WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:11.460 Amen. Thank you, Treg. If you would, please take your Bibles and open them up to the Gospel according to Matthew. 00:00:12.480 --> 00:00:19.000 Matthew, you heard me right. We've been in the Gospel of John for the past, all of 2023. 00:00:19.839 --> 00:00:24.300 But this morning, as we consider the birth of Christ, we're going to read the birth story of Jesus. 00:00:24.300 --> 00:00:32.439 And our passage will be Matthew chapter 1, the whole thing. So pray for me as I read Matthew chapter 1. 00:00:32.500 --> 00:00:36.620 And if you found that in your Bibles, if you would, let's stand together in honor of the reading of God's Word. 00:00:47.880 --> 00:00:53.920 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 00:00:54.299 --> 00:01:02.039 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 00:01:02.879 --> 00:01:10.979 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, 00:01:11.519 --> 00:01:18.519 and Ram the father of Aminadab, and Aminadab the father of Nashon, and Nashon the father of Salmon, 00:01:19.060 --> 00:01:26.840 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, 00:01:27.479 --> 00:01:29.679 and Jesse the father of David the king. 00:01:29.680 --> 00:01:39.480 And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, 00:01:40.140 --> 00:01:47.440 and Abijah the father of Asaph, and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, 00:01:48.100 --> 00:01:53.820 and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, 00:01:53.819 --> 00:02:00.939 and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, 00:02:01.259 --> 00:02:09.459 and Amos the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of deportation to Babylon. 00:02:10.639 --> 00:02:17.539 And after the deportation to Babylon, Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 00:02:17.539 --> 00:02:25.180 and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, 00:02:25.259 --> 00:02:32.060 and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Akim, and Akim the father of Eliud, 00:02:32.479 --> 00:02:39.539 and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matan, and Matan the father of Jacob, 00:02:39.539 --> 00:02:48.319 and Jacob, the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. 00:02:49.219 --> 00:02:52.539 So all the generations from Abraham to David were 14 generations, 00:02:53.340 --> 00:02:57.180 and from David to the deportation to Babylon, 14 generations, 00:02:57.680 --> 00:03:02.219 and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ, 14 generations. 00:03:02.979 --> 00:03:07.139 Now, the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. 00:03:07.139 --> 00:03:10.419 When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, 00:03:10.819 --> 00:03:14.979 before they came together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 00:03:15.739 --> 00:03:20.259 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, 00:03:20.739 --> 00:03:22.459 resolved to divorce her quietly. 00:03:23.219 --> 00:03:27.479 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 00:03:28.039 --> 00:03:33.219 Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, 00:03:33.219 --> 00:03:37.019 for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 00:03:37.839 --> 00:03:41.339 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, 00:03:41.939 --> 00:03:44.239 for he will save his people from their sins. 00:03:45.099 --> 00:03:48.779 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet. 00:03:49.719 --> 00:03:52.279 Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, 00:03:52.599 --> 00:03:55.079 and they shall call his name Emmanuel, 00:03:55.859 --> 00:03:58.479 which means God with us. 00:03:59.319 --> 00:04:02.939 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him. 00:04:02.939 --> 00:04:07.280 He took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. 00:04:07.740 --> 00:04:10.079 And he called his name Jesus. 00:04:11.099 --> 00:04:12.599 This is the word of the Lord. 00:04:13.319 --> 00:04:16.079 Please take a seat, and I'll pray, and we'll begin. 00:04:16.079 --> 00:04:16.459 And Lord, 00:04:17.459 --> 00:04:27.240 this is the story, Father, of your promises. 00:04:29.039 --> 00:04:33.919 It's the story of your promise of salvation to any who come, 00:04:34.000 --> 00:04:36.799 and any who see Christ for who he is, the Son of God. 00:04:36.800 --> 00:04:41.160 So we pray now, would you do the miracle of opening our eyes to behold him for who he is, 00:04:41.600 --> 00:04:43.579 the risen King and the Lord of all. 00:04:44.579 --> 00:04:45.840 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:04:46.780 --> 00:04:47.079 Amen. 00:04:47.079 --> 00:04:51.459 Well, Christmas is finally here. 00:04:52.579 --> 00:04:55.519 Our season of waiting, Advent, is coming to a close, 00:04:55.620 --> 00:04:57.879 and tomorrow morning, tomorrow all day long, 00:04:57.939 --> 00:05:02.620 we celebrate the arrival and the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:05:02.800 --> 00:05:05.620 You know, Christmas has always been a special time for me. 00:05:06.240 --> 00:05:08.839 I remember when I was a kid, around November time, 00:05:08.939 --> 00:05:12.240 the end of November, the sales flyers would begin coming in, 00:05:12.299 --> 00:05:13.680 the catalogs would come in. 00:05:13.799 --> 00:05:15.099 That was a thing back then. 00:05:15.100 --> 00:05:18.360 And I would take them with my markers and pens in hand. 00:05:18.439 --> 00:05:20.960 My sisters would pass the flyers around, 00:05:21.040 --> 00:05:25.300 and we would mark off all the things we wanted to receive for Christmas. 00:05:26.140 --> 00:05:28.580 And my parents made it abundantly clear. 00:05:29.260 --> 00:05:32.879 We can ask for anything we want for Christmas. 00:05:33.780 --> 00:05:36.200 We can put anything we want on our list. 00:05:36.320 --> 00:05:40.439 Our list can be as long and elaborate as we want, 00:05:40.439 --> 00:05:46.660 but no promises that we would actually receive any of it. 00:05:47.540 --> 00:05:50.459 And now that I'm a parent, that makes a lot more sense to me. 00:05:50.560 --> 00:05:52.300 I understand their position. 00:05:52.800 --> 00:05:58.100 Our asking for it is not a contract, placing it, marking it off on a sales flyer, 00:05:58.420 --> 00:06:02.860 noticing it in a store, saying that we want it is not a binding obligation. 00:06:03.420 --> 00:06:04.339 No promises. 00:06:04.339 --> 00:06:08.060 So I could wait, I could long, I could wish, I could hope, 00:06:08.319 --> 00:06:14.560 but they made very clear, no promises that I would actually receive any of it. 00:06:15.519 --> 00:06:19.519 Well, as we open up the gospel according to Matthew this morning, 00:06:19.599 --> 00:06:22.779 we find ourselves in the exact opposite scenario. 00:06:23.719 --> 00:06:29.399 Now, I want you to try to place yourself in the moments leading up to the birth of Jesus. 00:06:29.399 --> 00:06:35.439 God Himself, all through the Old Testament, God Himself has been making promises. 00:06:36.479 --> 00:06:40.500 He promised a seed of the woman who would come and crush the head of the serpent. 00:06:41.259 --> 00:06:46.699 He promised a king like King David to come and to rule and to reign forever over His people. 00:06:46.799 --> 00:06:51.539 He promised a Messiah to come and to save His people from their sins. 00:06:51.540 --> 00:07:00.420 And yet, year after year after year after year has gone by without these promises being fulfilled. 00:07:01.900 --> 00:07:05.379 You begin to wonder, when will He come? 00:07:06.500 --> 00:07:08.600 When will these promises be kept? 00:07:08.700 --> 00:07:10.879 When will God stay true to His Word? 00:07:10.960 --> 00:07:12.240 Is this too good to be true? 00:07:13.820 --> 00:07:17.259 Well, as we open up to Matthew chapter 1, Matthew, He tells us, 00:07:17.259 --> 00:07:18.240 No, no, no, no, no, no. 00:07:18.279 --> 00:07:20.339 It's not too good to be true. 00:07:20.459 --> 00:07:22.199 God has kept His Word. 00:07:22.319 --> 00:07:27.599 The Messiah has come exactly as God has promised. 00:07:28.959 --> 00:07:31.659 So here this morning in Matthew chapter 1, 00:07:31.719 --> 00:07:36.159 we're going to see three promises kept in the birth of Jesus. 00:07:36.879 --> 00:07:39.819 Three promises kept in the birth of Jesus. 00:07:39.819 --> 00:07:40.740 This is our outline. 00:07:40.839 --> 00:07:44.120 If you take notes, this helps you follow along with the sermon this morning. 00:07:44.120 --> 00:07:48.519 We'll see three promises kept in the birth of Jesus. 00:07:48.720 --> 00:07:54.360 First, at Christmas we celebrate the arrival of the promised King. 00:07:55.540 --> 00:08:00.519 You know, some of you probably are wondering why I took the time to read out all of those names this morning. 00:08:00.959 --> 00:08:02.819 All right, I saw the looks you gave me. 00:08:03.680 --> 00:08:05.579 All right, if you're pregnant, if you're expecting, 00:08:05.860 --> 00:08:08.620 you can pluck a list, a name right off this list. 00:08:08.720 --> 00:08:09.780 It's suggested baby names. 