WEBVTT 00:00:00.440 --> 00:00:07.060 Thanks, Archie. Folks, please do keep that Bible passage open in front of you as we dive into it this morning together. 00:00:07.960 --> 00:00:11.900 Now, I think we can officially say, can't we, that the Christmas season has started. 00:00:12.179 --> 00:00:19.839 I'm not sure what yesterday looked like for all of you, but it was an excuse for my wife and I to go out for a walk and to throw some snowballs at each other. 00:00:20.440 --> 00:00:25.719 Christmas has officially started. The shops are absolutely chaotic. 00:00:25.719 --> 00:00:32.820 I'm getting tons of emails about Christmas deals and telling me where I can buy the Christmas, best Christmas gifts. 00:00:33.820 --> 00:00:37.280 You'd probably, you've maybe even started thinking about your Christmas meal. 00:00:37.840 --> 00:00:41.619 Where are you going to have it? Whose house is it going to be at? What are you going to cook? 00:00:42.000 --> 00:00:47.299 Who is going to be invited? Making sure that nobody feels left out. 00:00:47.980 --> 00:00:52.280 There is so much stress and chaos surrounding Christmas. 00:00:52.280 --> 00:00:57.100 Christmas. And the funny thing is that we go through all of that chaos. 00:00:57.260 --> 00:01:04.519 We go through all of that stress, all the headache every single year so that we can have one day of peace. 00:01:05.640 --> 00:01:09.240 So that we can have one day where everything's calm. 00:01:09.319 --> 00:01:14.980 We run around like mad preparing everything so everyone's happy so that we can have a peaceful Christmas. 00:01:16.319 --> 00:01:18.960 But then what happens in the days that follow Christmas? 00:01:18.959 --> 00:01:23.879 Well, we remember, don't we, that we're still in a cost of living crisis. 00:01:25.319 --> 00:01:29.879 We remember that we're still feeling the pain of poor mental health. 00:01:30.500 --> 00:01:34.979 We remember that we're still feeling the effects of that broken marriage. 00:01:35.799 --> 00:01:39.179 We're still having the same struggles that we had in November. 00:01:39.180 --> 00:01:47.060 Nothing has changed except for the fact that we've enjoyed one day of escapism. 00:01:48.980 --> 00:01:53.160 Or maybe you're here and you're a Christian and you know that Christmas is all about Jesus. 00:01:53.160 --> 00:01:57.800 And yet you still get sucked into all the other stuff about Christmas. 00:01:58.060 --> 00:02:03.219 And you lose sight of exactly who it is we are here to worship and celebrate. 00:02:03.219 --> 00:02:13.639 It's so easy for us, whether we're Christians or not, to get sucked into the mindset of doing everything we possibly can to have one day of peace. 00:02:15.579 --> 00:02:18.659 Or maybe for you Christmas is a particularly hard time of year. 00:02:18.740 --> 00:02:20.180 I know that for some of you it is. 00:02:20.919 --> 00:02:22.639 Because of past experiences. 00:02:23.659 --> 00:02:26.500 Or because of loved ones who won't be there anymore. 00:02:26.500 --> 00:02:30.479 Christmas isn't always the easiest time of year. 00:02:30.539 --> 00:02:34.580 And so we go to great lengths to have peace just for that one day. 00:02:37.699 --> 00:02:39.340 But it sounds a bit bleak. 00:02:39.639 --> 00:02:44.740 It's not a nice happy way to start off a Christmas sermon series. 00:02:44.840 --> 00:02:45.500 But it's true. 00:02:45.979 --> 00:02:49.659 We work so hard to have that slither of peace at Christmas. 00:02:50.960 --> 00:02:54.659 And that highlights a deep-seated desire in all of our lives. 00:02:54.740 --> 00:02:55.740 That we want peace. 00:02:56.500 --> 00:02:57.580 That we want harmony. 00:02:58.099 --> 00:02:59.259 That there's something wrong. 00:03:00.599 --> 00:03:03.039 This morning as we turn to Colossians chapter 1. 00:03:03.219 --> 00:03:06.060 We hear about true and lasting peace. 00:03:06.360 --> 00:03:08.960 And where we can find it and how it's possible. 00:03:10.000 --> 00:03:15.060 Colossians is a glorious letter that I would highly recommend you read this afternoon. 