WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.120 There we go. One, two. Hello. Good morning, guys. Good morning. 00:00:05.719 --> 00:00:12.740 Before we get into the message this morning, I'd like to thank Brother Greg for stepping in and leading music for us this morning. 00:00:14.099 --> 00:00:17.600 I could have tried to do that, but that is a hard task to do. 00:00:17.699 --> 00:00:20.480 So, Greg, thank you so much for stepping in and doing that for us this morning. 00:00:20.719 --> 00:00:25.679 And to everybody who sang for us, especially Aubrey and Kennedy, you guys, thank you guys so much. 00:00:25.699 --> 00:00:28.660 That was beautiful. Can we give a round of applause for them? That was beautiful, guys. 00:00:28.660 --> 00:00:29.660 Thank you so much. 00:00:31.000 --> 00:00:38.240 Well, this morning, church, as we prepare ourselves to get into God's Word, I want to take time to pray. 00:00:38.480 --> 00:00:40.920 So let us go ahead and go to the Lord in prayer before we begin. 00:00:41.939 --> 00:00:43.700 Father, I thank you so much for this morning. 00:00:44.039 --> 00:00:50.179 Thank you for all of the bodies that are here in service and are in service online with us. 00:00:50.700 --> 00:00:52.480 God, thank you for them and for their ears to hear. 00:00:52.859 --> 00:00:56.799 I pray that you would just, as we go through the Word this morning through Isaiah 9, 00:00:56.799 --> 00:01:03.219 God, I just pray that you would just please open our hearts, open our minds, open our ears to hear your truth, 00:01:03.479 --> 00:01:07.439 whether it be in a way that needs to be heard again and again, 00:01:07.719 --> 00:01:10.019 or in a new way that needs to be heard for our hearts. 00:01:10.620 --> 00:01:15.979 God, I just pray that you would be glorified and magnified this morning as we dive in to Scripture. 00:01:15.980 --> 00:01:18.380 It's in Jesus' name I pray. Amen. Amen. 00:01:18.920 --> 00:01:25.000 Well, as I said, if you would not mind turning in your Bibles, hopefully you have your Bibles with you. 00:01:25.040 --> 00:01:28.159 If not, you have a phone, and there's plenty of apps you can get the Bible on. 00:01:28.159 --> 00:01:33.979 So, go to Isaiah 9, verse 6 for me, if you would. 00:01:35.560 --> 00:01:38.620 Well, now guys, for me, this is quite an honor to be able to preach like this. 00:01:38.819 --> 00:01:44.199 I have led camps. I've done this, that, and the other, but I've never had the chance to lead a Sunday morning. 00:01:44.599 --> 00:01:45.900 And so I'm grateful to be able to do this. 00:01:45.959 --> 00:01:50.159 I'm thankful to Pastor Sam for allowing me the privilege and honor to preach this morning. 00:01:50.159 --> 00:01:56.379 So, if you would not mind standing with me as you're able to, 00:01:56.920 --> 00:02:00.659 we will read Isaiah 9, verse 6. 00:02:00.780 --> 00:02:03.759 Let me turn this little guy on. That way we can get this. 00:02:03.879 --> 00:02:04.239 There we go. 00:02:05.379 --> 00:02:06.900 And let's read this together. It says, 00:02:06.900 --> 00:02:13.719 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, 00:02:14.319 --> 00:02:16.199 and the government shall be upon his shoulder, 00:02:16.199 --> 00:02:23.119 and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. 00:02:23.959 --> 00:02:25.519 Amen. Amen to that. 00:02:25.599 --> 00:02:27.319 That's a beautiful thing. You may be seated. 00:02:27.560 --> 00:02:28.019 You may be seated. 00:02:28.799 --> 00:02:33.459 That's a beautiful thing to hear this morning in a world of uncertainty and darkness, 00:02:33.919 --> 00:02:36.979 knowing that there's a very certain truth that we can hold on to. 00:02:38.419 --> 00:02:41.579 And not to beat around the bush, because I totally could just spend all day 00:02:41.579 --> 00:02:43.780 trying to tease people on, 00:02:44.219 --> 00:02:46.060 Who is this Messiah? Who is this person? 00:02:46.199 --> 00:02:47.399 It's Jesus, obviously. 00:02:48.719 --> 00:02:50.519 So, I'll get right down to it. 00:02:50.679 --> 00:02:52.339 This is kind of some of our main points here. 00:02:52.919 --> 00:02:55.879 Jesus is the child born to be obedient to God, 00:02:56.579 --> 00:02:59.099 for us, when we couldn't be. 00:02:59.899 --> 00:03:03.099 Jesus is the preexistent son given to us, 00:03:03.579 --> 00:03:05.339 as a ransom for us. 00:03:05.959 --> 00:03:08.519 Jesus is the king of all kings, 00:03:09.019 --> 00:03:11.280 as his kingdom is a never-ending rule, 00:03:11.280 --> 00:03:16.219 which will bring peace and joy and order to an unruly and wicked reality. 00:03:16.640 --> 00:03:17.780 Do you see that in this life? 00:03:17.920 --> 00:03:22.719 Do you see the world's really wicked, unruly, just chaotic all the times? 00:03:23.300 --> 00:03:24.639 Do you see that in your own personal life? 00:03:25.180 --> 00:03:26.879 Sometimes life is chaotic. 00:03:27.000 --> 00:03:28.960 There's just turmoil and tumult in your life. 00:03:28.960 --> 00:03:33.099 He's not just king of all governments. 00:03:33.580 --> 00:03:36.820 He's king of your attempt at an empire, too. 00:03:37.719 --> 00:03:38.659 Don't try to build your own empire. 00:03:38.760 --> 00:03:39.560 That's free. 00:03:39.640 --> 00:03:40.219 That wasn't a sermon. 00:03:40.260 --> 00:03:40.659 That's free. 00:03:40.980 --> 00:03:42.040 So you guys get that one for free. 00:03:42.580 --> 00:03:45.280 But then also, we see Jesus as this wonderful counselor, 00:03:45.420 --> 00:03:47.960 whose wisdom and divinity is beyond measure, 00:03:48.080 --> 00:03:50.120 and Jesus is the living hope of our souls, 00:03:50.540 --> 00:03:52.000 in a hopeless and sinful world. 00:03:52.000 --> 00:03:56.060 So the main, the takeaway, the main point is, 00:03:56.159 --> 00:03:58.719 Jesus is our trustworthy and wonderful counselor, 00:03:58.719 --> 00:04:01.860 and he is the living hope we turn to. 00:04:01.960 --> 00:04:03.379 That went weird when it came up there, 00:04:03.419 --> 00:04:05.199 but that is what we're focusing on this morning. 00:04:05.780 --> 00:04:07.960 Jesus is our trustworthy and wonderful counselor, 00:04:07.960 --> 00:04:11.340 and he is the living hope we turn to. 00:04:12.020 --> 00:04:13.340 So there's some main points I put up there. 00:04:13.400 --> 00:04:15.620 If you're a note taker, you can definitely take those notes there. 00:04:15.819 --> 00:04:18.740 If you're not, please feel free just to kind of pour over that. 00:04:19.040 --> 00:04:21.560 This morning, we're looking at a child is born. 00:04:21.860 --> 00:04:22.819 That means the son of man. 00:04:23.360 --> 00:04:25.100 Child is given to us, son of God. 00:04:25.620 --> 00:04:27.459 Government shall be upon his shoulders, king of kings. 00:04:27.920 --> 00:04:30.360 He is called a wonderful counselor and living hope. 00:04:31.759 --> 00:04:35.160 So let's go ahead and dive into that first point, the son of man. 00:04:35.199 --> 00:04:38.939 I'll leave this up here for you so you can kind of piecemeal through that as you will. 00:04:39.500 --> 00:04:40.480 So the son of man. 00:04:40.959 --> 00:04:46.639 Now, I've been known in my preaching to kind of focus heavily on individual words. 00:04:47.579 --> 00:04:51.220 I had this really weird belief that words matter a lot. 00:04:51.560 --> 00:04:53.379 Nobody laughed. 00:04:53.459 --> 00:04:53.759 Gentastic. 00:04:53.980 --> 00:04:57.079 But I had this feeling that words matter a lot, and we use words to communicate. 00:04:57.339 --> 00:05:00.620 And when you use a wrong word in a sentence, it means completely different things. 00:05:00.720 --> 00:05:01.819 I watched this video the other day. 00:05:02.160 --> 00:05:05.160 This one lady, she was really angry at this guy, and she said, 00:05:05.160 --> 00:05:08.000 Listen, I don't know what you're trying to excavate here. 00:05:10.400 --> 00:05:12.400 Honey, excavate's not the right word to use there. 00:05:12.480 --> 00:05:14.040 I think you're trying to say, I don't know what you're trying to say. 00:05:14.200 --> 00:05:16.680 She used a really weird, I don't know what she was trying to even say, honestly. 00:05:17.080 --> 00:05:17.920 She just was really mad. 00:05:17.920 --> 00:05:21.939 And sometimes anger gets the better of you, and you use a word that's completely out of left field. 00:05:22.600 --> 00:05:24.040 So for me, words are really important. 00:05:24.460 --> 00:05:26.240 And you can even ask Wade Pierce. 00:05:26.480 --> 00:05:30.720 I went to one Bible study with him, and we chose, there was one word in this Hebrews we were going through, 00:05:30.780 --> 00:05:32.080 and I just stuck. 00:05:32.180 --> 00:05:33.300 I just get stuck on words. 00:05:33.740 --> 00:05:35.759 Words are big and important for us. 00:05:35.759 --> 00:05:40.180 So when Isaiah tells us in Isaiah 9, 6, his very first thing he says is, 00:05:40.439 --> 00:05:46.159 For us, for to us a child is born, and to us a son is given. 00:05:47.039 --> 00:05:49.180 Born and given are two totally different things. 00:05:50.259 --> 00:05:54.980 You can give birth, some of us in the room can, but you can give birth, 00:05:55.539 --> 00:06:00.079 but you can't just out of nowhere just give a son. 00:06:00.599 --> 00:06:02.920 No, a son is born, a son is given. 00:06:03.000 --> 00:06:03.899 Those are two different things. 00:06:03.899 --> 00:06:11.039 So the statement for to us a child is born is a statement of humanity. 00:06:11.500 --> 00:06:13.079 It's a statement of humanity. 00:06:14.459 --> 00:06:18.179 This means that the child that is born, that Isaiah is prophesying about, 00:06:18.679 --> 00:06:21.919 will be fully man, will be just like a man. 00:06:23.139 --> 00:06:27.859 We also know that this, from Isaiah, just a few little bit later, I think, in Isaiah, 00:06:28.159 --> 00:06:29.939 you'll see that he says, 00:06:29.939 --> 00:06:33.759 A virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel. 00:06:33.899 --> 00:06:37.620 Which means, most of us know, means God with us. 00:06:38.079 --> 00:06:39.079 It means God with us. 00:06:39.539 --> 00:06:41.819 But in my study for this, I was kind of, you know, thinking about this. 00:06:42.079 --> 00:06:43.399 They didn't call Jesus Immanuel. 00:06:43.939 --> 00:06:46.539 Like when Jesus was born, he wasn't called Immanuel. 