WEBVTT 00:00:00.660 --> 00:00:04.759 Okay, here's what we're going to do for the next 15 or 20 minutes or so. 00:00:05.500 --> 00:00:10.060 We're going to think about those verses in Colossians 1 that we read in the prayer a little bit earlier. 00:00:10.240 --> 00:00:13.460 If you want to do that, you can open your Bibles at Colossians chapter 1. 00:00:14.019 --> 00:00:16.679 Just three verses we're going to look at, verses 20 to 23. 00:00:17.080 --> 00:00:22.879 They'll go on the screen at some point as well, so it's always good to have the Bible open in front of us. 00:00:23.179 --> 00:00:27.580 So last week, I heard one of the best sounds ever. 00:00:27.579 --> 00:00:30.119 Do you want to hear about it? 00:00:31.640 --> 00:00:33.280 So I was taking the kids to school. 00:00:34.280 --> 00:00:36.759 Not this Thursday, but last Thursday. 00:00:38.399 --> 00:00:41.159 And it's a sleety day. It's a cold day. 00:00:41.280 --> 00:00:44.619 You know, kind of Scotland just doing its Scotland in winter thing. 00:00:45.560 --> 00:00:49.500 And all of a sudden, there's a noise erupts in the playground, this quiet scene. 00:00:49.640 --> 00:00:52.079 One boy shouts, snow! 00:00:54.159 --> 00:00:56.480 And what was a quiet scene? 00:00:56.479 --> 00:01:02.839 And all of a sudden, now every single person who's in this playground lifts their eyes and has a look. 00:01:03.519 --> 00:01:05.700 And the guys, the boy is right. 00:01:06.579 --> 00:01:09.840 So everybody starts noticing that it's snowing. 00:01:09.939 --> 00:01:13.259 And one after one, as each child recognizes it, 00:01:14.219 --> 00:01:18.379 joy and laughter erupts across the playground. 00:01:18.579 --> 00:01:23.579 Now, is that noise not one of the best things that we can ever hope to hear? 00:01:23.579 --> 00:01:29.259 Right? When children discover white snow for the first time in the year. 00:01:29.519 --> 00:01:31.459 And so what happens is we hear this noise. 00:01:31.560 --> 00:01:32.319 I hear this noise. 00:01:32.420 --> 00:01:33.200 I lift my eyes. 00:01:33.259 --> 00:01:35.679 And because of where we live over this side of town, 00:01:35.799 --> 00:01:37.459 we can see the Pentland Hills. 00:01:37.900 --> 00:01:41.060 And the Pentland Hills are covered in pure white. 00:01:42.340 --> 00:01:43.060 There it is. 00:01:43.060 --> 00:01:48.799 It's untouched, pure, unstained, perfect snow. 00:01:49.000 --> 00:01:52.060 And I hear the dulcet tones of Michael Bubly in my head. 00:01:52.439 --> 00:01:53.439 A beautiful sight. 00:01:53.540 --> 00:01:54.379 We're happy tonight. 00:01:54.500 --> 00:01:57.079 We're walking in a winter wonderland. 00:01:57.120 --> 00:01:57.840 You know that scene? 00:01:58.480 --> 00:01:59.659 You know the scene I'm talking about? 00:02:00.140 --> 00:02:01.980 The one we get in Christmas cards this time of year? 00:02:02.599 --> 00:02:03.020 Snow. 00:02:03.019 --> 00:02:03.939 Perfect snow. 00:02:04.420 --> 00:02:04.859 Tranquility. 00:02:05.119 --> 00:02:05.599 Peace. 00:02:07.019 --> 00:02:07.500 White. 00:02:08.979 --> 00:02:13.280 And here's why I think my heart yearns for that scene every single year when it comes around. 00:02:14.139 --> 00:02:15.039 I wonder if you're like me. 00:02:15.639 --> 00:02:20.419 I yearn for it because I want my life to be like that. 00:02:22.219 --> 00:02:22.479 Yeah? 00:02:23.039 --> 00:02:25.379 Inside, is there not our human hearts? 00:02:25.519 --> 00:02:29.000 Is there not a yearning that that would be true of our lives? 00:02:29.199 --> 00:02:29.379 Right? 00:02:29.379 --> 00:02:36.699 I look back on the 351 days that I've come and gone so far in 2022 in my own life. 00:02:36.960 --> 00:02:38.219 Oh, and there's been some great times. 00:02:38.319 --> 00:02:39.180 There's been some joy. 00:02:39.340 --> 00:02:41.060 There's been tons of laughter. 00:02:41.199 --> 00:02:43.599 But also I'm so conscious getting to this time of year. 00:02:43.900 --> 00:02:46.599 And this year for me has been tinged with regrets. 00:02:47.079 --> 00:02:48.919 It's been tinged with hurt. 00:02:49.340 --> 00:02:52.419 It's been tinged with words that I said that I can't take back. 00:02:52.539 --> 00:02:54.680 It's been tinged with missed opportunities. 00:02:55.180 --> 00:02:57.659 And so every person that comes to me this time of year and says, 00:02:57.659 --> 00:02:59.000 what are you doing this Christmas? 