all of the

00:32:51.079 --> 00:32:51.539
 Old Testament.

00:32:51.680 --> 00:32:52.120
 God is

00:32:52.120 --> 00:32:53.220
 with us.

00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:53.900
 And

00:32:53.900 --> 00:32:55.200
 Imanu is

00:32:55.200 --> 00:32:55.819
 the phrase in

00:32:55.819 --> 00:32:56.140
 Hebrew that

00:32:56.140 --> 00:32:56.819
 means God

00:32:56.819 --> 00:32:57.539
 is with

00:32:57.539 --> 00:32:58.360
 us.

00:32:59.799 --> 00:33:00.539
 Imanu is

00:33:00.539 --> 00:33:01.000
 with us,

00:33:01.120 --> 00:33:01.579
 El is

00:33:01.579 --> 00:33:01.900
 God,

00:33:01.980 --> 00:33:02.640
 God with

00:33:02.640 --> 00:33:03.160
 us.

00:33:03.940 --> 00:33:04.759
 So all of

00:33:04.759 --> 00:33:05.880
 those promises,

00:33:06.539 --> 00:33:07.240
 everything that

00:33:07.240 --> 00:33:08.039
 God has said to

00:33:08.039 --> 00:33:08.500
 his people,

00:33:08.799 --> 00:33:09.600
 I assure you,

00:33:09.660 --> 00:33:10.319
 I am with

00:33:10.319 --> 00:33:10.660
 you,

00:33:10.980 --> 00:33:11.600
 I will not

00:33:11.600 --> 00:33:12.100
 abandon you,

00:33:12.140 --> 00:33:12.460
 I will not

00:33:12.460 --> 00:33:13.039
 forsake you,

00:33:13.100 --> 00:33:13.779
 all of that

00:33:13.779 --> 00:33:14.240
 comes to

00:33:14.240 --> 00:33:15.039
 ultimate fruition

00:33:15.039 --> 00:33:16.640
 in Jesus who

00:33:16.640 --> 00:33:17.440
 is Immanuel,

00:33:17.840 --> 00:33:18.540
 God with

00:33:18.540 --> 00:33:19.020
 us.

00:33:22.320 --> 00:33:23.020
 So he's

00:33:23.020 --> 00:33:23.620
 fully God.

00:33:24.900 --> 00:33:25.820
 This is why

00:33:25.820 --> 00:33:26.620
 Jesus doesn't

00:33:26.620 --> 00:33:27.400
 ever in the

00:33:27.400 --> 00:33:28.220
 gospel stop

00:33:28.220 --> 00:33:28.960
 people from

00:33:28.960 --> 00:33:29.720
 worshiping him.

00:33:31.220 --> 00:33:32.140
 All pious

00:33:32.140 --> 00:33:32.920
 people recognize

00:33:32.920 --> 00:33:33.300
 that there's

00:33:33.300 --> 00:33:33.980
 only one true

00:33:33.980 --> 00:33:34.759
 God and if

00:33:34.759 --> 00:33:35.140
 you try to

00:33:35.140 --> 00:33:35.640
 worship someone

00:33:35.640 --> 00:33:36.140
 who is not

00:33:36.140 --> 00:33:36.540
 God, that

00:33:36.540 --> 00:33:36.780
 that is

00:33:36.780 --> 00:33:37.500
 idolatrous.

00:33:38.540 --> 00:33:39.200
 So Peter

00:33:39.200 --> 00:33:40.000
 in Acts 10

00:33:40.000 --> 00:33:40.800
 when Cornelius

00:33:40.800 --> 00:33:41.520
 falls at his

00:33:41.520 --> 00:33:41.940
 feet to

00:33:41.940 --> 00:33:42.680
 worship him,

00:33:42.840 --> 00:33:43.280
 oh you,

00:33:43.500 --> 00:33:43.980
 you're this

00:33:43.980 --> 00:33:44.660
 great apostle,

00:33:44.660 --> 00:33:46.200
 one that

00:33:46.200 --> 00:33:46.700
 God sent

00:33:46.700 --> 00:33:46.920
 to me,

00:33:47.000 --> 00:33:47.400
 they bowed

00:33:47.400 --> 00:33:47.720
 down to

00:33:47.720 --> 00:33:47.980
 him to

00:33:47.980 --> 00:33:48.540
 worship him

00:33:48.540 --> 00:33:49.360
 and then

00:33:49.360 --> 00:33:49.840
 Peter lifts

00:33:49.840 --> 00:33:50.100
 him up

00:33:50.100 --> 00:33:50.279
 saying,

00:33:50.420 --> 00:33:51.000
 stand up,

00:33:52.580 --> 00:33:53.660
 I too am

00:33:53.660 --> 00:33:54.100
 a man.

