WEBVTT 00:00:00.440 --> 00:00:07.459 Okay, good morning everybody. Great to see you. If you don't know me, my name is Kevin and one of the elders here. 00:00:08.660 --> 00:00:11.380 It's great to be with us together this morning. 00:00:11.939 --> 00:00:16.260 Now, let's see if you can finish this famous Christmas sentence. 00:00:17.160 --> 00:00:19.019 The Christmas sentence goes like this. 00:00:19.580 --> 00:00:23.000 Glory to God in the highest and on earth... 00:00:23.000 --> 00:00:27.199 Okay, sorry, I didn't hear that. Okay, try that again. 00:00:27.199 --> 00:00:30.199 Glory to God in the highest and on earth... 00:00:30.199 --> 00:00:36.079 And you got it. Okay, peace and goodwill to all mankind. 00:00:37.000 --> 00:00:41.500 Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace and goodwill. 00:00:41.619 --> 00:00:48.340 That means kind-heartedness, bigness of heart, generosity of spirit to all mankind. 00:00:49.359 --> 00:00:55.120 These famous words are spoken by the angels at the time of Jesus' birth. 00:00:55.119 --> 00:00:58.259 There are some shepherds out in the fields outside of Bethlehem. 00:00:58.780 --> 00:01:02.239 And an angel comes and says, I bring good news of great joy. 00:01:02.759 --> 00:01:07.140 Today, in the city of David, the town of Bethlehem, a Savior has been born. 00:01:07.640 --> 00:01:09.479 And he is going to save the world. 00:01:09.859 --> 00:01:11.459 You'll find him lying in a manger. 00:01:12.060 --> 00:01:14.679 And then all these angels burst into song. 00:01:14.859 --> 00:01:20.759 Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace and goodwill to all mankind. 00:01:20.760 --> 00:01:27.120 We are three days away from Christmas, which is a wonderful thing. 00:01:27.880 --> 00:01:33.540 But we also find ourselves at a time in our city and a time in the history of our city 00:01:33.540 --> 00:01:41.520 when peace and goodwill amongst us as a city seems to be remarkably absent. 00:01:41.519 --> 00:01:50.060 Not only in our streets and our universities, but also in our homes, around dining room tables. 00:01:50.739 --> 00:01:55.039 If there was ever a time when we as a city needed peace and goodwill to all mankind, 00:01:55.319 --> 00:01:56.439 this would be a great time. 00:01:57.359 --> 00:02:01.239 Now this morning, what I want us to do is I want us to look at the book of Philippians, 00:02:01.340 --> 00:02:02.959 which Theo and Janet read to us. 00:02:02.959 --> 00:02:08.199 And I want us to see how Christmas gives us the resources that we need 00:02:08.199 --> 00:02:12.840 to heal the divisions in our hearts and in our lives. 00:02:13.439 --> 00:02:16.099 How Christmas gives us the resources that we need 00:02:16.099 --> 00:02:19.959 to heal the divisions in our hearts and in our lives. 00:02:20.099 --> 00:02:21.859 Okay, so we've got one point this morning. 00:02:22.400 --> 00:02:23.539 That's the one point. 00:02:23.680 --> 00:02:24.579 That's all there is. 00:02:25.039 --> 00:02:25.979 Okay, let's go home. 00:02:26.639 --> 00:02:30.060 No, let's look at the passage and see if we can make sense of this. 00:02:30.060 --> 00:02:35.259 So, Theo and Janet read to us this amazing passage from the book of Philippians. 00:02:35.500 --> 00:02:38.479 And the book of Philippians is written by the Apostle Paul 00:02:38.479 --> 00:02:42.180 while he's under arrest in the city of Rome. 00:02:43.060 --> 00:02:44.360 The Apostle Paul is a missionary. 00:02:44.539 --> 00:02:45.140 He's a preacher. 00:02:45.620 --> 00:02:47.800 He's just left the city of Philippi. 00:02:48.080 --> 00:02:49.460 He's on his way back to Jerusalem. 00:02:49.920 --> 00:02:54.060 And in Jerusalem, he gets arrested because he's preaching the gospel, etc. 00:02:54.300 --> 00:02:55.740 He's disturbing the peace. 00:02:56.280 --> 00:02:58.000 And so he has this trial. 00:02:58.000 --> 00:03:00.319 And while he's on trial, he says, 00:03:00.500 --> 00:03:01.360 I'm a Roman citizen. 00:03:01.599 --> 00:03:02.840 I appeal to Caesar. 00:03:03.039 --> 00:03:04.580 I want Caesar to hear my case. 00:03:05.159 --> 00:03:09.000 And so he gets shipped off to Rome where Caesar is going to hear his case. 00:03:09.400 --> 00:03:13.340 And while he's there, he's under arrest for two years in house arrest. 00:03:13.680 --> 00:03:17.159 And while he's there, he writes these letters to the various churches 00:03:17.159 --> 00:03:19.539 that he started and founded around the world. 00:03:20.159 --> 00:03:24.680 And so he writes this letter to this small church in the city of Philippi 00:03:24.680 --> 00:03:26.819 that he had just visited recently. 00:03:26.819 --> 00:03:31.680 And he writes to encourage them and to strengthen them in their journey. 00:03:32.099 --> 00:03:35.459 Now, in the book of Acts, we actually see how this city, 00:03:35.620 --> 00:03:37.579 how this church in Philippi founded. 00:03:38.159 --> 00:03:39.780 And the way it started was this. 00:03:40.219 --> 00:03:43.919 It was Paul and his companions are traveling in the area, 00:03:44.359 --> 00:03:45.840 and they don't know where to go. 00:03:46.139 --> 00:03:47.680 They try and go up north. 00:03:47.759 --> 00:03:48.479 They can't go there. 00:03:48.560 --> 00:03:49.459 They try and go south. 00:03:49.560 --> 00:03:50.340 They can't go there. 00:03:50.659 --> 00:03:52.219 To the west of them is the sea. 00:03:52.219 --> 00:03:53.520 And so they stuck. 00:03:54.139 --> 00:03:55.379 And one night, Paul has a dream. 00:03:55.500 --> 00:03:59.599 And in his dream, this man from the city of Philippi says, 00:03:59.800 --> 00:04:01.199 Paul, come over and help us. 00:04:01.719 --> 00:04:03.360 And so the next morning, Paul wakes up, 00:04:03.439 --> 00:04:04.560 and he says to his companions, 00:04:04.860 --> 00:04:06.719 I think God wants us to go to Philippi. 00:04:07.079 --> 00:04:08.159 And so they go to Philippi. 00:04:08.360 --> 00:04:10.520 And when they get there, they don't know what to do. 00:04:10.939 --> 00:04:12.680 They don't have any contacts or friends. 00:04:13.000 --> 00:04:14.039 Paul just had this dream. 00:04:14.840 --> 00:04:20.060 And so they go down to the river where they expect to meet a bunch of men praying. 00:04:20.319 --> 00:04:22.939 Generally, the men would go down and pray at this area. 00:04:23.699 --> 00:04:25.219 But they don't find any men praying. 00:04:25.779 --> 00:04:28.639 What they find is a businesswoman, a lady called Lydia. 00:04:29.259 --> 00:04:31.199 And Lydia is a trader. 00:04:31.399 --> 00:04:33.139 She sells cloth and material. 00:04:33.639 --> 00:04:34.759 And she's a businesswoman. 00:04:35.199 --> 00:04:38.659 And so they start to talk to her about the wonder of Jesus and the gospel. 00:04:39.319 --> 00:04:40.199 And she believes. 00:04:40.659 --> 00:04:41.920 She becomes a follower of Jesus. 00:04:41.920 --> 00:04:46.300 And she gets baptized straight away as a sign of her following Jesus. 00:04:47.199 --> 00:04:50.100 And then Paul and his companions spend a few days in Philippi. 00:04:50.439 --> 00:04:54.680 And they are followed by this young lady who's a slave girl. 00:04:54.879 --> 00:04:57.780 She's owned by some other people in town. 00:04:58.200 --> 00:05:03.520 But she is under the controlling influence of a demonic spiritual power. 00:05:04.259 --> 00:05:07.560 She's kind of controlled by the spiritual power. 00:05:07.560 --> 00:05:12.420 And so she follows Paul and his companions everywhere they go. 00:05:13.019 --> 00:05:16.740 And she's calling out saying, these men, they come from the one true God. 00:05:16.939 --> 00:05:19.920 They're telling you how to become Christians, how to get saved. 00:05:20.360 --> 00:05:23.180 And she's causing problems for Paul and his companions. 00:05:23.180 --> 00:05:26.420 Because they're trying to have these real meaningful conversations. 00:05:26.980 --> 00:05:28.819 And while they're trying to have conversations with people, 00:05:28.899 --> 00:05:31.060 here's this lady that's calling out in the background. 00:05:31.420 --> 00:05:32.519 These men are from God. 00:05:32.620 --> 00:05:34.000 They've got a message for you. 00:05:34.000 --> 00:05:38.259 And Paul gets so annoyed that one day he just turns around and he says, 00:05:38.420 --> 00:05:40.500 evil spirit, come out of her. 00:05:41.240 --> 00:05:44.399 And she's automatically brought to her senses. 00:05:44.959 --> 00:05:48.560 She's no longer under the controlling power of this demonic spirit. 00:05:48.660 --> 00:05:50.740 And she's just this normal young lady. 00:05:52.639 --> 00:05:55.779 Now, it's possible that she becomes a follower of Jesus. 00:05:55.920 --> 00:05:58.259 We don't know exactly whether she became a follower of Jesus. 00:05:58.259 --> 00:06:02.879 But the men that owned her are now very upset with Paul. 00:06:03.339 --> 00:06:06.620 Because she used to make a lot of money for them as a fortune teller. 00:06:06.740 --> 00:06:08.279 She would go around town saying, 00:06:08.740 --> 00:06:10.579 here, this is what's going to happen to you. 00:06:10.959 --> 00:06:11.779 And he would give money. 