00:06:47.179 --> 00:06:47.779 So why? 00:06:48.279 --> 00:06:50.239 That was, that's something that kind of confused me for a little bit. 00:06:50.319 --> 00:06:53.839 But in Jewish culture, names meant things. 00:06:53.839 --> 00:06:57.139 And sometimes they were just, they were titles given to people. 00:06:57.679 --> 00:07:01.919 And so an interesting point to make is that this name does not mean the coming Messiah's name 00:07:01.919 --> 00:07:03.859 is actually going to be Immanuel. 00:07:04.739 --> 00:07:08.699 It's rather pointing to a title or a characteristic of Jesus. 00:07:08.699 --> 00:07:15.659 So this title points us to Jesus, who truly is God with us. 00:07:16.519 --> 00:07:20.279 What better picture of God with us do we have than Jesus? 00:07:20.939 --> 00:07:21.439 None. 00:07:22.180 --> 00:07:24.159 Jesus is the incarnate Word. 00:07:24.300 --> 00:07:30.839 John 1.14 would tell us that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. 00:07:31.339 --> 00:07:31.599 Right? 00:07:31.600 --> 00:07:35.040 Literally God with us. 00:07:36.760 --> 00:07:39.740 Jesus lowered himself to be with us. 00:07:41.560 --> 00:07:46.560 And so there's many other titles that we see that are given to Jesus. 00:07:46.820 --> 00:07:51.600 But I'm just going to kind of focus on a few parts of Jesus here. 00:07:52.160 --> 00:07:56.320 So one thing about his humanity, being the Son of Man. 00:07:57.000 --> 00:07:58.360 That's the point that I wanted to get to there. 00:07:58.360 --> 00:08:01.220 The Son of Man, it's really kind of a weird statement, right? 00:08:01.600 --> 00:08:05.020 When you hear Son of Man, you probably just, you might, your first inclination is just think, 00:08:05.360 --> 00:08:07.680 yeah, he's the Son of Mankind, right? 00:08:07.700 --> 00:08:08.780 Like he's born to Mankind. 00:08:12.540 --> 00:08:17.200 Well, Son of Man means many things regarding Jesus. 00:08:19.260 --> 00:08:23.680 It means, one, he did have human nature, hardships in the world. 00:08:24.700 --> 00:08:26.480 He experienced physical limitations. 00:08:26.480 --> 00:08:28.160 This is part of that humanity point right there. 00:08:28.160 --> 00:08:32.879 He experienced physical limitations, emotions, temptations. 00:08:33.540 --> 00:08:35.000 Jesus became hungry. 00:08:37.279 --> 00:08:39.200 Jesus was betrayed. 00:08:39.840 --> 00:08:41.180 He has felt these pains. 00:08:42.180 --> 00:08:47.160 And his humanity, also, he is a perfect representation of what it means to be human. 00:08:47.980 --> 00:08:50.700 But then we also see another part about Jesus as a Son of Man. 00:08:51.840 --> 00:08:54.560 Mankind is subject to humility. 00:08:54.559 --> 00:08:57.239 Anybody ever been humbled up in here? 00:08:58.199 --> 00:08:59.500 That's what I'm talking about, okay? 00:08:59.579 --> 00:09:00.579 See, they're willing to admit it. 00:09:00.779 --> 00:09:02.479 I've been humbled many a times. 00:09:02.799 --> 00:09:03.739 Sometimes by my wife. 00:09:03.899 --> 00:09:04.879 But I've been humbled, okay? 00:09:06.339 --> 00:09:10.599 The Son of Man, and if you would, really quick with me, in Isaiah, turn to Isaiah 53. 00:09:10.600 --> 00:09:15.740 You can see this Son of Man that would become this Messiah, that would be this Messiah. 00:09:16.120 --> 00:09:19.220 He was subjugated to such great humility. 00:09:19.360 --> 00:09:21.540 It says this in Isaiah 53, verse 3. 00:09:22.879 --> 00:09:28.440 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. 00:09:28.920 --> 00:09:34.879 And as one from whom men hid their faces, he was despised and we esteemed him not. 00:09:34.879 --> 00:09:39.299 Verse 7 says, 00:09:39.399 --> 00:09:40.100 He was oppressed. 00:09:40.759 --> 00:09:44.200 He was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth. 00:09:44.840 --> 00:09:48.559 Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, 00:09:48.899 --> 00:09:50.779 so he opened not his mouth. 00:09:51.500 --> 00:09:53.439 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. 00:09:53.620 --> 00:09:57.899 And as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of living, 00:09:57.899 --> 00:10:01.459 stricken for the transgression of my people, 00:10:01.740 --> 00:10:05.539 and they made his grave with the wicked, with a rich man in his death, 00:10:06.299 --> 00:10:07.500 although he had done no violence. 00:10:09.240 --> 00:10:11.720 This Jesus was the Son of Man, 00:10:12.419 --> 00:10:16.539 was brought so low, so low. 00:10:18.840 --> 00:10:20.639 Humbled to such great depths, 00:10:21.100 --> 00:10:27.039 so as to be one who bore the griefs and the sicknesses and the trespasses of fellow man. 00:10:27.899 --> 00:10:35.799 Can you imagine the quote-unquote shame that would have been on Jesus? 00:10:36.480 --> 00:10:39.000 Like, think of what you're shameful of in your life. 00:10:39.079 --> 00:10:42.699 What sins have beset you, have sat on you for so long. 00:10:42.759 --> 00:10:43.779 They're still in you right now. 00:10:44.120 --> 00:10:47.379 Think about the fact that Jesus wore those sins for you. 00:10:48.059 --> 00:10:49.779 What things you are ashamed to talk about. 00:10:49.840 --> 00:10:51.679 What things you won't ever say to anybody. 00:10:52.720 --> 00:10:55.340 The Son of Man bore those sins. 00:10:55.340 --> 00:10:59.139 How low was our Redeemer brought? 00:11:00.200 --> 00:11:01.440 As low as we go. 00:11:02.080 --> 00:11:03.379 As low as we go. 00:11:04.840 --> 00:11:06.960 But then there's also this other part about the Son of Man. 00:11:07.759 --> 00:11:09.379 There are many sons of man. 00:11:09.860 --> 00:11:10.820 I'm a son of a man. 00:11:11.580 --> 00:11:13.220 But only one son of man. 00:11:13.860 --> 00:11:16.040 One singular son of man is Jesus. 00:11:16.200 --> 00:11:21.480 He is the supreme and ultimate example of what mankind was intended to be. 00:11:21.480 --> 00:11:24.100 He is the true and better Adam. 00:11:24.200 --> 00:11:27.240 He is holy as his Father is holy. 00:11:27.639 --> 00:11:29.600 He has kept all the commandments of God. 00:11:30.100 --> 00:11:34.820 He is totally obedient and loves the Father fully. 00:11:35.800 --> 00:11:37.740 We can't love God fully like that. 00:11:38.259 --> 00:11:38.820 We can't. 00:11:38.840 --> 00:11:40.680 Because if we did, we'd always be obedient all the time. 00:11:42.000 --> 00:11:43.159 I'm not obedient all the time. 00:11:43.180 --> 00:11:43.720 I know that. 00:11:45.820 --> 00:11:48.159 He is what man—Jesus is what man should have been. 00:11:48.159 --> 00:11:54.759 He is not the fulfillment only of the law, but also of mankind. 00:11:55.740 --> 00:11:59.659 He is where God's Word finds its fullest fulfillment. 00:12:03.059 --> 00:12:05.179 Only a perfect man could do such a thing as that. 00:12:05.240 --> 00:12:06.519 This true and better Adam. 00:12:06.519 --> 00:12:14.179 Now, as he is the Son of Man, he is fully flesh here, or in this moment right there. 00:12:15.600 --> 00:12:18.000 There's also another aspect of Jesus that we know of, right? 00:12:19.100 --> 00:12:21.779 So he is—he has his full humanity. 00:12:22.480 --> 00:12:24.699 He has his humility that he has gone through. 00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:26.059 But he has his deity. 00:12:27.620 --> 00:12:29.939 He is also Son of God. 00:12:29.940 --> 00:12:32.140 And it seems crazy. 00:12:32.200 --> 00:12:33.900 How do you pull us from this little text right here? 00:12:33.960 --> 00:12:36.300 This is just supposed to be about becoming Messiah, right? 00:12:36.380 --> 00:12:38.020 That's exactly where you pull us from. 00:12:38.860 --> 00:12:41.180 So the Son was born to us, fully man. 00:12:41.700 --> 00:12:43.540 The next part is a Son of God. 00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:46.560 A man given, a child given to us. 00:12:47.300 --> 00:12:53.680 See, the context or the kind of context of the word born is that he had to come into the world naturally. 00:12:54.679 --> 00:12:56.179 But John MacArthur would tell us this. 00:12:56.179 --> 00:12:59.139 If you know John MacArthur, what a wonderful person to study from. 00:12:59.419 --> 00:13:00.019 Wonderful person. 00:13:00.139 --> 00:13:04.299 I fully suggest you look into some of his stuff because he helped me a lot in this. 00:13:04.859 --> 00:13:13.879 But when we look at the word given, it points us not to the incarnation or the physical coming of Christ in flesh. 00:13:14.279 --> 00:13:19.179 It points us actually to the eternal and infinite nature of Christ's godhood. 00:13:19.179 --> 00:13:24.519 For one to be given, one must first already be. 00:13:25.719 --> 00:13:26.039 Right? 00:13:26.099 --> 00:13:28.679 Because before you're born, you're not pre-born. 00:13:29.620 --> 00:13:30.620 You're born. 00:13:32.359 --> 00:13:34.859 But to be given, you have to already exist. 00:13:35.559 --> 00:13:39.719 So Christ is the pre-existent Son given for mankind. 00:13:40.939 --> 00:13:45.459 Now this title, Son of God, does not necessarily mean God's Son as in his child. 00:13:45.519 --> 00:13:47.639 Like you have your children or they have their children. 00:13:47.639 --> 00:13:52.779 But rather, it actually kind of means something a little bit different. 00:13:52.879 --> 00:13:56.580 And I got this from a website called gotquestions.org. 00:13:56.639 --> 00:13:59.639 That sounds really, really sketchy. 00:14:00.399 --> 00:14:00.679 I know. 00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:02.899 But Got Questions is actually the guys who run it. 00:14:02.939 --> 00:14:03.399 They're awesome. 00:14:03.539 --> 00:14:06.080 They're theologically very, very rich. 00:14:06.199 --> 00:14:07.379 They have a strong orthodoxy. 00:14:08.059 --> 00:14:10.259 I'd suggest you look into them too if you're interested in this stuff. 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:15.580 But they said this about Jesus' godhood. 00:14:15.580 --> 00:14:20.759 Jesus is God's Son in that he was conceived in Mary by the Holy Spirit. 00:14:21.580 --> 00:14:22.660 Luke 1.35 declares, 00:14:22.900 --> 00:14:23.900 The angel answered, 00:14:24.860 --> 00:14:26.300 The Holy Spirit will come upon you, 00:14:26.639 --> 00:14:28.660 and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. 00:14:29.020 --> 00:14:31.840 So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. 