00:08:09.840 --> 00:08:11.879 You can gain a few ideas there. 00:08:11.879 --> 00:08:15.459 I worked hard on that, by the way, pronouncing this. 00:08:15.540 --> 00:08:17.800 I learned that if you just act confident and read it, 00:08:17.839 --> 00:08:19.899 and nobody knows the difference anyways, you just roll on. 00:08:21.639 --> 00:08:22.279 But let's be honest. 00:08:22.360 --> 00:08:24.899 Most of us, when we pick up the Gospel of Matthew, 00:08:25.079 --> 00:08:26.699 when we read through the Christmas story, 00:08:26.860 --> 00:08:29.959 we skip right past verses 1 through 17 00:08:29.959 --> 00:08:33.720 and start right at the end of chapter 1 at the verse 18. 00:08:33.919 --> 00:08:36.320 Now, the birth of Jesus Christ happened this way. 00:08:36.460 --> 00:08:38.320 We're like, okay, good, I understand this. 00:08:38.320 --> 00:08:41.980 If we're honest, we don't really understand this list of names, 00:08:42.060 --> 00:08:43.379 what it has to do with us. 00:08:43.440 --> 00:08:44.920 We don't know how to pronounce them. 00:08:45.000 --> 00:08:46.800 We don't know who half of these people are. 00:08:47.420 --> 00:08:48.280 Not today. 00:08:49.080 --> 00:08:52.700 Matthew, he does not just start in verse 18. 00:08:52.980 --> 00:08:54.660 And so we need to understand, 00:08:54.780 --> 00:09:00.140 well, why does he include this list of names here in verses 1 through 17? 00:09:00.379 --> 00:09:01.360 Why does he do this? 00:09:01.360 --> 00:09:08.440 Well, the short answer is that he is tracing the promises of God 00:09:08.440 --> 00:09:14.800 through human history to their fulfillment in the birth of Jesus. 00:09:15.759 --> 00:09:18.759 That's the point of this long historical list of names. 00:09:18.860 --> 00:09:19.919 This is history. 00:09:20.100 --> 00:09:26.899 He's tracing the promises of God through human history to their fulfillment in Jesus. 00:09:26.899 --> 00:09:28.699 You see, the good news for Christians, 00:09:28.919 --> 00:09:32.019 we believe the Bible is not just a storybook. 00:09:32.639 --> 00:09:38.279 It's not just a collection of moral stories or fables or mythical stories. 00:09:38.279 --> 00:09:40.840 It's not just a collection of good examples and ideas. 00:09:41.259 --> 00:09:44.980 We believe the Bible is actually rooted in history. 00:09:45.679 --> 00:09:48.579 What we read about here in the birth of Christ happened. 00:09:50.159 --> 00:09:51.519 I remember hearing a story, 00:09:51.819 --> 00:09:54.960 a missionary shared a story with me years ago. 00:09:54.960 --> 00:09:56.759 I wish I could remember exactly who it was. 00:09:57.160 --> 00:09:59.980 But they were living amongst an unreached people group 00:09:59.980 --> 00:10:03.320 and they were translating the Word of God into their native tongue. 00:10:03.840 --> 00:10:07.180 And they were trying to share the story of the gospel with them. 00:10:07.860 --> 00:10:09.920 And after years of laboring amongst them, 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:11.720 after years of sharing the gospel with them, 00:10:11.940 --> 00:10:15.920 they finally had a copy of the Gospel of Matthew 00:10:15.920 --> 00:10:18.720 translated into their native tongue. 00:10:19.120 --> 00:10:19.720 That's amazing. 00:10:20.220 --> 00:10:21.080 That's amazing work. 00:10:21.080 --> 00:10:25.700 They were able to hand them a written copy in their language of the Gospel of Matthew. 00:10:26.259 --> 00:10:27.840 Well, as these people began to read, 00:10:28.180 --> 00:10:29.259 to the missionary's surprise, 00:10:29.360 --> 00:10:31.220 they came back to them urgently. 00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:33.660 As you could tell, they were stirred up. 00:10:33.759 --> 00:10:34.280 They were shocked. 00:10:34.340 --> 00:10:34.600 And they said, 00:10:34.740 --> 00:10:38.879 What is this list of names here at the beginning of this book? 00:10:39.660 --> 00:10:40.000 I said, 00:10:40.040 --> 00:10:40.800 All these stories, 00:10:40.980 --> 00:10:44.620 you're telling me that Jesus is actually real. 00:10:45.240 --> 00:10:47.800 That He actually is a historical figure. 00:10:47.799 --> 00:10:51.620 That all these stories that you're telling me about His life and His death and His resurrection, 00:10:51.839 --> 00:10:53.740 that these are true? 00:10:54.679 --> 00:10:54.919 I said, 00:10:54.979 --> 00:10:55.859 Yes, of course. 00:10:55.959 --> 00:10:57.279 These are true. 00:10:57.459 --> 00:11:03.019 And it was there because of this long, elaborate list of names here at the beginning of Matthew 00:11:03.019 --> 00:11:07.919 that they came to believe everything else that they had been told concerning Jesus. 00:11:09.079 --> 00:11:11.559 And so let's look at this list of names here 00:11:11.559 --> 00:11:15.779 and try to understand why Matthew includes this here. 00:11:15.779 --> 00:11:17.860 You might notice, if you're a historian, 00:11:18.059 --> 00:11:20.659 you would notice that this list is not exhaustive. 00:11:21.620 --> 00:11:24.919 He is selective in who He includes. 00:11:25.019 --> 00:11:25.740 It's intentional. 00:11:26.199 --> 00:11:27.740 And we do the same thing. 00:11:27.860 --> 00:11:27.980 Okay? 00:11:28.059 --> 00:11:29.579 The critics like to point that out, 00:11:29.639 --> 00:11:31.899 that not every generation is listed here. 00:11:32.220 --> 00:11:33.220 That's intentional. 00:11:33.759 --> 00:11:37.699 If you're related down the line to a former president of the United States, 00:11:37.919 --> 00:11:41.019 you don't lead off with Grandpa that nobody else knows. 00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:41.539 Right? 00:11:42.100 --> 00:11:44.439 He's not listing out everybody. 00:11:44.440 --> 00:11:50.160 He's listing out those who are significant for the story that He's trying to tell. 00:11:50.840 --> 00:11:56.580 And He highlights two people in particular here in the beginning of the genealogy. 00:11:56.680 --> 00:11:57.120 Who are they? 00:11:57.260 --> 00:11:59.960 Abraham and David. 00:12:00.940 --> 00:12:03.860 Abraham and David. 00:12:04.720 --> 00:12:08.740 He says this baby is the son of Abraham. 00:12:08.740 --> 00:12:11.659 In other words, he is Jewish. 00:12:12.779 --> 00:12:13.700 Father Abraham. 00:12:14.240 --> 00:12:15.500 You know the story. 00:12:15.620 --> 00:12:18.259 Of course, he's the guy in Jewish history. 00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:19.259 He's the beginning. 00:12:19.560 --> 00:12:23.259 He's the one to whom God made the incredible promises. 00:12:23.820 --> 00:12:26.100 All of Israel, all of the Jewish people, 00:12:26.220 --> 00:12:29.320 are descendants of Abraham physically. 00:12:29.840 --> 00:12:35.000 And it was to Abraham that God made the promises in Genesis chapter 12, 00:12:35.080 --> 00:12:36.120 verses 1 through 3. 00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:37.360 He says, 00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:39.120 Now the Lord said to Abraham, 00:12:39.940 --> 00:12:45.820 Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you, 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:48.440 and I will make of you a great nation, 00:12:49.000 --> 00:12:53.480 and I will bless you and will make your name great so that you will be a blessing. 00:12:54.340 --> 00:12:55.919 I will bless those who bless you, 00:12:55.960 --> 00:12:57.919 and him who dishonors you I will curse, 00:12:58.220 --> 00:13:03.539 and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. 00:13:03.539 --> 00:13:06.879 Do you hear all those promises God made to Abraham? 00:13:07.839 --> 00:13:09.659 God promised Abraham offspring, 00:13:09.959 --> 00:13:12.159 an old man well beyond the years of childbearing. 00:13:12.919 --> 00:13:14.240 He promised land. 00:13:15.000 --> 00:13:16.519 He promised blessing. 00:13:17.099 --> 00:13:21.339 And he promised blessing through Abraham to the rest of the world, 00:13:21.439 --> 00:13:22.159 to the nations. 00:13:22.360 --> 00:13:25.439 This is the Jewish hope and desire 00:13:25.439 --> 00:13:27.779 that these promises would be fulfilled. 00:13:27.779 --> 00:13:33.220 Well, Matthew wants us to know this Jesus is in the line of Abraham. 00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:36.039 He is included in the promise. 00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:38.299 He's a son of Abraham. 00:13:38.539 --> 00:13:39.759 But not only this, 00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:43.759 he also says he's a son of David. 00:13:44.860 --> 00:13:46.839 You see that there in verse 1. 00:13:46.959 --> 00:13:48.879 You see it again in verse 6. 00:13:48.980 --> 00:13:51.319 And then in the summary statement in verse 17, 00:13:51.539 --> 00:13:54.939 he wants to make sure that we understand Joseph is a son of David as well. 00:13:54.940 --> 00:13:58.220 Well, Matthew is really trying to highlight this for us. 00:13:58.300 --> 00:13:59.460 He wants us to know. 00:13:59.560 --> 00:14:01.100 He's emphasizing for us. 00:14:01.560 --> 00:14:04.960 This Jesus is not just a Jew descended from Abraham. 