00:03:15.400 --> 00:03:20.620 It was written by the Apostle Paul to a church that had lost their vision of who Jesus is. 00:03:21.300 --> 00:03:24.020 They were getting caught up in the things going on around them. 00:03:24.020 --> 00:03:26.700 And they were being distracted from Jesus. 00:03:27.920 --> 00:03:30.860 It doesn't sound too dissimilar to our world, does it? 00:03:32.160 --> 00:03:36.280 This morning, I want to introduce you to Jesus. 00:03:37.160 --> 00:03:41.300 But not the Christmas add-on Jesus that we're used to at this time of year. 00:03:41.300 --> 00:03:45.100 I want to introduce you to Jesus, God in the flesh. 00:03:46.100 --> 00:03:48.100 Jesus, God with us. 00:03:48.180 --> 00:03:49.460 Jesus, our Savior. 00:03:49.780 --> 00:03:53.939 And Jesus, the one who reveals all things to us. 00:03:53.939 --> 00:03:59.259 Over the next two weeks, we're going to be studying these few verses in Colossians together. 00:03:59.719 --> 00:04:06.000 That get right to the heart of who Jesus is, what he came to do, and what that means for people today. 00:04:07.000 --> 00:04:08.800 Now, why on earth does that matter? 00:04:08.800 --> 00:04:16.639 Well, because if we really grasp who Jesus is, whether for the first time or for the hundredth time in our lives, 00:04:16.759 --> 00:04:29.540 we will get to Christmas, not with a desire for escapism, but with awe and reverence as we worship this baby in a manger who will change your life. 00:04:29.540 --> 00:04:38.819 Looking at who Jesus really is should create in us a reverence that impacts our day to day. 00:04:40.340 --> 00:04:45.740 Christmas will no longer be about the gifts that are sitting under the Christmas tree on Sunday morning, 00:04:45.920 --> 00:04:51.180 but it will be about the Savior of the world who took on flesh and dwelt among us. 00:04:52.939 --> 00:04:55.540 Our focus will be how amazing he is. 00:04:55.540 --> 00:05:04.420 The wonderful gifts that he has given us and how we can come before him in adoration and worship him for who he really is, God. 00:05:06.360 --> 00:05:10.840 So join me for the next few minutes as we dive into this passage that was read to us earlier. 00:05:11.540 --> 00:05:14.300 And we're going to ask two questions of the text. 00:05:14.800 --> 00:05:16.860 Who is Jesus and why did he come? 00:05:18.060 --> 00:05:20.660 So who is this baby in a manger? 00:05:20.660 --> 00:05:29.460 Well, Paul, the writer of this letter presents us with a very different picture than the sanitized nativity scene we see of Jesus. 00:05:30.400 --> 00:05:36.600 This passage is most likely a hymn that the early church would have sung together as they gathered to worship. 00:05:37.540 --> 00:05:44.120 It has wonderful depth in it and contains mind-blowing truths. 00:05:44.120 --> 00:05:50.220 And yet at the same time, it's simple enough to understand on the surface and it is easy to remember. 00:05:52.079 --> 00:05:55.459 But what glorious truths about Jesus are contained in these verses. 00:05:56.800 --> 00:06:00.000 Now there's a lot in here and we're not going to get to all of it. 00:06:00.079 --> 00:06:01.300 You'll be thankful for that. 00:06:01.379 --> 00:06:02.699 So we're not here all afternoon. 00:06:02.959 --> 00:06:06.319 But I just want to highlight three things that this passage tells us. 00:06:06.319 --> 00:06:14.319 Firstly, Paul tells us in verse 15 that Jesus is the image of the invisible God. 00:06:14.699 --> 00:06:20.860 And then in verse 19, as you'll see on the screen, it says that the fullness of God dwells in him. 00:06:22.219 --> 00:06:26.279 Now as a pastor, one of the questions I get asked a lot is, what is God like? 00:06:28.159 --> 00:06:29.339 That's a great question. 00:06:29.459 --> 00:06:33.980 And the truth is that we can only understand a fraction of who he really is. 00:06:33.980 --> 00:06:42.080 We cannot expect that the finite human mind can understand the infinite, wonderful God that we serve. 00:06:44.140 --> 00:06:49.500 But what this verse is saying is that if you want to know what God is like, look to Jesus. 