00:14:32.620 --> 00:14:37.220 So to be the Son of God is to be of the same nature as God. 00:14:37.780 --> 00:14:39.860 The Son of God is of God. 00:14:39.860 --> 00:14:46.560 Now, the importance of this knowledge reminds us that while Jesus was made like us in flesh, 00:14:47.039 --> 00:14:49.620 he came and he was physically flesh like us, 00:14:50.180 --> 00:14:52.320 he was also without sin. 00:14:53.220 --> 00:14:53.600 Right? 00:14:53.820 --> 00:14:55.440 He is totally God. 00:14:56.039 --> 00:14:58.419 Jesus is the exact imprint of God. 00:14:58.419 --> 00:15:06.559 It is imperative that the Son born to us was also the Son given for us. 00:15:09.039 --> 00:15:14.599 Because a Savior, the only Savior we can have is a Savior that is a human and is God. 00:15:15.240 --> 00:15:18.699 One who has walked through the life and kept the commands of God, 00:15:19.399 --> 00:15:23.980 but was able to also satisfy God's wrath on our behalf. 00:15:23.980 --> 00:15:27.820 I know the thing that's kind of crazy about this as I was preparing this sermon, 00:15:28.220 --> 00:15:31.279 this doesn't feel like a Christmas sermon really, does it? 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:33.779 It doesn't feel like the, oh, we're going to talk about it. 00:15:34.379 --> 00:15:36.060 For me, this seems like a Christmas sermon. 00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:41.879 But the truth is, I think a lot of times we get caught up in the tradition of things. 00:15:41.940 --> 00:15:45.399 We follow along with what Christmas is supposed to feel like. 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:52.920 But listen, Joy's heard me talk about this a lot of times in the office. 00:15:52.919 --> 00:15:54.199 There she is. Joy knows about this. 00:15:54.279 --> 00:15:55.159 I've said this a lot of times in the office. 00:15:55.860 --> 00:15:57.559 Silent night wasn't very silent. 00:15:59.059 --> 00:16:01.579 Can you imagine a bunch of animals around you? 00:16:02.519 --> 00:16:03.579 Animals aren't quiet, are they? 00:16:03.939 --> 00:16:04.659 Are animals really quiet? 00:16:05.339 --> 00:16:07.139 No, see, I got, Chris is back there saying, no, they're not. 00:16:07.479 --> 00:16:08.419 Animals are not quiet. 00:16:09.339 --> 00:16:10.879 It's a stinky place in a barn. 00:16:12.219 --> 00:16:15.819 Let's get our minds away from what Christmas sermons are supposed to be. 00:16:15.860 --> 00:16:18.980 But let's look and see what Christmas entails. 00:16:18.980 --> 00:16:24.300 The Son of God must be also a Son of Man. 00:16:24.779 --> 00:16:29.659 And the Son of Man is more than able to bear the weight of our sins. 00:16:30.500 --> 00:16:31.860 That's the beauty of Christmas. 00:16:32.340 --> 00:16:37.560 Is that Christ came humbly into the world, lived humbly throughout the world, 00:16:37.800 --> 00:16:40.700 went to the cross humbly, died humbly, 00:16:40.840 --> 00:16:43.120 but he was full of God. 00:16:43.159 --> 00:16:43.960 He was fully God. 00:16:43.960 --> 00:16:48.900 Man, I, I, listen, I'm not a very humble guy. 00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:51.360 Humble brag, right? There you go. 00:16:51.900 --> 00:16:52.980 I'm not a very humble guy. 00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:55.100 But no, I'm not super humble. 00:16:55.940 --> 00:16:57.540 I could not handle what Jesus went through. 00:16:58.400 --> 00:17:00.840 All I know is that when my, when my, when my child, 00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:02.660 my little sweet two-year-old boy, John Luke, 00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:05.160 when he accidentally smacks me in the face with his hands 00:17:05.160 --> 00:17:07.039 because he's playing with his toys too much 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:09.420 and he smacks me in the face, I get mad. 00:17:09.420 --> 00:17:13.140 But this Jesus was silent before his shearer. 00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:14.620 It was like a sheep silent before his shearers. 00:17:15.039 --> 00:17:16.360 Did not say anything. 00:17:17.320 --> 00:17:21.039 This Jesus was so focused on his father's purpose. 00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:28.320 And that's what Christmas reminds, reminds us of. 00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:32.880 So we were here for to look to Jesus and remember who he is, 00:17:32.960 --> 00:17:33.840 what he's done. 00:17:34.380 --> 00:17:35.240 Why is it important? 00:17:36.560 --> 00:17:38.500 Son of Man can bear our weight of our sins. 00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:41.460 It means that he can bear the weight of the government upon his shoulders. 00:17:41.700 --> 00:17:43.799 And so to kind of be a little more lighthearted, 00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:47.059 whether you are a seasoned saint, 00:17:47.619 --> 00:17:48.960 whether you are a brand new believer, 00:17:49.460 --> 00:17:52.039 whether you are a questioning skeptic 00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:54.319 who has no affiliation with the church 00:17:54.319 --> 00:17:56.299 or doesn't, is just here because someone said, 00:17:56.460 --> 00:17:58.640 come along with me, you'll get free food after this. 00:17:59.019 --> 00:18:01.059 Whatever camp you're in, let me tell you, 00:18:01.099 --> 00:18:03.039 I know one thing we can all agree on is that 00:18:03.039 --> 00:18:08.359 you can't trust a politician further than you could throw their Porsche or Lamborghini. 00:18:09.119 --> 00:18:10.460 You can't, right? 00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:17.000 You also can't last long in politics if you tell the truth. 00:18:18.019 --> 00:18:19.099 It's the truth, right? 00:18:19.420 --> 00:18:20.359 That's the truth, right? 00:18:20.759 --> 00:18:22.859 And between the lobbyists, 00:18:23.059 --> 00:18:26.740 between the partisan or bipartisan or tripartisan or quadripartisan, 00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:28.059 whatever partisan we're at now, 00:18:28.240 --> 00:18:32.039 there's just so much confusion and unrest in the government. 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:33.899 There's so much confusion and unrest, 00:18:34.139 --> 00:18:35.960 not just in our nation, but in the world. 00:18:36.819 --> 00:18:39.139 There's confusion and unrest, not in the national, 00:18:39.639 --> 00:18:41.259 but in the state and the local governments. 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:44.859 There's so much just confusion. 00:18:45.619 --> 00:18:51.339 And then what happens when the government tries to get into moral issues? 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:55.259 That's even more dangerous because now we're being told, 00:18:56.179 --> 00:18:58.240 I mean, here's the reality of this. 00:18:58.539 --> 00:19:01.799 Every election we are faced with choosing between a rock and a hard place. 00:19:02.199 --> 00:19:02.759 We are. 00:19:02.959 --> 00:19:04.139 That's just the reality of things. 00:19:04.359 --> 00:19:05.959 Don't care which way you swing with that one. 00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:08.039 It's always a rock and a hard place for everybody. 00:19:08.940 --> 00:19:11.480 As Christians, it seems like we can't win these days. 00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:14.240 Right? 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:21.180 I mean, you might be voting for the Republican who's championing pro-life, 00:19:21.279 --> 00:19:22.200 the pro-life movement, 00:19:22.600 --> 00:19:28.420 but will not strike into law a statement saying that there will be no, 00:19:28.600 --> 00:19:30.840 that you will go to jail for premarital and extramarital sex. 00:19:30.839 --> 00:19:37.679 Or you're going to have a Democrat who's over here voting for 00:19:37.679 --> 00:19:41.419 or championing any number of things. 00:19:41.459 --> 00:19:45.619 It could be saying we're championing better health insurance and more medical, 00:19:45.919 --> 00:19:49.359 but they're also championing us damaging our children. 00:19:50.599 --> 00:19:52.500 You're never going to get a perfect candidate. 00:19:52.619 --> 00:19:55.480 We're always in a rock and a hard place with that. 00:19:55.480 --> 00:20:01.240 But thankfully, someday, 00:20:02.120 --> 00:20:05.900 there will come a day when the government will not rest in the hands of men. 00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:06.160 Amen? 00:20:07.160 --> 00:20:07.559 Amen. 00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:13.380 The government will solely and squarely land on the shoulders of the King of Kings. 00:20:14.539 --> 00:20:18.539 There will be no power greater than the rule of Jesus in the land. 00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:22.380 And John MacArthur says this about the son born and given to us. 00:20:22.380 --> 00:20:22.740 He says, 00:20:23.520 --> 00:20:25.580 The government will rest on his shoulders. 00:20:27.600 --> 00:20:29.540 And that looks beyond the first Christmas 00:20:29.540 --> 00:20:33.060 to a time still in the prophetic future 00:20:33.060 --> 00:20:38.120 when Christ shall reign over a literal, earthly, geopolitical kingdom. 00:20:39.540 --> 00:20:41.460 All the governments of the world will be under him. 00:20:41.940 --> 00:20:42.820 In that day, 00:20:43.860 --> 00:20:46.800 the government of the whole world will rest on his shoulders. 00:20:46.799 --> 00:20:51.960 And he will reign as sovereign over a worldwide kingdom of righteousness and peace. 00:20:53.099 --> 00:20:54.059 But in the meantime, 00:20:54.940 --> 00:20:56.839 his government operates in secret. 00:20:57.980 --> 00:21:00.259 His kingdom and sovereign rule are manifest within those 00:21:00.259 --> 00:21:03.259 who trust in him and are called his people. 00:21:04.019 --> 00:21:04.879 So right now, 00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:06.700 we are God's kingdom on the earth. 