00:14:05.260 --> 00:14:08.220 He is a Jew descended from David. 00:14:08.420 --> 00:14:09.140 In other words, 00:14:09.800 --> 00:14:12.180 he's establishing for us that this baby 00:14:12.180 --> 00:14:16.400 has a legal claim to the throne of David. 00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:20.379 Now, our ears ought to perk up when we hear that. 00:14:21.459 --> 00:14:24.720 If we were a Jew reading this gospel, 00:14:25.159 --> 00:14:29.899 our ears would perk up when we hear that he is a son of David. 00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:33.740 Because all of them were waiting for the fulfillment 00:14:33.740 --> 00:14:36.139 of what God had promised to David. 00:14:36.659 --> 00:14:38.399 In 2 Samuel chapter 7, 00:14:38.500 --> 00:14:40.980 the chapter that we read earlier this morning, 00:14:41.980 --> 00:14:42.319 it says, 00:14:42.320 --> 00:15:08.860 This is a promise of a forever reigning king. 00:15:08.860 --> 00:15:12.000 And it's through this king, 00:15:12.080 --> 00:15:12.800 we understand, 00:15:12.980 --> 00:15:13.899 through this king, 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:15.980 this promised son of David, 00:15:16.300 --> 00:15:19.779 that all of the promises made to Abraham 00:15:19.779 --> 00:15:21.419 will be fulfilled. 00:15:22.379 --> 00:15:23.960 See, the rest of the Old Testament, 00:15:24.139 --> 00:15:25.300 from this point onward, 00:15:25.360 --> 00:15:26.620 is leaning forward, 00:15:26.840 --> 00:15:28.419 is asking forward, 00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:29.659 is asking the question, 00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:32.800 Who is this promised son of David? 00:15:33.480 --> 00:15:35.539 Who is this king who's coming? 00:15:35.700 --> 00:15:36.600 When will he come? 00:15:36.720 --> 00:15:38.279 When will his throne be established? 00:15:38.279 --> 00:15:41.559 When will the son of David come? 00:15:43.299 --> 00:15:44.480 Now, Matthew says, 00:15:44.839 --> 00:15:47.139 The promised king is here. 00:15:48.079 --> 00:15:50.419 His name is Jesus, 00:15:51.220 --> 00:15:52.720 the son of Abraham, 00:15:53.500 --> 00:15:55.659 the son of David. 00:15:55.919 --> 00:15:59.299 He is the one we've been waiting for. 00:15:59.299 --> 00:16:02.000 You know, 00:16:02.059 --> 00:16:04.159 if you're here with us, 00:16:04.179 --> 00:16:05.099 if you're a guest with us, 00:16:05.159 --> 00:16:05.819 you might wonder, 00:16:06.359 --> 00:16:09.799 why in the world do Christians talk so much about Jesus? 00:16:10.919 --> 00:16:13.319 And why do we make such a big deal about this man, 00:16:13.439 --> 00:16:13.679 Jesus? 00:16:13.799 --> 00:16:16.019 Why do we celebrate Jesus at Christmas time? 00:16:16.120 --> 00:16:18.699 Why do we talk so much about him? 00:16:19.240 --> 00:16:25.779 It's because we believe that Jesus is the one whose throne will never end. 00:16:25.779 --> 00:16:31.360 We believe that Jesus is Lord over all the earth. 00:16:31.459 --> 00:16:35.139 We believe that Jesus is the fulfillment of this promise to David, 00:16:35.139 --> 00:16:38.539 that he is the king who will reign forever. 00:16:39.259 --> 00:16:41.879 That he's the one who defeats all of our enemies, 00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:43.439 not just physical enemies. 00:16:43.559 --> 00:16:44.480 That's far too small. 00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:51.680 That Jesus is the one who defeats all of our enemies of sin and of death and of the devil. 00:16:52.440 --> 00:16:54.039 He's come to reign and to rule. 00:16:54.220 --> 00:16:55.500 And we believe that Jesus, 00:16:55.700 --> 00:17:00.240 King Jesus will come again to reign and to rule forevermore. 00:17:00.340 --> 00:17:02.200 That's what we celebrate at Christmas time. 00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:07.279 The king has come just as God promised. 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:11.200 And we believe that this king, 00:17:11.299 --> 00:17:12.200 this king Jesus, 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:20.500 he's the one through whom all the promises made to Abraham come to all of us by faith. 00:17:21.879 --> 00:17:22.200 You see, 00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:31.859 the promises made to Abraham are not exclusively Jewish. 00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:33.960 Not physically, 00:17:34.460 --> 00:17:35.059 at least. 00:17:35.059 --> 00:17:37.559 We understand from the rest of the New Testament, 00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:39.379 Paul says in Galatians chapter 3, 00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:43.240 it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 00:17:44.119 --> 00:17:47.259 Those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, 00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:48.200 the man of faith. 00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:51.659 These promises are extended in Christ 00:17:51.659 --> 00:17:54.899 to any who have faith in the promised Messiah. 00:17:55.079 --> 00:17:57.619 So that he says again in Galatians chapter 3, 00:17:57.619 --> 00:17:59.079 in Christ Jesus, 00:17:59.259 --> 00:18:03.519 the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles. 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:06.440 And what a gift, 00:18:06.859 --> 00:18:07.299 church. 00:18:08.639 --> 00:18:09.839 And what an undeserved, 00:18:10.359 --> 00:18:12.019 miraculous gift 00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:16.440 to be included in the people and the promises of God. 00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:17.420 Not by birth, 00:18:18.059 --> 00:18:19.279 and not by what we've done, 00:18:19.359 --> 00:18:20.680 not by our goodness, 00:18:20.819 --> 00:18:22.099 but by grace alone, 00:18:22.220 --> 00:18:24.879 through faith in the promised Messiah. 00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:26.259 This is incredible grace. 00:18:26.259 --> 00:18:29.220 And the gift of Christmas 00:18:29.220 --> 00:18:32.759 is not for those who are worthy to receive it. 00:18:34.160 --> 00:18:34.859 In fact, 00:18:34.920 --> 00:18:37.400 Jesus' own family line shows us that 00:18:37.400 --> 00:18:41.200 he has come to redeem sinners like us. 00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:43.559 This is what we see in our second point this morning. 00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:43.960 Second, 00:18:45.039 --> 00:18:45.819 at Christmas, 00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:49.940 we celebrate the arrival of the promised Redeemer. 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:52.940 The promised Redeemer. 00:18:52.940 --> 00:18:55.320 I want you to notice something else about this list here, 00:18:55.400 --> 00:18:57.259 which is that it is not pretty. 00:18:58.200 --> 00:19:01.320 This is a messy history. 00:19:01.960 --> 00:19:05.759 If I were going to present my family line to you this morning, 00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:08.860 I would probably scrub it a little bit 00:19:08.860 --> 00:19:11.779 and not share all the dirty details of my family. 00:19:11.900 --> 00:19:13.980 I would want to edit a little bit. 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:16.019 But that's not what Matthew does. 00:19:16.120 --> 00:19:17.120 This genealogy, 00:19:17.220 --> 00:19:18.039 I want you to see, 00:19:18.039 --> 00:19:21.899 it's filled with people and circumstances 00:19:21.899 --> 00:19:25.680 and stories that are completely messed up. 00:19:26.899 --> 00:19:29.619 This is shameful and it's messy. 00:19:29.779 --> 00:19:30.279 It's sinful. 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:31.240 It's interesting. 00:19:31.819 --> 00:19:33.920 The story of the birth of Jesus 00:19:33.920 --> 00:19:36.299 and the messiness of this story 00:19:36.299 --> 00:19:39.019 is highlighted through four women 00:19:39.019 --> 00:19:41.259 that he includes in this genealogy. 00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:42.980 Five, actually, 00:19:43.099 --> 00:19:43.920 if you include Mary, 00:19:44.099 --> 00:19:45.740 but we'll focus on four here. 00:19:45.740 --> 00:19:49.099 You should know that it was not at all normal 00:19:49.099 --> 00:19:52.960 for anybody to include women in a genealogy in this time. 00:19:53.079 --> 00:19:56.339 Typically, the normal pattern was just to list out the fathers. 00:19:56.980 --> 00:19:57.759 But Matthew, 00:19:57.920 --> 00:20:00.620 he swerves from that pattern a little bit 00:20:00.620 --> 00:20:05.319 to draw our attention to four women in this list. 00:20:05.400 --> 00:20:06.140 Did you notice them? 00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:08.660 Why would he do that? 00:20:09.700 --> 00:20:11.039 Why would he do that? 00:20:11.099 --> 00:20:13.539 Why would he swerve from this cultural pattern? 