00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:05.939 The temptation for us, is it not, to spin the story and to keep up the show that we're somehow, 00:03:06.099 --> 00:03:10.219 all of us, taking up our own little scene in this perfect Christmas postcard. 00:03:11.819 --> 00:03:12.300 Right? 00:03:12.340 --> 00:03:18.840 The pressure we put on ourselves and our world to kindle the magic of Christmas for one or two days a year, 00:03:19.800 --> 00:03:22.479 when actually we feel like in that words of that carol, 00:03:22.580 --> 00:03:24.620 we are in our lives in the bleak midwinter. 00:03:24.620 --> 00:03:30.180 And that's a crushing pressure, is it not, that comes at this time of year, 00:03:30.240 --> 00:03:31.439 that maybe comes at no other, 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:35.819 where we feel the pressure that our lives should be Christmas postcard white, 00:03:36.460 --> 00:03:38.800 but we're conscious that they're not. 00:03:40.300 --> 00:03:42.960 Friends, if you are here today and you're weary and sad, 00:03:42.960 --> 00:03:46.560 if you're here today and you're feeling the anxiety, 00:03:46.560 --> 00:03:50.500 if you're here today and you're aware of someone who you love, 00:03:50.560 --> 00:03:52.980 who will not be around that Christmas table this year, 00:03:54.180 --> 00:03:57.000 then I've got wonderful news for you today in this passage. 00:03:57.000 --> 00:04:01.319 Because this is the gospel, what Christians call the gospel. 00:04:02.319 --> 00:04:05.639 And here it is taking place in Bethlehem. 00:04:06.439 --> 00:04:12.240 And this is good news for weary and sad and worn out people. 00:04:12.419 --> 00:04:14.000 And here's what I mean by that. 00:04:14.719 --> 00:04:16.819 I'm going to give you two reasons, one later on, 00:04:17.160 --> 00:04:19.560 as to why I became a Christian at age 18. 00:04:20.879 --> 00:04:22.199 Do you know what the first one was? 00:04:23.099 --> 00:04:27.620 The first one was that I found in the Bible a compelling realism 00:04:27.620 --> 00:04:30.300 that I found nowhere else in my life. 00:04:30.699 --> 00:04:35.000 I agreed and C.S. Lewis put it like this. 00:04:35.199 --> 00:04:37.779 He said, when he became a Christian, I've been reading poems. 00:04:39.360 --> 00:04:42.300 I've been reading poems, romances, vision, literature, 00:04:42.539 --> 00:04:44.860 legends and myths my whole life. 00:04:44.919 --> 00:04:46.019 I know what they are like. 00:04:46.539 --> 00:04:48.360 And I know none of them are like the Bible. 00:04:49.699 --> 00:04:51.339 I remember when I first became a Christian, 00:04:51.339 --> 00:04:52.459 it was like I picked up this book 00:04:52.459 --> 00:04:54.839 and it was like for the first time in my life, 00:04:54.919 --> 00:04:56.459 I was looking at a map 00:04:56.459 --> 00:05:00.000 that helped me understand the contours of my worlds. 00:05:00.759 --> 00:05:02.579 Now, there were three phrases in that passage 00:05:02.579 --> 00:05:04.979 that we read earlier that describe the human condition. 00:05:05.159 --> 00:05:06.459 And ones that I remember when I read them, 00:05:06.519 --> 00:05:08.099 I thought, yep, that is true. 00:05:08.500 --> 00:05:09.219 Here's the first one. 00:05:09.279 --> 00:05:10.059 Did you pick them up? 00:05:10.319 --> 00:05:12.699 The first one is that word alienated. 00:05:14.239 --> 00:05:14.599 Right? 00:05:14.719 --> 00:05:15.739 By our own free will. 00:05:15.799 --> 00:05:16.500 This is what we are. 00:05:16.559 --> 00:05:17.559 We are estranged. 00:05:17.560 --> 00:05:21.300 We are separated from the good God of love, 00:05:21.360 --> 00:05:23.560 of life and light who created us. 00:05:23.660 --> 00:05:25.680 And he created us in his image, 00:05:25.860 --> 00:05:27.839 not by chance, not by accident. 00:05:27.980 --> 00:05:32.379 He created us in his image to live in relationship with him, 00:05:32.740 --> 00:05:35.399 enjoying him and knowing him forever. 00:05:37.399 --> 00:05:39.959 But now our paths, because of our rebellion, 00:05:40.079 --> 00:05:43.660 are set on a destiny of physical and eternal death. 00:05:43.660 --> 00:05:46.680 And because of that, what are we in our thoughts? 00:05:46.840 --> 00:05:49.220 We are hostile in mind. 00:05:49.340 --> 00:05:50.960 We are enemies in our minds. 