00:06:50.500 --> 00:06:53.280 Because the fullness of God dwells in him. 00:06:53.340 --> 00:06:54.819 Now I've been a Christian for a while. 00:06:55.080 --> 00:06:57.340 I've studied theology for eight years. 00:06:57.340 --> 00:07:03.840 I am a Bible geek, as many of you will know, who loves to read theology books that others would find boring. 00:07:03.980 --> 00:07:08.439 And I still cannot wrap my head around this wonderful truth. 00:07:09.819 --> 00:07:11.939 That God took on flesh. 00:07:14.640 --> 00:07:23.400 That God, the eternal one, the one who made all things, the all-powerful one, the almighty one, the gracious God, 00:07:24.500 --> 00:07:31.280 humbles himself, takes on flesh, and becomes a defenseless baby. 00:07:31.279 --> 00:07:33.879 Think about that for a second. 00:07:35.199 --> 00:07:41.239 The Bible gives us some wonderful descriptions of God as the very definition of holiness. 00:07:41.959 --> 00:07:45.059 So holy that people can't approach him. 00:07:45.879 --> 00:07:52.979 In Exodus, the goodness of God passes before Moses and he needs to be hidden because no one can look at God and live. 00:07:52.980 --> 00:08:08.460 In the Old Testament, we read that the whole of creation speaks to the glory of God, declaring his majesty to all generations. 00:08:09.580 --> 00:08:15.319 We read stories of God, how out of great love and care delivered his people from slavery. 00:08:15.319 --> 00:08:21.459 How he rescued them from armies, all by miracles. 00:08:22.300 --> 00:08:27.099 We see descriptions of God who is so mighty that no enemy can stand in his way. 00:08:27.959 --> 00:08:31.920 We read of a love and a mercy that passes all understanding. 00:08:32.080 --> 00:08:35.100 We read a God who is jealous for his people. 00:08:35.100 --> 00:08:41.540 And that is just a fraction of some of the descriptions that we find about God in the Old Testament. 00:08:41.980 --> 00:08:45.460 And Paul is saying in verses 15 and 19 of Colossians 1, 00:08:46.139 --> 00:08:52.200 that all those mind-blowing characteristics of God find themselves in this little baby in a manger. 00:08:55.480 --> 00:08:59.000 Every description we read of God is found in Jesus, God in the flesh. 00:08:59.080 --> 00:09:01.620 I cannot wrap my head around that wonderful truth. 00:09:01.620 --> 00:09:08.679 But isn't it wonderful that we're not left guessing of what God is like? 00:09:11.460 --> 00:09:15.320 Because all we need to do is look to Jesus and see our creator. 00:09:16.440 --> 00:09:21.159 God has revealed himself to this world in the person of his son, Jesus, God in the flesh. 00:09:21.279 --> 00:09:23.960 Jesus is the image of the invisible God. 00:09:23.960 --> 00:09:32.040 And secondly, Paul goes on in verse 16 to say that all things were created through and for Jesus. 00:09:32.200 --> 00:09:33.700 Read verse 16 with me. 00:09:34.379 --> 00:09:40.080 For in him all things were created, things on heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, 00:09:40.320 --> 00:09:43.700 whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities. 00:09:44.000 --> 00:09:48.759 All things have been created through him and for him. 00:09:48.759 --> 00:09:56.419 Now imagine looking up at the sky on a clear night and seeing too many stars to count. 00:09:57.100 --> 00:10:03.980 Or looking at beautiful scenery across the world of cliffs, of mountains, of seas, of forests, of deserts. 00:10:04.179 --> 00:10:06.700 Wonderful, breathtaking scenery. 00:10:08.340 --> 00:10:09.580 And then also think of yesterday. 00:10:09.740 --> 00:10:13.259 Every single snowflake that fell across Edinburgh. 00:10:13.759 --> 00:10:15.159 Each with a different pattern. 00:10:15.159 --> 00:10:21.000 Imagine all of that scenery from the biggest mountain to the smallest snowflake. 00:10:21.000 --> 00:10:30.179 And even our ability to see and comprehend these things is only possible because it was created through and for Jesus. 00:10:32.500 --> 00:10:36.399 This little baby is the creator of all things. 