00:33:56.019 --> 00:33:56.660
 Peter knows

00:33:56.660 --> 00:33:57.120
 this place.

00:33:59.320 --> 00:34:00.400
 Even angels

00:34:00.400 --> 00:34:01.380
 refuse to be

00:34:01.380 --> 00:34:01.960
 worshipped.

00:34:03.320 --> 00:34:03.860
 In Revelation

00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:04.800
 22, 8, 9,

00:34:04.900 --> 00:34:05.640
 John falls

00:34:05.640 --> 00:34:06.720
 to worship

00:34:06.720 --> 00:34:07.240
 at the feet

00:34:07.240 --> 00:34:07.900
 of an angel

00:34:07.900 --> 00:34:08.480
 who is this

00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:09.740
 glorious being

00:34:09.740 --> 00:34:11.159
 and then the

00:34:11.159 --> 00:34:11.700
 angel says to

00:34:11.700 --> 00:34:11.860
 John,

00:34:11.960 --> 00:34:13.099
 you must not

00:34:13.099 --> 00:34:13.619
 do that.

00:34:14.659 --> 00:34:15.980
 I am a

00:34:15.980 --> 00:34:16.920
 fellow servant

00:34:16.920 --> 00:34:17.619
 with you

00:34:17.619 --> 00:34:18.659
 and your

00:34:18.659 --> 00:34:19.039
 brothers,

00:34:19.199 --> 00:34:19.599
 the prophets

00:34:19.599 --> 00:34:20.039
 and with

00:34:20.039 --> 00:34:20.359
 those who

00:34:20.359 --> 00:34:20.739
 keep the

00:34:20.739 --> 00:34:21.139
 words of

00:34:21.139 --> 00:34:21.579
 this book.

00:34:22.000 --> 00:34:22.279
 Worship

00:34:22.279 --> 00:34:23.420
 God.

00:34:25.980 --> 00:34:26.519
 But the

00:34:26.519 --> 00:34:27.139
 Gospels,

00:34:28.099 --> 00:34:29.819
 this is

00:34:29.819 --> 00:34:30.339
 shocking,

00:34:30.639 --> 00:34:30.799
 right?

00:34:31.139 --> 00:34:31.539
 And this

00:34:31.539 --> 00:34:31.940
 is where

00:34:31.940 --> 00:34:32.359
 like, you

00:34:32.359 --> 00:34:32.699
 know, when

00:34:32.699 --> 00:34:33.199
 people come

00:34:33.199 --> 00:34:33.579
 to you and

00:34:33.579 --> 00:34:33.920
 say, oh,

00:34:33.980 --> 00:34:34.559
 the Gospels

00:34:34.559 --> 00:34:34.920
 in their

00:34:34.920 --> 00:34:35.519
 original form

00:34:35.519 --> 00:34:36.379
 never affirm

00:34:36.379 --> 00:34:36.819
 that Jesus

00:34:36.819 --> 00:34:37.399
 is the

00:34:37.399 --> 00:34:38.099
 deity, that

00:34:38.099 --> 00:34:38.719
 he is God.

00:34:39.019 --> 00:34:39.460
 Only the

00:34:39.460 --> 00:34:39.879
 Gospel of

00:34:39.879 --> 00:34:40.319
 John, which

00:34:40.319 --> 00:34:40.599
 was written

00:34:40.599 --> 00:34:41.239
 later on,

00:34:41.259 --> 00:34:41.699
 does this.

00:34:41.779 --> 00:34:42.139
 No, Matthew,

00:34:42.279 --> 00:34:42.659
 Mark, Luke,

00:34:42.699 --> 00:34:42.940
 and John

00:34:42.940 --> 00:34:43.420
 never do that.

00:34:43.460 --> 00:34:43.679
 I don't know,

00:34:43.719 --> 00:34:44.019
 maybe you've

00:34:44.019 --> 00:34:44.500
 heard this in

00:34:44.500 --> 00:34:44.840
 some of your

00:34:44.840 --> 00:34:45.679
 college classes.

00:34:46.759 --> 00:34:47.300
 Are you

00:34:47.300 --> 00:34:47.759
 kidding me?

00:34:48.980 --> 00:34:49.460
 Have you seen

00:34:49.460 --> 00:34:50.139
 how many times

00:34:50.139 --> 00:34:51.039
 people fall at

00:34:51.039 --> 00:34:52.159
 Jesus' feet and

00:34:52.159 --> 00:34:52.820
 bow down and

00:34:52.820 --> 00:34:53.480
 worship him?