00:06:11.920 --> 00:06:15.279 And they'd say, Ellen, I'll tell you your future if you give me some money. 00:06:15.620 --> 00:06:19.060 And so this lady made a lot of money for her owners. 00:06:19.439 --> 00:06:20.959 And now she can't do that anymore. 00:06:21.439 --> 00:06:24.019 So the owners go to the magistrate and they say, 00:06:24.139 --> 00:06:27.240 these guys, Paul and his friends, are causing trouble in our town. 00:06:27.240 --> 00:06:28.699 We better arrest them quickly. 00:06:29.379 --> 00:06:31.740 And so Paul and his friends get thrown into jail. 00:06:32.500 --> 00:06:35.720 And while they're in jail, they start talking to the jailer. 00:06:36.439 --> 00:06:37.980 And the jailer becomes a Christian. 00:06:38.500 --> 00:06:39.879 And he starts following Jesus. 00:06:40.280 --> 00:06:42.439 And he and his whole family become Christians. 00:06:42.600 --> 00:06:44.639 And they get baptized that very day. 00:06:45.560 --> 00:06:48.500 And so here you have, in this town of Philippi, 00:06:49.220 --> 00:06:52.420 the two founding members of this church, 00:06:52.740 --> 00:06:54.000 and possibly a third one. 00:06:54.000 --> 00:06:57.500 You have this wealthy businesswoman who's a trader, 00:06:57.639 --> 00:06:58.680 and she knows how to make money. 00:06:59.100 --> 00:07:02.319 You have this jailer who's pro-establishment, 00:07:02.660 --> 00:07:04.199 working for the central government. 00:07:04.319 --> 00:07:06.920 Remember, Philippi is a city in the Roman Empire. 00:07:07.480 --> 00:07:08.560 He's working for central government. 00:07:08.699 --> 00:07:10.019 He becomes a follower of Jesus. 00:07:10.439 --> 00:07:12.759 And possibly the third member of the church 00:07:12.759 --> 00:07:15.579 is this slave girl who, until recently, 00:07:15.779 --> 00:07:17.800 had a demonic spirit controlling her. 00:07:17.800 --> 00:07:23.020 Now, I've been thinking quite a lot recently 00:07:23.020 --> 00:07:24.960 about church planting. 00:07:25.800 --> 00:07:27.740 At Watermark, we've spoken about it for a long time. 00:07:27.920 --> 00:07:29.860 And I would love for us as a church 00:07:29.860 --> 00:07:33.139 to plant a church sometime in the next couple of years. 00:07:33.379 --> 00:07:35.720 To take 20 or 30 people from Watermark 00:07:35.720 --> 00:07:37.519 and say, hey, why don't you guys go start 00:07:37.519 --> 00:07:38.980 a new church in Hong Kong somewhere? 00:07:39.040 --> 00:07:40.400 We'll support you and encourage you. 00:07:40.879 --> 00:07:43.220 I love the idea of us planting a new church. 00:07:43.819 --> 00:07:45.220 But one of the things I've been thinking about 00:07:45.220 --> 00:07:48.360 is how do you get the perfect core team together, 00:07:48.980 --> 00:07:51.180 the right team that's going to start off a church, 00:07:51.680 --> 00:07:54.060 the team that you can train them and equip them 00:07:54.060 --> 00:07:56.900 and are on the same page and think the same way. 00:07:57.160 --> 00:07:59.020 Because if you get your core team right, 00:07:59.120 --> 00:08:01.180 you have the most chance of success. 00:08:02.580 --> 00:08:05.580 Think about the core team of this new church in Philippi. 00:08:06.240 --> 00:08:09.280 You have this jailer working for the government. 00:08:09.780 --> 00:08:11.980 You have this businesswoman that's a trader. 00:08:11.980 --> 00:08:16.080 And you possibly have this lady that was just demon-possessed, 00:08:16.200 --> 00:08:19.700 a slave girl, uneducated, who has just been delivered. 00:08:20.879 --> 00:08:24.580 One theologian, a common scholar, put it like this. 00:08:25.080 --> 00:08:27.500 These early converts were the most diverse 00:08:27.500 --> 00:08:32.600 and unlikely group of people with which to ever start a new church. 00:08:33.240 --> 00:08:34.960 And so this is how the church begins. 00:08:35.460 --> 00:08:38.639 Right from day one, the Philippian church is diverse, 00:08:38.639 --> 00:08:41.480 it's multicultural, it's multi-socioeconomic 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:45.179 from different backgrounds, different cultures, different careers, 00:08:45.279 --> 00:08:48.799 and they've come together because Jesus has worked in their hearts. 00:08:49.559 --> 00:08:51.659 Now, that's a wonderful thing. 00:08:51.819 --> 00:08:54.159 One of the most beautiful things about the local church 00:08:54.159 --> 00:08:56.220 is its diversity and its complexity 00:08:56.220 --> 00:08:59.960 and its multicultural and multi-ethnic component. 00:09:00.720 --> 00:09:04.299 The church family is a family, but we're a diverse family. 00:09:04.419 --> 00:09:05.439 We're an eclectic family. 00:09:05.440 --> 00:09:10.080 And what unifies us as a church is not our personalities or our preferences. 00:09:10.480 --> 00:09:11.860 I like the soccer team. 00:09:11.960 --> 00:09:12.980 You like the soccer team. 00:09:13.080 --> 00:09:14.660 Hey, let's join the same church together. 00:09:14.940 --> 00:09:18.440 What unifies us is that Jesus has worked in our hearts. 00:09:19.380 --> 00:09:22.800 But that diversity does come with its challenges, right? 00:09:23.420 --> 00:09:24.420 There's misunderstanding. 00:09:25.140 --> 00:09:26.360 I think one thing. 00:09:26.440 --> 00:09:27.480 You think a different thing. 00:09:27.620 --> 00:09:28.700 I like this thing. 00:09:28.780 --> 00:09:29.600 You like that thing. 00:09:29.700 --> 00:09:31.120 I think we should do things this way. 00:09:31.220 --> 00:09:32.740 You think we should do things that way. 00:09:32.740 --> 00:09:37.440 So our diversity is a beautiful gift, but it does come with complexity. 00:09:37.759 --> 00:09:38.659 It comes with challenges. 00:09:39.279 --> 00:09:40.240 There can be misunderstanding. 00:09:41.060 --> 00:09:44.360 There can be diverse views on how we should do things. 00:09:44.940 --> 00:09:45.720 Let's be honest. 00:09:45.799 --> 00:09:48.759 It's so much easier just to gather with a group of people 00:09:48.759 --> 00:09:51.720 who think like you and talk like you and act like you 00:09:51.720 --> 00:09:54.000 and dress like you and are just like you. 00:09:54.659 --> 00:09:57.740 But when we come together, diversity brings its challenges. 00:09:58.840 --> 00:10:01.919 Friends, isn't this what we see in Hong Kong a bit at the moment? 00:10:02.740 --> 00:10:05.139 Diverse opinions, diverse political views, 00:10:05.779 --> 00:10:09.159 diverse ways on how the current empire should be handled. 00:10:10.360 --> 00:10:12.199 Diversity brings its challenges. 00:10:12.919 --> 00:10:16.059 And diverse opinions and views can lead to a lack of peace 00:10:16.059 --> 00:10:18.759 and a lack of goodwill amongst all mankind. 00:10:20.839 --> 00:10:24.019 When you look at the book of Philippians that was read to us earlier, 00:10:24.439 --> 00:10:28.139 one of the things we see is that this church is starting to experience 00:10:28.139 --> 00:10:30.659 a little bit of division in the church. 00:10:30.659 --> 00:10:32.299 It's not massive. 00:10:32.740 --> 00:10:33.559 It's not huge. 00:10:33.779 --> 00:10:35.719 But there's people that have got different opinions. 00:10:35.980 --> 00:10:38.079 And Paul writes the book of Philippians to them 00:10:38.079 --> 00:10:41.439 to encourage them to be unified in their faith. 00:10:41.879 --> 00:10:43.719 If you've got your Bible, turn to Philippians, 00:10:43.779 --> 00:10:45.199 and you're going to have to follow with me. 00:10:45.339 --> 00:10:47.240 There's a couple of verses I want us to look at. 00:10:47.579 --> 00:10:50.459 Look at what he says in chapter 1, verse 27. 00:10:51.159 --> 00:10:51.719 He says, 00:10:51.720 --> 00:11:10.960 Paul's emphasis here is on their oneness, 00:11:11.040 --> 00:11:13.840 their oneness of mind, oneness of heart, oneness of unity. 00:11:13.840 --> 00:11:14.399 And he says, 00:11:15.019 --> 00:11:17.100 Don't be fighting against one another. 00:11:17.320 --> 00:11:18.720 It's not me against you. 00:11:19.060 --> 00:11:20.700 I want you to be standing next to each other, 00:11:20.820 --> 00:11:24.580 shoulder to shoulder, united for the cause of Christ. 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:26.860 He appeals to them to be one. 00:11:27.399 --> 00:11:29.500 Look at chapter 2, verse 1 and 2. 00:11:29.620 --> 00:11:29.960 He says, 00:11:29.960 --> 00:11:32.080 If there's any encouragement in Christ, 00:11:32.460 --> 00:11:35.519 any comfort from love or participation in the Spirit, 00:11:36.080 --> 00:11:39.340 complete my joy by being of the same mind, 00:11:39.780 --> 00:11:40.980 having the same love, 00:11:41.379 --> 00:11:43.740 being in full accord and of one mind. 00:11:44.220 --> 00:11:44.680 So he says, 00:11:44.879 --> 00:11:46.340 My dear brothers and sisters, 00:11:46.879 --> 00:11:51.160 I long to hear that you are unified and one 00:11:51.160 --> 00:11:53.340 in the way that you are operating together. 00:11:53.639 --> 00:11:55.400 Look at chapter 2, verse 14. 00:11:56.080 --> 00:11:56.540 He says, 00:11:56.540 --> 00:11:57.740 Brothers and sisters, 00:11:58.220 --> 00:11:59.879 do all things without grumbling. 