00:05:51.760 --> 00:05:54.040 Because we don't want the God who made us. 00:05:54.500 --> 00:05:55.560 We don't want his ways. 00:05:55.640 --> 00:05:56.800 We find them restrictive. 00:05:57.100 --> 00:05:58.180 We find them offensive. 00:05:58.940 --> 00:06:00.720 And because of that, what are we? 00:06:01.000 --> 00:06:04.340 Well, we are doing evil deeds. 00:06:04.460 --> 00:06:04.840 Do you see? 00:06:06.040 --> 00:06:08.740 The kind of global acts that cause wars, 00:06:08.879 --> 00:06:12.600 the kind of everyday acts that cause division and hurt. 00:06:12.600 --> 00:06:13.300 I don't know about you, 00:06:13.360 --> 00:06:15.180 but I'm always amazed at my ability 00:06:15.180 --> 00:06:18.439 to hurt the people that I love the most. 00:06:20.420 --> 00:06:23.240 And those three words, those three phrases come together. 00:06:23.780 --> 00:06:26.360 And they come together in that word sin. 00:06:26.879 --> 00:06:28.860 You know, we live its effects daily. 00:06:29.100 --> 00:06:34.500 And we feel its effects daily as it wreaks havoc on our world. 00:06:34.500 --> 00:06:37.180 I find it interesting. 00:06:37.279 --> 00:06:39.660 I wonder if you saw that that's the tone that John Lewis 00:06:39.660 --> 00:06:43.779 are being praised for recognizing in their Christmas advert this year. 00:06:43.819 --> 00:06:44.500 You've seen that one? 00:06:44.779 --> 00:06:45.600 The John Lewis advert? 00:06:46.420 --> 00:06:48.019 Choosing not to go for novelty, 00:06:48.439 --> 00:06:50.100 not to go for cuddly monsters, 00:06:50.279 --> 00:06:52.420 not to go for the man on the moon looking through the telescope, 00:06:52.680 --> 00:06:55.639 but instead going for reality, right? 00:06:55.759 --> 00:06:58.959 Basing their advert around the fact that heartbreakingly, 00:06:58.959 --> 00:07:04.039 some 108,000 children are currently caught up in the care system in the UK. 00:07:04.579 --> 00:07:06.439 It's almost as if we're waking up, isn't it, 00:07:06.459 --> 00:07:09.259 to the fact that, no, something is not right. 00:07:09.339 --> 00:07:11.759 This should not be how it is. 00:07:11.759 --> 00:07:13.240 And yet this is our world. 00:07:14.359 --> 00:07:17.599 And the Bible would say it is because of our hearts. 00:07:17.600 --> 00:07:21.140 And so what do we do with that? 00:07:21.200 --> 00:07:23.640 Well, there's three options, right? 00:07:23.720 --> 00:07:25.939 Or three animals when you think about it. 00:07:26.640 --> 00:07:27.879 Okay, what do we do with that? 00:07:27.939 --> 00:07:30.939 Well, we can go full hamster, right? 00:07:31.060 --> 00:07:33.640 And we can try and get on the proverbial training wheel 00:07:33.640 --> 00:07:35.400 and we can try and run a bit harder, 00:07:35.560 --> 00:07:36.920 trying to do a bit more, 00:07:37.660 --> 00:07:39.220 aiming to do a little bit better. 00:07:40.140 --> 00:07:43.860 We can go full hamster or we can go full ostrich, right? 00:07:43.879 --> 00:07:45.500 We can put our heads in the sand. 00:07:45.800 --> 00:07:47.040 We can close our ears. 00:07:47.040 --> 00:07:48.840 We can say it ain't so. 00:07:49.100 --> 00:07:52.819 We can try and escape the realities of our world 00:07:52.819 --> 00:07:56.160 that we feel so acutely at this time of year. 00:07:57.120 --> 00:07:59.020 I find it interesting that the BBC 00:07:59.020 --> 00:08:03.620 now show their biggest and their best shows, 00:08:04.379 --> 00:08:06.860 not on a Saturday night at eight o'clock, 00:08:06.920 --> 00:08:09.900 as used to be the case in my day growing up. 00:08:10.560 --> 00:08:12.420 When do they show their best shows now? 00:08:13.580 --> 00:08:16.439 They show them at Sunday night at what time? 00:08:17.040 --> 00:08:20.660 At nine o'clock, every single time, right? 00:08:20.740 --> 00:08:23.760 And it's almost as if we thank them as a nation 00:08:23.760 --> 00:08:26.920 for the fact that for one extra hour on a Sunday night, 00:08:27.040 --> 00:08:31.120 we thank them for being able to forget about one Monday morning 00:08:31.120 --> 00:08:33.620 for one extra hour, right? 00:08:33.620 --> 00:08:34.120 It's what we do. 00:08:34.120 --> 00:08:35.519 It's escapism. 00:08:36.840 --> 00:08:40.340 Or we can go, and this is the invitation of this passage today, 00:08:40.940 --> 00:08:43.779 we can go full lamb, right? 00:08:43.899 --> 00:08:45.279 Full hamster, full ostrich. 