00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:14.259 Well, for one, 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:16.299 I think that this highlights 00:20:16.299 --> 00:20:20.220 the new countercultural dignity 00:20:20.220 --> 00:20:22.019 given to women 00:20:22.019 --> 00:20:24.420 through the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:27.960 Women are not a second-class citizen 00:20:27.960 --> 00:20:28.960 in the kingdom of heaven. 00:20:29.740 --> 00:20:32.480 They are fellow heirs alongside men, 00:20:32.639 --> 00:20:34.240 co-heirs with Christ. 00:20:34.379 --> 00:20:36.819 They are fellow image bearers of God. 00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:39.940 Yes, they are made distinct and different. 00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:42.159 We are made differently from one another 00:20:42.160 --> 00:20:44.660 in ways that we don't have time to talk about this morning. 00:20:44.980 --> 00:20:48.519 But we are equal in shared dignity, 00:20:49.040 --> 00:20:52.340 value, and worth in the kingdom of God. 00:20:52.420 --> 00:20:54.220 That was not usual in this culture. 00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:56.040 This was not the norm. 00:20:56.160 --> 00:20:57.080 But here is Matthew 00:20:57.080 --> 00:21:00.140 drawing our attention to four women 00:21:00.140 --> 00:21:01.840 in the story of Jesus. 00:21:02.060 --> 00:21:02.580 And yet, 00:21:03.180 --> 00:21:05.900 these four women are not the ones that we might choose. 00:21:05.900 --> 00:21:09.320 If you and I were writing this list, 00:21:09.900 --> 00:21:10.980 these four women 00:21:10.980 --> 00:21:13.700 are not the ones that we would pick out. 00:21:13.820 --> 00:21:15.040 He lists Tamar, 00:21:15.780 --> 00:21:17.019 Rahab, 00:21:17.920 --> 00:21:18.320 Ruth, 00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:20.060 and Bathsheba. 00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:22.140 Are you familiar with these stories? 00:21:23.259 --> 00:21:23.820 Tamar, 00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:25.360 Rahab, 00:21:26.040 --> 00:21:26.460 Ruth, 00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:28.160 and Bathsheba. 00:21:28.900 --> 00:21:30.580 He lists Tamar first. 00:21:30.660 --> 00:21:31.540 He says in verse 3, 00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:34.799 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:36.700 by Tamar. 00:21:36.779 --> 00:21:37.460 What's the big deal? 00:21:38.339 --> 00:21:40.819 If you want a little Christmas Eve devotional reading, 00:21:41.500 --> 00:21:45.019 go home and read Genesis chapter 38 this afternoon. 00:21:45.220 --> 00:21:45.940 And you'll see 00:21:45.940 --> 00:21:47.420 that Tamar 00:21:47.420 --> 00:21:49.680 prostituted herself 00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:52.579 to her own father-in-law. 00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:56.319 And that's how she bore Perez and Zerah. 00:21:56.420 --> 00:21:57.519 It's not a pretty story. 00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:59.539 Why would Matthew go out of his way 00:21:59.539 --> 00:22:02.079 to draw our attention to this story, 00:22:02.139 --> 00:22:04.279 to put her name in Jesus' family history? 00:22:05.460 --> 00:22:06.900 He lists Rahab 00:22:06.900 --> 00:22:07.839 in verse 5. 00:22:07.960 --> 00:22:08.299 He says, 00:22:08.720 --> 00:22:10.619 Salmon was the father of Boaz 00:22:10.619 --> 00:22:12.440 by Rahab. 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:15.400 At least Tamar was Jewish. 00:22:15.619 --> 00:22:17.980 Rahab was a Gentile prostitute. 00:22:18.879 --> 00:22:19.200 And yet, 00:22:19.299 --> 00:22:20.619 if you know the story, 00:22:20.700 --> 00:22:21.660 if you remember the story, 00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:23.279 the Lord redeemed her 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:24.879 from her life of prostitution. 00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:26.139 He plucked her up 00:22:26.139 --> 00:22:27.180 out of her home, 00:22:27.180 --> 00:22:28.200 out of her people, 00:22:28.360 --> 00:22:30.180 saved her from the judgment of God, 00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:31.299 gave her a place 00:22:31.299 --> 00:22:32.400 with the people of God, 00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:34.340 is a beautiful story of redemption. 00:22:35.980 --> 00:22:37.620 And then he lists Ruth. 00:22:38.700 --> 00:22:39.980 He says again in verse 5, 00:22:40.100 --> 00:22:40.460 Salmon, 00:22:40.580 --> 00:22:41.640 the father of Boaz 00:22:41.640 --> 00:22:42.480 by Rahab, 00:22:42.539 --> 00:22:43.140 and Boaz, 00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:44.220 the father of Obed 00:22:44.220 --> 00:22:45.360 by Ruth. 00:22:46.420 --> 00:22:46.720 Now, 00:22:46.799 --> 00:22:47.279 what in the world 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:48.019 is wrong with Ruth? 00:22:50.180 --> 00:22:52.380 She's the virtuous woman. 00:22:52.560 --> 00:22:53.340 I agree. 00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:55.000 She's a wonderful example 00:22:55.000 --> 00:22:56.059 of virtue, 00:22:56.059 --> 00:22:57.200 a wonderful example 00:22:57.200 --> 00:22:58.480 of God's providence 00:22:58.480 --> 00:22:59.180 and redemption. 00:23:00.319 --> 00:23:00.720 And yet, 00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:02.500 Ruth is not a Jew. 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:05.460 Ruth is a Moabite. 00:23:06.400 --> 00:23:08.339 She has no natural claim, 00:23:08.440 --> 00:23:09.420 no birth claim 00:23:09.420 --> 00:23:10.819 to any of the promises 00:23:10.819 --> 00:23:12.299 of God made to the Jews. 00:23:12.420 --> 00:23:13.599 She's a Gentile. 00:23:13.700 --> 00:23:14.339 She's a foreigner. 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:16.059 It would be unthinkable 00:23:16.640 --> 00:23:18.059 that the king of the Jews 00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:18.740 would come from 00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:19.940 a Moabite woman. 00:23:19.940 --> 00:23:21.539 And yet, 00:23:22.440 --> 00:23:23.220 it's exactly 00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:24.200 what Matthew 00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:25.259 tells us. 00:23:25.360 --> 00:23:26.620 The story of Ruth 00:23:26.620 --> 00:23:28.460 is a story of God 00:23:28.460 --> 00:23:30.400 providentially working out 00:23:30.400 --> 00:23:31.720 all the details 00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:33.039 of the world 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:34.620 to bring about 00:23:34.620 --> 00:23:35.580 this promised 00:23:35.580 --> 00:23:36.360 redeemer 00:23:36.360 --> 00:23:37.340 through 00:23:37.340 --> 00:23:39.100 an obscure 00:23:39.100 --> 00:23:40.140 Moabite 00:23:40.140 --> 00:23:40.799 widow. 00:23:42.180 --> 00:23:42.840 Why does he do 00:23:42.840 --> 00:23:43.700 things like this? 00:23:45.059 --> 00:23:45.880 Why does God 00:23:45.880 --> 00:23:46.880 choose to do 00:23:46.880 --> 00:23:47.620 things like this? 00:23:47.680 --> 00:23:48.860 God has brought about 00:23:48.860 --> 00:23:49.340 his promise 00:23:49.339 --> 00:23:49.759 in the most 00:23:49.759 --> 00:23:51.279 unthinkable way. 00:23:51.399 --> 00:23:52.539 The Christ has come 00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:53.159 from a line 00:23:53.159 --> 00:23:54.459 of misfits, 00:23:54.799 --> 00:23:55.519 rejects, 00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:56.099 sinners, 00:23:56.559 --> 00:23:57.720 not those 00:23:57.720 --> 00:23:58.399 who you and I 00:23:58.399 --> 00:23:59.179 would choose 00:23:59.179 --> 00:24:00.319 to be a part 00:24:00.319 --> 00:24:01.399 of the story. 00:24:02.859 --> 00:24:03.319 And still, 00:24:03.399 --> 00:24:04.079 it gets worse. 00:24:05.599 --> 00:24:06.119 Tamar, 00:24:06.379 --> 00:24:06.919 Rahab, 00:24:07.159 --> 00:24:07.519 Ruth, 00:24:07.839 --> 00:24:08.899 and then in verse 6, 00:24:09.019 --> 00:24:10.659 David was the father 00:24:10.659 --> 00:24:11.459 of Solomon 00:24:11.459 --> 00:24:12.980 by the wife 00:24:12.980 --> 00:24:14.419 of Uriah. 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:15.799 That would be 00:24:15.799 --> 00:24:16.679 Bathsheba. 00:24:17.899 --> 00:24:18.959 You know this story. 00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:20.279 This one might be 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:20.799 the messiest 00:24:20.799 --> 00:24:21.620 of them all. 00:24:22.579 --> 00:24:23.940 David took 00:24:23.940 --> 00:24:24.960 Bathsheba, 00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:26.420 another man's wife. 00:24:26.539 --> 00:24:27.819 He slept with her 00:24:27.819 --> 00:24:28.600 while her husband, 00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:29.019 Uriah, 00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:30.019 was off at war. 00:24:30.140 --> 00:24:31.340 She conceived a child 00:24:31.340 --> 00:24:32.279 and then to cover it 00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:32.620 all up, 00:24:32.660 --> 00:24:33.799 he had her husband 00:24:33.799 --> 00:24:34.700 killed. 