00:10:36.519 --> 00:10:39.679 And verse 17 says he is the sustainer of all things. 00:10:39.679 --> 00:10:49.139 So the hand that reaches out of the crib to grab Mary's hand were the hands that flung the stars into space as we've been singing in a hymn already. 00:10:50.079 --> 00:10:55.539 That little baby is the one who keeps our world turning, who maintains our entire universe. 00:10:57.179 --> 00:10:58.979 And he knows all things. 00:10:59.659 --> 00:11:08.059 See, Jesus wasn't only involved in the creation of the world, but he is actively involved in every single passing moment of every single day. 00:11:08.059 --> 00:11:11.539 That is the Jesus we come to worship. 00:11:11.959 --> 00:11:16.099 He didn't create the world and then walk away, but he holds the world together. 00:11:17.119 --> 00:11:22.259 All of history, every single life is actively being kept together by Jesus. 00:11:24.339 --> 00:11:28.299 Now doesn't that completely change the way you view this baby in a manger? 00:11:28.299 --> 00:11:35.179 You cannot walk away thinking that there's nothing special about him. 00:11:36.699 --> 00:11:39.279 He isn't like every other defenseless baby. 00:11:39.419 --> 00:11:41.219 He is the image of the invisible God. 00:11:41.539 --> 00:11:44.099 He is the creator and sustainer of all things. 00:11:44.879 --> 00:11:50.179 And thirdly, Paul says in verse 15 that he is the firstborn. 00:11:50.359 --> 00:11:55.679 Firstborn of all creation in verse 15 and firstborn from the dead in verse 18. 00:11:55.679 --> 00:12:00.219 Now what does firstborn of overall creation mean? 00:12:01.159 --> 00:12:04.159 Well, it doesn't mean that Jesus was created. 00:12:05.139 --> 00:12:12.259 But Paul is saying that Jesus is the most important person in the world, that he is the son of God. 00:12:12.319 --> 00:12:18.559 It means that Jesus' existence didn't start back in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago when he was born. 00:12:18.559 --> 00:12:26.899 He has always existed in perfect harmony and relationship with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. 00:12:27.599 --> 00:12:33.579 And they together, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, have made life as we know it possible. 00:12:35.359 --> 00:12:37.259 Paul isn't talking about a timeline here. 00:12:37.339 --> 00:12:42.239 He isn't pointing back to a date and saying that's when Jesus was created. 00:12:42.240 --> 00:12:49.259 But he's using the language of firstborn to highlight Jesus' prominent rank as the most important one. 00:12:50.399 --> 00:12:53.580 It's the Old Testament imagery of the firstborn son. 00:12:54.100 --> 00:12:56.460 The firstborn was the one who was in charge. 00:12:57.120 --> 00:12:58.820 He would receive a double inheritance. 00:12:59.139 --> 00:13:06.379 And Paul is saying that Jesus is the highest one, exalted above all creation because it's under his control. 00:13:06.379 --> 00:13:15.679 The first readers as they got this letter would probably have thought back to Psalm 89 verse 27 where it says this, 00:13:15.679 --> 00:13:22.539 And I will appoint him to be my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earth. 00:13:23.340 --> 00:13:27.679 Psalm 89 is full of messianic promises. 00:13:28.659 --> 00:13:32.740 Old Testament scriptures that point forward to the Messiah, the promised one, 00:13:32.919 --> 00:13:36.340 who would come and save the nation of Israel and save the world. 00:13:36.379 --> 00:13:38.779 Paul says this is him. 00:13:39.500 --> 00:13:41.639 This is the Messiah you've been waiting for. 00:13:41.720 --> 00:13:42.379 This is Jesus. 00:13:44.039 --> 00:13:49.919 And then he continues in verse 18 and says that Jesus is the firstborn from the dead. 00:13:50.500 --> 00:13:55.240 Meaning that he is the first to have been raised to life, never to die again. 00:13:57.600 --> 00:14:00.519 Jesus is the beginning of something completely new. 00:14:01.659 --> 00:14:03.980 Something completely glorious. 