00:08:45.419 --> 00:08:47.899 This invitation is to go full lamb. 00:08:47.960 --> 00:08:52.440 As we see Mary's little lamb born in that manger in Bethlehem. 00:08:53.039 --> 00:08:54.759 Now, if you've got the passage open in front of you, 00:08:54.840 --> 00:08:56.360 don't worry if you don't, it will go on the screen. 00:08:57.279 --> 00:09:02.360 You'll see that Paul makes a big deal of the fact 00:09:02.360 --> 00:09:06.720 that Jesus has a body of flesh, right? 00:09:06.779 --> 00:09:09.379 That he really came as a human being. 00:09:09.720 --> 00:09:11.519 That for Paul, as he writes this, 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:14.139 this is not some take it or leave it little detail 00:09:14.139 --> 00:09:15.320 of the Christian faith. 00:09:15.700 --> 00:09:20.899 In fact, this is a cornerstone of the Christian faith, right? 00:09:20.960 --> 00:09:22.659 This is like the Jenga brick, 00:09:22.740 --> 00:09:24.019 that if you pulled this out, 00:09:24.019 --> 00:09:28.079 the whole thing would collapse around you and you lose, right? 00:09:28.519 --> 00:09:30.419 Jesus was no ghost figure. 00:09:31.720 --> 00:09:33.819 No, without ceasing to be God, 00:09:34.340 --> 00:09:36.600 he really did become a human being. 00:09:37.860 --> 00:09:42.079 The eternal God was at one point in time 00:09:42.079 --> 00:09:44.919 smaller than a full stop. 00:09:45.699 --> 00:09:48.799 The creator of all things came out the womb, 00:09:48.980 --> 00:09:50.819 all fingers and toes. 00:09:50.820 --> 00:09:53.020 The God who upholds all things 00:09:53.020 --> 00:09:56.440 had to have his umbilical cord cut. 00:09:59.460 --> 00:10:00.780 I remember moving to Bristol 00:10:00.780 --> 00:10:03.340 and asking a lady who lived, 00:10:03.520 --> 00:10:05.340 who worked in the PR department of the company 00:10:05.340 --> 00:10:06.320 that I was going to work for 00:10:06.320 --> 00:10:08.600 that I'd seen a flat in a certain area of the city. 00:10:09.060 --> 00:10:11.120 And I asked her, I said, is this a nice area? 00:10:11.260 --> 00:10:12.000 Should I live there? 00:10:12.160 --> 00:10:14.700 Should I, what kind of word would you use to describe it? 00:10:14.740 --> 00:10:15.720 Do you know the word she used? 00:10:15.720 --> 00:10:18.259 She used the word earthy. 00:10:20.379 --> 00:10:22.060 Yeah, I know I'd never heard of it before. 00:10:22.899 --> 00:10:23.259 Earthy. 00:10:23.600 --> 00:10:25.600 What she meant is that area of town, 00:10:25.680 --> 00:10:26.759 there's no glitz and glam, 00:10:27.779 --> 00:10:28.500 no pomp, 00:10:29.340 --> 00:10:30.200 real people, 00:10:30.879 --> 00:10:31.700 rough and ready, 00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:33.379 you'll be right in the thick of it. 00:10:34.379 --> 00:10:34.779 Earthy. 00:10:35.220 --> 00:10:36.840 Use that word all the time now, I love it. 00:10:36.940 --> 00:10:37.320 Earthy. 00:10:37.320 --> 00:10:39.140 The wonder of Christmas 00:10:39.140 --> 00:10:41.840 is that in Jesus, 00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:42.820 God got earthy. 00:10:44.500 --> 00:10:45.020 Right? 00:10:45.240 --> 00:10:46.920 Born into our sweat, 00:10:47.180 --> 00:10:48.080 our toil, 00:10:48.760 --> 00:10:49.700 our mess. 00:10:50.500 --> 00:10:52.660 The son of God shed tears. 00:10:53.000 --> 00:10:54.280 He knew smiles. 00:10:54.540 --> 00:10:55.780 He got splinters. 00:10:56.060 --> 00:10:57.060 He felt hunger. 00:10:57.500 --> 00:10:59.100 He had needs. 00:11:00.120 --> 00:11:00.560 Why? 00:11:01.480 --> 00:11:03.440 Well, last week we thought about the fact 00:11:03.440 --> 00:11:04.580 that Jesus coming, 00:11:04.580 --> 00:11:08.180 he came to reconcile all things. 00:11:09.240 --> 00:11:10.020 And this week, 00:11:10.080 --> 00:11:11.020 it's almost in this passage 00:11:11.020 --> 00:11:12.800 that Paul goes from all things, 00:11:13.120 --> 00:11:14.460 he goes personal. 00:11:14.639 --> 00:11:15.060 He says, 00:11:15.500 --> 00:11:15.720 you. 00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:18.300 Jesus came for you. 00:11:19.280 --> 00:11:19.840 Right? 00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:21.639 What did he do? 00:11:21.960 --> 00:11:23.920 Jesus took responsibility. 00:11:24.840 --> 00:11:25.879 That's what he did. 00:11:26.480 --> 00:11:27.040 Right? 00:11:27.139 --> 00:11:28.660 We hate people in our culture 00:11:28.660 --> 00:11:29.820 who don't take responsibility. 