00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:37.000 This is a story 00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:38.279 of murder, 00:24:38.640 --> 00:24:39.940 of deception, 00:24:40.660 --> 00:24:41.660 of adultery. 00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:43.059 This is one scandal 00:24:43.059 --> 00:24:44.000 after another, 00:24:44.200 --> 00:24:45.000 one failure 00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:45.840 after another, 00:24:46.019 --> 00:24:46.799 one sinner 00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:47.720 after another. 00:24:47.839 --> 00:24:48.619 This seems like 00:24:48.619 --> 00:24:49.440 this conversation 00:24:49.440 --> 00:24:50.259 shouldn't have left 00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:51.059 the dinner table. 00:24:52.419 --> 00:24:52.879 And Matthew 00:24:52.879 --> 00:24:54.259 wants us to know. 00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:56.799 He clues us 00:24:56.799 --> 00:24:57.399 in 00:24:57.399 --> 00:24:58.299 to the messy 00:24:58.299 --> 00:24:59.000 history 00:24:59.000 --> 00:25:00.259 of the line 00:25:00.259 --> 00:25:01.159 of Jesus Christ. 00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:02.200 He does not 00:25:02.200 --> 00:25:03.139 cover it up 00:25:03.139 --> 00:25:04.000 that the Messiah 00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:05.639 is a descendant 00:25:05.639 --> 00:25:06.519 of messy, 00:25:07.019 --> 00:25:08.180 sinful people. 00:25:08.339 --> 00:25:09.379 The royal line 00:25:09.379 --> 00:25:10.079 of promise 00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:11.639 is polluted 00:25:11.639 --> 00:25:12.119 with sin 00:25:12.119 --> 00:25:12.639 and shame. 00:25:12.640 --> 00:25:14.740 that the Christ 00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:15.520 has come 00:25:15.520 --> 00:25:16.080 from a line 00:25:16.080 --> 00:25:16.900 of misfits, 00:25:17.340 --> 00:25:18.000 rejects, 00:25:18.180 --> 00:25:18.620 sinners, 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:19.500 and again, 00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:20.500 not those 00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:21.400 who you and I 00:25:21.400 --> 00:25:22.300 would pick out 00:25:22.300 --> 00:25:23.400 to be a part 00:25:23.400 --> 00:25:24.040 of the story. 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:24.940 Why? 00:25:26.940 --> 00:25:27.340 Why 00:25:27.340 --> 00:25:28.500 does Matthew 00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:30.020 tell us this? 00:25:30.080 --> 00:25:30.600 Well, for one, 00:25:30.660 --> 00:25:31.400 if you are embarrassed 00:25:31.400 --> 00:25:32.160 by your family, 00:25:32.259 --> 00:25:32.660 take heart, 00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:33.660 it could be much worse. 00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:35.520 If you gather 00:25:35.520 --> 00:25:36.100 with your family 00:25:36.100 --> 00:25:36.800 tomorrow morning 00:25:36.800 --> 00:25:37.340 and you look around 00:25:37.340 --> 00:25:37.680 the room 00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:37.920 and say, 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:38.380 these guys 00:25:38.380 --> 00:25:39.240 are just a mess, 00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:41.599 I have good news 00:25:41.599 --> 00:25:41.920 for you, 00:25:41.980 --> 00:25:42.779 you're in good company. 00:25:44.880 --> 00:25:46.000 But more importantly 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:46.599 than that, 00:25:48.059 --> 00:25:48.880 the fact that 00:25:48.880 --> 00:25:50.079 the Son of God 00:25:50.079 --> 00:25:50.740 came from 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:52.079 this messed up 00:25:52.079 --> 00:25:53.039 family line 00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:54.319 is a clear sign 00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:54.819 to us 00:25:54.819 --> 00:25:55.579 that Jesus 00:25:55.579 --> 00:25:56.500 is not 00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:57.539 turned away 00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:58.539 by your mess. 00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:01.660 Jesus came 00:26:01.660 --> 00:26:02.839 to redeem 00:26:02.839 --> 00:26:04.420 our mess 00:26:04.420 --> 00:26:06.720 when the Word 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:07.200 of God 00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:08.279 became flesh. 00:26:08.380 --> 00:26:09.120 That's what we celebrate 00:26:09.119 --> 00:26:09.619 at Christmas, 00:26:09.859 --> 00:26:10.179 church. 00:26:10.779 --> 00:26:11.500 When the Word 00:26:11.500 --> 00:26:12.019 of God 00:26:12.019 --> 00:26:13.519 became flesh, 00:26:13.799 --> 00:26:14.619 He wrapped 00:26:14.619 --> 00:26:15.919 Himself up 00:26:15.919 --> 00:26:17.079 in our messed 00:26:17.079 --> 00:26:19.099 up sinful story. 00:26:20.219 --> 00:26:21.199 He stepped down 00:26:21.199 --> 00:26:21.919 from the throne 00:26:21.919 --> 00:26:22.719 of heaven 00:26:22.719 --> 00:26:23.639 to enter 00:26:23.639 --> 00:26:25.399 into our mess, 00:26:26.239 --> 00:26:26.819 to enter 00:26:26.819 --> 00:26:27.619 into the chaos 00:26:27.619 --> 00:26:28.759 of our lives, 00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:29.699 to enter into 00:26:29.699 --> 00:26:30.979 our shame 00:26:30.979 --> 00:26:32.179 and our guilt 00:26:32.179 --> 00:26:33.119 and the sin 00:26:33.119 --> 00:26:34.139 of our messed up 00:26:34.139 --> 00:26:35.359 lives in order 00:26:35.359 --> 00:26:36.579 to redeem 00:26:36.579 --> 00:26:38.319 us from it. 00:26:38.319 --> 00:26:39.419 that's the gospel. 00:26:40.879 --> 00:26:41.960 That the Holy 00:26:41.960 --> 00:26:42.899 Son of God 00:26:42.899 --> 00:26:44.720 became sin 00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:45.839 for us 00:26:45.839 --> 00:26:47.179 on the cross 00:26:47.179 --> 00:26:49.099 so that in Him 00:26:49.099 --> 00:26:49.960 messed up sinners 00:26:49.960 --> 00:26:50.779 like us 00:26:50.779 --> 00:26:52.279 might become 00:26:52.279 --> 00:26:53.619 the very righteousness 00:26:53.619 --> 00:26:54.960 of God. 00:26:55.059 --> 00:26:55.619 What a gift. 00:26:57.419 --> 00:26:57.599 You know, 00:26:57.619 --> 00:26:57.980 if you're 00:26:57.980 --> 00:26:59.619 struggling with 00:26:59.619 --> 00:27:00.879 a particular sin 00:27:00.879 --> 00:27:02.299 this Christmas season, 00:27:02.419 --> 00:27:02.700 if you're 00:27:02.700 --> 00:27:04.579 lost 00:27:04.579 --> 00:27:06.279 in the wages 00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:06.779 of sin 00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:07.299 this Christmas 00:27:07.299 --> 00:27:07.740 season, 00:27:07.899 --> 00:27:08.859 if you're just 00:27:08.859 --> 00:27:10.339 dealing with the effects 00:27:10.339 --> 00:27:11.299 of living in a sin 00:27:11.299 --> 00:27:12.119 cursed world 00:27:12.119 --> 00:27:13.159 this Christmas season, 00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:13.659 if you're walking 00:27:13.659 --> 00:27:14.399 through grief 00:27:14.399 --> 00:27:15.240 or despair 00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:16.339 or sadness 00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:17.119 or loneliness, 00:27:17.679 --> 00:27:18.899 I want you 00:27:18.899 --> 00:27:20.179 to bring that 00:27:20.179 --> 00:27:21.079 to Jesus. 00:27:22.639 --> 00:27:23.439 There is not 00:27:23.439 --> 00:27:23.919 a mess 00:27:23.919 --> 00:27:24.899 in this room 00:27:24.899 --> 00:27:26.059 that would 00:27:26.059 --> 00:27:26.799 surprise King 00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:27.139 Jesus. 00:27:29.079 --> 00:27:29.980 He's not waiting 00:27:29.980 --> 00:27:30.720 for us to clean 00:27:30.720 --> 00:27:31.639 ourselves up 00:27:31.639 --> 00:27:32.500 to come to Him. 00:27:32.579 --> 00:27:33.380 No, no, no, no, no. 00:27:33.460 --> 00:27:33.940 Remember what 00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:34.759 Christmas is about. 