00:21:06.819 --> 00:21:10.700 We are seeking to push the kingdom out to all corners of the world 00:21:10.700 --> 00:21:14.000 because we want to bring that same rule and reign of Christ 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:15.139 in the hearts of many. 00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:17.200 We want all to know Jesus 00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:18.480 and to come and know his peace, 00:21:18.800 --> 00:21:19.440 his rest, 00:21:19.900 --> 00:21:21.660 have true living hope in Christ. 00:21:24.360 --> 00:21:28.440 On that day when Christ is ruler over the earth physically here, 00:21:29.180 --> 00:21:30.060 there will be no hunger, 00:21:30.460 --> 00:21:30.920 no famine, 00:21:31.040 --> 00:21:31.640 no thirst, 00:21:32.100 --> 00:21:33.500 no physical need not met. 00:21:34.420 --> 00:21:37.320 There will be no hardship or unrest due to not agreeing with the king. 00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:41.159 For our king will rule justly and mercifully. 00:21:41.659 --> 00:21:42.220 And then, 00:21:42.359 --> 00:21:43.879 all who are in that kingdom 00:21:43.879 --> 00:21:46.399 will be of one mind. 00:21:46.619 --> 00:21:47.659 That is the mind of Christ. 00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:50.859 There will finally be unity, 00:21:51.399 --> 00:21:52.619 not only in the world, 00:21:53.059 --> 00:21:54.339 but in the church. 00:21:55.659 --> 00:21:56.779 There's a lot of times that 00:21:56.779 --> 00:21:58.259 I have, 00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:59.519 my wife can attest to this. 00:21:59.579 --> 00:22:00.379 She was a pastor's kid. 00:22:00.419 --> 00:22:01.779 She's seen a lot of hardships in churches. 00:22:01.779 --> 00:22:03.359 I've seen a lot of hardships in some churches. 00:22:03.940 --> 00:22:05.899 And there are times when 00:22:05.899 --> 00:22:09.039 from the most pettiest of fights, 00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:10.399 talking about, 00:22:10.619 --> 00:22:10.899 oh, well, 00:22:10.940 --> 00:22:11.960 that square carpet over there 00:22:11.960 --> 00:22:13.039 is not the same as that one 00:22:13.039 --> 00:22:14.460 because you used it from a different place 00:22:14.460 --> 00:22:15.200 from 1972. 00:22:16.539 --> 00:22:17.539 And there's also, 00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:20.559 there's also the disagreements of 00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:22.099 whatever else it may be. 00:22:22.379 --> 00:22:23.539 I don't like that Sunday school curriculum. 00:22:23.639 --> 00:22:24.099 I don't like this. 00:22:24.119 --> 00:22:24.720 I don't like that. 00:22:25.660 --> 00:22:26.579 Imagine a day 00:22:26.579 --> 00:22:29.100 when Christ the King comes 00:22:29.100 --> 00:22:29.920 and rules and reigns 00:22:29.920 --> 00:22:30.819 not only in our hearts, 00:22:30.839 --> 00:22:32.100 but physically before us. 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:34.680 And we have no more issues like that. 00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:36.600 We can look to Christ and just say, 00:22:37.500 --> 00:22:37.779 look, 00:22:38.519 --> 00:22:40.720 the music has all faded. 00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:42.460 All has been stripped away. 00:22:42.880 --> 00:22:44.339 And now we do simply come. 00:22:46.079 --> 00:22:46.980 Greg and I talked the other day 00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:48.019 about the song Heart of Worship 00:22:48.019 --> 00:22:50.100 and how beautiful that is. 00:22:50.140 --> 00:22:51.600 But imagine a day when truly 00:22:51.600 --> 00:22:53.539 all the hardships of the world 00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:54.240 are stripped away 00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:55.660 and we simply come 00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:56.460 to the feet of Jesus 00:22:56.460 --> 00:22:57.880 to worship and glorify Him. 00:22:58.700 --> 00:23:00.460 What a day of rejoicing that will be. 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:02.620 What a day of rejoicing that will be. 00:23:02.700 --> 00:23:03.740 I look forward to that. 00:23:05.519 --> 00:23:06.500 But until then, 00:23:06.900 --> 00:23:08.259 we as the church 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:09.460 are the kingdom here on earth 00:23:09.460 --> 00:23:11.559 seeking to grow the kingdom. 00:23:12.839 --> 00:23:13.880 But the beautiful thing is 00:23:13.880 --> 00:23:14.559 we don't do it alone. 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:15.799 We're not just here 00:23:15.799 --> 00:23:17.279 as foot soldiers 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:18.819 and our commander's not just 00:23:18.819 --> 00:23:19.680 somewhere back in the tent 00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:20.359 not doing nothing. 00:23:21.799 --> 00:23:23.359 Our commander is here with us. 00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:26.059 He is our wonderful counselor 00:23:26.059 --> 00:23:27.120 guiding us. 00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:28.680 So that takes me 00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:29.420 to this next point. 00:23:29.799 --> 00:23:30.660 Hopefully I got that there. 00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:31.960 There's the king of kings 00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:33.019 and we got wonderful counselor. 00:23:35.599 --> 00:23:37.160 I'm going to butcher this word 00:23:37.160 --> 00:23:37.559 really bad 00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:38.599 because I don't speak Hebrew yet. 00:23:39.599 --> 00:23:40.960 But the Hebrew word is, 00:23:41.039 --> 00:23:41.420 I believe, 00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:41.940 Pele, 00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:42.779 I believe. 00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:43.920 Correct me if anybody 00:23:43.920 --> 00:23:44.400 who speaks 00:23:44.400 --> 00:23:46.460 biblical Hebrew. 00:23:46.460 --> 00:23:47.960 But the word Pele 00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:48.840 is used in describing 00:23:48.840 --> 00:23:49.440 something 00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:51.720 that is beyond 00:23:51.720 --> 00:23:52.620 the capabilities of man. 00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:54.660 And that word Pele 00:23:54.660 --> 00:23:55.559 is only ever used 00:23:55.559 --> 00:23:56.120 in describing 00:23:56.120 --> 00:23:57.660 the things God has done. 00:23:58.319 --> 00:23:59.100 It's never used 00:23:59.100 --> 00:23:59.940 for human accomplishments 00:23:59.940 --> 00:24:00.480 or deeds. 00:24:01.840 --> 00:24:02.840 So in Isaiah, 00:24:03.840 --> 00:24:04.799 Isaiah calls him 00:24:04.799 --> 00:24:06.720 the wonderful counselor. 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:08.319 And the word Pele 00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:09.779 means wonderful. 00:24:09.779 --> 00:24:12.759 So those words together 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:13.500 that's used 00:24:13.500 --> 00:24:15.139 in this text here 00:24:15.139 --> 00:24:15.940 in Isaiah 9-6, 00:24:16.039 --> 00:24:17.839 it's used towards Christ. 00:24:18.619 --> 00:24:19.740 This Pele counselor, 00:24:19.960 --> 00:24:21.339 this one who is above 00:24:21.339 --> 00:24:21.759 and beyond 00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:23.579 anything man could do. 00:24:27.779 --> 00:24:28.519 In other words, 00:24:28.599 --> 00:24:29.460 Jesus is wonderful 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:30.119 in a way 00:24:30.119 --> 00:24:31.759 that we cannot comprehend 00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:32.359 and it completely 00:24:32.359 --> 00:24:33.299 will blow our minds. 00:24:33.299 --> 00:24:35.359 Here's some of the many things 00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:36.099 that the wonderful counselor 00:24:36.099 --> 00:24:37.359 would do 00:24:37.359 --> 00:24:38.379 nearly 800 years 00:24:38.379 --> 00:24:39.220 after Isaiah 00:24:39.220 --> 00:24:40.299 prophesied 00:24:40.299 --> 00:24:41.339 the coming Messiah, 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:42.539 after Isaiah's prophecies. 00:24:44.059 --> 00:24:44.539 So, 00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:45.539 Jesus fulfilled 00:24:45.539 --> 00:24:47.059 the wonderfulness 00:24:47.059 --> 00:24:48.079 in many ways. 00:24:48.619 --> 00:24:49.259 He was on the, 00:24:49.359 --> 00:24:49.980 when he was on the earth, 00:24:50.240 --> 00:24:51.379 began with his conception, 00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:52.379 the womb of the virgin. 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:54.000 Jesus showed 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:54.919 how wonderful he was 00:24:54.919 --> 00:24:56.180 and his powers to heal. 00:24:57.379 --> 00:24:58.559 His amazing teachings, 00:24:58.680 --> 00:24:59.720 his perfect life he lived, 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:00.960 his resurrection 00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:01.599 from the dead, 00:25:02.379 --> 00:25:03.279 taught many wonderful things. 00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:03.920 that are totally 00:25:03.920 --> 00:25:04.559 counterintuitive 00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:05.519 to the human mind. 00:25:07.019 --> 00:25:07.599 Like he said, 00:25:07.680 --> 00:25:08.299 blessed are those 00:25:08.299 --> 00:25:09.079 who mourn. 00:25:10.139 --> 00:25:11.059 Doesn't feel very blessed 00:25:11.059 --> 00:25:12.099 to mourn things. 00:25:13.059 --> 00:25:13.799 Rejoice and be glad 00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:14.339 in persecution. 00:25:15.399 --> 00:25:15.940 I don't know about you, 00:25:15.980 --> 00:25:16.539 but I've never been, 00:25:17.379 --> 00:25:18.279 not always been super happy 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:19.180 about being persecuted 00:25:19.180 --> 00:25:20.259 and talked bad about. 