00:11:30.120 --> 00:11:32.060 It's why Matt Hancock went on, 00:11:32.360 --> 00:11:33.060 I'm a celebrity, 00:11:33.220 --> 00:11:33.740 get me out of here, 00:11:33.740 --> 00:11:34.019 wasn't it? 00:11:34.019 --> 00:11:35.419 Trying to gain back his reputation 00:11:35.419 --> 00:11:36.039 that he lost. 00:11:36.200 --> 00:11:36.399 Why? 00:11:36.500 --> 00:11:38.019 Because we didn't trust his words 00:11:38.019 --> 00:11:40.039 and didn't trust him 00:11:40.039 --> 00:11:40.740 to take responsibility. 00:11:41.200 --> 00:11:42.019 Well, this Jesus 00:11:42.019 --> 00:11:42.899 took responsibility 00:11:42.899 --> 00:11:45.000 with his life. 00:11:46.060 --> 00:11:46.500 Right? 00:11:46.600 --> 00:11:47.120 He came, 00:11:47.200 --> 00:11:48.220 he entered our world, 00:11:48.320 --> 00:11:49.779 he stood in our shoes 00:11:49.779 --> 00:11:51.639 and he lived a life 00:11:51.639 --> 00:11:52.539 that we couldn't. 00:11:53.220 --> 00:11:54.220 A life lived, 00:11:54.620 --> 00:11:56.220 a perfect life of worship 00:11:56.220 --> 00:11:58.259 to his father. 00:11:59.419 --> 00:12:00.279 And you have to say, 00:12:00.399 --> 00:12:01.659 what a life it was. 00:12:02.200 --> 00:12:03.299 And this is the second reason 00:12:03.299 --> 00:12:04.579 I remember becoming 00:12:04.579 --> 00:12:05.719 a Christian when I was 18. 00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:07.120 Reading the person, 00:12:07.259 --> 00:12:08.099 reading about the person 00:12:08.099 --> 00:12:08.620 of Jesus 00:12:08.620 --> 00:12:10.339 and thinking to myself, 00:12:10.620 --> 00:12:12.139 I've never met anyone 00:12:12.139 --> 00:12:12.740 like that. 00:12:14.959 --> 00:12:15.919 You have to say that 00:12:15.919 --> 00:12:16.719 you should look at Jesus 00:12:16.719 --> 00:12:17.359 in the Bible 00:12:17.359 --> 00:12:18.759 and if you haven't done 00:12:18.759 --> 00:12:19.339 that this morning, 00:12:19.479 --> 00:12:20.659 the invitation is for you 00:12:20.659 --> 00:12:21.120 to do it 00:12:21.120 --> 00:12:22.019 and you can grab a Bible 00:12:22.019 --> 00:12:22.740 before you go. 00:12:22.819 --> 00:12:23.839 We'd love to make that happen. 00:12:24.559 --> 00:12:25.299 You have to say, 00:12:25.459 --> 00:12:27.479 here is the fullest human being 00:12:27.479 --> 00:12:28.299 who ever lived. 00:12:31.439 --> 00:12:32.799 He did what we couldn't. 00:12:33.299 --> 00:12:34.879 Healing the sick, 00:12:35.579 --> 00:12:37.319 going towards the destitute, 00:12:37.979 --> 00:12:38.779 eating and drinking 00:12:38.779 --> 00:12:39.939 with questionable people. 00:12:40.039 --> 00:12:41.000 You have to look at Jesus 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:41.559 and say, 00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:43.859 here is the most fully satisfied 00:12:43.859 --> 00:12:44.699 human being 00:12:44.699 --> 00:12:45.979 that's ever existed. 00:12:46.799 --> 00:12:47.839 His life. 00:12:48.639 --> 00:12:49.539 He lives the life 00:12:49.539 --> 00:12:50.359 that we couldn't live 00:12:50.359 --> 00:12:51.099 and his death. 00:12:51.559 --> 00:12:52.620 His life ends 00:12:52.620 --> 00:12:55.339 crucified on this Roman cross. 00:12:55.659 --> 00:12:56.959 The death that he suffered 00:12:56.959 --> 00:12:58.059 in his body 00:12:58.059 --> 00:12:59.419 that we deserved. 00:12:59.759 --> 00:13:01.459 This Jesus took it. 00:13:01.460 --> 00:13:03.639 He took it. 00:13:04.220 --> 00:13:05.500 He lived the life 00:13:05.500 --> 00:13:06.500 that we couldn't live 00:13:06.500 --> 00:13:08.379 and he died the death 00:13:08.379 --> 00:13:09.400 that we should have died 00:13:09.400 --> 00:13:10.840 and he did it. 00:13:10.940 --> 00:13:11.180 Why? 00:13:12.120 --> 00:13:13.420 To take responsibility 00:13:13.420 --> 00:13:14.720 to win his people. 00:13:14.800 --> 00:13:15.639 That's what his name means. 00:13:15.680 --> 00:13:17.420 His name means God saves. 