00:27:35.140 --> 00:27:36.019 God Himself 00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:36.859 came down 00:27:36.859 --> 00:27:37.680 to us 00:27:37.680 --> 00:27:38.920 and stepped 00:27:38.920 --> 00:27:40.039 into our mess 00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:41.079 to save us 00:27:41.079 --> 00:27:42.339 from our sin. 00:27:42.400 --> 00:27:43.000 If you truly 00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:44.279 understand the person 00:27:44.279 --> 00:27:44.700 in the heart 00:27:44.700 --> 00:27:45.140 of Jesus, 00:27:45.680 --> 00:27:46.160 we would never 00:27:46.160 --> 00:27:47.200 say anything like, 00:27:47.319 --> 00:27:47.779 well, I just need 00:27:47.779 --> 00:27:48.880 to clean myself up 00:27:48.880 --> 00:27:49.400 a little before 00:27:49.400 --> 00:27:50.019 I come to Him. 00:27:51.259 --> 00:27:51.759 I just need 00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:52.539 to clean myself up. 00:27:52.599 --> 00:27:53.160 My life's too 00:27:53.160 --> 00:27:54.440 messed up right now 00:27:54.440 --> 00:27:55.660 to get serious 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:56.339 about God. 00:27:56.420 --> 00:27:56.880 I need to pull 00:27:56.880 --> 00:27:57.660 myself together 00:27:57.660 --> 00:27:58.140 first. 00:27:58.240 --> 00:27:58.420 No. 00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:00.420 You are invited 00:28:00.420 --> 00:28:01.240 right now 00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:02.240 to bring all 00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:03.400 of your mess 00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:04.440 and drop it 00:28:04.440 --> 00:28:05.500 in His lap. 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:07.259 He's the friend 00:28:07.259 --> 00:28:08.039 of sinners. 00:28:09.759 --> 00:28:10.759 Charles Spurgeon, 00:28:11.319 --> 00:28:12.680 he says it like this, 00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:12.940 he says, 00:28:13.079 --> 00:28:14.319 Jesus is heir 00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:15.039 of a line 00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:15.759 in which flows 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:16.220 the blood 00:28:16.220 --> 00:28:17.559 of the harlot Rahab 00:28:17.559 --> 00:28:19.700 and of the rustic Ruth. 00:28:20.680 --> 00:28:21.319 He is akin 00:28:21.319 --> 00:28:22.160 to the fallen 00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:23.620 and the lowly 00:28:23.620 --> 00:28:25.099 and He will show 00:28:25.099 --> 00:28:25.859 His love 00:28:25.859 --> 00:28:27.359 even to the poorest 00:28:27.359 --> 00:28:28.500 and the most obscure. 00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:31.160 He's the promised 00:28:31.160 --> 00:28:31.859 Redeemer, 00:28:32.279 --> 00:28:32.680 church. 00:28:34.119 --> 00:28:34.599 And third, 00:28:34.779 --> 00:28:35.200 finally, 00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:36.920 see at Christmas 00:28:36.920 --> 00:28:37.660 we celebrate 00:28:37.660 --> 00:28:38.440 the arrival 00:28:38.440 --> 00:28:39.720 of our promised 00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:40.980 Savior. 00:28:42.660 --> 00:28:43.400 And now we enter 00:28:43.400 --> 00:28:44.039 into some familiar 00:28:44.039 --> 00:28:44.680 territory. 00:28:45.599 --> 00:28:47.079 Starting at verse 18. 00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:48.700 It says, 00:28:48.960 --> 00:28:49.519 Now the birth 00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:50.480 of Jesus Christ 00:28:50.480 --> 00:28:51.299 took place 00:28:51.299 --> 00:28:52.380 this way. 00:28:53.259 --> 00:28:54.140 When His mother Mary 00:28:54.140 --> 00:28:55.339 had been betrothed 00:28:55.339 --> 00:28:55.960 to Joseph, 00:28:56.099 --> 00:28:57.099 before they came 00:28:57.099 --> 00:28:57.619 together, 00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:59.019 she was found 00:28:59.019 --> 00:29:00.019 to be with child 00:29:00.019 --> 00:29:01.240 from the Holy Spirit. 00:29:01.419 --> 00:29:02.199 And when you understand 00:29:02.199 --> 00:29:03.259 the family history, 00:29:03.500 --> 00:29:04.359 this makes a lot 00:29:04.359 --> 00:29:04.939 more sense 00:29:04.939 --> 00:29:05.399 that the birth 00:29:05.399 --> 00:29:05.819 of Jesus 00:29:05.819 --> 00:29:06.959 would come this way 00:29:06.959 --> 00:29:07.879 to an unwed 00:29:07.879 --> 00:29:08.699 pregnant mother. 00:29:09.079 --> 00:29:10.299 This is another scandal. 00:29:11.419 --> 00:29:12.159 But the difference, 00:29:12.299 --> 00:29:12.939 of course, 00:29:13.559 --> 00:29:14.639 is that this scandal 00:29:14.639 --> 00:29:15.719 is without sin. 00:29:17.459 --> 00:29:18.519 Joseph and Mary 00:29:18.519 --> 00:29:19.599 were betrothed 00:29:19.599 --> 00:29:20.459 to be married. 00:29:20.980 --> 00:29:21.379 Oftentimes, 00:29:21.859 --> 00:29:22.799 weddings in this culture 00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:23.719 were prearranged 00:29:23.719 --> 00:29:24.399 by the parents 00:29:24.399 --> 00:29:25.279 when the children 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:25.939 are young 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:26.559 and they called 00:29:26.559 --> 00:29:27.880 that engagement. 00:29:28.100 --> 00:29:28.960 It's not quite like 00:29:28.960 --> 00:29:29.820 our engagement 00:29:29.820 --> 00:29:30.559 in our culture. 00:29:31.259 --> 00:29:32.600 And then they become 00:29:32.600 --> 00:29:33.759 betrothed 00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:34.519 to one another 00:29:34.519 --> 00:29:35.759 when that engagement 00:29:35.759 --> 00:29:37.880 becomes legally binding. 00:29:38.759 --> 00:29:39.360 And so they're called 00:29:39.360 --> 00:29:40.519 husband and wife now 00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:41.340 for about a year 00:29:41.340 --> 00:29:42.259 before they actually 00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:43.140 get married 00:29:43.140 --> 00:29:44.120 and come together 00:29:44.120 --> 00:29:45.019 as husband and wife. 00:29:45.080 --> 00:29:45.660 It's confusing, 00:29:45.799 --> 00:29:46.100 I know. 00:29:47.059 --> 00:29:47.940 But the point is 00:29:47.940 --> 00:29:49.080 that Mary and Joseph 00:29:49.080 --> 00:29:49.940 were betrothed, 00:29:51.620 --> 00:29:53.000 legally bound 00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:53.960 to one another. 00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:55.340 But they had not yet 00:29:55.340 --> 00:29:56.240 come together 00:29:56.240 --> 00:29:58.220 as husband and wife. 00:29:59.640 --> 00:30:00.100 And Mary 00:30:00.100 --> 00:30:02.279 comes with some 00:30:02.279 --> 00:30:03.160 surprising news 00:30:03.160 --> 00:30:04.220 for Joseph. 00:30:05.680 --> 00:30:06.240 Surprise! 00:30:07.360 --> 00:30:08.220 I'm pregnant! 00:30:10.220 --> 00:30:11.100 And Joseph, 00:30:11.360 --> 00:30:12.980 as you and I 00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:13.900 probably would do, 00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:15.840 he was surprised 00:30:15.840 --> 00:30:16.799 and he wanted out. 00:30:16.900 --> 00:30:17.680 I can't blame him 00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:18.120 for that. 00:30:18.180 --> 00:30:18.559 But it says 00:30:18.559 --> 00:30:19.539 he was a just man 00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:20.360 and he wanted 00:30:20.360 --> 00:30:21.100 to honor Mary 00:30:21.100 --> 00:30:21.759 so he planned 00:30:21.759 --> 00:30:23.079 to divorce her quietly. 00:30:23.079 --> 00:30:23.879 But an angel 00:30:23.879 --> 00:30:24.480 of the Lord 00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:25.480 appears to him 00:30:25.480 --> 00:30:26.480 and gives him 00:30:26.480 --> 00:30:27.859 some more shocking news 00:30:27.859 --> 00:30:28.839 to change his mind. 00:30:29.839 --> 00:30:30.619 He assured him, 00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:31.899 Joseph, 00:30:32.119 --> 00:30:32.859 son of David, 00:30:33.720 --> 00:30:34.460 do not fear 00:30:34.460 --> 00:30:35.119 to take Mary 00:30:35.119 --> 00:30:35.879 as your wife 00:30:35.879 --> 00:30:36.980 for that which 00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:38.339 is conceived in her 00:30:38.339 --> 00:30:41.259 is from the Holy Spirit. 00:30:43.039 --> 00:30:43.980 Now this is a miracle. 00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:46.139 And without going 00:30:46.139 --> 00:30:47.159 into too much detail, 00:30:47.279 --> 00:30:47.639 I'll just say 00:30:47.639 --> 00:30:48.439 that's not how 00:30:48.439 --> 00:30:49.639 babies are born. 00:30:50.740 --> 00:30:51.299 That's not how 00:30:51.299 --> 00:30:52.099 babies are made. 00:30:52.099 --> 00:30:53.279 My children are young 00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:54.099 but they know enough 00:30:54.099 --> 00:30:54.699 to know that 00:30:54.699 --> 00:30:56.179 babies come from 00:30:56.179 --> 00:30:56.899 having a mommy 00:30:56.899 --> 00:30:57.699 and a daddy. 