00:14:03.980 --> 00:14:07.080 And it means that he is our forerunner. 00:14:08.379 --> 00:14:10.320 He is the one who has shown us the way. 00:14:10.820 --> 00:14:14.519 He is the one who has shown us what will happen to Christians after they die. 00:14:14.740 --> 00:14:18.580 We die in this life, but we are raised to life, never to die again. 00:14:18.580 --> 00:14:24.320 And to spend eternity in the perfect presence of God. 00:14:28.139 --> 00:14:34.780 And these probably aren't normally the things that we think about when we think about Jesus in a manger back in Bethlehem, are they? 00:14:34.779 --> 00:14:39.259 But these all point to his true identity. 00:14:40.059 --> 00:14:42.299 That he is God in the flesh. 00:14:43.240 --> 00:14:45.379 Emmanuel, God with us. 00:14:46.939 --> 00:14:48.059 Why does that matter? 00:14:48.059 --> 00:15:01.619 Because as we go into Christmas, as we think about the busyness of the next few weeks, as we think of all the chaos that will unfold, we cannot forget that everything needs to revolve around Jesus. 00:15:02.399 --> 00:15:06.879 And we cannot forget how marvelous and glorious he is. 00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:14.519 Our response to recognizing who Jesus is should be to worship him with everything we have. 00:15:15.539 --> 00:15:18.539 To make him the center of our Christmas celebrations. 00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:21.200 To come before him in reverence. 00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:23.580 Awe and worship. 00:15:25.039 --> 00:15:29.639 Not begrudgingly or quickly saying a prayer so that we can get to unwrapping the gifts. 00:15:29.919 --> 00:15:31.679 We need to challenge ourselves. 00:15:31.679 --> 00:15:37.779 How much do we prepare our hearts in worship of Jesus at Christmas? 00:15:38.959 --> 00:15:41.259 We take the time to prepare Christmas meals. 00:15:42.159 --> 00:15:43.539 To prepare gifts. 00:15:43.839 --> 00:15:44.639 To wrap gifts. 00:15:44.799 --> 00:15:47.879 To make sure that we have a nice time spent with family. 00:15:48.019 --> 00:15:49.639 We prepare all of those things. 00:15:50.419 --> 00:15:56.439 But how much time do we spend reflecting on the sheer wonder and majesty of Jesus, God in the flesh? 00:15:56.440 --> 00:16:03.380 We do so much at Christmas time to ensure that there's peace. 00:16:03.520 --> 00:16:07.340 But it's fleeting because at the end of Christmas we're back to where we started. 00:16:07.780 --> 00:16:11.580 With our messy lives and the same difficulties as before. 00:16:12.380 --> 00:16:19.660 The thing that this passage should do is lift our eyes above the temporary things of this world. 00:16:20.280 --> 00:16:21.820 The things that are fleeting. 00:16:21.960 --> 00:16:23.760 Here one second and gone the next. 00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:29.299 And that it should make us give Jesus the place he deserves in our lives. 00:16:30.559 --> 00:16:37.059 And I wonder if you've noticed as these verses were read out to us that all things is repeated five times. 00:16:38.080 --> 00:16:40.720 Jesus is the most important person in the whole world. 00:16:41.159 --> 00:16:43.819 All things point to him. 00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:46.919 All things are his. 00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:50.559 All of creation is his. 00:16:50.559 --> 00:16:54.459 So as we go into Christmas, focus on Jesus. 00:16:54.619 --> 00:16:56.119 Focus on who he really is. 00:16:56.259 --> 00:16:59.039 Not the sanitized nativity story. 00:17:00.859 --> 00:17:06.500 Where Jesus is just a cute baby that we're happy to include as long as he doesn't disturb us too much. 00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:08.480 Let us focus on who he really is. 00:17:10.079 --> 00:17:15.179 And so if that's who Jesus is, the next question we need to ask is, well what did he do? 00:17:15.180 --> 00:17:17.539 Why did he come? 00:17:18.620 --> 00:17:22.880 Imagine you live in the most beautiful place you can ever think of. 00:17:23.140 --> 00:17:24.880 You have a wonderful home. 