00:13:17.480 --> 00:13:18.680 He came to save us 00:13:18.680 --> 00:13:20.639 from our sin. 00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:24.100 And the call is to trust 00:13:24.100 --> 00:13:25.659 in this rescue plan 00:13:25.659 --> 00:13:27.519 hatched in eternity past 00:13:27.519 --> 00:13:28.679 by this God of love. 00:13:29.179 --> 00:13:30.939 The promise that he made 00:13:30.939 --> 00:13:32.279 that snowballed and grew 00:13:32.279 --> 00:13:33.620 through the Old Testament 00:13:33.620 --> 00:13:35.039 until Jesus came. 00:13:35.799 --> 00:13:36.460 He lived, 00:13:36.600 --> 00:13:37.139 he died, 00:13:37.259 --> 00:13:37.879 he rose 00:13:37.879 --> 00:13:39.399 and he calls us now 00:13:39.399 --> 00:13:40.259 in the position 00:13:40.259 --> 00:13:41.439 where he is 00:13:41.439 --> 00:13:42.179 of all power 00:13:42.179 --> 00:13:43.080 and authority 00:13:43.080 --> 00:13:44.580 having conquered death 00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:45.919 to trust him. 00:13:47.240 --> 00:13:48.519 Come and trust him. 00:13:49.539 --> 00:13:50.500 That his death 00:13:50.500 --> 00:13:51.740 is our death. 00:13:52.139 --> 00:13:53.059 That his life 00:13:53.059 --> 00:13:54.159 is our life. 00:13:54.639 --> 00:13:55.879 And his father 00:13:55.879 --> 00:13:57.700 is our father. 00:13:59.200 --> 00:13:59.659 You know, 00:13:59.679 --> 00:14:00.379 I always think about this 00:14:00.379 --> 00:14:01.039 what it means 00:14:01.039 --> 00:14:01.679 to be a Christian. 00:14:01.779 --> 00:14:02.440 I remember a number 00:14:02.440 --> 00:14:03.159 of years ago 00:14:03.159 --> 00:14:04.840 Alex and I and the kids 00:14:04.840 --> 00:14:05.639 we started climbing 00:14:05.639 --> 00:14:06.500 Blackford Hill. 00:14:06.500 --> 00:14:07.620 New Year's Day I think 00:14:07.620 --> 00:14:08.500 or the 2nd of January. 00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:09.059 We started climbing 00:14:09.059 --> 00:14:09.720 Blackford Hill 00:14:09.720 --> 00:14:12.659 and we get halfway up 00:14:12.659 --> 00:14:13.600 and then we realise 00:14:13.600 --> 00:14:14.120 with the kids 00:14:14.120 --> 00:14:15.639 that this ain't gonna work. 00:14:17.080 --> 00:14:17.860 And we're with friends 00:14:17.860 --> 00:14:18.299 and our friends 00:14:18.299 --> 00:14:19.200 want to get to the top. 00:14:19.279 --> 00:14:19.720 They've never really been 00:14:19.720 --> 00:14:20.059 to the top 00:14:20.059 --> 00:14:20.860 so they keep on walking 00:14:20.860 --> 00:14:21.340 to the top 00:14:21.340 --> 00:14:21.679 and we say 00:14:21.679 --> 00:14:22.740 we'll just stay halfway 00:14:22.740 --> 00:14:24.360 and we'll just get you 00:14:24.360 --> 00:14:25.279 on the flip side 00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:26.200 when you come back down. 00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:27.759 And so we sat there 00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:28.559 on the benches 00:14:28.559 --> 00:14:30.019 getting colder 00:14:30.019 --> 00:14:30.620 but we've got our 00:14:30.620 --> 00:14:31.879 big winter jackets on 00:14:31.879 --> 00:14:33.639 and we each took a child 00:14:33.639 --> 00:14:34.440 at a point 00:14:34.440 --> 00:14:35.080 there was only two 00:14:35.080 --> 00:14:35.940 child in 00:14:35.940 --> 00:14:37.120 and we just wrapped 00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:37.920 them in our jackets. 00:14:39.660 --> 00:14:41.020 What is it to be a Christian? 00:14:41.860 --> 00:14:43.120 What is it to trust Jesus? 00:14:43.480 --> 00:14:44.240 At its heart 00:14:44.240 --> 00:14:45.560 the Bible talks about 00:14:45.560 --> 00:14:46.060 the fact that 00:14:46.060 --> 00:14:47.400 our lives are in him. 00:14:48.380 --> 00:14:49.060 He has taken 00:14:49.060 --> 00:14:50.400 full responsibility 00:14:50.400 --> 00:14:51.560 for the life 00:14:51.560 --> 00:14:52.880 that we couldn't live 00:14:52.880 --> 00:14:53.600 and the death 00:14:53.600 --> 00:14:54.540 we should have died. 00:14:54.960 --> 00:14:55.700 And that is what 00:14:55.700 --> 00:14:57.020 happens to our lives. 00:14:57.420 --> 00:14:58.460 And that is what it is 00:14:58.460 --> 00:14:59.620 to go full lamb. 00:15:00.260 --> 00:15:01.480 To trust in him 00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:02.640 and to come to him 00:15:02.639 --> 00:15:03.759 and to find 00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:04.659 our life 00:15:04.659 --> 00:15:06.519 in his light. 00:15:07.340 --> 00:15:08.240 And what's the result 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:08.699 of that? 00:15:08.819 --> 00:15:09.720 Well we are 00:15:09.720 --> 00:15:10.299 reconciled. 