00:30:57.899 --> 00:30:58.719 You need both 00:30:58.719 --> 00:30:59.819 of those elements 00:30:59.819 --> 00:31:00.559 in some way, 00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:00.980 shape, 00:31:01.019 --> 00:31:01.419 or form. 00:31:01.459 --> 00:31:02.579 Out of all the millions 00:31:02.579 --> 00:31:03.579 of babies born, 00:31:03.859 --> 00:31:05.639 this is the only one 00:31:05.639 --> 00:31:06.199 in the history 00:31:06.199 --> 00:31:06.859 of mankind 00:31:06.859 --> 00:31:08.500 that did not have 00:31:08.500 --> 00:31:10.179 both mom and dad 00:31:10.179 --> 00:31:10.980 in some way. 00:31:12.039 --> 00:31:13.519 He was begotten, 00:31:13.599 --> 00:31:14.379 not made, 00:31:14.459 --> 00:31:15.619 as the Nicene Creed 00:31:15.619 --> 00:31:16.679 tells us. 00:31:17.639 --> 00:31:19.240 Just as was promised, 00:31:19.240 --> 00:31:21.039 700 years before 00:31:21.039 --> 00:31:21.700 he was born 00:31:21.700 --> 00:31:22.319 in the book 00:31:22.319 --> 00:31:23.160 of Isaiah. 00:31:24.299 --> 00:31:24.940 He says he was 00:31:24.940 --> 00:31:26.380 born of a virgin. 00:31:26.799 --> 00:31:27.500 Verse 23, 00:31:27.700 --> 00:31:28.120 Behold, 00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:29.200 the virgin 00:31:29.200 --> 00:31:29.980 shall conceive 00:31:29.980 --> 00:31:30.920 and bear a son 00:31:30.920 --> 00:31:31.380 and they shall 00:31:31.380 --> 00:31:32.380 call his name 00:31:32.380 --> 00:31:33.059 Emmanuel, 00:31:33.839 --> 00:31:34.420 which means 00:31:34.420 --> 00:31:36.380 God with us. 00:31:37.960 --> 00:31:39.120 Why does this matter? 00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:42.740 I wonder if you 00:31:42.740 --> 00:31:44.079 really understand 00:31:44.079 --> 00:31:44.660 the depth 00:31:44.660 --> 00:31:46.640 of why the virgin birth 00:31:46.640 --> 00:31:47.960 is such a significant 00:31:47.960 --> 00:31:49.220 part of the promise 00:31:49.220 --> 00:31:49.960 of God. 00:31:50.400 --> 00:31:51.080 He wrote about it 00:31:51.080 --> 00:31:52.180 700 years before 00:31:52.180 --> 00:31:52.940 Jesus was born. 00:31:53.040 --> 00:31:53.759 It happened just 00:31:53.759 --> 00:31:54.520 as he promised. 00:31:55.080 --> 00:31:56.680 Why is the virgin birth 00:31:56.680 --> 00:31:57.700 such an essential 00:31:57.700 --> 00:31:58.980 part of the Christmas 00:31:58.980 --> 00:31:59.740 story? 00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:01.460 It's not just because 00:32:01.460 --> 00:32:02.120 a virgin birth 00:32:02.120 --> 00:32:03.220 is extremely unusual. 00:32:03.420 --> 00:32:03.860 It's much more 00:32:03.860 --> 00:32:04.300 than that. 00:32:05.240 --> 00:32:06.620 If Jesus is not 00:32:06.620 --> 00:32:07.980 born of a virgin 00:32:07.980 --> 00:32:09.440 just as God promised, 00:32:09.600 --> 00:32:10.420 then he cannot 00:32:10.420 --> 00:32:11.720 be the promised 00:32:11.720 --> 00:32:12.280 Savior. 00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:14.620 Put it another way, 00:32:14.700 --> 00:32:15.660 the virgin birth 00:32:15.660 --> 00:32:16.759 is what makes 00:32:16.759 --> 00:32:17.680 possible the promise 00:32:17.680 --> 00:32:18.759 of verse 21. 00:32:19.080 --> 00:32:20.140 She will bear a son 00:32:20.140 --> 00:32:21.279 and you shall call 00:32:21.279 --> 00:32:22.080 his name Jesus 00:32:22.080 --> 00:32:23.580 for he will save 00:32:23.580 --> 00:32:24.360 his people 00:32:24.360 --> 00:32:25.960 from their sins. 00:32:26.000 --> 00:32:26.640 It should be obvious 00:32:26.640 --> 00:32:27.240 to us, 00:32:27.960 --> 00:32:29.100 but a sinner 00:32:29.100 --> 00:32:31.360 cannot save us 00:32:31.360 --> 00:32:32.220 from our sins. 00:32:33.140 --> 00:32:34.220 This was the problem 00:32:34.220 --> 00:32:35.040 with the Old Testament 00:32:35.040 --> 00:32:35.720 priesthood, 00:32:35.779 --> 00:32:36.240 was it not? 00:32:36.940 --> 00:32:37.700 A sinner 00:32:37.700 --> 00:32:39.240 cannot bear 00:32:39.240 --> 00:32:39.860 the sin 00:32:39.860 --> 00:32:40.580 of the people 00:32:40.580 --> 00:32:41.320 of God 00:32:41.320 --> 00:32:42.480 because he's too busy 00:32:42.480 --> 00:32:43.759 bearing his own sin. 00:32:43.759 --> 00:32:45.359 A sinner cannot 00:32:45.359 --> 00:32:46.440 take away 00:32:46.440 --> 00:32:47.400 our sin 00:32:47.400 --> 00:32:48.119 and shame. 00:32:48.240 --> 00:32:48.640 He cannot 00:32:48.640 --> 00:32:49.920 bear the wrath 00:32:49.920 --> 00:32:50.339 of God 00:32:50.339 --> 00:32:51.799 against others' sin 00:32:51.799 --> 00:32:53.059 because he's too busy 00:32:53.059 --> 00:32:53.660 bearing it 00:32:53.660 --> 00:32:55.180 against his own sin. 00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:56.420 A sinner 00:32:56.420 --> 00:32:57.839 can't defeat death 00:32:57.839 --> 00:32:58.839 if he's earned it 00:32:58.839 --> 00:32:59.700 for himself. 00:32:59.799 --> 00:33:00.299 You get the picture? 00:33:01.359 --> 00:33:02.059 If Jesus 00:33:02.059 --> 00:33:03.400 is just another sinner 00:33:03.400 --> 00:33:04.720 born the same way 00:33:04.720 --> 00:33:05.480 as you and I, 00:33:05.539 --> 00:33:06.379 as every other sinner 00:33:06.379 --> 00:33:07.019 in the history 00:33:07.019 --> 00:33:07.599 of mankind, 00:33:07.960 --> 00:33:08.940 then he dies 00:33:08.940 --> 00:33:09.619 the same way 00:33:09.619 --> 00:33:10.259 as you and I 00:33:10.259 --> 00:33:11.039 and we die 00:33:11.039 --> 00:33:12.159 without hope. 00:33:12.420 --> 00:33:13.200 But that's not 00:33:13.200 --> 00:33:14.279 what happened, 00:33:14.339 --> 00:33:14.680 is it? 00:33:16.059 --> 00:33:16.740 Matthew says 00:33:16.740 --> 00:33:17.960 Jesus was born 00:33:17.960 --> 00:33:19.059 of a virgin, 00:33:19.279 --> 00:33:19.759 which means, 00:33:19.799 --> 00:33:20.480 here's the point, 00:33:21.480 --> 00:33:22.720 he does not 00:33:22.720 --> 00:33:23.440 inherit 00:33:23.440 --> 00:33:25.019 original sin. 00:33:26.220 --> 00:33:26.980 I'll say that again. 00:33:28.079 --> 00:33:29.420 Because Jesus 00:33:29.420 --> 00:33:30.180 is born 00:33:30.180 --> 00:33:31.079 of a virgin, 00:33:31.299 --> 00:33:32.279 born not 00:33:32.279 --> 00:33:33.259 by ordinary 00:33:33.259 --> 00:33:34.200 generation 00:33:34.200 --> 00:33:35.139 like you and me, 00:33:35.139 --> 00:33:36.940 he does not 00:33:36.940 --> 00:33:37.940 inherit 00:33:37.940 --> 00:33:40.420 original sin. 00:33:41.039 --> 00:33:42.440 Do you get it? 00:33:43.680 --> 00:33:44.200 Do you see 00:33:44.200 --> 00:33:44.819 the significance 00:33:44.819 --> 00:33:45.799 of this? 00:33:47.059 --> 00:33:47.259 See, 00:33:47.339 --> 00:33:48.339 every one of us, 00:33:48.420 --> 00:33:49.119 all of us 00:33:49.119 --> 00:33:50.839 who are naturally 00:33:50.839 --> 00:33:52.819 descended from Adam, 00:33:52.980 --> 00:33:53.619 key word, 00:33:53.920 --> 00:33:54.599 naturally, 00:33:55.220 --> 00:33:56.259 every one of us 00:33:56.259 --> 00:33:57.359 are natural 00:33:57.359 --> 00:33:58.279 born sinners. 00:33:59.299 --> 00:33:59.980 All of us 00:33:59.980 --> 00:34:00.920 naturally 00:34:00.920 --> 00:34:01.759 inherit 00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:02.980 Adam's guilt, 00:34:03.500 --> 00:34:03.920 inherit 00:34:03.920 --> 00:34:05.440 Adam's sin. 00:34:05.940 --> 00:34:06.799 We are born 00:34:06.799 --> 00:34:07.980 into a state 00:34:07.980 --> 00:34:08.920 of sinfulness, 00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:09.779 all of us. 00:34:10.700 --> 00:34:11.280 All of us 00:34:11.280 --> 00:34:11.820 but one. 00:34:13.360 --> 00:34:14.140 And no one 00:34:14.140 --> 00:34:14.680 is righteous. 00:34:14.860 --> 00:34:15.019 No, 00:34:15.100 --> 00:34:15.580 not one, 00:34:15.660 --> 00:34:16.000 we're told. 00:34:16.140 --> 00:34:17.220 We're all born 00:34:17.220 --> 00:34:17.840 naturally 00:34:17.840 --> 00:34:18.880 into this 00:34:18.880 --> 00:34:20.080 curse of sin. 00:34:20.220 --> 00:34:21.240 Even Mary, 00:34:21.660 --> 00:34:22.100 now I know 00:34:22.100 --> 00:34:22.880 our Catholic friends 00:34:22.880 --> 00:34:24.100 disagree on this, 00:34:25.680 --> 00:34:26.140 but nowhere 00:34:26.140 --> 00:34:26.700 in Scripture 00:34:26.700 --> 00:34:27.300 does it say 00:34:27.300 --> 00:34:28.340 ever that Mary 00:34:28.340 --> 00:34:29.040 was sinless. 00:34:29.200 --> 00:34:29.620 She's born 00:34:29.620 --> 00:34:30.220 into this mess 00:34:30.220 --> 00:34:31.460 just like we are. 00:34:32.280 --> 00:34:33.420 There is one 00:34:33.420 --> 00:34:34.760 and only 00:34:34.760 --> 00:34:36.220 one exception, 00:34:36.480 --> 00:34:37.160 the promised 00:34:37.160 --> 00:34:38.100 Savior, 00:34:38.099 --> 00:34:39.719 Jesus Christ. 00:34:41.699 --> 00:34:42.059 And what we 00:34:42.059 --> 00:34:42.900 celebrate at Christmas 00:34:42.900 --> 00:34:44.259 is the birth 00:34:44.259 --> 00:34:46.079 of a sinless 00:34:46.079 --> 00:34:47.619 human being. 00:34:48.460 --> 00:34:49.500 The true 00:34:49.500 --> 00:34:50.199 and better 00:34:50.199 --> 00:34:51.079 Adam who will 00:34:51.079 --> 00:34:52.159 succeed where 00:34:52.159 --> 00:34:53.099 Adam had failed. 00:34:53.659 --> 00:34:54.420 Who will bring 00:34:54.420 --> 00:34:55.199 life where 00:34:55.199 --> 00:34:56.199 his sin 00:34:56.199 --> 00:34:57.019 brought death. 