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:26.519 People care for you. 00:17:26.600 --> 00:17:27.519 They look after you. 00:17:27.600 --> 00:17:29.400 They bring you everything you need. 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:30.880 You're respected. 00:17:31.360 --> 00:17:32.220 You're honored. 00:17:32.920 --> 00:17:34.660 And then you're given the option to move. 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:39.040 But it means moving to a place where you'll be hated. 00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:42.480 Where everyone will only want rid of you. 00:17:44.140 --> 00:17:45.400 Who of us would do that? 00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:47.680 Nobody. 00:17:49.259 --> 00:17:57.360 Nobody that I know would voluntarily move from a palace, a place of glory, to a shack in the woods. 00:17:58.400 --> 00:18:00.400 Nobody would choose to be destitute. 00:18:00.660 --> 00:18:02.900 But that is exactly what Jesus did. 00:18:02.900 --> 00:18:09.740 He had everything at the right hand of God in his place of glory, in perfect harmony relationship with God. 00:18:09.980 --> 00:18:13.680 Yet he chose to step down into a world of mess. 00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:18.940 Into a world that would hate him and reject him. 00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:20.840 Why? 00:18:22.360 --> 00:18:24.380 Well as verse 20 says, read it with me. 00:18:24.900 --> 00:18:28.180 He did it to reconcile to himself all things. 00:18:28.180 --> 00:18:34.480 Whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood shed on the cross. 00:18:37.860 --> 00:18:41.080 This highlights something that we all know to be true. 00:18:41.320 --> 00:18:43.460 There is something wrong with our world. 00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:45.039 Something is broken. 00:18:46.620 --> 00:18:47.660 So much war. 00:18:47.860 --> 00:18:48.580 So much hunger. 00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:49.580 So much hatred. 00:18:49.579 --> 00:18:52.559 But it's closer to home as well, isn't it? 00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:58.460 It's the situations that we try to escape from as we create peace on that Christmas day. 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:04.799 We know intrinsically that there is something wrong when we're going through marriage difficulties. 00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:12.319 In a world of family breakups, mental health struggles, disease and death, there is something wrong. 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:16.919 We know there's a problem out there and there's a problem in us. 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:23.439 And so because of our terrible thoughts, how easy and natural it is for us to lie. 00:19:23.579 --> 00:19:25.379 How selfish we are as people. 00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:28.819 All of these things the Bible says are a result of sin. 00:19:31.059 --> 00:19:35.139 At the beginning of the Bible, we're presented with the problem in Genesis. 00:19:35.500 --> 00:19:36.419 The problem of sin. 00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:39.539 The moment that Adam and Eve said, no God, we don't want you. 00:19:39.619 --> 00:19:40.819 We want to be like you. 00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:45.139 They rejected God's rule and they rejected God. 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:49.599 And every single human being since has been marked by that same rebellion. 00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:54.720 That is the fatal diagnosis of every single human heart. 00:19:54.899 --> 00:19:57.619 And our temptation is to try and fix ourselves. 00:19:58.439 --> 00:20:01.200 To work to be better, isn't it? 00:20:01.919 --> 00:20:05.139 We think that if we just maybe do more. 00:20:05.939 --> 00:20:09.460 If we work harder, we can work our way into God's good books. 