00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:21.779 Love your enemies 00:25:21.779 --> 00:25:22.420 and do good to those 00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:22.899 who hate you. 00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:23.859 Now, that's the hardest one. 00:25:24.339 --> 00:25:26.220 That's the hardest one. 00:25:26.639 --> 00:25:27.319 I don't know about you, 00:25:27.399 --> 00:25:28.539 but man, 00:25:28.619 --> 00:25:29.339 sometimes I swear, 00:25:30.019 --> 00:25:30.819 my son starts 00:25:30.819 --> 00:25:31.859 saying mean things to me, 00:25:31.859 --> 00:25:32.619 he called me big guy 00:25:32.619 --> 00:25:33.079 one time. 00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:36.019 Boy, I tell you, 00:25:36.059 --> 00:25:36.740 that hurt my heart 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:38.759 because I'm a big guy, 00:25:38.819 --> 00:25:39.019 you know, 00:25:39.019 --> 00:25:39.920 and so my son, 00:25:40.139 --> 00:25:41.279 I know where he comes up 00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:41.559 and he says, 00:25:41.779 --> 00:25:43.059 hey, big guy. 00:25:44.920 --> 00:25:45.440 Oh boy, 00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:46.119 I felt persecuted 00:25:46.119 --> 00:25:46.519 right there. 00:25:46.660 --> 00:25:47.039 No, I'm just kidding. 00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:49.180 No, but Jesus is, 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:50.859 Jesus kind of wonderful 00:25:50.859 --> 00:25:52.220 is awe-inspiring 00:25:52.220 --> 00:25:52.819 and superior 00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:53.859 to any other kind 00:25:53.859 --> 00:25:55.299 of wonderful things. 00:25:55.740 --> 00:25:56.500 You may say that, 00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:57.339 like the movie, 00:25:57.399 --> 00:25:58.339 It's a Wonderful Life, 00:25:58.339 --> 00:25:59.720 that's wonderful. 00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:01.699 Look at the wonderful, 00:26:02.079 --> 00:26:02.759 look at this wonderful, 00:26:03.199 --> 00:26:03.779 all these wonderful 00:26:03.779 --> 00:26:04.679 decorations we have. 00:26:04.939 --> 00:26:05.779 That's beautiful in here. 00:26:05.819 --> 00:26:06.240 I love it. 00:26:06.659 --> 00:26:07.759 Look at your wonderful faces. 00:26:08.779 --> 00:26:09.579 Jesus is superior 00:26:09.579 --> 00:26:10.599 to all of your faces, 00:26:10.899 --> 00:26:12.000 100% superior 00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:12.819 to all of your faces. 00:26:14.079 --> 00:26:15.359 The awe-inspiring nature 00:26:15.359 --> 00:26:16.359 of Jesus ought to 00:26:16.359 --> 00:26:17.179 at least provoke you 00:26:17.179 --> 00:26:17.599 to question, 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:19.500 who is this King of Glory 00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:21.159 that these scriptures 00:26:21.159 --> 00:26:21.859 talk about? 00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:23.459 Who is this King of Glory? 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.759 That's the least 00:26:24.759 --> 00:26:25.319 it should do. 00:26:26.620 --> 00:26:27.600 What it should be doing 00:26:27.600 --> 00:26:28.039 for you, though, 00:26:28.100 --> 00:26:29.220 is opening your eyes 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:29.840 to the amazing 00:26:29.840 --> 00:26:32.000 and unfathomable nature 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:33.840 of our King Jesus 00:26:33.840 --> 00:26:35.420 and of our God 00:26:35.420 --> 00:26:36.259 and of our God, 00:26:36.340 --> 00:26:37.340 our Father. 00:26:39.120 --> 00:26:40.059 And we should be filled 00:26:40.059 --> 00:26:40.799 with greater and greater 00:26:40.799 --> 00:26:41.759 adoration of God, 00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:42.660 our Savior. 00:26:44.420 --> 00:26:45.180 There's a line 00:26:45.180 --> 00:26:45.880 in one of our songs 00:26:45.880 --> 00:26:46.160 that says, 00:26:46.840 --> 00:26:48.240 Come and behold him, 00:26:48.340 --> 00:26:49.880 born the King of Angels. 00:26:50.440 --> 00:26:50.860 O come, 00:26:50.920 --> 00:26:51.640 let us adore him, 00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:53.019 Christ the Lord. 00:26:53.460 --> 00:26:54.700 And that's what we want to do. 00:26:55.299 --> 00:26:56.059 My hope this morning 00:26:56.059 --> 00:26:56.960 is that you walk away 00:26:56.960 --> 00:26:57.920 with a greater, 00:26:58.200 --> 00:26:59.100 deeper adoration 00:26:59.100 --> 00:27:00.620 for Christ the Savior. 00:27:01.220 --> 00:27:01.920 You've seen him 00:27:01.920 --> 00:27:02.779 as the Son of Man. 00:27:03.140 --> 00:27:03.600 You've seen him 00:27:03.600 --> 00:27:04.519 as the Son of God, 00:27:04.880 --> 00:27:05.579 his humanity, 00:27:05.880 --> 00:27:06.500 his humility, 00:27:06.880 --> 00:27:07.440 his deity. 00:27:08.200 --> 00:27:08.960 You've seen him 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:10.620 as this perfect representation 00:27:10.620 --> 00:27:12.539 of God on earth for us 00:27:12.539 --> 00:27:14.140 that we may see how to walk. 00:27:15.220 --> 00:27:16.460 You've seen that he someday 00:27:16.460 --> 00:27:17.880 will have his kingdom 00:27:17.880 --> 00:27:18.600 here on earth 00:27:18.600 --> 00:27:20.500 and we look forward to that 00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:21.840 when there's no more unrest 00:27:21.840 --> 00:27:23.220 and we look forward to it 00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:24.120 not just in a way like, 00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:24.740 Oh, I can't wait 00:27:24.740 --> 00:27:25.420 until it comes here. 00:27:25.900 --> 00:27:26.720 We look forward to it 00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:27.400 in a way in which 00:27:27.400 --> 00:27:28.839 we want to live like it now. 00:27:29.920 --> 00:27:30.700 Don't live 00:27:30.700 --> 00:27:32.100 as if the kingdom's coming. 00:27:33.059 --> 00:27:34.480 Live as if it were here now 00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:35.339 because it's in you 00:27:35.339 --> 00:27:35.900 if you're a believer. 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:37.019 If you were a believer 00:27:37.019 --> 00:27:37.420 this morning, 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:38.319 you had the kingdom of God 00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:38.759 in you. 00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:39.880 Live as though 00:27:39.880 --> 00:27:41.400 this is the kingdom now. 00:27:41.400 --> 00:27:47.560 So when we sing these songs 00:27:47.560 --> 00:27:48.600 at this time of the year, 00:27:48.700 --> 00:27:49.600 we have a lot of carols 00:27:49.600 --> 00:27:50.280 and things we sing. 00:27:51.400 --> 00:27:52.180 Don't let those things 00:27:52.180 --> 00:27:53.019 be empty words, 00:27:53.400 --> 00:27:54.240 empty and vain 00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:56.620 melodies from memory. 00:27:57.060 --> 00:27:57.860 Don't let them be that. 00:27:58.300 --> 00:27:59.400 Let them be genuine. 00:27:59.780 --> 00:28:00.720 We sang Joy to the World 00:28:00.720 --> 00:28:01.200 this morning 00:28:01.200 --> 00:28:02.940 and you could sing that song 00:28:02.940 --> 00:28:04.320 in any time of the year. 00:28:04.800 --> 00:28:05.380 Any time of the year. 00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:06.820 You could sing it at Easter. 00:28:07.420 --> 00:28:09.560 You could sing it on Black Friday. 00:28:09.559 --> 00:28:10.399 You could sing it 00:28:10.399 --> 00:28:11.079 any time of the year. 00:28:11.599 --> 00:28:12.139 Joy to the world 00:28:12.139 --> 00:28:12.960 the Lord has come. 00:28:13.379 --> 00:28:15.700 Let earth receive her king 00:28:15.700 --> 00:28:17.279 and let every heart 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:18.559 prepare for him room. 00:28:19.720 --> 00:28:20.859 Man, that's what we desire. 00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:21.879 We desire that every heart 00:28:21.879 --> 00:28:23.159 will prepare for him room 00:28:23.159 --> 00:28:24.399 for him to come in 00:28:24.399 --> 00:28:25.720 and make them whole 00:28:25.720 --> 00:28:27.119 as he's done for us 00:28:27.119 --> 00:28:27.700 who are in the Lord. 00:28:28.879 --> 00:28:30.159 So he's wonderful, 00:28:30.379 --> 00:28:31.720 superior above all things, 00:28:31.919 --> 00:28:33.139 but he's also a counselor. 00:28:35.059 --> 00:28:36.039 Anybody in high school 00:28:36.039 --> 00:28:36.720 ever go to their counselor 00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:37.639 because they were good kids 00:28:37.639 --> 00:28:38.259 to bad kids? 00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:40.619 Y'all scared to admit that? 00:28:40.679 --> 00:28:40.740 Yeah? 00:28:40.980 --> 00:28:41.179 No. 00:28:41.440 --> 00:28:41.919 I never, 00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:43.099 I went to the counselor one time 00:28:43.099 --> 00:28:44.460 because I told my counselor 00:28:44.460 --> 00:28:45.460 I needed to know about scholarships 00:28:45.460 --> 00:28:46.500 and it was too hard for me 00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:47.079 so I didn't do anything 00:28:47.079 --> 00:28:47.559 about scholarships. 00:28:48.179 --> 00:28:50.039 But in the Bible 00:28:50.039 --> 00:28:51.279 we see the word counselor. 00:28:52.599 --> 00:28:53.619 A counselor is portrayed 00:28:53.619 --> 00:28:55.259 as a wise king. 00:28:55.700 --> 00:28:56.960 So it's not just a common term 00:28:56.960 --> 00:28:57.839 just given to anybody. 00:28:58.960 --> 00:29:00.000 It's a term given to people 00:29:00.000 --> 00:29:01.539 who were like wise kings 00:29:01.539 --> 00:29:03.480 or very, very wise consultants 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:04.319 and advisors. 00:29:05.639 --> 00:29:06.619 In the Old Testament, 00:29:06.819 --> 00:29:08.179 a good example would have been 00:29:08.180 --> 00:29:10.120 Solomon. 00:29:10.960 --> 00:29:13.160 He was a wise counselor 00:29:13.160 --> 00:29:14.100 giving guidance 00:29:14.100 --> 00:29:14.920 and wise judgment 00:29:14.920 --> 00:29:15.600 for his people. 