00:34:54.019 --> 00:34:54.900
 And he says

00:34:54.900 --> 00:34:55.420
 nothing.

00:35:05.860 --> 00:35:06.519
 Instead, they

00:35:06.519 --> 00:35:07.199
 worship him, say,

00:35:07.300 --> 00:35:08.300
 truly, you are the

00:35:08.300 --> 00:35:08.940
 Son of God.

00:35:08.940 --> 00:35:08.980
 God.

00:35:10.200 --> 00:35:11.400
 And Jesus says,

00:35:11.500 --> 00:35:14.099
 yeah, you say

00:35:14.099 --> 00:35:14.700
 that I am.

00:35:15.579 --> 00:35:16.599
 That is who I

00:35:16.599 --> 00:35:16.860
 am.

00:35:20.559 --> 00:35:21.400
 Those things,

00:35:21.519 --> 00:35:22.380
 those instances

00:35:22.380 --> 00:35:23.420
 would be

00:35:23.420 --> 00:35:26.000
 incredibly

00:35:26.000 --> 00:35:27.480
 inappropriate if

00:35:27.480 --> 00:35:28.340
 they weren't for

00:35:28.340 --> 00:35:29.380
 Jesus' actual

00:35:29.380 --> 00:35:30.260
 divinity.

00:35:30.900 --> 00:35:32.159
 But Jesus is

00:35:32.159 --> 00:35:33.079
 fully God, and

00:35:33.079 --> 00:35:34.179
 because he is

00:35:34.179 --> 00:35:35.619
 Emmanuel, God

00:35:35.619 --> 00:35:36.440
 with us,

00:35:36.880 --> 00:35:38.779
 falling before

00:35:38.779 --> 00:35:39.400
 his feet in

00:35:39.400 --> 00:35:39.940
 worship and

00:35:39.940 --> 00:35:40.460
 bowing before

00:35:40.460 --> 00:35:41.179
 him is the

00:35:41.179 --> 00:35:42.639
 only appropriate

00:35:42.639 --> 00:35:43.420
 response.

00:35:49.739 --> 00:35:50.900
 And that the

00:35:50.900 --> 00:35:51.779
 deity of Christ,

00:35:51.900 --> 00:35:52.460
 divinity of Christ,

00:35:52.519 --> 00:35:53.000
 has important

00:35:53.000 --> 00:35:53.500
 theological

00:35:53.500 --> 00:35:54.019
 implications.

00:35:54.159 --> 00:35:54.659
 For my third

00:35:54.659 --> 00:35:55.339
 and final point,

00:35:55.639 --> 00:35:56.599
 the salvation of

00:35:56.599 --> 00:35:57.059
 the Christ,

00:35:57.719 --> 00:35:58.639
 the angel who

00:35:58.639 --> 00:35:59.000
 appears to

00:35:59.000 --> 00:35:59.599
 Joseph says in

00:35:59.599 --> 00:36:00.119
 verse 21,

00:36:00.119 --> 00:36:00.960
 Mary will bear

00:36:00.960 --> 00:36:01.980
 a son, and

00:36:01.980 --> 00:36:02.619
 you shall call

00:36:02.619 --> 00:36:03.099
 his name

00:36:03.099 --> 00:36:05.480
 Jesus, for he

00:36:05.480 --> 00:36:06.400
 will save his

00:36:06.400 --> 00:36:07.339
 people from

00:36:07.339 --> 00:36:08.699
 their sins.

00:36:13.739 --> 00:36:14.659
 The name

00:36:14.659 --> 00:36:17.159
 Jesus means

00:36:17.159 --> 00:36:18.299
 the Lord

00:36:18.299 --> 00:36:19.539
 saves.

00:36:21.900 --> 00:36:22.759
 So if you

00:36:22.759 --> 00:36:23.299
 wonder, is

00:36:23.299 --> 00:36:24.179
 Jesus really a

00:36:24.179 --> 00:36:24.460
 savior?

00:36:25.900 --> 00:36:26.299
 Yeah!

00:36:27.219 --> 00:36:27.880
 That's his

00:36:27.880 --> 00:36:28.239
 name!

00:36:28.239 --> 00:36:30.279
 the Lord

00:36:30.279 --> 00:36:31.479
 saves.

00:36:33.179 --> 00:36:33.879
 He will

00:36:33.879 --> 00:36:34.579
 save his

00:36:34.579 --> 00:36:35.399
 people from

00:36:35.399 --> 00:36:35.979
 their sins.