00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:18.039 But the truth is that we will never be able to do enough, to be good enough, to be right with the creator of this world on our own. 00:20:18.039 --> 00:20:25.599 We will never work hard enough to reach God's perfect standards of perfection. 00:20:25.819 --> 00:20:28.319 And the good news is that we don't have to. 00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:32.099 And he doesn't cast us off, but instead he steps down. 00:20:33.379 --> 00:20:38.039 God promised to send in Genesis 3, the one who would defeat sin. 00:20:38.139 --> 00:20:40.159 The one who would right every wrong. 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:45.379 The one who would make it possible for a broken humanity to be in a right relationship with God. 00:20:45.380 --> 00:20:50.040 How exactly can a baby in a manger do that? 00:20:51.260 --> 00:20:56.580 As verse 20 says, he did it by making peace through his blood shed on the cross. 00:20:57.960 --> 00:21:03.060 This little baby Jesus went on to live the perfect life that we could never live. 00:21:03.860 --> 00:21:10.600 Then he died the death that we all deserve, bearing the weight of sin and the wrath of God. 00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:15.699 And he rose triumphant, victorious from the grave. 00:21:16.939 --> 00:21:19.119 Defeating sin, conquering death. 00:21:19.339 --> 00:21:25.619 So that all those who call on him, all those who confess him as Lord, as Ellen read to us earlier on in the service, 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:29.059 are at peace with God for eternity. 00:21:29.059 --> 00:21:42.579 And so the peace that we enjoy is not just escapism for one day, but it is true. 00:21:43.339 --> 00:21:46.919 It is lasting peace that lasts for an eternity. 00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:53.299 Now I read that and I think that is definitely something worth celebrating. 00:21:53.299 --> 00:21:58.399 But don't just take my word for it. 00:21:59.099 --> 00:22:06.059 At the entrance of the church, we've got these little books called Is Christmas Unbelievable? 00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:12.119 In this little book, Rebecca McLaughlin goes through four questions about Christmas, 00:22:12.319 --> 00:22:14.980 and particularly the whole meaning of the life of Jesus. 00:22:15.119 --> 00:22:16.740 Is it really relevant? 00:22:16.940 --> 00:22:18.399 Take a copy of this, please. 00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:19.899 There's another book out there as well. 00:22:19.900 --> 00:22:30.620 Take a copy free of charge and see for yourself how exactly this little baby in a manger changed the world forever. 00:22:32.340 --> 00:22:35.720 See what he has done so that you can be right with God. 00:22:36.320 --> 00:22:37.800 See the real meaning of Christmas. 00:22:39.460 --> 00:22:42.880 Now we cannot walk away from this morning indifferent to Jesus. 00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:47.820 When you hear about Jesus, you are confronted with a choice. 00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:55.659 You either take him at his word and you put your trust in him or you reject him. 00:22:57.059 --> 00:23:01.200 But by doing so, you're walking away from the peace that you were created to enjoy. 00:23:02.079 --> 00:23:09.519 By rejecting Jesus, you are looking at a future under the weight of the just wrath of God against sin by yourself. 00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:15.759 Because for God to be just, for God to be good, sin must be punished. 00:23:17.019 --> 00:23:21.859 And the good news of Christmas is that for everyone who puts their trust in Jesus, 00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:24.139 he took that punishment in our place. 