00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:17.519 And as it pertains 00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:18.400 to the Lord, 00:29:19.120 --> 00:29:19.779 Isaiah writes 00:29:19.779 --> 00:29:21.400 in Isaiah 28, 29, 00:29:21.799 --> 00:29:22.660 this also comes 00:29:22.660 --> 00:29:23.880 from the Lord of hosts. 00:29:23.880 --> 00:29:25.539 He is wonderful in counsel 00:29:25.539 --> 00:29:27.360 and excellent in wisdom. 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:30.180 Jesus, our Lord, 00:29:30.259 --> 00:29:32.120 gives very, very wise counsel. 00:29:32.119 --> 00:29:34.479 In fact, 00:29:34.779 --> 00:29:36.239 it's so wise 00:29:36.239 --> 00:29:38.179 that we base 00:29:38.179 --> 00:29:39.159 our entire living 00:29:39.159 --> 00:29:39.799 off of it. 00:29:40.879 --> 00:29:42.179 In 1 Peter 2, 21, 00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:42.719 it says this, 00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:43.039 it says, 00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:45.519 For to this you have been called 00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:47.079 because Christ also 00:29:47.079 --> 00:29:47.799 suffered for you, 00:29:48.399 --> 00:29:49.759 leaving you an example 00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:51.379 so that you might follow 00:29:51.379 --> 00:29:52.399 in his steps. 00:29:53.899 --> 00:29:55.000 And we need guidance 00:29:55.000 --> 00:29:55.559 in our lives. 00:29:56.039 --> 00:29:57.019 We need guidance 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:57.979 and we need leading 00:29:57.979 --> 00:29:59.759 or else we don't know 00:29:59.759 --> 00:30:00.479 what to do with our lives 00:30:00.480 --> 00:30:01.599 and how to do things in life. 00:30:02.920 --> 00:30:03.519 Those of you 00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:04.360 who are believers, 00:30:04.779 --> 00:30:06.759 before you came to Christ, 00:30:08.940 --> 00:30:09.460 life was, 00:30:12.059 --> 00:30:13.039 life may have been 00:30:13.039 --> 00:30:14.180 really easy for you, 00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:14.519 I don't know. 00:30:16.140 --> 00:30:17.400 But you're always wondering, 00:30:17.759 --> 00:30:19.579 what's next? 00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:20.579 How do I do this? 00:30:20.880 --> 00:30:21.980 Where do I get my ethics? 00:30:22.700 --> 00:30:23.940 I remember when I was younger, 00:30:24.880 --> 00:30:25.500 my dad, 00:30:26.180 --> 00:30:28.299 I was a very sensitive kid. 00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:30.000 Very sensitive kid. 00:30:30.480 --> 00:30:31.700 That was a nice way to say 00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:32.299 I cried a lot. 00:30:33.339 --> 00:30:33.819 But no, 00:30:33.839 --> 00:30:34.799 I was a very sensitive kid 00:30:34.799 --> 00:30:36.339 and my dad, 00:30:36.420 --> 00:30:36.839 I remember one day 00:30:36.839 --> 00:30:38.420 I was just broken over something. 00:30:38.519 --> 00:30:39.420 I must have failed a class 00:30:39.420 --> 00:30:40.099 or something like that 00:30:40.099 --> 00:30:40.579 in high school. 00:30:40.799 --> 00:30:43.920 And I was hiding in my room 00:30:43.920 --> 00:30:44.400 and closed the door 00:30:44.400 --> 00:30:45.480 and I was just weeping, 00:30:45.579 --> 00:30:46.740 just crying so hard. 00:30:46.839 --> 00:30:47.680 And so my dad came in 00:30:47.680 --> 00:30:50.039 and because of my failing 00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:50.640 of a class, 00:30:50.839 --> 00:30:51.299 I said, 00:30:51.400 --> 00:30:52.339 I'm never going to be a man. 00:30:52.680 --> 00:30:54.779 I'll never be a fully-fledged, 00:30:54.960 --> 00:30:56.819 strong man like my dad is. 00:30:57.279 --> 00:30:57.900 Because I'm not, 00:30:58.039 --> 00:30:59.019 I'm never going to be a man. 00:30:59.019 --> 00:31:00.180 My dad came in 00:31:00.180 --> 00:31:00.720 and told me 00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:01.879 what it meant to be a man. 00:31:02.700 --> 00:31:02.879 You know, 00:31:02.879 --> 00:31:03.500 strong, 00:31:03.960 --> 00:31:05.099 loving, 00:31:05.259 --> 00:31:05.980 kind person. 00:31:06.500 --> 00:31:08.019 And he said all great things. 00:31:09.460 --> 00:31:10.720 But it was devoid 00:31:10.720 --> 00:31:12.119 of Christ. 00:31:13.039 --> 00:31:13.980 It was devoid 00:31:13.980 --> 00:31:14.839 of Christ. 00:31:16.579 --> 00:31:17.119 And so 00:31:17.119 --> 00:31:18.559 the, 00:31:18.639 --> 00:31:19.200 the reason why 00:31:19.200 --> 00:31:19.839 I bring that up 00:31:19.839 --> 00:31:22.799 is my father 00:31:22.799 --> 00:31:23.680 is a great counselor. 00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:24.740 My father gives me 00:31:24.740 --> 00:31:25.599 a lot of great counsel. 00:31:25.599 --> 00:31:28.799 My father would not give me 00:31:28.799 --> 00:31:30.019 necessarily the counsel 00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:30.799 I needed to hear. 00:31:31.439 --> 00:31:32.059 What does it mean 00:31:32.059 --> 00:31:33.439 to be a man of the scriptures? 00:31:33.959 --> 00:31:34.579 A man of God? 00:31:38.599 --> 00:31:39.759 But when we turn our lives 00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:40.339 to Christ 00:31:40.339 --> 00:31:41.219 and we do what 00:31:41.219 --> 00:31:41.939 1 Peter 2, 00:31:42.079 --> 00:31:43.939 1 Peter 2.21 tells us, 00:31:44.619 --> 00:31:47.459 he's left us an example. 00:31:48.099 --> 00:31:49.119 He shows us how to live. 00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:51.259 We walk in that living. 00:31:51.259 --> 00:31:51.759 And 00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:56.640 he can advise his people 00:31:56.640 --> 00:31:57.299 very thoroughly 00:31:57.299 --> 00:31:59.559 because he knows our hearts 00:31:59.559 --> 00:32:01.079 and he knows 00:32:01.079 --> 00:32:02.480 everything we need to know. 00:32:03.140 --> 00:32:04.299 And he's very qualified 00:32:04.299 --> 00:32:04.859 for this too 00:32:04.859 --> 00:32:05.940 because he's walked 00:32:05.940 --> 00:32:07.039 the same life we have. 00:32:07.420 --> 00:32:07.680 Remember, 00:32:07.759 --> 00:32:08.539 he's been betrayed, 00:32:09.480 --> 00:32:09.839 hungry, 00:32:10.420 --> 00:32:10.740 thirsty. 00:32:13.339 --> 00:32:14.200 Maybe he's had 00:32:14.200 --> 00:32:15.079 some sort of 00:32:15.079 --> 00:32:15.960 questions about 00:32:15.960 --> 00:32:16.759 people 00:32:16.759 --> 00:32:19.500 because Jesus 00:32:19.500 --> 00:32:20.220 would sometimes 00:32:20.220 --> 00:32:21.500 limit his 00:32:21.500 --> 00:32:23.140 divinity 00:32:23.140 --> 00:32:24.579 so we could see 00:32:24.579 --> 00:32:25.660 that full humanity. 00:32:28.220 --> 00:32:28.940 In Christ 00:32:28.940 --> 00:32:29.339 is hidden 00:32:29.339 --> 00:32:29.940 all the treasures 00:32:29.940 --> 00:32:30.920 of wisdom and knowledge. 00:32:31.539 --> 00:32:32.740 That's from Colossians 2, 00:32:32.900 --> 00:32:33.400 3. 00:32:34.099 --> 00:32:34.700 And that includes 00:32:34.700 --> 00:32:36.019 all the knowledge 00:32:36.019 --> 00:32:36.660 of human nature. 00:32:38.680 --> 00:32:39.599 Jesus always knows 00:32:39.599 --> 00:32:40.259 what we're going through. 00:32:41.059 --> 00:32:41.779 He always knows 00:32:41.779 --> 00:32:42.599 the right course of action. 00:32:43.259 --> 00:32:44.579 He's our wonderful counselor. 00:32:45.519 --> 00:32:46.259 Beyond what we could 00:32:46.259 --> 00:32:46.799 ever imagine, 00:32:47.559 --> 00:32:48.140 wiser than we could 00:32:48.140 --> 00:32:48.599 ever be, 00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:50.319 we can trust him 00:32:50.319 --> 00:32:51.200 to hear us 00:32:51.200 --> 00:32:52.339 and lead us 00:32:52.339 --> 00:32:53.059 in the right way. 00:32:53.740 --> 00:32:54.920 We can turn to Jesus 00:32:54.920 --> 00:32:55.819 and hear him say 00:32:55.819 --> 00:32:56.819 to us in the scriptures 00:32:56.819 --> 00:32:57.900 so many times, 00:32:58.779 --> 00:33:00.420 do not be afraid. 00:33:02.039 --> 00:33:03.200 He always has 00:33:03.200 --> 00:33:03.859 our best interests 00:33:03.859 --> 00:33:04.240 at heart. 00:33:04.400 --> 00:33:05.160 Always has them. 00:33:05.920 --> 00:33:06.779 And even though 00:33:06.779 --> 00:33:07.259 we are told 00:33:07.259 --> 00:33:07.960 not to be afraid, 00:33:08.660 --> 00:33:09.759 when we are afraid, 00:33:10.119 --> 00:33:10.799 when we do 00:33:10.799 --> 00:33:12.119 struggle in our hearts 00:33:12.119 --> 00:33:13.319 to be confident 00:33:13.319 --> 00:33:13.920 in Christ, 00:33:13.920 --> 00:33:15.580 we can surely 00:33:15.580 --> 00:33:16.400 come to him 00:33:16.400 --> 00:33:17.980 with our prayers, 00:33:18.500 --> 00:33:19.060 our petitions, 00:33:19.060 --> 00:33:20.440 and he will meet us 00:33:20.440 --> 00:33:21.000 where we are. 00:33:22.300 --> 00:33:23.160 Because he's been there. 00:33:24.220 --> 00:33:24.980 He knows all things 00:33:24.980 --> 00:33:25.700 we've faced. 00:33:27.259 --> 00:33:28.000 And lastly, 00:33:28.160 --> 00:33:29.380 the most important part, 00:33:29.640 --> 00:33:29.980 I think, 00:33:30.120 --> 00:33:30.759 for the believer 00:33:30.759 --> 00:33:33.019 is he is our living hope. 00:33:34.080 --> 00:33:34.420 Now, 00:33:34.900 --> 00:33:36.019 I asked Greg 00:33:36.019 --> 00:33:36.500 if he would sing 00:33:36.500 --> 00:33:36.880 that song 00:33:36.880 --> 00:33:37.360 at the very end 00:33:37.360 --> 00:33:38.200 because it's very, 00:33:38.519 --> 00:33:39.120 very poignant 00:33:39.120 --> 00:33:39.720 for this moment. 00:33:40.380 --> 00:33:42.279 He is our living hope. 00:33:42.279 --> 00:33:42.319 hope. 00:33:44.000 --> 00:33:45.299 And when the world 00:33:45.299 --> 00:33:45.960 looks at hope, 00:33:46.519 --> 00:33:47.180 they say, 00:33:47.319 --> 00:33:47.539 you know, 00:33:47.899 --> 00:33:49.119 I hope the next iPhone 00:33:49.119 --> 00:33:49.779 doesn't have, 00:33:50.399 --> 00:33:51.240 or I hope the next iPhone 00:33:51.240 --> 00:33:52.279 has buttons on it 00:33:52.279 --> 00:33:53.899 because I sure wish 00:33:53.899 --> 00:33:54.660 the next iPhone 00:33:54.660 --> 00:33:55.359 would have buttons on it. 00:33:55.379 --> 00:33:55.920 I'm tired of just 00:33:55.920 --> 00:33:57.139 the full-on screen 00:33:57.139 --> 00:33:57.940 with no buttons. 