00:12:00.320 --> 00:12:01.440 Without disputing. 00:12:01.820 --> 00:12:04.019 I know there's reason to have differences of opinions, 00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:06.379 but try and do things without grumbling 00:12:06.379 --> 00:12:07.500 and disputing together. 00:12:08.420 --> 00:12:09.920 And then look at chapter 4. 00:12:10.040 --> 00:12:11.519 This is a very famous verse. 00:12:11.740 --> 00:12:13.920 In chapter 4, verse 2, he says this, 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:17.340 I urge Yodia and I urge Sintiki 00:12:17.340 --> 00:12:19.139 to agree in the Lord. 00:12:19.860 --> 00:12:21.680 Yes, I ask you, my true brother, 00:12:22.040 --> 00:12:23.360 to help these two women 00:12:23.360 --> 00:12:25.820 who have contended for the gospel at my side. 00:12:26.600 --> 00:12:27.820 Isn't that a remarkable thing? 00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:29.379 That for some reason, 00:12:29.379 --> 00:12:33.240 God decided to preserve for all time, 00:12:33.600 --> 00:12:35.460 for all cultures, 00:12:35.659 --> 00:12:38.500 for the rest of time on earth, 00:12:38.820 --> 00:12:41.659 these two ladies' names in the Bible 00:12:41.659 --> 00:12:43.460 who couldn't get along together 00:12:43.460 --> 00:12:44.480 and who are disagreeing. 00:12:44.480 --> 00:12:47.039 I'm so glad my name isn't in the Bible. 00:12:47.620 --> 00:12:48.060 I'm so glad my name isn't in Paul. 00:12:48.159 --> 00:12:50.100 Just Kevin and Theo, 00:12:50.200 --> 00:12:51.340 just sort yourselves out 00:12:51.340 --> 00:12:52.560 and get along better, right? 00:12:53.159 --> 00:12:54.080 And for all time, 00:12:54.159 --> 00:12:55.300 everybody's going to know 00:12:55.300 --> 00:12:56.659 these two guys. 00:12:56.659 --> 00:12:59.439 Paul writes, 00:12:59.439 --> 00:12:59.919 and he says, 00:13:00.319 --> 00:13:00.980 Dear ladies, 00:13:01.199 --> 00:13:02.639 I know you've worked with me. 00:13:03.199 --> 00:13:05.279 I urge you to see it out, 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:07.339 to be of one heart and one mind. 00:13:10.100 --> 00:13:12.399 Paul writes this very warm and loving letter 00:13:12.399 --> 00:13:13.120 to this church 00:13:13.120 --> 00:13:14.759 to help them deal with the divisions 00:13:14.759 --> 00:13:16.159 and to restore the peace 00:13:16.159 --> 00:13:18.240 and the goodwill amongst each other. 00:13:19.060 --> 00:13:20.440 Now, here's the question I want to ask you. 00:13:21.320 --> 00:13:23.440 Paul writes to encourage this unity. 00:13:23.820 --> 00:13:25.299 To what does he appeal? 00:13:25.879 --> 00:13:27.159 What is his argument? 00:13:27.399 --> 00:13:28.500 What is his flow? 00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:29.799 What is his reasoning 00:13:29.799 --> 00:13:31.560 that he gives them 00:13:31.560 --> 00:13:32.779 why they should be unified 00:13:32.779 --> 00:13:34.080 and why they should be humble 00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:36.240 and selfless 00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:37.519 and serving towards one another? 00:13:38.399 --> 00:13:40.240 What's his argument? 00:13:41.680 --> 00:13:42.779 Well, look at chapter 2, 00:13:42.840 --> 00:13:43.980 verse 3 and 4. 00:13:44.960 --> 00:13:45.440 Remarkably, 00:13:45.639 --> 00:13:47.259 Paul appeals to Christmas. 00:13:48.360 --> 00:13:49.940 He appeals to the Christmas story. 00:13:50.460 --> 00:13:51.820 Look at what he says here in verse 3. 00:13:51.940 --> 00:13:52.100 He says, 00:13:52.180 --> 00:13:53.879 Do nothing from selfish ambition 00:13:53.879 --> 00:13:55.300 or conceit, 00:13:55.600 --> 00:13:56.659 but in humility, 00:13:57.159 --> 00:13:58.500 consider one another's 00:13:58.500 --> 00:14:00.300 more significant than yourselves. 00:14:01.039 --> 00:14:01.300 Friends, 00:14:01.360 --> 00:14:02.899 imagine living in a world like that. 00:14:03.159 --> 00:14:04.899 Imagine living in a family 00:14:04.899 --> 00:14:05.560 or an office 00:14:05.560 --> 00:14:06.240 or a city 00:14:06.240 --> 00:14:07.720 in which everybody, 00:14:08.180 --> 00:14:10.080 the prevailing decision of our minds 00:14:10.080 --> 00:14:11.680 was not what's in it for me, 00:14:12.100 --> 00:14:13.960 not how can I advance my cause, 00:14:13.980 --> 00:14:15.879 but how can I advance your cause? 00:14:16.259 --> 00:14:17.600 How can I help you 00:14:17.600 --> 00:14:18.940 succeed in life? 00:14:19.800 --> 00:14:20.259 Verse 4, 00:14:20.740 --> 00:14:21.639 Let each of you look 00:14:21.639 --> 00:14:23.320 not only to his own interests, 00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:25.840 but also to the interests of others. 00:14:26.740 --> 00:14:28.220 That's a remarkable statement. 00:14:29.100 --> 00:14:30.480 Imagine we lived in a world like that 00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:31.639 where everybody thought, 00:14:32.039 --> 00:14:32.920 It's not about me, 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:34.539 it's about how can I serve your interests? 00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:36.120 Verse 5, 00:14:36.539 --> 00:14:38.120 The reason why I should adopt this 00:14:38.120 --> 00:14:40.039 is because this is the attitude of Christ. 00:14:40.379 --> 00:14:40.840 Verse 5, 00:14:41.200 --> 00:14:42.600 Adopt the same attitude 00:14:42.600 --> 00:14:45.620 as that of Christ Jesus. 00:14:46.139 --> 00:14:47.639 This is what Jesus was like 00:14:47.639 --> 00:14:48.680 and as followers of Jesus 00:14:48.680 --> 00:14:50.120 we are learning to become like him. 00:14:50.759 --> 00:14:51.360 Now Paul, 00:14:51.460 --> 00:14:52.100 what do you mean 00:14:52.100 --> 00:14:53.519 that this is what Jesus was like? 00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:54.720 Do you mean that 00:14:54.720 --> 00:14:56.259 when Jesus was arrested 00:14:56.259 --> 00:14:58.200 he didn't retaliate? 00:14:58.460 --> 00:14:59.200 Is that what you mean? 00:14:59.660 --> 00:15:00.540 Do you mean when Jesus 00:15:00.540 --> 00:15:02.960 was betrayed by Peter 00:15:02.960 --> 00:15:04.240 and denied him 00:15:04.240 --> 00:15:05.540 that you forgave him? 00:15:05.600 --> 00:15:06.460 Is that what you mean? 00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:07.320 Well, 00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:08.280 those things are coming 00:15:08.280 --> 00:15:10.259 but before Paul even gets there 00:15:10.259 --> 00:15:11.680 he starts off 00:15:11.680 --> 00:15:12.940 with the story of Christmas. 00:15:13.340 --> 00:15:14.379 Look at what he says here 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:15.160 in verse 6. 00:15:16.360 --> 00:15:17.440 For Jesus Christ 00:15:17.440 --> 00:15:18.780 who though he was 00:15:18.780 --> 00:15:20.060 in the form of God, 00:15:20.440 --> 00:15:21.000 now when it says 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:21.660 the form of God 00:15:21.660 --> 00:15:22.180 that doesn't mean 00:15:22.180 --> 00:15:23.400 he was like God. 00:15:23.820 --> 00:15:24.400 It doesn't mean 00:15:24.400 --> 00:15:26.180 he was similar to God. 00:15:26.379 --> 00:15:27.460 It means he was 00:15:27.460 --> 00:15:28.720 really and truly God. 00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:29.600 The NIV says 00:15:29.600 --> 00:15:31.200 by very nature God. 00:15:31.200 --> 00:15:32.860 So Jesus Christ 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:33.940 who though he was 00:15:33.940 --> 00:15:35.900 by very nature God 00:15:35.900 --> 00:15:38.700 did not count equality with God 00:15:38.700 --> 00:15:40.460 something to be grasped, 00:15:40.620 --> 00:15:41.780 something to be seized, 00:15:42.180 --> 00:15:43.720 something to be exploited 00:15:43.720 --> 00:15:45.060 for his own advantage. 00:15:45.520 --> 00:15:46.480 Remember Paul's writing 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:47.440 to Philippians here 00:15:47.440 --> 00:15:49.820 and he's encouraging them 00:15:49.820 --> 00:15:50.700 because they're tempted 00:15:50.700 --> 00:15:51.920 to look at life 00:15:51.920 --> 00:15:52.720 through the lens of 00:15:52.720 --> 00:15:53.700 what's in it for me. 00:15:54.120 --> 00:15:55.320 How can I make the most 00:15:55.320 --> 00:15:55.980 of my life? 00:15:56.300 --> 00:15:57.280 How can I make sure 00:15:57.280 --> 00:15:58.040 that I come out 00:15:58.040 --> 00:15:59.800 of this situation on top? 00:15:59.799 --> 00:16:01.240 How can I make sure 00:16:01.240 --> 00:16:02.259 that I don't suffer 00:16:02.259 --> 00:16:03.299 in the decisions 00:16:03.299 --> 00:16:03.879 that I make? 00:16:04.339 --> 00:16:05.000 And Paul writes 00:16:05.000 --> 00:16:05.459 and he says 00:16:05.459 --> 00:16:06.759 remember Jesus. 