00:36:36.339 --> 00:36:37.259
 And we sing

00:36:37.259 --> 00:36:38.919
 Jesus' name

00:36:38.919 --> 00:36:40.159
 all the time.

00:36:40.719 --> 00:36:41.759
 His name is

00:36:41.759 --> 00:36:42.459
 on the lips

00:36:42.459 --> 00:36:43.279
 of his people

00:36:43.279 --> 00:36:44.359
 all the time

00:36:44.359 --> 00:36:44.819
 in prayer.

00:36:44.899 --> 00:36:45.359
 Every time we

00:36:45.359 --> 00:36:46.979
 pray, we pray

00:36:46.979 --> 00:36:47.759
 in Jesus'

00:36:48.059 --> 00:36:48.259
 name.

00:36:48.339 --> 00:36:48.819
 Every time we

00:36:48.819 --> 00:36:50.059
 sing, we sing

00:36:50.059 --> 00:36:50.659
 to Jesus'

00:36:50.919 --> 00:36:51.159
 name.

00:36:51.219 --> 00:36:51.559
 And how

00:36:51.559 --> 00:36:52.679
 sweet is

00:36:52.679 --> 00:36:53.359
 that name

00:36:53.359 --> 00:36:54.079
 that reminds

00:36:54.079 --> 00:36:54.459
 us the

00:36:54.459 --> 00:36:55.479
 Lord saves.

00:36:55.480 --> 00:36:58.240
 Jesus could

00:36:58.240 --> 00:36:58.559
 have had a

00:36:58.559 --> 00:36:58.780
 lot of

00:36:58.780 --> 00:36:59.000
 different

00:36:59.000 --> 00:36:59.400
 names.

00:37:02.800 --> 00:37:03.480
 The angel

00:37:03.480 --> 00:37:04.000
 God could

00:37:04.000 --> 00:37:04.380
 have told

00:37:04.380 --> 00:37:05.280
 Joseph to

00:37:05.280 --> 00:37:05.840
 name him

00:37:05.840 --> 00:37:06.760
 Naziah.

00:37:08.119 --> 00:37:08.800
 It's a cool

00:37:08.800 --> 00:37:09.059
 name.

00:37:10.920 --> 00:37:11.639
 It means

00:37:11.639 --> 00:37:12.800
 conqueror.

00:37:14.139 --> 00:37:14.500
 Yeah,

00:37:14.699 --> 00:37:15.440
 Naziah, go

00:37:15.440 --> 00:37:16.159
 conquer the

00:37:16.159 --> 00:37:16.760
 Roman Empire.

00:37:18.340 --> 00:37:18.980
 Liberate your

00:37:18.980 --> 00:37:19.300
 people.

00:37:20.840 --> 00:37:21.480
 I don't know

00:37:21.480 --> 00:37:21.699
 why I'm

00:37:21.699 --> 00:37:22.139
 talking like

00:37:22.139 --> 00:37:22.420
 this.

00:37:22.420 --> 00:37:22.719
 Yeah.

00:37:23.340 --> 00:37:23.559
 Yeah.

00:37:23.559 --> 00:37:23.619
 Yeah.

00:37:23.619 --> 00:37:23.719
 Yeah.

00:37:23.719 --> 00:37:23.740
 Yeah.

00:37:23.740 --> 00:37:23.800
 Yeah.

00:37:23.800 --> 00:37:23.820
 Yeah.

00:37:23.820 --> 00:37:23.840
 Yeah.

00:37:23.840 --> 00:37:23.860
 Yeah.

00:37:23.860 --> 00:37:23.920
 Yeah.

00:37:23.920 --> 00:37:23.940
 Yeah.

00:37:23.940 --> 00:37:23.960
 Yeah.

00:37:23.960 --> 00:37:24.000
 Yeah.

00:37:24.000 --> 00:37:24.019
 Yeah.

00:37:24.019 --> 00:37:25.460
 Yeah.

00:37:25.460 --> 00:37:25.860
 Yeah.

00:37:26.619 --> 00:37:27.280
 Or it

00:37:27.280 --> 00:37:27.440
 could have

00:37:27.440 --> 00:37:28.059
 been Daniel,

00:37:28.860 --> 00:37:29.980
 which means

00:37:29.980 --> 00:37:30.500
 God is

00:37:30.500 --> 00:37:31.119
 judge.

00:37:32.320 --> 00:37:32.940
 That would

00:37:32.940 --> 00:37:33.099
 have been

00:37:33.099 --> 00:37:33.539
 true too.