00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:30.980 If you reject Jesus, that punishment for sin is yours to bear. 00:23:32.839 --> 00:23:35.819 Provision for peace and forgiveness has been made. 00:23:35.819 --> 00:23:38.159 Run to Jesus this Christmas. 00:23:41.179 --> 00:23:45.919 Friends, as we draw to a close, if we see Jesus for who he really is, 00:23:45.960 --> 00:23:49.399 if we truly understand who this baby in a manger is, 00:23:49.460 --> 00:23:53.859 then our focus won't be on the stuff underneath the tree on Christmas morning. 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:57.919 Instead, our focus will change to the gifts that we can bring him. 00:23:57.920 --> 00:24:03.019 Our adoration, our worship, our entire lives. 00:24:05.060 --> 00:24:09.380 As we look forward to time with friends and family in the coming days, 00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:12.420 let's remember that we gather to celebrate Jesus. 00:24:12.580 --> 00:24:17.060 Not the baby in a manger, but Jesus God with us. 00:24:17.620 --> 00:24:21.840 The one who stepped into our world that we might be reconciled with God. 00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:26.019 And maybe as we go into Christmas, you're dreading it. 00:24:26.319 --> 00:24:28.139 Because every year it is hard for you. 00:24:29.359 --> 00:24:33.980 I hope that as we focus on Jesus, on who he is, and what he has done, 00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:37.619 that we will be filled by the Holy Spirit with the peace of God. 00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:43.959 And that we will have hope of the life he has secured for us on the cross. 00:24:43.960 --> 00:24:47.539 Wouldn't it be great if this year, instead of Christmas, 00:24:47.720 --> 00:24:53.920 being about escaping the chaos of life and pursuing superficial peace for one day, 00:24:54.039 --> 00:24:57.600 instead of that, we take a step back, recognize who Jesus is. 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:04.799 Recognize the true and lasting peace that he's made possible between man and God 00:25:04.799 --> 00:25:07.900 through his death and resurrection and worship. 00:25:07.900 --> 00:25:18.860 And as we'll sing in just a few moments, 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:24.480 this is news that will, that does bring and will bring joy to the world. 00:25:25.259 --> 00:25:31.480 Because the Lord has come and every heart should take time and prepare him room. 00:25:33.400 --> 00:25:35.140 Let me pray together. 00:25:35.400 --> 00:25:36.120 Let's pray together. 00:25:37.900 --> 00:25:43.480 Heavenly Father, we thank you so much that we get to gather and celebrate Jesus. 00:25:44.980 --> 00:25:47.780 Father, we thank you for Christmas and all that Christmas means, 00:25:47.900 --> 00:25:51.460 that you sent your son into this world. 00:25:52.019 --> 00:25:54.759 A world that had rejected you from the very beginning, 00:25:54.880 --> 00:26:01.759 you still decided out of grace and love to send your son so that we can be reconciled to you. 00:26:02.080 --> 00:26:04.460 So that we can be right before you. 00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:08.460 So that we can come before you and worship you as you want us to. 00:26:10.299 --> 00:26:13.480 Father, we pray that you would help us worship you well this Christmas. 00:26:14.340 --> 00:26:15.880 Help us be a church family. 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:20.500 That in every single conversation, in the way we act, in the way we talk, 00:26:20.579 --> 00:26:23.559 in the way we think that we are pointing people to Jesus. 00:26:23.559 --> 00:26:26.639 Jesus, the real reason for the season. 00:26:26.639 --> 00:26:34.779 That Jesus came, took on flesh, lived the perfect life, died the death we deserve, 00:26:35.539 --> 00:26:41.679 and yet rose victorious from the grave, showing us how we will be with you one day. 00:26:41.680 --> 00:26:45.519 We ask all of this in Jesus' name. 00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:46.539 Amen.