00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:08.759 Jesus was God 00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:10.639 and Jesus looked 00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:12.039 or approached life 00:16:12.039 --> 00:16:13.679 though he was equal to God, 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:15.079 though he was God, 00:16:15.439 --> 00:16:16.519 he didn't consider 00:16:16.519 --> 00:16:18.459 how he can grasp 00:16:18.459 --> 00:16:19.240 or seize 00:16:19.240 --> 00:16:20.699 or make the most 00:16:20.699 --> 00:16:22.219 of his godness. 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:24.379 He didn't hold on 00:16:24.379 --> 00:16:25.319 to or take advantage 00:16:25.319 --> 00:16:25.859 of the fact 00:16:25.859 --> 00:16:26.620 that he is God, 00:16:27.259 --> 00:16:28.819 that which he is entitled to, 00:16:28.820 --> 00:16:30.020 that which was only 00:16:30.020 --> 00:16:31.040 fair and just. 00:16:31.260 --> 00:16:32.440 He didn't exploit that 00:16:32.440 --> 00:16:33.140 but rather, 00:16:33.400 --> 00:16:33.980 verse 7, 00:16:34.820 --> 00:16:36.040 he emptied himself. 00:16:38.140 --> 00:16:39.540 He emptied himself. 00:16:40.980 --> 00:16:41.660 The word empty 00:16:41.660 --> 00:16:42.200 doesn't mean 00:16:42.200 --> 00:16:44.020 he was no longer God. 00:16:44.620 --> 00:16:46.740 It means he deprived himself 00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:47.320 of something 00:16:47.320 --> 00:16:48.640 that he was entitled to. 00:16:49.180 --> 00:16:50.360 Jesus didn't stop 00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:51.440 being God or divine 00:16:51.440 --> 00:16:52.680 when he was born to Mary 00:16:52.680 --> 00:16:53.840 or lying in the manger 00:16:53.840 --> 00:16:55.080 outside of Bethlehem, 00:16:55.420 --> 00:16:56.640 but he put aside 00:16:56.640 --> 00:16:58.200 his glory and his rights 00:16:58.200 --> 00:16:59.580 that intrinsically came 00:16:59.580 --> 00:17:00.520 with being God. 00:17:01.340 --> 00:17:02.040 Remember the wonderful 00:17:02.040 --> 00:17:02.940 Christmas carol? 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:04.539 Mild he lays 00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:05.660 his glory by, 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:06.960 born that man 00:17:06.960 --> 00:17:08.559 no more may die. 00:17:09.059 --> 00:17:10.140 And this is Paul's point. 00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:11.100 Jesus, 00:17:11.460 --> 00:17:12.640 in coming to us 00:17:12.640 --> 00:17:13.559 as a man, 00:17:14.180 --> 00:17:15.740 in taking on human form, 00:17:16.120 --> 00:17:17.259 he emptied himself. 00:17:17.400 --> 00:17:18.400 He lay aside 00:17:18.400 --> 00:17:19.140 his glory, 00:17:19.759 --> 00:17:20.680 taking the form 00:17:20.680 --> 00:17:21.539 of a servant 00:17:21.539 --> 00:17:23.340 born in the likeness 00:17:23.340 --> 00:17:24.120 of humanity. 00:17:25.299 --> 00:17:26.200 One theologian 00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:27.240 explained it like this. 00:17:27.240 --> 00:17:28.500 said equality 00:17:28.500 --> 00:17:29.259 with God 00:17:29.259 --> 00:17:29.839 is something 00:17:29.839 --> 00:17:30.880 that was inherent 00:17:30.880 --> 00:17:31.640 to Christ 00:17:31.640 --> 00:17:32.539 before he became 00:17:32.539 --> 00:17:32.940 a man. 00:17:33.900 --> 00:17:34.279 Nevertheless, 00:17:35.120 --> 00:17:36.019 Godness, 00:17:36.559 --> 00:17:37.480 the fact that 00:17:37.480 --> 00:17:38.259 Jesus was God 00:17:38.259 --> 00:17:39.099 didn't mean 00:17:39.099 --> 00:17:39.620 that Christ 00:17:39.620 --> 00:17:40.960 was a grasping, 00:17:41.220 --> 00:17:42.079 seizing being 00:17:42.079 --> 00:17:42.960 as it would 00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:43.579 for the gods 00:17:43.579 --> 00:17:44.200 and the lords 00:17:44.200 --> 00:17:45.779 of the Philippians world. 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:47.339 It was not something 00:17:47.339 --> 00:17:48.680 to be seized upon 00:17:48.680 --> 00:17:49.799 to his own advantage, 00:17:50.400 --> 00:17:51.059 which is what you 00:17:51.059 --> 00:17:51.920 would normally expect 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:53.039 from lordly powers. 00:17:53.599 --> 00:17:54.099 Rather, 00:17:54.480 --> 00:17:55.200 his equality 00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:56.019 with God 00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:56.900 found its 00:17:56.900 --> 00:17:57.980 truest expression 00:17:57.980 --> 00:17:59.420 when he emptied 00:17:59.420 --> 00:18:00.480 himself in his 00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:01.019 incarnation, 00:18:01.720 --> 00:18:02.600 becoming a man. 00:18:03.400 --> 00:18:03.680 Friends, 00:18:03.759 --> 00:18:04.100 think of, 00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:05.440 the last couple of weeks 00:18:05.440 --> 00:18:05.940 we've been looking 00:18:05.940 --> 00:18:06.940 at the book of Revelation, 00:18:07.160 --> 00:18:07.420 right? 00:18:07.779 --> 00:18:08.980 And think of the 00:18:08.980 --> 00:18:10.039 emperors in the time 00:18:10.039 --> 00:18:10.720 of the Revelation. 00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:11.460 Domitian, 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:12.779 one of the things, 00:18:12.880 --> 00:18:13.840 the laws he passed 00:18:13.840 --> 00:18:14.600 was that when he 00:18:14.600 --> 00:18:15.539 comes into town, 00:18:15.980 --> 00:18:17.160 everybody must say, 00:18:17.460 --> 00:18:18.420 Domitian is lord, 00:18:18.600 --> 00:18:19.600 Domitian is god. 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:20.860 Think of, 00:18:20.940 --> 00:18:21.440 when the emperor 00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:22.059 goes past, 00:18:22.059 --> 00:18:23.519 everybody bows down 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:24.319 and worships him. 00:18:24.799 --> 00:18:26.039 The lords of that day 00:18:26.039 --> 00:18:27.179 demanded that you 00:18:27.179 --> 00:18:27.720 serve them, 00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:28.559 you honor them, 00:18:28.639 --> 00:18:29.419 you exalt them, 00:18:29.619 --> 00:18:30.679 you lift them up 00:18:30.679 --> 00:18:31.700 and you humble yourself 00:18:31.700 --> 00:18:32.440 before them. 00:18:33.220 --> 00:18:34.419 But what does Jesus do? 00:18:35.399 --> 00:18:37.000 Jesus doesn't exalt himself, 00:18:37.159 --> 00:18:38.359 he humbles himself, 00:18:39.279 --> 00:18:41.059 God becoming man. 00:18:42.159 --> 00:18:43.480 Jesus born in a manger 00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:45.339 with shepherds and cattle 00:18:45.339 --> 00:18:47.559 as his very first observers. 00:18:49.399 --> 00:18:49.720 Friends, 00:18:49.839 --> 00:18:50.759 do you know the feeling, 00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:52.359 what it feels like 00:18:52.359 --> 00:18:54.079 when somebody has been 00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:55.759 condescending towards you. 00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:56.879 Do you know what the word 00:18:56.879 --> 00:18:57.740 condescending means? 00:18:58.259 --> 00:18:59.059 Condescending means 00:18:59.059 --> 00:19:00.420 when somebody treats you 00:19:00.420 --> 00:19:02.740 smaller or less worthy 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:03.460 than you deserve. 00:19:03.940 --> 00:19:05.640 Somebody speaks down at you. 00:19:06.059 --> 00:19:06.859 Maybe you feel like 00:19:06.859 --> 00:19:07.960 somebody's speaking to you 00:19:07.960 --> 00:19:08.839 and they're treating you 00:19:08.839 --> 00:19:09.680 like a child. 00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:11.599 I had that recently. 00:19:11.920 --> 00:19:13.640 Somebody spoke to me 00:19:13.640 --> 00:19:14.900 and I wanted to say, 00:19:15.319 --> 00:19:16.079 by the way, 00:19:16.140 --> 00:19:17.259 I'm not three years old, 00:19:17.319 --> 00:19:17.559 right? 00:19:18.140 --> 00:19:19.119 I'm not a child. 00:19:19.119 --> 00:19:20.779 You can talk to me as a peer. 00:19:21.219 --> 00:19:21.939 Do you know that feeling 00:19:21.939 --> 00:19:22.639 when someone's been 00:19:22.639 --> 00:19:23.979 condescending towards you? 00:19:24.179 --> 00:19:25.619 They make you feel small 00:19:25.619 --> 00:19:26.379 or inferior 00:19:26.379 --> 00:19:27.379 or unworthy 00:19:27.379 --> 00:19:29.979 or they're disrespectful 00:19:29.979 --> 00:19:30.799 towards you. 00:19:32.879 --> 00:19:33.739 One of the words 00:19:33.739 --> 00:19:34.919 that Bible scholars use 00:19:34.919 --> 00:19:36.319 for Jesus coming to earth 00:19:36.319 --> 00:19:37.119 is his condescension. 00:19:39.199 --> 00:19:39.379 Friends, 00:19:39.399 --> 00:19:40.659 when Jesus was born as man, 00:19:40.739 --> 00:19:41.799 no one was condescending 00:19:41.799 --> 00:19:42.419 towards him. 00:19:42.420 --> 00:19:43.519 Jesus chose 00:19:43.519 --> 00:19:44.519 of his own free will 00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:45.920 to condescend, 00:19:46.080 --> 00:19:47.120 to be made smaller, 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:49.360 to come down 00:19:49.360 --> 00:19:50.700 to our level. 