00:37:35.139 --> 00:37:35.639
 God could

00:37:35.639 --> 00:37:36.039
 have sent

00:37:36.039 --> 00:37:36.519
 Jesus to

00:37:36.519 --> 00:37:37.059
 judge all

00:37:37.059 --> 00:37:38.179
 of us as

00:37:38.179 --> 00:37:40.460
 he rightly

00:37:40.460 --> 00:37:41.220
 deserves to.

00:37:43.420 --> 00:37:44.019
 But no,

00:37:45.159 --> 00:37:45.860
 his name

00:37:45.860 --> 00:37:46.519
 is Jesus.

00:37:48.639 --> 00:37:49.440
 The Lord

00:37:49.440 --> 00:37:50.059
 saves.

00:37:52.440 --> 00:37:53.059
 And we

00:37:53.059 --> 00:37:53.679
 call out to

00:37:53.679 --> 00:37:54.039
 his name

00:37:54.039 --> 00:37:54.659
 every day.

00:37:54.659 --> 00:37:58.719
 Jesus, my Jesus, I love you.

00:38:04.139 --> 00:38:13.139
 And what exactly does Jesus save us from? Verse 21 tells us he will save his people from their

00:38:13.139 --> 00:38:23.519
 sins. And this brings God's entire salvation plan, his redemptive historical purposes to a focus

00:38:23.519 --> 00:38:31.699
 with a crystal clear focus. The Jews at the time, they were expecting the Messiah to come,

00:38:32.179 --> 00:38:38.000
 and they were expecting him to come and save them, but they were expecting him to come primarily to

00:38:38.000 --> 00:38:44.739
 save them from the Roman oppressors, to establish the kingdom of God on earth.

00:38:46.159 --> 00:38:52.880
 But Jesus's mission here, God is confirming through his angelic messenger, is far grander than that.

00:38:53.519 --> 00:39:04.579
 The Roman Empire? Please. God has much bigger fish to fry. Jesus has come to save his people from

00:39:04.579 --> 00:39:13.159
 their sins. Because the Jews, God's people were oppressed and conquered by many nations, right?

00:39:13.199 --> 00:39:15.920
 The Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Persians, the Greeks, and then the Romans.

00:39:15.920 --> 00:39:20.519
 But these foreign nations were merely instruments of God's judgment.

00:39:23.099 --> 00:39:25.400
 They were not the cause of their misfortune.

00:39:26.519 --> 00:39:34.000
 The true root cause of their misfortune was their sin, their unfaithfulness to God, their violation of

00:39:34.000 --> 00:39:39.400
 their covenant with God, which led to these judgments, which are meant to bring them back to repentance.

00:39:39.400 --> 00:39:46.860
 So then nothing short of salvation from their sins can actually save them.

00:39:49.460 --> 00:39:55.180
 This brings some helpful applications for our day and age, because in our day too, there's a lot of suffering.

00:39:56.460 --> 00:39:57.639
 There's a lot of oppression.

00:39:57.639 --> 00:40:02.039
 There are a lot of things that people need to be saved from.

00:40:03.000 --> 00:40:11.500
 Wars, natural disasters, international crises, climate catastrophes, epidemics, pandemics, economic depression,

00:40:11.759 --> 00:40:13.779
 social injustices, world hunger.

00:40:13.780 --> 00:40:27.380
 But there is one thing that is more urgent and more pressing and more consequential than any of these things that we must be saved from,

00:40:27.720 --> 00:40:29.220
 and that is our sins.

00:40:32.960 --> 00:40:35.480
 Sin is the cause of our alienation from God.

00:40:35.900 --> 00:40:38.300
 Sin is the reason for people's eternal damnation.

00:40:38.300 --> 00:40:43.700
 Sin is the root cause of all hostility between races and genders and nations.

00:40:43.780 --> 00:40:49.080
 Sin is the reason why diseases and disasters and death have entered into our world.

00:40:50.920 --> 00:40:57.900
 So my Christian brothers and sisters, do you give appropriate attention to dealing with sin in your life?

00:40:59.019 --> 00:41:03.019
 And do you give appropriate attention to proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ,

00:41:03.019 --> 00:41:10.440
 which is the only news that can deal with the sin around us and the sin of our neighbors?

00:41:13.780 --> 00:41:20.560
 Or are you more preoccupied with just the external circumstances of your life?

00:41:23.920 --> 00:41:32.060
 Heart diseases, brain malformations, cancers, strokes, do not separate us from God.

00:41:35.640 --> 00:41:36.660
 Sin does.

00:41:36.659 --> 00:41:42.980
 And Jesus, our Savior, came to save us from our sins.