00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:11.860 Those 00:15:11.860 --> 00:15:12.860 now what 00:15:12.860 --> 00:15:14.179 three phrases 00:15:14.179 --> 00:15:15.100 describe us 00:15:15.100 --> 00:15:15.639 as Jesus 00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:16.960 presents us 00:15:16.960 --> 00:15:18.179 before God the Father. 00:15:19.740 --> 00:15:20.299 Holy 00:15:20.299 --> 00:15:21.860 you see that? 00:15:22.539 --> 00:15:23.399 Set apart. 00:15:25.319 --> 00:15:25.840 Blameless 00:15:25.840 --> 00:15:27.259 without blemish 00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:28.039 not just forgiven 00:15:28.039 --> 00:15:28.779 but perfect 00:15:28.779 --> 00:15:29.459 and above 00:15:29.459 --> 00:15:30.980 reproach. 00:15:31.559 --> 00:15:32.019 Meaning that 00:15:32.019 --> 00:15:32.879 no charge 00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:33.659 or accusation 00:15:33.659 --> 00:15:34.439 will stick 00:15:34.439 --> 00:15:35.019 against 00:15:35.019 --> 00:15:36.299 those who 00:15:36.299 --> 00:15:37.120 trust in Jesus 00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:37.839 because he 00:15:37.839 --> 00:15:39.039 has paid it all. 00:15:39.199 --> 00:15:39.779 And now 00:15:39.779 --> 00:15:40.500 in him 00:15:40.500 --> 00:15:41.220 what are our 00:15:41.220 --> 00:15:41.600 lives 00:15:41.600 --> 00:15:42.480 because when 00:15:42.480 --> 00:15:43.600 God looks at us 00:15:43.600 --> 00:15:44.959 he sees Jesus. 00:15:45.139 --> 00:15:45.659 What are our 00:15:45.659 --> 00:15:45.980 lives? 00:15:46.100 --> 00:15:46.579 Our lives 00:15:46.579 --> 00:15:47.480 are pure as snow. 00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:51.379 That is what 00:15:51.379 --> 00:15:52.079 your life is 00:15:52.079 --> 00:15:52.600 in the eyes 00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:53.179 of your loving 00:15:53.179 --> 00:15:53.899 father because 00:15:53.899 --> 00:15:54.360 of Jesus. 00:15:54.559 --> 00:15:55.539 And the invitation 00:15:55.539 --> 00:15:55.980 then 00:15:55.980 --> 00:15:57.319 is to come 00:15:57.319 --> 00:15:58.059 and trust him. 00:15:58.779 --> 00:15:59.120 And maybe 00:15:59.120 --> 00:15:59.620 you have 00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:00.019 maybe your 00:16:00.019 --> 00:16:00.480 life is 00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:01.000 in Jesus. 00:16:01.279 --> 00:16:01.939 The invitation 00:16:01.939 --> 00:16:02.639 again is to 00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:03.159 come and find 00:16:03.159 --> 00:16:04.100 rest in him. 00:16:04.799 --> 00:16:06.159 To fall back 00:16:06.159 --> 00:16:07.059 to collapse 00:16:07.059 --> 00:16:07.959 yourself in 00:16:07.959 --> 00:16:08.779 who he is 00:16:08.779 --> 00:16:09.299 and what he's 00:16:09.299 --> 00:16:09.939 done for us 00:16:09.939 --> 00:16:10.639 on the cross 00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:11.860 and to bask 00:16:11.860 --> 00:16:12.500 ourselves 00:16:12.500 --> 00:16:13.360 in our 00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:13.980 father's love 00:16:13.980 --> 00:16:14.519 for us. 00:16:15.480 --> 00:16:15.919 That's what 00:16:15.919 --> 00:16:16.579 sent Jesus. 00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:18.459 Our father's 00:16:18.459 --> 00:16:19.159 love for us. 00:16:20.059 --> 00:16:20.399 You know what 00:16:20.399 --> 00:16:20.879 does this look 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:21.539 like just as we 00:16:21.539 --> 00:16:21.740 close? 00:16:21.819 --> 00:16:22.159 I want to tell 00:16:22.159 --> 00:16:22.500 you about my 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:23.159 friend Gordon. 00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:24.720 Right Gordon's 00:16:24.720 --> 00:16:25.319 another pastor 00:16:25.319 --> 00:16:26.100 in the city 00:16:26.100 --> 00:16:27.360 but that's not 00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:28.779 how I really 00:16:28.779 --> 00:16:29.399 know Gordon. 00:16:30.399 --> 00:16:31.259 I know Gordon 00:16:31.259 --> 00:16:32.080 because I see him 00:16:32.080 --> 00:16:32.919 as a fellow dad 00:16:32.919 --> 00:16:33.620 every day on the 00:16:33.620 --> 00:16:34.180 school run. 00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:35.440 Right? 