00:19:51.019 --> 00:19:52.120 Not because he had to 00:19:52.120 --> 00:19:53.279 but because he chose to. 00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:54.980 Or maybe think about 00:19:54.980 --> 00:19:55.820 what it feels like 00:19:55.820 --> 00:19:56.860 to be humiliated. 00:19:56.980 --> 00:19:58.320 Have you ever been humiliated? 00:19:59.539 --> 00:20:01.320 Treated shamefully 00:20:01.320 --> 00:20:02.320 or made to feel 00:20:02.320 --> 00:20:03.100 less worthy 00:20:03.100 --> 00:20:04.000 than you deserve? 00:20:05.019 --> 00:20:05.920 Look at what it says 00:20:05.920 --> 00:20:06.620 here in Philippians. 00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:06.980 It says, 00:20:07.160 --> 00:20:08.180 Jesus embraced 00:20:08.180 --> 00:20:09.120 his humiliation. 00:20:09.119 --> 00:20:11.219 He humbled himself 00:20:11.219 --> 00:20:12.819 taking on the form, 00:20:12.979 --> 00:20:13.759 there's our word again, 00:20:13.859 --> 00:20:14.759 of the very nature 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:15.459 of a servant. 00:20:16.859 --> 00:20:17.319 Friends, 00:20:17.359 --> 00:20:17.839 it's remarkable 00:20:17.839 --> 00:20:18.839 to think that the God 00:20:18.839 --> 00:20:19.839 who made all things, 00:20:19.919 --> 00:20:20.899 who brought everything 00:20:20.899 --> 00:20:21.659 into existence, 00:20:22.199 --> 00:20:23.219 the one who thought 00:20:23.219 --> 00:20:24.719 of the molecular structure 00:20:24.719 --> 00:20:25.939 that the wood 00:20:25.939 --> 00:20:27.619 by which the manger 00:20:27.619 --> 00:20:28.479 is created, 00:20:29.239 --> 00:20:30.259 in which he's lying, 00:20:30.639 --> 00:20:31.859 the God who designed 00:20:31.859 --> 00:20:32.979 that and came up with that 00:20:32.979 --> 00:20:33.739 and thought of that 00:20:33.739 --> 00:20:34.500 in the first place, 00:20:34.939 --> 00:20:36.000 this sovereign, 00:20:36.179 --> 00:20:37.379 majestic God, 00:20:37.719 --> 00:20:38.339 the divine, 00:20:38.339 --> 00:20:40.019 infinitely glorious God 00:20:40.019 --> 00:20:41.019 would become a baby, 00:20:41.679 --> 00:20:42.359 a crying, 00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:43.159 helpless, 00:20:43.419 --> 00:20:44.039 dependent, 00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:46.019 nursing baby. 00:20:46.799 --> 00:20:48.099 One Christmas carol 00:20:48.099 --> 00:20:49.480 said it like this, 00:20:49.619 --> 00:20:51.859 Behold within the manger lies 00:20:51.859 --> 00:20:53.480 the one who built 00:20:53.480 --> 00:20:54.919 the starry skies, 00:20:55.519 --> 00:20:56.500 the one who created 00:20:56.500 --> 00:20:57.459 all the universe, 00:20:58.279 --> 00:20:59.299 lying in a manger. 00:21:00.599 --> 00:21:01.740 And the reason why 00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:03.159 is because of his 00:21:03.159 --> 00:21:04.500 profound love for us, 00:21:05.179 --> 00:21:06.639 because of his love for us. 00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:07.839 And friends, 00:21:07.839 --> 00:21:09.019 this is the apostle Paul's 00:21:09.019 --> 00:21:09.439 encouragement. 00:21:09.699 --> 00:21:11.539 Let that soften our hearts. 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:12.899 Let that produce 00:21:12.899 --> 00:21:14.179 a gentleness, 00:21:14.299 --> 00:21:15.480 a humility in the way 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:16.359 that we deal with 00:21:16.359 --> 00:21:17.500 and handle one another 00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:19.139 and view our differences. 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:21.059 But that's not all. 00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:22.439 Look at what he says 00:21:22.439 --> 00:21:23.179 in verse 8. 00:21:24.019 --> 00:21:25.179 Jesus becoming a man, 00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:26.039 what would he do 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:26.879 with his humanity? 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:28.559 The fact that Jesus 00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:29.500 is now a human being, 00:21:29.579 --> 00:21:30.279 what would he do? 00:21:30.399 --> 00:21:31.740 Would he use his humanity 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:33.039 like a Trojan horse 00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:34.179 to crush his enemies? 00:21:34.639 --> 00:21:35.299 You know the story 00:21:35.299 --> 00:21:36.359 of the Trojan horse? 00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:39.000 Some men want to go 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:40.819 and attack the city of Troy, 00:21:40.919 --> 00:21:41.559 I think it is. 00:21:41.680 --> 00:21:42.139 Is that right? 00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:43.740 And they don't know 00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:44.579 how to get in there. 00:21:44.919 --> 00:21:45.680 And so they build 00:21:45.680 --> 00:21:47.180 this majestic horse 00:21:47.180 --> 00:21:48.539 and they come to 00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:49.319 the city of Troy 00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:49.879 and they say, 00:21:50.039 --> 00:21:51.279 we've got a present for you. 00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:52.359 We have built 00:21:52.359 --> 00:21:54.319 a horse in your honor. 00:21:54.700 --> 00:21:55.480 But they don't know 00:21:55.480 --> 00:21:57.319 that inside this wooden horse 00:21:57.319 --> 00:21:58.579 soldiers are hiding. 00:21:59.220 --> 00:22:00.039 And so the city of Troy 00:22:00.039 --> 00:22:01.079 opens its gates 00:22:01.079 --> 00:22:01.879 to welcome in 00:22:01.879 --> 00:22:03.339 this big majestic horse 00:22:03.339 --> 00:22:04.819 and as they wheel it 00:22:04.819 --> 00:22:06.119 into the city center, 00:22:06.539 --> 00:22:07.220 all the soldiers 00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:08.139 jump out the middle 00:22:08.139 --> 00:22:08.779 and they attack 00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:09.279 and they defeat 00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:10.679 the city of Troy, right? 00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:12.619 Is that what Jesus did? 00:22:12.720 --> 00:22:13.439 Did Jesus say, 00:22:13.859 --> 00:22:15.139 let me hide myself 00:22:15.139 --> 00:22:16.000 in a man 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:17.639 and then once I'm a man 00:22:17.639 --> 00:22:18.859 I will destroy my enemies. 00:22:20.179 --> 00:22:21.460 What did Jesus do 00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:22.559 when he became a man? 00:22:23.679 --> 00:22:25.220 Look at what verse 9 says. 00:22:25.359 --> 00:22:25.740 Verse 8. 00:22:26.619 --> 00:22:27.939 Being found in human form, 00:22:28.619 --> 00:22:29.939 he humbled himself further, 00:22:29.940 --> 00:22:31.480 becoming obedient 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:32.700 to the point of death, 00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:34.640 even death on a cross. 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:35.980 You see friends, 00:22:36.059 --> 00:22:36.920 the Christmas story 00:22:36.920 --> 00:22:37.740 doesn't end 00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:38.880 with three wise men 00:22:38.880 --> 00:22:40.240 bowing down on their knees 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:41.420 with gold and frankincense 00:22:41.420 --> 00:22:41.840 and myrrh. 00:22:42.360 --> 00:22:43.240 The Christmas story 00:22:43.240 --> 00:22:43.900 doesn't end 00:22:43.900 --> 00:22:44.720 with the wise men 00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:45.980 hearing that Herod 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:47.240 actually wants to kill Jesus 00:22:47.240 --> 00:22:48.360 and so they sneak off 00:22:48.360 --> 00:22:49.039 a different way. 00:22:49.580 --> 00:22:50.460 The Christmas story 00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:51.340 doesn't end 00:22:51.340 --> 00:22:52.860 with Joseph and Mary 00:22:52.860 --> 00:22:54.519 evading Herod 00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:55.820 by running off to Egypt. 00:22:56.460 --> 00:22:56.799 Friends, 00:22:56.840 --> 00:22:57.660 the Christmas story 00:22:57.660 --> 00:22:59.320 ends 30 years later 00:22:59.319 --> 00:23:01.319 with Jesus being nailed 00:23:01.319 --> 00:23:02.519 to a cross. 00:23:03.419 --> 00:23:04.179 Jesus dying 00:23:04.179 --> 00:23:05.200 and taking the sins 00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:05.740 of the world, 00:23:05.899 --> 00:23:07.119 your sin and my sin, 00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:08.740 my brokenness 00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:09.980 and my self-centeredness, 00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:11.259 my guilt 00:23:11.259 --> 00:23:12.179 and my shame, 00:23:12.879 --> 00:23:14.000 my self-glory 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:17.039 and my pride 00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:18.379 and my self-righteousness. 