00:41:45.480 --> 00:41:48.420
 Because Jesus was conceived and married from the Holy Spirit,

00:41:48.659 --> 00:41:50.659
 apart from the sexual involvement of any man,

00:41:50.659 --> 00:41:55.099
 the original sin that entered humanity through Adam, their head,

00:41:55.460 --> 00:41:58.159
 is cut off, interrupted,

00:41:58.799 --> 00:42:01.920
 as Romans 5, 12 tells us, uniquely in Jesus' birth.

00:42:01.920 --> 00:42:08.240
 Jesus is the first and only human to be born without sin.

00:42:09.500 --> 00:42:11.180
 I'm excluding Adam because he wasn't born.

00:42:11.559 --> 00:42:12.039
 He was created.

00:42:13.039 --> 00:42:13.480
 And Eve.

00:42:16.920 --> 00:42:18.320
 1 John 3, 5 says,

00:42:18.420 --> 00:42:21.440
 You know that Jesus appeared in order to take away sins,

00:42:21.639 --> 00:42:24.180
 and in him there is no sin.

00:42:24.179 --> 00:42:27.839
 This is because Jesus knew no sin.

00:42:28.639 --> 00:42:32.539
 Only he can bear our sins so that we might become the righteousness of God,

00:42:32.619 --> 00:42:34.139
 as 2 Corinthians 5, 21 says.

00:42:34.239 --> 00:42:37.480
 This is essential for his saving work.

00:42:37.899 --> 00:42:41.199
 He has to be God who is without sin.

00:42:42.379 --> 00:42:45.299
 Jesus is the one man who never deserved to die

00:42:45.299 --> 00:42:47.500
 because death is a consequence of sin,

00:42:47.539 --> 00:42:48.539
 and he had no sin.

00:42:48.539 --> 00:42:56.579
 And yet Jesus died to save us from our sins.

00:42:58.400 --> 00:43:01.340
 For those of you here who are not yet followers of Christ,

00:43:01.980 --> 00:43:04.099
 what is your solution for sin?

00:43:09.639 --> 00:43:11.139
 Romans 6, 23 says,

00:43:11.239 --> 00:43:12.500
 The wages of sin is death.

00:43:14.019 --> 00:43:15.599
 Hebrews 9, 22 says,

00:43:15.599 --> 00:43:18.139
 Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.

00:43:18.139 --> 00:43:22.319
 You cannot pay for your sins apart from death.

00:43:25.779 --> 00:43:27.460
 That is an endless night.

00:43:31.199 --> 00:43:35.039
 But the morning dawns with Christ who rises from the dead

00:43:35.039 --> 00:43:36.779
 to give hope to all sinners.

00:43:38.179 --> 00:43:40.500
 Have you put your faith in the only Savior

00:43:40.500 --> 00:43:42.319
 who can save you from your sins?

00:43:42.320 --> 00:43:51.559
 And there are exhortations here for believers as well.

00:43:51.640 --> 00:43:54.000
 Jesus did many good works during his time on earth.

00:43:54.700 --> 00:43:57.000
 He healed the sick and raised the dead.

00:43:57.380 --> 00:44:00.039
 Jesus' central mission, however, always was

00:44:00.039 --> 00:44:02.140
 to give his life as a ransom for many,

00:44:02.600 --> 00:44:05.200
 to save his people from their sins.

00:44:05.199 --> 00:44:09.199
 Likewise, I want you all as God's people

00:44:09.199 --> 00:44:11.899
 to love your neighbors as yourself,

00:44:12.239 --> 00:44:14.659
 to do many good works wherever you are,

00:44:14.719 --> 00:44:18.000
 to do your work with excellence in honor of the Lord,

00:44:18.199 --> 00:44:20.539
 in your classrooms, in the libraries, in the labs,

00:44:20.639 --> 00:44:22.359
 in the courts, in the banks, in the offices,

00:44:22.519 --> 00:44:24.019
 in the studios, and in your homes,

00:44:24.019 --> 00:44:25.539
 and in the marketplaces.

00:44:25.639 --> 00:44:27.779
 I want you to honor God and do good to your neighbors

00:44:27.779 --> 00:44:28.599
 and love your neighbors,

00:44:28.679 --> 00:44:30.259
 to abound in all good works.

00:44:30.260 --> 00:44:34.940
 But the central mission of the Church of Christ

00:44:34.940 --> 00:44:38.380
 is to proclaim Jesus Christ who saves us from our sins.

00:44:43.320 --> 00:44:45.360
 And that's how we join him in his mission.

00:44:45.460 --> 00:44:46.800
 I don't want us to ever forget that.