00:33:58.200 --> 00:33:58.779 I miss the days 00:33:58.779 --> 00:33:59.480 of flip phones. 00:34:00.579 --> 00:34:01.539 The world may also say, 00:34:01.680 --> 00:34:02.899 I hope someday 00:34:02.899 --> 00:34:03.740 I find a wife. 00:34:04.139 --> 00:34:04.720 I hope someday 00:34:04.720 --> 00:34:05.399 I find a husband. 00:34:05.819 --> 00:34:06.379 I hope someday 00:34:06.379 --> 00:34:06.920 my husband actually 00:34:06.920 --> 00:34:07.579 takes the trash out 00:34:07.579 --> 00:34:08.420 without me saying anything. 00:34:08.840 --> 00:34:09.059 You know, 00:34:09.059 --> 00:34:10.980 the world says hope 00:34:10.980 --> 00:34:13.159 in such a meaningless way 00:34:13.159 --> 00:34:15.440 and their hope 00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:17.360 is so empty. 00:34:17.840 --> 00:34:19.239 There's no depth 00:34:19.239 --> 00:34:19.799 to the hope 00:34:19.799 --> 00:34:20.299 of the world. 00:34:22.539 --> 00:34:23.219 And so, 00:34:23.579 --> 00:34:24.519 when as Christians 00:34:24.519 --> 00:34:25.380 we look at this, 00:34:26.699 --> 00:34:27.239 we look at it 00:34:27.239 --> 00:34:27.900 in a much different way. 00:34:28.199 --> 00:34:28.759 But I'm getting ahead 00:34:28.759 --> 00:34:29.159 of myself. 00:34:30.199 --> 00:34:30.980 I want to kind of 00:34:30.980 --> 00:34:31.460 read a little thing 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:32.119 I wrote for you. 00:34:33.400 --> 00:34:34.199 Christmas time 00:34:34.199 --> 00:34:34.980 is a time of joy, 00:34:35.719 --> 00:34:36.460 a time of peace. 00:34:36.460 --> 00:34:38.380 And there may be 00:34:38.380 --> 00:34:39.539 very nostalgic feelings 00:34:39.539 --> 00:34:40.260 for some of us. 00:34:41.240 --> 00:34:41.980 Though it's usually 00:34:41.980 --> 00:34:42.400 really cold 00:34:42.400 --> 00:34:43.179 this time of the year, 00:34:43.760 --> 00:34:44.760 I, personally, 00:34:44.840 --> 00:34:45.360 am always filled 00:34:45.360 --> 00:34:46.340 with warm feelings. 00:34:47.420 --> 00:34:48.199 For most people, 00:34:48.280 --> 00:34:48.740 Christmas time 00:34:48.740 --> 00:34:49.659 is a feel-good season. 00:34:51.220 --> 00:34:52.079 But all too often 00:34:52.079 --> 00:34:52.619 we forget 00:34:52.619 --> 00:34:53.639 those who have 00:34:53.639 --> 00:34:54.760 suffered great pains 00:34:54.760 --> 00:34:55.460 and heartaches 00:34:55.460 --> 00:34:56.199 at this time of the year. 00:34:57.559 --> 00:34:58.380 It's easy 00:34:58.380 --> 00:35:01.960 to forget that. 00:35:03.760 --> 00:35:04.500 And these times 00:35:04.500 --> 00:35:04.820 of the year, 00:35:04.900 --> 00:35:05.820 it's either bittersweet 00:35:05.820 --> 00:35:06.720 or entirely bitter 00:35:06.720 --> 00:35:07.300 for many people 00:35:07.300 --> 00:35:08.019 across the nation, 00:35:08.660 --> 00:35:09.960 even in our congregation today. 00:35:11.140 --> 00:35:11.920 To know a few hardships, 00:35:12.039 --> 00:35:12.660 you may have faced 00:35:12.660 --> 00:35:14.300 loss of a loved one, 00:35:14.980 --> 00:35:16.080 destruction of a family 00:35:16.080 --> 00:35:16.700 entirely, 00:35:17.860 --> 00:35:18.740 the ruining of friendships 00:35:18.740 --> 00:35:19.460 and relationships, 00:35:20.340 --> 00:35:21.039 financial struggles. 00:35:22.400 --> 00:35:23.240 The list goes on. 00:35:24.500 --> 00:35:26.039 We all are familiar 00:35:26.039 --> 00:35:26.720 with the pains 00:35:26.720 --> 00:35:27.320 in some way. 00:35:28.180 --> 00:35:29.260 But for some reason, 00:35:30.039 --> 00:35:31.180 it strikes us harder 00:35:31.180 --> 00:35:31.920 at this time of the year. 00:35:32.620 --> 00:35:33.340 Because we're supposed 00:35:33.340 --> 00:35:33.860 to be joyful. 00:35:33.860 --> 00:35:34.920 Right? 00:35:35.280 --> 00:35:36.160 Always rejoicing. 00:35:38.760 --> 00:35:40.300 Jesus is our wonderful counselor. 00:35:41.240 --> 00:35:41.760 You can trust him 00:35:41.760 --> 00:35:42.340 to hear us, 00:35:42.960 --> 00:35:43.800 lead us in the right way. 00:35:47.180 --> 00:35:47.620 But, 00:35:48.019 --> 00:35:49.780 the hardship 00:35:49.780 --> 00:35:51.660 that we oftentimes face 00:35:51.660 --> 00:35:52.260 in this, 00:35:52.260 --> 00:35:59.440 we feel alone sometimes. 00:36:00.000 --> 00:36:00.380 Christmas time 00:36:00.380 --> 00:36:00.960 can feel really, 00:36:01.040 --> 00:36:03.380 really tight 00:36:03.380 --> 00:36:03.980 for your family 00:36:03.980 --> 00:36:04.920 or can feel really, 00:36:05.000 --> 00:36:05.460 really separating 00:36:05.460 --> 00:36:06.060 from your family. 00:36:09.960 --> 00:36:10.760 But here's the thing. 00:36:12.440 --> 00:36:13.240 The son of man 00:36:13.240 --> 00:36:14.040 has been humiliated 00:36:14.040 --> 00:36:14.600 in front of his 00:36:14.600 --> 00:36:15.260 dearest friends, 00:36:15.700 --> 00:36:16.800 his mother, 00:36:17.520 --> 00:36:18.060 his enemies, 00:36:18.640 --> 00:36:19.220 his own people. 00:36:20.039 --> 00:36:20.599 The son of God 00:36:20.599 --> 00:36:21.239 has shown us 00:36:21.239 --> 00:36:22.439 the greatest act 00:36:22.439 --> 00:36:22.939 of grace 00:36:22.939 --> 00:36:23.719 towards mankind 00:36:23.719 --> 00:36:24.539 in his death 00:36:24.539 --> 00:36:25.079 and resurrection. 00:36:26.179 --> 00:36:27.439 And it is only he 00:36:27.439 --> 00:36:28.279 who could do 00:36:28.279 --> 00:36:28.759 such a thing. 00:36:29.879 --> 00:36:30.739 This king of kings, 00:36:31.439 --> 00:36:32.480 he came to us 00:36:32.480 --> 00:36:33.239 in a lowly fashion 00:36:33.239 --> 00:36:34.279 to make much 00:36:34.279 --> 00:36:35.179 of God the Father. 00:36:36.139 --> 00:36:37.099 He came as a child, 00:36:37.639 --> 00:36:38.219 an infant. 00:36:39.059 --> 00:36:39.579 But one day, 00:36:39.619 --> 00:36:40.619 his kingdom shall reign 00:36:40.619 --> 00:36:41.839 on the earth 00:36:41.839 --> 00:36:42.839 and not just in the hearts 00:36:42.839 --> 00:36:43.619 and souls of his people. 00:36:44.819 --> 00:36:45.559 This kingdom will be, 00:36:45.559 --> 00:36:46.539 this kingdom will be full 00:36:46.539 --> 00:36:47.059 of peace 00:36:47.059 --> 00:36:49.139 and joy unimaginable. 00:36:51.019 --> 00:36:52.219 The wonderful counselor 00:36:52.219 --> 00:36:53.259 is able to save 00:36:53.259 --> 00:36:53.840 to the utmost 00:36:53.840 --> 00:36:54.579 and fully 00:36:54.579 --> 00:36:56.539 those who are 00:36:56.539 --> 00:36:58.960 brokenhearted, 00:36:59.500 --> 00:37:00.259 crushed in spirit, 00:37:01.880 --> 00:37:02.719 physically hurting. 00:37:04.980 --> 00:37:06.239 He's able to lead 00:37:06.239 --> 00:37:07.480 his people on 00:37:07.480 --> 00:37:07.840 in perfect 00:37:07.840 --> 00:37:09.059 and wise counsel. 00:37:10.460 --> 00:37:11.340 And here's the thing, 00:37:11.380 --> 00:37:12.179 his works and deeds 00:37:12.179 --> 00:37:13.019 cannot be done 00:37:13.019 --> 00:37:13.599 by man. 00:37:13.599 --> 00:37:17.119 His counsel 00:37:17.119 --> 00:37:17.639 is nothing like 00:37:17.639 --> 00:37:18.159 the fleeting 00:37:18.159 --> 00:37:19.420 and faulty counsel 00:37:19.420 --> 00:37:19.880 of the world. 00:37:20.460 --> 00:37:21.360 No matter how 00:37:21.360 --> 00:37:22.739 flowery and helpful 00:37:22.739 --> 00:37:23.360 it may sound, 00:37:23.960 --> 00:37:25.719 there's no counsel 00:37:25.719 --> 00:37:26.380 like the Lord's. 00:37:27.659 --> 00:37:28.360 So here's the beauty 00:37:28.360 --> 00:37:28.759 of all this. 00:37:28.839 --> 00:37:29.259 This is kind of 00:37:29.259 --> 00:37:30.699 the landing point. 00:37:31.119 --> 00:37:31.480 If you, 00:37:31.679 --> 00:37:32.480 if any of my youth 00:37:32.480 --> 00:37:32.699 are here, 00:37:32.719 --> 00:37:33.099 you guys know 00:37:33.099 --> 00:37:33.539 I'm going to say, 00:37:33.719 --> 00:37:34.559 I'm going to land 00:37:34.559 --> 00:37:34.900 the plane. 00:37:35.779 --> 00:37:36.759 I always say that. 00:37:36.880 --> 00:37:37.279 I'm going to land 00:37:37.279 --> 00:37:37.920 the plane here though. 00:37:39.219 --> 00:37:39.960 Jesus was born 00:37:39.960 --> 00:37:41.019 to suffer on our behalf. 00:37:41.980 --> 00:37:42.619 He was given 00:37:42.619 --> 00:37:43.280 as a ransom 00:37:43.280 --> 00:37:44.259 for those who would believe. 00:37:45.079 --> 00:37:45.639 He will one day 00:37:45.639 --> 00:37:46.259 reign here 00:37:46.259 --> 00:37:47.300 and we shall live 00:37:47.300 --> 00:37:47.619 with Him. 00:37:48.579 --> 00:37:49.500 We do not suffer 00:37:49.500 --> 00:37:50.199 in this life 00:37:50.199 --> 00:37:50.619 in vain 00:37:50.619 --> 00:37:51.780 because Jesus was born, 00:37:52.280 --> 00:37:52.579 lived, 00:37:52.860 --> 00:37:53.099 died, 00:37:53.219 --> 00:37:53.739 and rose again 00:37:53.739 --> 00:37:54.420 from the grave. 00:37:56.139 --> 00:37:56.619 And Christmas, 00:37:56.759 --> 00:37:57.639 though it may have 00:37:57.639 --> 00:37:58.380 many meanings 00:37:58.380 --> 00:38:00.099 to many of us 00:38:00.099 --> 00:38:00.639 here on earth, 00:38:01.460 --> 00:38:02.519 it only has one meaning 00:38:02.519 --> 00:38:02.900 in heaven 00:38:02.900 --> 00:38:04.300 and that is one 00:38:04.300 --> 00:38:04.739 of redemption 00:38:04.739 --> 00:38:06.840 and of true 00:38:06.840 --> 00:38:08.179 living hope. 00:38:09.539 --> 00:38:10.420 The last parting word 00:38:10.420 --> 00:38:10.840 is this. 00:38:12.760 --> 00:38:13.920 I hope that Jesus brings 00:38:13.920 --> 00:38:14.539 it's not fleeting. 00:38:14.800 --> 00:38:15.800 It's not just this 00:38:15.800 --> 00:38:16.700 fly by night, 00:38:17.880 --> 00:38:18.559 fill your heart 00:38:18.559 --> 00:38:19.380 happiness feeling. 00:38:20.800 --> 00:38:21.860 If you are a believer 00:38:21.860 --> 00:38:22.420 in this room, 00:38:22.800 --> 00:38:24.240 you will see Jesus. 00:38:25.039 --> 00:38:26.200 That's for certain. 00:38:26.900 --> 00:38:28.019 You may not see 00:38:28.019 --> 00:38:29.039 physical healing. 00:38:29.860 --> 00:38:30.659 You may not see 00:38:30.659 --> 00:38:34.039 your billfold 00:38:34.039 --> 00:38:34.599 fill up 00:38:34.599 --> 00:38:36.119 really full. 00:38:37.340 --> 00:38:38.320 And you may never 00:38:38.320 --> 00:38:39.200 experience the joy 00:38:39.200 --> 00:38:39.680 you had when you 00:38:39.680 --> 00:38:40.280 were a kid again. 