00:23:19.059 --> 00:23:20.079 Jesus took it 00:23:20.079 --> 00:23:20.980 upon the cross. 00:23:21.879 --> 00:23:23.500 Jesus took the very worst 00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:24.159 about me 00:23:24.159 --> 00:23:25.359 and he took it 00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:26.039 on the cross 00:23:26.039 --> 00:23:28.639 and there he cried out 00:23:28.639 --> 00:23:29.180 and he said 00:23:29.180 --> 00:23:29.960 of those that were 00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:30.579 hanging in there 00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:31.379 and he said of us, 00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:31.879 Father, 00:23:32.359 --> 00:23:33.099 forgive them. 00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:33.920 They know not 00:23:33.920 --> 00:23:34.559 what they do. 00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:35.639 Friends, 00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:36.920 Jesus took upon himself 00:23:36.920 --> 00:23:38.119 the sins of the world, 00:23:38.279 --> 00:23:38.879 your sin 00:23:38.879 --> 00:23:39.899 and my sin 00:23:39.899 --> 00:23:41.720 so that we can be forgiven, 00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:43.039 acquitted, 00:23:43.899 --> 00:23:44.480 set free. 00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:46.079 Jesus is in 00:23:46.079 --> 00:23:47.539 a magnificent love 00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:48.000 for us. 00:23:48.700 --> 00:23:49.579 The Christmas story 00:23:49.579 --> 00:23:50.159 ends with him 00:23:50.159 --> 00:23:51.180 dying on the cross. 00:23:51.819 --> 00:23:52.700 Only of Jesus 00:23:52.700 --> 00:23:53.399 can it be said 00:23:53.400 --> 00:23:54.740 the reason he was born, 00:23:54.860 --> 00:23:56.080 he was born in order 00:23:56.080 --> 00:23:57.080 that he may die. 00:23:57.800 --> 00:23:58.160 And friends, 00:23:58.240 --> 00:23:59.140 the degree to which 00:23:59.140 --> 00:24:00.000 we see that 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:01.259 and understand that 00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:03.259 and feel the graciousness 00:24:03.259 --> 00:24:04.040 and the kindness 00:24:04.040 --> 00:24:05.640 of Jesus towards us 00:24:05.640 --> 00:24:06.800 is the degree 00:24:06.800 --> 00:24:07.840 to which we will offer 00:24:07.840 --> 00:24:08.440 grace 00:24:08.440 --> 00:24:09.780 and compassion 00:24:09.780 --> 00:24:11.040 and tenderness 00:24:11.040 --> 00:24:12.180 to those around us 00:24:12.180 --> 00:24:13.420 when they hurt us 00:24:13.420 --> 00:24:14.759 and they let us down 00:24:14.759 --> 00:24:15.300 or when we have 00:24:15.300 --> 00:24:17.200 differences of opinions. 00:24:18.080 --> 00:24:19.120 Said another way, 00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:19.860 friends, 00:24:19.940 --> 00:24:20.820 the degree to which 00:24:20.820 --> 00:24:21.780 I have anger 00:24:21.779 --> 00:24:22.559 and bitterness 00:24:22.559 --> 00:24:23.799 and animosity 00:24:23.799 --> 00:24:24.460 in my heart 00:24:24.460 --> 00:24:25.139 is the degree 00:24:25.139 --> 00:24:26.819 to which I don't understand 00:24:26.819 --> 00:24:28.000 the kindness 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:29.119 and the grace of God 00:24:29.119 --> 00:24:29.819 towards me. 00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:32.759 Think about how 00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:33.700 Peter writes this 00:24:33.700 --> 00:24:34.359 in 1 Peter. 00:24:34.519 --> 00:24:35.059 He says, 00:24:35.319 --> 00:24:36.940 he says, 00:24:37.339 --> 00:24:38.139 bless those 00:24:38.139 --> 00:24:39.399 that persecute you. 00:24:40.319 --> 00:24:41.119 Pray for those 00:24:41.119 --> 00:24:42.240 that revile you. 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.379 When someone 00:24:43.379 --> 00:24:45.339 is evil towards you, 00:24:45.680 --> 00:24:47.079 don't be evil back. 00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:48.180 Pray for them 00:24:48.180 --> 00:24:49.099 and bless them 00:24:49.099 --> 00:24:49.940 and love them. 00:24:50.619 --> 00:24:51.660 And what's his reasoning? 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:52.720 What does he appeal to? 00:24:52.820 --> 00:24:54.040 Why should we do this? 00:24:54.840 --> 00:24:55.560 Look what he says 00:24:55.560 --> 00:24:56.320 in verse 18. 00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:57.980 For Christ suffered 00:24:57.980 --> 00:24:58.980 once and for all 00:24:58.980 --> 00:25:00.180 the righteous 00:25:00.180 --> 00:25:01.400 for the unrighteous 00:25:01.400 --> 00:25:02.420 that he might 00:25:02.420 --> 00:25:03.279 bring us to God. 00:25:03.779 --> 00:25:04.240 Friends, 00:25:04.320 --> 00:25:05.320 the reason that we can 00:25:05.320 --> 00:25:07.120 respond to antagonism 00:25:07.120 --> 00:25:07.759 with grace 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.460 and gentleness 00:25:08.460 --> 00:25:09.500 is because 00:25:09.500 --> 00:25:10.519 once upon a time 00:25:10.519 --> 00:25:11.560 Jesus responded 00:25:11.560 --> 00:25:12.820 to my antagonism 00:25:12.820 --> 00:25:13.560 towards him 00:25:13.560 --> 00:25:15.300 with unbelievable 00:25:15.300 --> 00:25:16.640 grace and tenderness 00:25:16.640 --> 00:25:18.120 hanging on the cross 00:25:18.120 --> 00:25:18.960 taking my sin 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:19.500 and my guilt 00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:20.420 for me 00:25:20.420 --> 00:25:21.300 so that I can 00:25:21.300 --> 00:25:22.080 be reconciled 00:25:22.080 --> 00:25:22.660 to the Father. 00:25:24.180 --> 00:25:25.380 I'm sure many of you 00:25:25.380 --> 00:25:26.220 saw this. 00:25:26.539 --> 00:25:27.500 In the last year, 00:25:27.779 --> 00:25:28.920 there was an amazing story 00:25:28.920 --> 00:25:30.140 that came out of the US. 00:25:30.940 --> 00:25:32.160 September last year, 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:33.039 September 2018, 00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:35.279 a young African-American man, 00:25:35.640 --> 00:25:36.860 he's 26 years old, 00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:39.019 he's sitting in his apartment block 00:25:39.019 --> 00:25:39.640 in Texas. 00:25:39.820 --> 00:25:41.259 He's watching TV one night 00:25:41.259 --> 00:25:44.359 and a white lady, 00:25:44.900 --> 00:25:46.079 an ex-police officer, 00:25:46.879 --> 00:25:48.339 comes in the apartment 00:25:48.339 --> 00:25:49.579 and shoots him dead. 00:25:51.140 --> 00:25:52.240 And what happened 00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:53.720 is that this lady 00:25:53.720 --> 00:25:54.740 has just come off duty, 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:55.700 she's tired, 00:25:56.519 --> 00:25:57.980 she's maybe worked all night, 00:25:58.900 --> 00:25:59.960 she comes in the apartment 00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:00.819 and she thinks 00:26:00.819 --> 00:26:01.900 she's on the fourth floor 00:26:01.900 --> 00:26:02.920 of the apartment block 00:26:02.920 --> 00:26:03.539 but she's actually 00:26:03.539 --> 00:26:04.359 on the third floor. 00:26:05.140 --> 00:26:06.220 And so she goes to the door, 00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:06.900 she's surprised 00:26:06.900 --> 00:26:07.879 that it's not locked, 00:26:08.359 --> 00:26:09.039 she walks in 00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:10.059 and she sees this man 00:26:10.059 --> 00:26:10.720 in her house 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:11.700 and she thinks 00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:12.460 he's a burglar. 00:26:13.180 --> 00:26:14.180 And so her first instinct, 00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:15.159 she reaches for a gun 00:26:15.159 --> 00:26:16.220 and she shoots him dead. 00:26:17.099 --> 00:26:18.599 And as she sees 00:26:18.599 --> 00:26:19.119 what's happened, 00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:19.960 she looks around 00:26:19.960 --> 00:26:20.759 and she realizes 00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:22.159 she's not in her apartment, 00:26:22.859 --> 00:26:23.420 she's actually 00:26:23.420 --> 00:26:24.339 in his apartment. 