00:44:50.780 --> 00:44:53.180
 Also, I want to address those of you who feel that

00:44:53.180 --> 00:44:54.940
 maybe there are some sins in your life

00:44:54.940 --> 00:44:58.300
 that Jesus is not quite able to deal with.

00:45:00.260 --> 00:45:02.580
 I know you don't think that in your head, theoretically,

00:45:03.180 --> 00:45:05.140
 but you think that in your heart.

00:45:07.660 --> 00:45:09.860
 You think that in the way you approach God

00:45:09.860 --> 00:45:11.520
 because you approach him thinking,

00:45:11.700 --> 00:45:14.980
 ah, he doesn't really want to spend time with me.

00:45:17.440 --> 00:45:19.380
 He's not really pleased with me.

00:45:21.540 --> 00:45:24.480
 Yeah, maybe back then when my faith was new

00:45:24.480 --> 00:45:27.080
 and I was zealous and I became a fresh Christian,

00:45:27.320 --> 00:45:29.840
 but I've sinned so many times since then.

00:45:30.260 --> 00:45:35.580
 Again, and again, and again,

00:45:35.680 --> 00:45:38.280
 how can God possibly love me?

00:45:39.580 --> 00:45:41.280
 How can that really be forgiven?

00:45:41.940 --> 00:45:43.040
 Surely there's a limit.

00:45:43.039 --> 00:45:54.000
 If Jesus died and that's it,

00:45:55.199 --> 00:45:56.440
 then you might have something.

00:45:58.360 --> 00:46:01.239
 But Jesus died and he was raised

00:46:01.239 --> 00:46:04.579
 and he ascended to the right hand of the Father

00:46:04.579 --> 00:46:06.239
 where God's word teaches us

00:46:06.239 --> 00:46:09.119
 that he is now making intercession for us.

00:46:09.119 --> 00:46:13.500
 I want you to get this

00:46:13.500 --> 00:46:15.539
 because this is so important.

00:46:15.639 --> 00:46:17.500
 Romans 8, 33 to 34.

00:46:17.859 --> 00:46:20.420
 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect?

00:46:20.719 --> 00:46:22.279
 It is God who justifies.

00:46:22.679 --> 00:46:23.679
 Who is to condemn?

00:46:24.179 --> 00:46:25.980
 Christ Jesus is the one who died.

00:46:26.380 --> 00:46:27.359
 More than that,

00:46:28.440 --> 00:46:30.039
 who was raised,

00:46:30.420 --> 00:46:31.799
 who is at the right hand of God,

00:46:31.859 --> 00:46:34.119
 who indeed is interceding for us.

00:46:34.900 --> 00:46:36.119
 Jesus rose from the dead

00:46:36.119 --> 00:46:37.359
 and ascended to the right hand of the Father

00:46:37.359 --> 00:46:39.659
 and he is there interceding for us.

00:46:40.319 --> 00:46:42.579
 Similarly, Hebrews 7, 24 to 26 tells us

00:46:42.579 --> 00:46:45.279
 that because Jesus is a high priest who lives forever,

00:46:45.400 --> 00:46:47.440
 he didn't die like the earthly human high priests.

00:46:47.880 --> 00:46:48.819
 He lives forever

00:46:48.819 --> 00:46:49.980
 because he's raised from the dead

00:46:49.980 --> 00:46:51.219
 and he's at the right hand of the Father.

00:46:51.859 --> 00:46:53.119
 He is exalted above the heavens.

00:46:53.119 --> 00:46:54.920
 He says, consequently, it says,

00:46:55.000 --> 00:46:58.199
 he's able to save to the uttermost

00:46:58.199 --> 00:47:00.920
 those who draw near to God through him

00:47:00.920 --> 00:47:05.559
 since he always lives to make intercession for them.

00:47:09.579 --> 00:47:11.619
 Maybe you think God saves you partway.

00:47:13.420 --> 00:47:14.940
 Sometimes I've had this interaction.

00:47:15.099 --> 00:47:16.139
 I think my kids one time,

00:47:16.279 --> 00:47:17.380
 family worship asked me,

00:47:18.219 --> 00:47:18.460
 well, did,

00:47:19.619 --> 00:47:21.259
 are we forgiven because of Jesus,

00:47:21.260 --> 00:47:21.680
 what he did,

00:47:21.740 --> 00:47:23.480
 are we forgiven all our future sins too?

00:47:25.540 --> 00:47:26.060
 I'm like, well,

00:47:26.100 --> 00:47:28.060
 that's not exactly the right way to think about it, right?

00:47:28.120 --> 00:47:31.080
 Because we are called to confess our sins

00:47:31.080 --> 00:47:31.780
 to be forgiven.