00:38:41.180 --> 00:38:42.099 But I can promise you 00:38:42.099 --> 00:38:42.820 that you will see 00:38:42.820 --> 00:38:44.240 joy everlasting 00:38:44.240 --> 00:38:46.240 in God's kingdom 00:38:46.240 --> 00:38:47.059 with Him. 00:38:48.440 --> 00:38:48.880 But, 00:38:49.079 --> 00:38:49.880 there's the 00:38:49.880 --> 00:38:50.780 converse side of it. 00:38:50.840 --> 00:38:51.599 There's the opposite side. 00:38:51.680 --> 00:38:52.320 There's a side that 00:38:52.320 --> 00:38:53.820 hurts us to talk about. 00:38:55.420 --> 00:38:56.400 If you are not 00:38:56.400 --> 00:38:56.820 a believer 00:38:56.820 --> 00:38:57.480 in this room, 00:38:57.880 --> 00:39:00.280 if you are a skeptic, 00:39:00.519 --> 00:39:01.360 if you are 00:39:01.360 --> 00:39:02.659 a casual Christian, 00:39:03.420 --> 00:39:04.139 which I might 00:39:04.139 --> 00:39:04.860 title you 00:39:04.860 --> 00:39:05.920 Christian Atheist then, 00:39:05.920 --> 00:39:09.539 there's a true danger 00:39:09.539 --> 00:39:10.480 that lies before you. 00:39:11.300 --> 00:39:12.200 There's a danger 00:39:12.200 --> 00:39:13.340 of hell 00:39:13.340 --> 00:39:14.119 and damnation 00:39:14.119 --> 00:39:15.159 and separation 00:39:15.159 --> 00:39:16.579 from an eternal God. 00:39:17.099 --> 00:39:18.000 Eternal damnation, 00:39:18.200 --> 00:39:19.000 I might add too. 00:39:19.960 --> 00:39:20.400 It's not one of those 00:39:20.400 --> 00:39:21.019 things where you can just, 00:39:21.380 --> 00:39:22.079 oh, I did my time, 00:39:22.139 --> 00:39:22.700 Lord, I got out. 00:39:23.440 --> 00:39:24.700 There's no getting out of it. 00:39:25.559 --> 00:39:26.360 There ain't no purgatory. 00:39:27.639 --> 00:39:28.680 Go try to read those books 00:39:28.680 --> 00:39:29.619 from other things, 00:39:29.659 --> 00:39:30.300 there ain't no purgatory. 00:39:30.600 --> 00:39:31.300 Promise you that. 00:39:32.539 --> 00:39:33.539 If you do not trust 00:39:33.539 --> 00:39:34.220 in the hope 00:39:34.220 --> 00:39:35.280 of eternity 00:39:35.280 --> 00:39:35.920 that's Christ, 00:39:36.760 --> 00:39:38.480 you have no hope. 00:39:40.460 --> 00:39:41.320 That means Christmas 00:39:41.320 --> 00:39:42.800 is merely a circumstantial, 00:39:42.920 --> 00:39:43.220 happy, 00:39:43.260 --> 00:39:44.420 or sad time of your life. 00:39:45.560 --> 00:39:46.180 And that means 00:39:46.180 --> 00:39:46.660 you will die 00:39:46.660 --> 00:39:47.660 without hope. 00:39:48.019 --> 00:39:48.700 Die in your sins 00:39:48.700 --> 00:39:49.240 without hope. 00:39:50.620 --> 00:39:51.760 So as Jesus says 00:39:51.760 --> 00:39:52.560 to his people 00:39:52.560 --> 00:39:53.000 in front of him, 00:39:53.019 --> 00:39:53.240 he says, 00:39:53.620 --> 00:39:54.320 while you still 00:39:54.320 --> 00:39:55.200 have the light, 00:39:56.000 --> 00:39:56.740 while you're under 00:39:56.740 --> 00:39:57.640 the grace of God 00:39:57.640 --> 00:39:58.320 right now, 00:39:58.860 --> 00:39:59.519 turn to him. 00:40:00.300 --> 00:40:00.900 Today is a day 00:40:00.900 --> 00:40:01.440 of salvation. 00:40:03.360 --> 00:40:03.680 Listen, 00:40:04.280 --> 00:40:05.160 I've told my students 00:40:05.160 --> 00:40:05.740 this a couple times, 00:40:06.320 --> 00:40:07.800 I'm 27, 00:40:07.980 --> 00:40:08.420 28, 00:40:08.600 --> 00:40:09.080 wow, gosh, 00:40:09.140 --> 00:40:09.400 I'm getting old. 00:40:10.200 --> 00:40:10.480 I know, 00:40:10.539 --> 00:40:11.220 28's not old, 00:40:11.260 --> 00:40:11.420 I know. 00:40:11.660 --> 00:40:13.280 But I'm 28, 00:40:13.900 --> 00:40:14.820 I did not come to Christ 00:40:14.820 --> 00:40:16.360 until I was 21 years old. 00:40:17.200 --> 00:40:17.920 That means for 00:40:17.920 --> 00:40:19.120 seven years 00:40:19.120 --> 00:40:19.640 I've been a believer, 00:40:20.039 --> 00:40:20.720 but 21 00:40:20.720 --> 00:40:23.400 long years, 00:40:23.920 --> 00:40:24.640 God patiently 00:40:24.640 --> 00:40:26.100 suffered through my sin. 00:40:26.760 --> 00:40:27.680 God waited 00:40:27.680 --> 00:40:29.100 for me in my sin. 00:40:29.660 --> 00:40:30.000 God, 00:40:30.300 --> 00:40:31.720 blessed me in my sin. 00:40:32.160 --> 00:40:33.260 Not blessing my sin, 00:40:33.519 --> 00:40:35.120 but he still gave me life. 00:40:35.660 --> 00:40:36.480 He did not immediately 00:40:36.480 --> 00:40:37.820 let me die in my sin. 00:40:38.720 --> 00:40:39.860 God was kind 00:40:39.860 --> 00:40:40.820 and gracious to me 00:40:40.820 --> 00:40:43.000 for 21 long years. 00:40:43.320 --> 00:40:44.420 Imagine if somebody 00:40:44.420 --> 00:40:45.780 was constantly 00:40:45.780 --> 00:40:46.880 in your ear, 00:40:46.980 --> 00:40:47.700 in your face, 00:40:48.160 --> 00:40:49.240 transgressing against you 00:40:49.240 --> 00:40:50.800 for 21 long years. 00:40:51.800 --> 00:40:52.039 Yo, 00:40:52.080 --> 00:40:52.360 I'd be like, 00:40:52.380 --> 00:40:52.860 I'm tapping out, 00:40:52.900 --> 00:40:53.220 I'm done. 00:40:53.580 --> 00:40:54.340 I'm walking away. 00:40:54.340 --> 00:40:55.400 But God, 00:40:56.300 --> 00:40:57.440 because he is great, 00:40:57.640 --> 00:40:58.220 gracious, 00:40:58.600 --> 00:40:58.820 right? 00:40:59.539 --> 00:41:00.140 Romans 5, 00:41:00.180 --> 00:41:00.900 8's my favorite verses. 00:41:01.460 --> 00:41:01.680 It's, 00:41:01.800 --> 00:41:03.000 it's that, 00:41:03.960 --> 00:41:05.620 and yet while we were 00:41:05.620 --> 00:41:06.180 still sinners, 00:41:06.519 --> 00:41:07.840 Christ died for us. 00:41:08.300 --> 00:41:09.460 So if we did not have 00:41:09.460 --> 00:41:10.720 this incarnation of Christ, 00:41:10.860 --> 00:41:11.559 the birth of Christ 00:41:11.559 --> 00:41:12.200 on Christmas, 00:41:12.840 --> 00:41:13.460 we would not have 00:41:13.460 --> 00:41:14.140 the death of Christ. 00:41:14.240 --> 00:41:15.079 That brings us hope. 00:41:16.380 --> 00:41:17.500 He's our wonderful counselor. 00:41:17.500 --> 00:41:17.619 Father, 00:41:17.920 --> 00:41:18.699 in your living, 00:41:18.820 --> 00:41:19.500 you have Christ 00:41:19.500 --> 00:41:20.059 to turn to. 00:41:20.940 --> 00:41:21.739 Turn to him. 00:41:22.760 --> 00:41:23.119 He's not, 00:41:23.219 --> 00:41:23.960 he's not like a, 00:41:24.019 --> 00:41:24.679 like your, 00:41:24.739 --> 00:41:25.860 your father or your friends 00:41:25.860 --> 00:41:26.639 who would say, 00:41:26.699 --> 00:41:26.840 you know, 00:41:26.920 --> 00:41:27.119 oh, 00:41:27.239 --> 00:41:27.380 you, 00:41:27.500 --> 00:41:27.679 you, 00:41:27.800 --> 00:41:28.579 you messed up. 00:41:28.760 --> 00:41:29.719 I'm not talking to you anymore. 00:41:30.260 --> 00:41:31.219 When you mess up, 00:41:31.519 --> 00:41:32.019 God says, 00:41:32.119 --> 00:41:32.360 come. 00:41:32.920 --> 00:41:33.900 I want to fix it. 00:41:34.559 --> 00:41:35.599 Come to him with that. 00:41:36.139 --> 00:41:36.940 If you're not a believer 00:41:36.940 --> 00:41:37.400 this morning, 00:41:37.559 --> 00:41:37.980 I, 00:41:37.980 --> 00:41:38.780 I ask you, 00:41:39.280 --> 00:41:39.440 you know, 00:41:39.440 --> 00:41:39.760 I'll, 00:41:39.760 --> 00:41:40.739 I'll be around here. 00:41:40.920 --> 00:41:42.159 I'll be back there too 00:41:42.159 --> 00:41:43.320 after, 00:41:43.460 --> 00:41:44.059 after the service. 00:41:44.679 --> 00:41:45.039 Please, 00:41:45.179 --> 00:41:45.679 feel free to come 00:41:45.679 --> 00:41:46.340 talk with me 00:41:46.340 --> 00:41:46.820 about 00:41:46.820 --> 00:41:48.180 knowing Christ 00:41:48.180 --> 00:41:48.940 as your Savior 00:41:48.940 --> 00:41:50.380 this Christmas season. 00:41:51.080 --> 00:41:52.019 What a sweet time 00:41:52.019 --> 00:41:52.280 it would be 00:41:52.280 --> 00:41:53.180 to come and know Christ 00:41:53.180 --> 00:41:54.640 in Christmas. 00:41:56.440 --> 00:41:56.760 Church, 00:41:56.800 --> 00:41:57.220 thank you so much 00:41:57.220 --> 00:41:57.700 for this morning. 00:41:57.840 --> 00:41:58.320 Thank you so much 00:41:58.320 --> 00:41:58.820 for listening 00:41:58.820 --> 00:41:59.660 through God's word. 00:42:00.059 --> 00:42:00.640 I'll take some time 00:42:00.640 --> 00:42:01.340 to pray for us 00:42:01.340 --> 00:42:02.320 and then I'll ask, 00:42:02.380 --> 00:42:03.160 Greg, 00:42:03.220 --> 00:42:03.720 if you'll come back. 00:42:03.820 --> 00:42:04.080 Do you have, 00:42:04.180 --> 00:42:05.080 do you have music for us? 00:42:05.100 --> 00:42:05.260 Okay. 00:42:05.760 --> 00:42:06.120 I'll ask Greg 00:42:06.120 --> 00:42:06.640 to come back up 00:42:06.640 --> 00:42:08.300 and lead us in song again. 00:42:09.039 --> 00:42:09.800 Let me go and take some time 00:42:09.800 --> 00:42:10.559 to pray for us this morning. 00:42:12.800 --> 00:42:13.360 Let us pray. 00:42:13.980 --> 00:42:14.240 Father, 00:42:14.320 --> 00:42:14.780 thank you so much 00:42:14.780 --> 00:42:15.260 for this morning. 00:42:15.740 --> 00:42:16.380 I just pray 00:42:16.380 --> 00:42:16.800 that you would, 00:42:17.200 --> 00:42:18.380 allow your word 00:42:18.380 --> 00:42:19.519 to do as, 00:42:19.700 --> 00:42:20.680 as it always does. 00:42:20.840 --> 00:42:21.900 It never returns void. 00:42:22.000 --> 00:42:22.940 It always accomplishes 00:42:22.940 --> 00:42:23.780 what it sets out to do. 00:42:23.860 --> 00:42:24.220 So Lord, 00:42:24.500 --> 00:42:25.160 this morning, 00:42:25.580 --> 00:42:26.940 whatever the hearts 00:42:26.940 --> 00:42:27.660 of these people 00:42:27.660 --> 00:42:28.500 need to hear, 00:42:29.260 --> 00:42:29.980 whatever the hands 00:42:29.980 --> 00:42:30.260 and the feet 00:42:30.260 --> 00:42:30.580 of these people 00:42:30.580 --> 00:42:31.080 need to do, 00:42:31.460 --> 00:42:31.700 God, 00:42:31.880 --> 00:42:32.500 guide us. 00:42:33.000 --> 00:42:34.140 You are a wonderful counselor. 00:42:34.820 --> 00:42:35.539 You are the one 00:42:35.539 --> 00:42:37.400 who is above all else. 00:42:37.860 --> 00:42:38.320 You're the one 00:42:38.320 --> 00:42:39.280 who leads us 00:42:39.280 --> 00:42:41.320 in ways of righteousness. 00:42:42.180 --> 00:42:42.580 So God, 00:42:42.620 --> 00:42:42.860 I pray, 00:42:43.019 --> 00:42:43.600 turn our hearts 00:42:43.600 --> 00:42:44.460 and our eyes to you now. 00:42:44.960 --> 00:42:45.640 It's in Jesus' name I pray. 00:42:45.839 --> 00:42:46.079 Amen. 00:42:46.519 --> 00:42:47.079 Amen. 00:42:47.079 --> 00:42:47.639 Amen.