00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:26.379 And so she's just killed 00:26:26.379 --> 00:26:27.259 this innocent man. 00:26:28.259 --> 00:26:30.740 And she's panicking, 00:26:30.879 --> 00:26:31.759 she phones 911 00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:33.579 while he's busy dying, 00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:34.599 she tries to get 00:26:34.599 --> 00:26:35.559 an ambulance there 00:26:35.559 --> 00:26:36.779 and the ambulance 00:26:36.779 --> 00:26:37.619 doesn't come in time 00:26:37.619 --> 00:26:38.500 and before the ambulance 00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:39.000 gets there, 00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:39.899 this man dies. 00:26:40.639 --> 00:26:40.980 Anyway, 00:26:41.539 --> 00:26:42.940 she's obviously guilty, 00:26:43.079 --> 00:26:44.299 she hands herself in 00:26:44.299 --> 00:26:46.559 and she goes on trial 00:26:46.559 --> 00:26:47.420 and she's sentenced, 00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:48.720 she's convicted 00:26:48.720 --> 00:26:49.539 of manslaughter. 00:26:51.119 --> 00:26:52.639 And before she's sentenced, 00:26:53.259 --> 00:26:53.899 there is a thing 00:26:53.899 --> 00:26:55.399 called a victim impact statement 00:26:55.399 --> 00:26:56.039 which means 00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:56.940 one of the victims, 00:26:57.099 --> 00:26:58.079 someone who's been affected 00:26:58.079 --> 00:26:58.899 by the crime, 00:26:59.460 --> 00:27:01.099 can speak to the jury 00:27:01.099 --> 00:27:02.279 about how this crime 00:27:02.279 --> 00:27:03.220 has affected them 00:27:03.220 --> 00:27:04.980 so that the jury 00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:06.619 can give an adequate sentencing. 00:27:07.299 --> 00:27:08.720 And so the victim's brother, 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:09.680 this young man, 00:27:09.779 --> 00:27:10.559 he's 23, 00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:11.500 24 years old, 00:27:11.940 --> 00:27:13.079 he makes this victim 00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:13.860 impact statement 00:27:13.860 --> 00:27:14.460 and he goes 00:27:14.460 --> 00:27:15.039 and he's standing 00:27:15.039 --> 00:27:15.559 in the dock 00:27:15.559 --> 00:27:17.039 to speak about 00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:17.960 how this crime 00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:19.140 has affected him 00:27:19.140 --> 00:27:20.440 and how he thinks, 00:27:20.700 --> 00:27:20.900 you know, 00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:22.380 traditionally how the jury 00:27:22.380 --> 00:27:24.360 should ramp up the charges 00:27:24.360 --> 00:27:25.140 and the sentencing. 00:27:26.299 --> 00:27:28.380 And this young man, 00:27:28.860 --> 00:27:29.740 he doesn't speak 00:27:29.740 --> 00:27:30.460 for very long 00:27:30.460 --> 00:27:32.200 but he takes the stand 00:27:32.200 --> 00:27:33.880 and this is what he says. 00:27:33.880 --> 00:27:35.920 he looks across the room 00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:37.000 at this police officer 00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:38.100 that's killed his brother 00:27:38.100 --> 00:27:39.900 and he says, 00:27:40.040 --> 00:27:41.260 if you are truly sorry, 00:27:41.500 --> 00:27:42.340 I want you to know 00:27:42.340 --> 00:27:43.220 that I forgive you. 00:27:44.220 --> 00:27:45.700 I can't speak for others 00:27:45.700 --> 00:27:47.060 but speaking for myself, 00:27:47.440 --> 00:27:48.220 I want you to know 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:49.300 that I still love you 00:27:49.300 --> 00:27:50.020 just the way 00:27:50.020 --> 00:27:51.100 I love any other person. 00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:53.580 I do not hope 00:27:53.580 --> 00:27:54.780 that you rot and die 00:27:54.780 --> 00:27:56.380 like my brother died. 00:27:57.120 --> 00:27:57.820 Right now, 00:27:57.900 --> 00:27:59.300 I want the very best for you. 00:27:59.299 --> 00:28:01.680 He says, 00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:02.659 I wasn't going to say this 00:28:02.659 --> 00:28:03.819 in front of anybody else. 00:28:04.680 --> 00:28:05.839 I don't want to see you 00:28:05.839 --> 00:28:06.539 going to jail. 00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:07.960 In fact, 00:28:08.019 --> 00:28:09.440 I want the very best for you 00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:10.299 because that's what, 00:28:10.500 --> 00:28:11.899 I know that's exactly 00:28:11.899 --> 00:28:13.039 what my brother Botham 00:28:13.039 --> 00:28:13.799 would want for you. 00:28:14.519 --> 00:28:15.839 I think giving your life 00:28:15.839 --> 00:28:16.339 to Christ 00:28:16.339 --> 00:28:17.519 would be the very best thing 00:28:17.519 --> 00:28:18.819 that Botham 00:28:18.819 --> 00:28:19.700 would want you to do. 00:28:20.980 --> 00:28:22.119 He looks her in the eye 00:28:22.119 --> 00:28:22.680 and he says, 00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:24.480 I love you as a person 00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:25.299 and I don't wish 00:28:25.299 --> 00:28:26.099 for anything bad 00:28:26.099 --> 00:28:26.960 to happen to you. 00:28:26.960 --> 00:28:29.279 And then he turns 00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:29.799 to the judge 00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:30.420 and he says, 00:28:30.700 --> 00:28:32.460 am I allowed to get up 00:28:32.460 --> 00:28:33.819 and give this lady a hug? 00:28:34.539 --> 00:28:35.340 And the judge 00:28:35.340 --> 00:28:36.200 doesn't know what to do. 00:28:36.299 --> 00:28:37.420 It's like unprecedented 00:28:37.420 --> 00:28:38.460 and breaking 00:28:38.460 --> 00:28:39.579 all sorts of conventions 00:28:39.579 --> 00:28:40.579 and so there's silence 00:28:40.579 --> 00:28:41.680 for a few moments 00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:43.480 and he asks her again 00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:44.220 and eventually the judge 00:28:44.220 --> 00:28:44.380 says, 00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:45.180 okay, you can. 00:28:45.860 --> 00:28:47.319 And this man gets up, 00:28:47.400 --> 00:28:48.700 walks across the courtroom 00:28:48.700 --> 00:28:50.019 to this lady 00:28:50.019 --> 00:28:51.980 and he gives her this hug 00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:52.460 and he says, 00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:53.259 there's no bitterness, 00:28:53.620 --> 00:28:54.400 all is forgiven. 00:28:55.200 --> 00:28:56.120 I'm so sorry 00:28:56.119 --> 00:28:56.899 that this has happened 00:28:56.899 --> 00:28:57.319 to you. 00:28:57.739 --> 00:28:58.639 And you can see 00:28:58.639 --> 00:28:59.239 on the video 00:28:59.239 --> 00:29:00.519 the judge pulling out 00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:01.079 some tissues 00:29:01.079 --> 00:29:02.819 and she's just crying 00:29:02.819 --> 00:29:03.939 at what she's witnessing 00:29:03.939 --> 00:29:04.619 before her. 00:29:05.459 --> 00:29:05.879 Now friends, 00:29:05.959 --> 00:29:07.000 what led to that? 00:29:07.799 --> 00:29:08.839 What motivated 00:29:08.839 --> 00:29:10.039 this young man to do it? 00:29:10.639 --> 00:29:11.699 When you see the video, 00:29:11.779 --> 00:29:12.779 he didn't have a script. 00:29:12.979 --> 00:29:14.259 He wasn't premeditated. 00:29:14.399 --> 00:29:15.239 He hadn't written out. 00:29:15.319 --> 00:29:16.399 He's just sitting there 00:29:16.399 --> 00:29:16.859 in the dark 00:29:16.859 --> 00:29:18.099 sharing from his heart. 00:29:18.779 --> 00:29:19.959 And what he says is, 00:29:20.239 --> 00:29:21.319 I don't want anything bad 00:29:21.319 --> 00:29:22.099 to happen for you. 00:29:22.419 --> 00:29:23.519 I want the best for you. 00:29:23.599 --> 00:29:24.199 I love you 00:29:24.200 --> 00:29:24.980 and I forgive you. 00:29:25.559 --> 00:29:27.120 What causes this young man 00:29:27.120 --> 00:29:27.819 to do this? 00:29:28.620 --> 00:29:29.019 Friends, 00:29:29.600 --> 00:29:30.600 it is that his heart 00:29:30.600 --> 00:29:31.580 had been so melted, 00:29:31.759 --> 00:29:32.500 so softened 00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:33.759 by the love of Christ 00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:34.420 towards him 00:29:34.420 --> 00:29:35.819 that he looks the person 00:29:35.819 --> 00:29:36.779 that killed his brother 00:29:36.779 --> 00:29:37.259 in the eye 00:29:37.259 --> 00:29:37.680 and he says, 00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:38.400 I love you 00:29:38.400 --> 00:29:39.539 and I want the best for you. 00:29:40.180 --> 00:29:40.480 Now, 00:29:41.000 --> 00:29:41.680 we may say, 00:29:42.080 --> 00:29:42.180 yeah, 00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:43.200 but if we just go around 00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:43.860 giving grace 00:29:43.860 --> 00:29:44.880 and forgiveness to everyone, 00:29:45.039 --> 00:29:45.819 where's justice? 00:29:46.380 --> 00:29:47.740 Where's the justice in that? 00:29:48.500 --> 00:29:49.559 Someone once said this, 00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:50.860 mercy and grace 00:29:50.860 --> 00:29:52.380 is like a stick of dynamite 00:29:52.380 --> 00:29:53.300 that brings down 00:29:53.300 --> 00:29:54.720 the walls of our hearts. 