00:47:33.080 --> 00:47:35.680
 So it's not that God forgives you beforehand

00:47:35.680 --> 00:47:37.160
 of all your future sins.

00:47:38.100 --> 00:47:42.080
 However, the basis for the forgiveness

00:47:42.080 --> 00:47:43.860
 of all of your future sins

00:47:43.860 --> 00:47:45.760
 is purchased at the cross.

00:47:45.760 --> 00:47:50.720
 And now,

00:47:51.060 --> 00:47:52.360
 at the right hand of the Father,

00:47:52.760 --> 00:47:54.140
 moment by moment,

00:47:54.340 --> 00:47:55.540
 with every sin,

00:47:55.760 --> 00:47:57.140
 with every failure,

00:47:58.020 --> 00:48:00.540
 Jesus intercedes for you.

00:48:01.400 --> 00:48:02.720
 I died for that sin.

00:48:03.860 --> 00:48:04.820
 Oh, here comes another one.

00:48:04.820 --> 00:48:06.040
 I died for that sin.

00:48:06.880 --> 00:48:07.600
 Here comes another one.

00:48:07.620 --> 00:48:09.060
 Yes, I died for that sin.

00:48:09.059 --> 00:48:09.199
 I died for that sin.

00:48:12.699 --> 00:48:15.920
 Interceding on your behalf right now

00:48:15.920 --> 00:48:18.159
 at the right hand of the Father.

00:48:19.759 --> 00:48:20.880
 Isn't that amazing?

00:48:22.960 --> 00:48:26.360
 So if you doubt that Jesus saves you

00:48:26.360 --> 00:48:27.579
 to the uttermost,

00:48:28.259 --> 00:48:29.219
 to the end,

00:48:29.820 --> 00:48:30.539
 completely,

00:48:30.679 --> 00:48:32.699
 Jesus is a complete Savior.

00:48:33.440 --> 00:48:35.340
 He is a whole Savior.

00:48:36.179 --> 00:48:37.099
 You doubt that,

00:48:37.199 --> 00:48:38.199
 then remember that.

00:48:39.579 --> 00:48:40.799
 He saves to the uttermost

00:48:40.799 --> 00:48:41.840
 because He is right now

00:48:41.840 --> 00:48:42.739
 at the right hand of the Father

00:48:42.739 --> 00:48:43.799
 interceding for you.

00:48:44.779 --> 00:48:46.400
 Jesus saves.

00:48:46.539 --> 00:48:47.840
 The Lord saves.

00:48:47.980 --> 00:48:50.259
 Emmanuel, God with us,

00:48:50.420 --> 00:48:52.360
 and He will save His people

00:48:52.360 --> 00:48:54.360
 from their sins.

00:48:54.860 --> 00:48:55.259
 Hallelujah.

00:48:57.259 --> 00:48:58.799
 Father, thank You so much

00:48:58.799 --> 00:49:00.360
 for Your love

00:49:00.360 --> 00:49:02.059
 in sending Jesus to us.

00:49:02.799 --> 00:49:04.139
 We are so loved.

00:49:05.239 --> 00:49:06.400
 So loved.

00:49:06.500 --> 00:49:07.940
 More love than we can know.

00:49:07.940 --> 00:49:09.659
 More love than we will ever

00:49:09.659 --> 00:49:10.679
 fully grasp.

00:49:11.159 --> 00:49:12.079
 And I ask God

00:49:12.079 --> 00:49:12.780
 that by Your grace

00:49:12.780 --> 00:49:13.400
 You will help

00:49:13.400 --> 00:49:15.119
 my brothers and sisters here

00:49:15.119 --> 00:49:16.099
 to grasp that love

00:49:16.099 --> 00:49:17.280
 a little bit better today.

00:49:17.280 --> 00:49:22.160
 And I ask that by Your mercy

00:49:22.160 --> 00:49:23.240
 that You will save those

00:49:23.240 --> 00:49:23.720
 in this room

00:49:23.720 --> 00:49:24.640
 who do not yet know

00:49:24.640 --> 00:49:26.160
 Your great love.

00:49:31.160 --> 00:49:32.940
 All glory belongs to You, Father.

00:49:33.440 --> 00:49:34.620
 Salvation is of You

00:49:34.620 --> 00:49:36.040
 from the beginning to the end.

00:49:39.300 --> 00:49:40.840
 So glorify Yourself

00:49:40.840 --> 00:49:42.400
 in saving sinners today.

00:49:42.400 --> 00:49:44.960
 In Jesus' name we pray.

00:49:45.480 --> 00:49:45.740
 Amen.