00:34:57.119 --> 00:34:58.119 Who will save 00:34:58.119 --> 00:34:59.239 his people 00:34:59.239 --> 00:35:00.779 from our sins. 00:35:00.900 --> 00:35:01.619 Who will be 00:35:01.619 --> 00:35:02.400 Emmanuel, 00:35:03.400 --> 00:35:04.599 God with us. 00:35:04.599 --> 00:35:06.380 See, 00:35:06.440 --> 00:35:06.940 Jesus, 00:35:07.480 --> 00:35:08.619 he saves us 00:35:08.619 --> 00:35:09.279 from our sins 00:35:09.279 --> 00:35:10.000 by doing what 00:35:10.000 --> 00:35:11.059 none of us 00:35:11.059 --> 00:35:12.179 could ever do. 00:35:12.279 --> 00:35:12.799 He lived 00:35:12.799 --> 00:35:13.659 perfectly 00:35:13.659 --> 00:35:15.400 in our place. 00:35:16.400 --> 00:35:17.739 And then he died 00:35:17.739 --> 00:35:19.179 as a perfect 00:35:19.179 --> 00:35:20.079 substitute, 00:35:20.319 --> 00:35:20.779 a perfect 00:35:20.779 --> 00:35:21.779 sacrifice 00:35:21.779 --> 00:35:23.440 in the place 00:35:23.440 --> 00:35:24.400 of sinners 00:35:24.400 --> 00:35:25.179 so that 00:35:25.179 --> 00:35:25.659 he might 00:35:25.659 --> 00:35:26.759 give us 00:35:26.759 --> 00:35:27.759 what he has 00:35:27.759 --> 00:35:28.500 earned 00:35:28.500 --> 00:35:29.900 by undeserved 00:35:29.900 --> 00:35:30.319 grace 00:35:30.319 --> 00:35:30.960 through faith. 00:35:30.960 --> 00:35:33.619 This is what 00:35:33.619 --> 00:35:34.980 Paul tells us 00:35:34.980 --> 00:35:36.800 in Romans 00:35:36.800 --> 00:35:38.480 chapter 5. 00:35:38.579 --> 00:35:38.880 He says, 00:35:38.980 --> 00:35:39.720 The free gift 00:35:39.720 --> 00:35:40.559 is not like 00:35:40.559 --> 00:35:41.480 the trespass. 00:35:42.220 --> 00:35:42.900 For if many 00:35:42.900 --> 00:35:43.659 died through 00:35:43.659 --> 00:35:44.679 one man's 00:35:44.679 --> 00:35:45.340 trespass, 00:35:45.480 --> 00:35:45.740 Adam, 00:35:46.599 --> 00:35:47.559 much more 00:35:47.559 --> 00:35:48.340 have the grace 00:35:48.340 --> 00:35:49.039 of God 00:35:49.039 --> 00:35:50.260 and the free 00:35:50.260 --> 00:35:51.179 gift by the 00:35:51.179 --> 00:35:52.059 grace of that 00:35:52.059 --> 00:35:53.079 one man, 00:35:53.199 --> 00:35:54.079 Jesus Christ, 00:35:54.220 --> 00:35:54.740 abounded 00:35:54.740 --> 00:35:55.599 for many. 00:35:56.599 --> 00:35:57.240 And the free 00:35:57.240 --> 00:35:58.019 gift is not 00:35:58.019 --> 00:35:58.820 like the result 00:35:58.820 --> 00:35:59.440 of that one 00:35:59.440 --> 00:36:00.300 man's sin. 00:36:01.000 --> 00:36:01.780 For the judgment 00:36:01.780 --> 00:36:02.720 following one 00:36:02.720 --> 00:36:03.640 trespass brought 00:36:03.640 --> 00:36:04.720 condemnation, 00:36:05.260 --> 00:36:06.140 but the free 00:36:06.140 --> 00:36:07.039 gift following 00:36:07.039 --> 00:36:08.220 many trespasses 00:36:08.220 --> 00:36:09.519 brought justification. 00:36:10.800 --> 00:36:11.460 For if, 00:36:11.800 --> 00:36:12.460 because of one 00:36:12.460 --> 00:36:13.620 man's trespass, 00:36:13.780 --> 00:36:15.080 death reigned 00:36:15.080 --> 00:36:15.620 through that 00:36:15.620 --> 00:36:16.220 one man, 00:36:16.560 --> 00:36:17.500 much more 00:36:17.500 --> 00:36:17.960 will those 00:36:17.960 --> 00:36:18.600 who receive 00:36:18.600 --> 00:36:19.340 the abundance 00:36:19.340 --> 00:36:20.400 of grace 00:36:20.400 --> 00:36:21.240 and the free 00:36:21.240 --> 00:36:21.860 gift of 00:36:21.860 --> 00:36:22.640 righteousness 00:36:22.640 --> 00:36:24.140 reign in life 00:36:24.140 --> 00:36:24.800 through the 00:36:24.800 --> 00:36:25.340 one man, 00:36:25.420 --> 00:36:26.220 Jesus Christ. 00:36:30.300 --> 00:36:35.680 church, 00:36:35.760 --> 00:36:36.740 this Christmas, 00:36:37.260 --> 00:36:39.200 as you go to 00:36:39.200 --> 00:36:39.940 bed this evening, 00:36:40.019 --> 00:36:40.760 as you wake up 00:36:40.760 --> 00:36:41.580 tomorrow morning 00:36:41.580 --> 00:36:42.140 with your head 00:36:42.140 --> 00:36:42.940 spinning with 00:36:42.940 --> 00:36:43.780 gifts and 00:36:43.780 --> 00:36:44.440 presents and 00:36:44.440 --> 00:36:44.980 meals and 00:36:44.980 --> 00:36:45.539 family and 00:36:45.539 --> 00:36:46.300 everything else, 00:36:47.260 --> 00:36:48.840 would you reflect 00:36:48.840 --> 00:36:49.720 for just a 00:36:49.720 --> 00:36:51.420 moment on the 00:36:51.420 --> 00:36:52.460 glorious promises 00:36:52.460 --> 00:36:53.400 of God for you 00:36:53.400 --> 00:36:55.920 in Christ Jesus? 00:36:55.920 --> 00:36:56.059 Jesus, 00:36:56.619 --> 00:36:58.400 we're told that 00:36:58.400 --> 00:36:59.440 this promise is 00:36:59.440 --> 00:37:01.400 for you and 00:37:01.400 --> 00:37:02.900 your children and 00:37:02.900 --> 00:37:03.840 all who are far 00:37:03.840 --> 00:37:04.180 off, 00:37:04.280 --> 00:37:05.360 everyone whom 00:37:05.360 --> 00:37:06.200 the Lord our 00:37:06.200 --> 00:37:07.460 God calls to 00:37:07.460 --> 00:37:08.039 himself. 00:37:08.039 --> 00:37:09.500 I pray that 00:37:09.500 --> 00:37:10.420 you will rest 00:37:10.420 --> 00:37:11.059 and remember 00:37:11.059 --> 00:37:11.880 the glorious 00:37:11.880 --> 00:37:12.659 gift of a 00:37:12.659 --> 00:37:13.739 promise kept 00:37:13.739 --> 00:37:14.820 in Jesus 00:37:14.820 --> 00:37:15.380 Christ. 00:37:16.759 --> 00:37:17.340 That no matter 00:37:17.340 --> 00:37:18.579 how deeply 00:37:18.579 --> 00:37:19.500 you have sinned, 00:37:19.519 --> 00:37:20.059 the good news 00:37:20.059 --> 00:37:20.860 of Christmas is 00:37:20.860 --> 00:37:21.719 the promised 00:37:21.719 --> 00:37:22.800 Savior has 00:37:22.800 --> 00:37:23.659 come that all 00:37:23.659 --> 00:37:24.320 who call upon 00:37:24.320 --> 00:37:24.820 the name of 00:37:24.820 --> 00:37:25.400 the Lord will 00:37:25.400 --> 00:37:26.000 be saved. 00:37:27.340 --> 00:37:27.679 And that no 00:37:27.679 --> 00:37:28.840 matter your 00:37:28.840 --> 00:37:29.539 past, your 00:37:29.539 --> 00:37:30.259 failures, your 00:37:30.259 --> 00:37:31.000 history, your 00:37:31.000 --> 00:37:32.739 mess, the 00:37:32.739 --> 00:37:33.400 good news of 00:37:33.400 --> 00:37:35.259 Christmas is 00:37:35.259 --> 00:37:35.500 that the 00:37:35.500 --> 00:37:36.440 promised Redeemer 00:37:36.440 --> 00:37:37.719 has come. 00:37:39.039 --> 00:37:39.480 And that no 00:37:39.480 --> 00:37:40.539 matter how 00:37:40.539 --> 00:37:41.519 long you have 00:37:41.519 --> 00:37:42.279 served the 00:37:42.279 --> 00:37:43.000 kingdom of 00:37:43.000 --> 00:37:44.239 this world, the 00:37:44.239 --> 00:37:44.960 good news of 00:37:44.960 --> 00:37:45.880 Christmas, church, 00:37:46.259 --> 00:37:47.099 the promised 00:37:47.099 --> 00:37:48.579 King has 00:37:48.579 --> 00:37:50.320 come and he 00:37:50.320 --> 00:37:50.719 will come 00:37:50.719 --> 00:37:51.159 again. 00:37:52.539 --> 00:37:53.059 Let every 00:37:53.059 --> 00:37:54.500 heart prepare 00:37:54.500 --> 00:37:56.199 him room and 00:37:56.199 --> 00:37:56.679 heaven and 00:37:56.679 --> 00:37:57.360 nature sing. 00:37:58.199 --> 00:37:58.860 Let's pray. 00:37:59.559 --> 00:38:00.440 Lord, we thank 00:38:00.440 --> 00:38:01.039 you for the 00:38:01.039 --> 00:38:02.079 gift of a 00:38:02.079 --> 00:38:02.880 promise kept. 00:38:03.900 --> 00:38:04.480 Father, we 00:38:04.480 --> 00:38:05.119 thank you that 00:38:05.119 --> 00:38:07.239 every word of 00:38:07.239 --> 00:38:07.619 the Lord 00:38:07.619 --> 00:38:08.659 proves true. 00:38:09.759 --> 00:38:10.400 We thank you 00:38:10.400 --> 00:38:11.099 that all of 00:38:11.099 --> 00:38:12.019 the promises of 00:38:12.019 --> 00:38:13.779 God find their 00:38:13.779 --> 00:38:14.599 yes and their 00:38:14.599 --> 00:38:15.359 amen in the 00:38:15.359 --> 00:38:15.960 Lord Jesus 00:38:15.960 --> 00:38:16.599 Christ. 00:38:17.859 --> 00:38:18.380 And that by 00:38:18.380 --> 00:38:19.339 the miracle of 00:38:19.339 --> 00:38:19.980 your grace, 00:38:21.319 --> 00:38:22.000 even sinners 00:38:22.000 --> 00:38:22.719 like us can 00:38:22.719 --> 00:38:23.579 enter in and 00:38:23.579 --> 00:38:24.319 receive the 00:38:24.319 --> 00:38:24.940 promises of 00:38:24.940 --> 00:38:25.380 God through 00:38:25.380 --> 00:38:25.880 faith in 00:38:25.880 --> 00:38:26.239 Christ. 00:38:27.259 --> 00:38:28.099 We love you, 00:38:28.179 --> 00:38:28.500 Lord, and we 00:38:28.500 --> 00:38:28.900 pray this in 00:38:28.900 --> 00:38:29.420 Jesus' name. 00:38:30.380 --> 00:38:30.659 Amen. 00:38:30.659 --> 00:38:30.799 Amen. 00:38:30.799 --> 00:38:30.839 Amen. 00:38:30.839 --> 00:38:30.859 Amen. 00:38:30.859 --> 00:38:30.880 Amen. 00:38:30.880 --> 00:38:30.920 Amen. 00:38:30.920 --> 00:38:30.940 Amen. 00:38:30.940 --> 00:38:30.980 Amen. 00:38:30.980 --> 00:38:31.019 Amen. 00:38:31.019 --> 00:38:31.079 Amen. 00:38:31.079 --> 00:38:31.440 Amen. 00:38:31.440 --> 00:38:31.500 Amen. 00:38:31.500 --> 00:38:32.799 Amen. 00:38:32.799 --> 00:38:32.880 Amen. 00:38:32.880 --> 00:38:32.900 Amen. 00:38:32.900 --> 00:38:32.940 Amen. 00:38:32.940 --> 00:38:32.980 Amen. 00:38:32.980 --> 00:38:34.859 Amen. 00:38:34.859 --> 00:38:34.940 Amen. 00:38:34.940 --> 00:38:34.980 Amen. 00:38:34.980 --> 00:38:35.019 Amen. 00:38:35.019 --> 00:38:36.859 Amen.