00:29:55.340 --> 00:29:55.560 Friends, 00:29:55.680 --> 00:29:56.380 mercy and grace 00:29:56.380 --> 00:29:57.600 don't deny justice, 00:29:58.000 --> 00:29:59.440 but they do rid our hearts 00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:00.160 of the anger, 00:30:00.320 --> 00:30:01.000 of the resentment, 00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:01.900 of the bitterness, 00:30:02.340 --> 00:30:03.180 of the hardness 00:30:03.180 --> 00:30:04.600 that causes disagreements 00:30:04.600 --> 00:30:05.880 and differences of opinions 00:30:05.880 --> 00:30:07.160 to become divisive 00:30:07.160 --> 00:30:08.020 and damaging. 00:30:08.700 --> 00:30:09.080 Friends, 00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:10.580 Jesus Christ on the cross, 00:30:10.680 --> 00:30:12.340 we see mercy and justice. 00:30:12.920 --> 00:30:14.600 Justice because the full weight 00:30:14.600 --> 00:30:15.360 of my sin 00:30:15.360 --> 00:30:15.900 and your sin 00:30:15.900 --> 00:30:16.640 was put upon him. 00:30:17.160 --> 00:30:18.900 Justice because the full wrath 00:30:18.900 --> 00:30:19.980 and the anger of God 00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:21.040 was poured out on him. 00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:22.899 justice because none of it 00:30:22.899 --> 00:30:24.039 was swept under the carpet. 00:30:24.659 --> 00:30:25.859 Every evil thing 00:30:25.859 --> 00:30:26.299 that was done, 00:30:26.420 --> 00:30:27.480 every bit of wrong 00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:28.420 that was done in the world, 00:30:28.559 --> 00:30:30.220 every bit of pain 00:30:30.220 --> 00:30:31.359 and wickedness 00:30:31.359 --> 00:30:33.059 was fully dealt with, 00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:35.180 fully punished on the cross. 00:30:35.980 --> 00:30:36.740 But on the cross, 00:30:36.839 --> 00:30:38.859 we also see extravagant mercy 00:30:38.859 --> 00:30:40.359 because on the cross, 00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:40.899 God, 00:30:41.059 --> 00:30:42.039 there Jesus died 00:30:42.039 --> 00:30:42.639 in our place 00:30:42.639 --> 00:30:44.180 to take our sin for us 00:30:44.180 --> 00:30:45.579 so that we don't need to. 00:30:46.339 --> 00:30:46.779 Friends, 00:30:46.879 --> 00:30:47.759 where there's division 00:30:47.759 --> 00:30:48.420 and disagreement 00:30:48.420 --> 00:30:49.720 in the church in Philippi, 00:30:49.720 --> 00:30:51.400 where brothers and sisters 00:30:51.400 --> 00:30:52.779 can't see eye to eye 00:30:52.779 --> 00:30:54.100 and adults couldn't, 00:30:54.180 --> 00:30:55.579 young adults couldn't see eye to eye 00:30:55.579 --> 00:30:56.259 with their parents. 00:30:56.880 --> 00:30:57.779 Paul doesn't write to them 00:30:57.779 --> 00:30:57.980 and say, 00:30:58.079 --> 00:30:58.380 come on, 00:30:58.400 --> 00:30:59.220 you Christians now, 00:30:59.839 --> 00:31:00.759 sort yourselves out. 00:31:01.500 --> 00:31:02.519 You should be better. 00:31:03.420 --> 00:31:04.319 Paul doesn't write to them 00:31:04.319 --> 00:31:04.519 and say, 00:31:04.640 --> 00:31:05.240 listen here, 00:31:05.860 --> 00:31:08.039 .3, .2 of the membership document 00:31:08.039 --> 00:31:09.779 says you shouldn't disagree 00:31:09.779 --> 00:31:10.559 with one another. 00:31:11.360 --> 00:31:12.940 Now just pretend to get along. 00:31:13.680 --> 00:31:14.579 What does he do? 00:31:15.160 --> 00:31:16.279 He reminds them 00:31:16.279 --> 00:31:17.039 of the humility 00:31:17.039 --> 00:31:18.380 and the kindness of Jesus. 00:31:18.380 --> 00:31:19.500 He says, 00:31:19.600 --> 00:31:20.560 Dear brothers and sisters, 00:31:20.720 --> 00:31:22.380 do nothing from selfish ambition, 00:31:23.060 --> 00:31:24.160 but in humility 00:31:24.160 --> 00:31:24.880 count others 00:31:24.880 --> 00:31:25.640 more significant 00:31:25.640 --> 00:31:26.340 than yourselves. 00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:28.060 Lower yourself 00:31:28.060 --> 00:31:29.160 and lift others up. 00:31:29.960 --> 00:31:30.640 Let each of you 00:31:30.640 --> 00:31:31.680 look not only 00:31:31.680 --> 00:31:32.500 to his own interests 00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:33.660 but also to the interests 00:31:33.660 --> 00:31:34.200 of others. 00:31:34.980 --> 00:31:35.840 Remembering Jesus, 00:31:36.540 --> 00:31:38.060 remembering his condescension, 00:31:38.760 --> 00:31:40.180 remembering his humiliation, 00:31:40.860 --> 00:31:41.820 remember his coming 00:31:41.820 --> 00:31:42.720 to us at Christmas, 00:31:43.360 --> 00:31:44.700 remembering his crucifixion 00:31:44.700 --> 00:31:45.320 on the cross. 00:31:46.300 --> 00:31:46.580 Friends, 00:31:46.640 --> 00:31:46.960 this year, 00:31:47.060 --> 00:31:47.540 many of us 00:31:47.540 --> 00:31:47.940 are going to get 00:31:47.940 --> 00:31:48.759 Christmas cards 00:31:48.759 --> 00:31:49.820 that say words like 00:31:49.820 --> 00:31:50.900 love and peace 00:31:50.900 --> 00:31:52.299 and joy and hope 00:31:52.299 --> 00:31:54.039 and all these good things. 00:31:54.620 --> 00:31:55.299 Where do we get 00:31:55.299 --> 00:31:55.940 those words from? 00:31:56.680 --> 00:31:57.340 We get them 00:31:57.340 --> 00:31:58.120 from the stunning 00:31:58.120 --> 00:31:58.580 announcement 00:31:58.580 --> 00:31:59.380 of the angels. 00:31:59.940 --> 00:32:00.820 Glory to God 00:32:00.820 --> 00:32:01.400 in the highest 00:32:01.400 --> 00:32:02.180 and on earth, 00:32:02.680 --> 00:32:03.779 peace and goodwill 00:32:03.779 --> 00:32:04.640 to all mankind. 00:32:06.019 --> 00:32:06.420 Friends, 00:32:06.880 --> 00:32:07.700 because all this, 00:32:07.799 --> 00:32:08.880 because God decided 00:32:08.880 --> 00:32:09.960 to become one of us, 00:32:10.400 --> 00:32:11.720 to take on human form, 00:32:12.100 --> 00:32:13.759 to lay his glory aside, 00:32:13.920 --> 00:32:14.640 born that men 00:32:14.640 --> 00:32:15.720 no more need to die, 00:32:15.720 --> 00:32:16.720 and ultimately 00:32:16.720 --> 00:32:17.720 to go to the cross. 00:32:18.319 --> 00:32:18.700 Friends, 00:32:18.799 --> 00:32:19.519 this Christmas 00:32:19.519 --> 00:32:20.579 and this next year, 00:32:20.900 --> 00:32:22.059 with all the difficulties 00:32:22.059 --> 00:32:23.160 going on in our city, 00:32:23.880 --> 00:32:24.860 may the good news 00:32:24.860 --> 00:32:25.720 of great joy 00:32:25.720 --> 00:32:26.860 melt our hearts, 00:32:27.039 --> 00:32:28.299 bring down the walls, 00:32:28.759 --> 00:32:29.900 flood us with his grace, 00:32:29.980 --> 00:32:30.579 that we too 00:32:30.579 --> 00:32:31.460 can offer peace 00:32:31.460 --> 00:32:32.420 and joy 00:32:32.420 --> 00:32:33.519 and love 00:32:33.519 --> 00:32:34.500 and grace 00:32:34.500 --> 00:32:36.100 to those around us 00:32:36.100 --> 00:32:37.339 and those in our city. 00:32:37.900 --> 00:32:38.839 Let's pray together. 00:32:38.839 --> 00:32:38.939 Father, 00:32:39.939 --> 00:32:43.799 oh, heavenly Father, 00:32:43.939 --> 00:32:45.099 we so desperately 00:32:45.099 --> 00:32:46.480 need your gospel 00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:47.519 to come and take root 00:32:47.519 --> 00:32:48.119 in our hearts. 00:32:48.879 --> 00:32:49.359 Father, 00:32:49.419 --> 00:32:49.980 this Christmas, 00:32:50.119 --> 00:32:50.679 we don't just need 00:32:50.679 --> 00:32:51.319 to be told 00:32:51.319 --> 00:32:52.199 what to do 00:32:52.199 --> 00:32:55.319 or how to be nicer 00:32:55.319 --> 00:32:56.099 kind of people. 00:32:56.779 --> 00:32:57.039 God, 00:32:57.099 --> 00:32:58.139 we need the good news 00:32:58.139 --> 00:32:58.599 of Jesus 00:32:58.599 --> 00:33:00.599 to flood our hearts, 00:33:01.539 --> 00:33:03.039 to flood over us again. 00:33:03.179 --> 00:33:03.339 God, 00:33:03.379 --> 00:33:04.319 we need the kindness 00:33:04.319 --> 00:33:04.980 of God 00:33:04.980 --> 00:33:08.240 to melt our own hearts. 00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:08.500 God, 00:33:08.579 --> 00:33:09.799 to bring down the walls 00:33:09.799 --> 00:33:10.599 in our lives. 00:33:11.660 --> 00:33:12.019 Jesus, 00:33:12.140 --> 00:33:13.180 I pray this Christmas 00:33:13.180 --> 00:33:14.680 amongst all the festivities, 00:33:14.880 --> 00:33:15.819 amongst all the food, 00:33:16.559 --> 00:33:17.299 the presents, 00:33:17.599 --> 00:33:18.279 the meals, 00:33:19.059 --> 00:33:19.599 the hanging out 00:33:19.599 --> 00:33:20.299 with friends, 00:33:21.140 --> 00:33:21.400 God, 00:33:21.480 --> 00:33:22.039 may you, 00:33:22.420 --> 00:33:23.359 in the quiet place 00:33:23.359 --> 00:33:24.079 of our lives, 00:33:24.980 --> 00:33:25.420 may you, 00:33:25.500 --> 00:33:25.720 Jesus, 00:33:25.880 --> 00:33:26.640 reign supreme, 00:33:26.740 --> 00:33:27.140 we pray. 00:33:27.759 --> 00:33:28.779 We pray these things 00:33:28.779 --> 00:33:29.440 in your wonderful 00:33:29.440 --> 00:33:31.299 and your powerful name. 00:33:31.779 --> 00:33:32.099 Amen.