00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:36.200 And every day I 00:16:36.200 --> 00:16:36.899 see him and he 00:16:36.899 --> 00:16:37.759 texts me sometimes 00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:38.220 afterwards. 00:16:38.340 --> 00:16:38.800 He's become a 00:16:38.800 --> 00:16:39.500 really good friend. 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:40.759 He texts me and 00:16:40.759 --> 00:16:40.899 he said, 00:16:40.960 --> 00:16:41.279 buddy, you're 00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:41.700 looking really 00:16:41.700 --> 00:16:42.320 down today. 00:16:42.500 --> 00:16:42.960 Are you okay? 00:16:44.159 --> 00:16:44.960 Sometimes I text 00:16:44.960 --> 00:16:45.539 him, mate, you're 00:16:45.539 --> 00:16:46.220 looking quite sad 00:16:46.220 --> 00:16:46.460 today. 00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:46.980 Anything I can 00:16:46.980 --> 00:16:47.519 help with? 00:16:48.060 --> 00:16:48.759 And I love it 00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:49.440 because we so 00:16:49.440 --> 00:16:50.259 often chatted 00:16:50.259 --> 00:16:50.940 about the 00:16:50.940 --> 00:16:51.759 struggles in our 00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:52.159 lives. 00:16:53.279 --> 00:16:53.399 Right? 00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:54.199 Life is really 00:16:54.199 --> 00:16:54.840 hard. 00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:56.779 Battling 00:16:56.779 --> 00:16:59.199 illness as a 00:16:59.199 --> 00:17:00.279 family, raising 00:17:00.279 --> 00:17:01.399 children aware of 00:17:01.399 --> 00:17:02.360 your own weakness, 00:17:02.779 --> 00:17:03.659 concerns for your 00:17:03.659 --> 00:17:05.059 own family, things 00:17:05.059 --> 00:17:05.740 that always need 00:17:05.740 --> 00:17:06.539 done around the 00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:07.460 house, financial 00:17:07.460 --> 00:17:08.720 concerns, all of 00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:10.420 these things which 00:17:10.420 --> 00:17:12.019 would seek to rob 00:17:12.019 --> 00:17:13.680 us of that joy of 00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:14.139 who we are. 00:17:14.160 --> 00:17:14.639 And I said to 00:17:14.639 --> 00:17:15.139 him, buddy, listen, 00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:16.740 how do you do it? 00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:17.259 What is God 00:17:17.259 --> 00:17:18.079 teaching you? 00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:19.519 And he said, 00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:20.180 because of the 00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:21.019 gospel, there's so 00:17:21.019 --> 00:17:21.839 much going on in my 00:17:21.839 --> 00:17:22.759 life, but I say to 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:23.500 myself that there's 00:17:23.500 --> 00:17:24.180 two things that are 00:17:24.180 --> 00:17:24.940 true for me every 00:17:24.940 --> 00:17:26.200 day, two phrases are 00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:26.859 true for me every 00:17:26.859 --> 00:17:28.220 day because my life 00:17:28.220 --> 00:17:28.960 is caught up in 00:17:28.960 --> 00:17:29.279 Jesus. 00:17:29.440 --> 00:17:29.839 Do you know what he 00:17:29.839 --> 00:17:30.099 said? 00:17:30.400 --> 00:17:31.140 He said the first 00:17:31.140 --> 00:17:31.740 one is that there's 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:32.619 no one today I need 00:17:32.619 --> 00:17:33.299 to impress. 00:17:35.039 --> 00:17:35.660 And he said, 00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:36.519 secondly, there's 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:37.559 nothing today I need 00:17:37.559 --> 00:17:38.000 to prove. 00:17:39.319 --> 00:17:40.220 And that's what it 00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:41.000 is to trust in 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:41.299 Jesus. 00:17:41.940 --> 00:17:43.000 The one who came 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:44.000 for us, the one 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:44.740 whose name means 00:17:44.740 --> 00:17:46.200 God saves, the one 00:17:46.200 --> 00:17:47.279 who lives the life 00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:48.200 we couldn't live, who 00:17:48.200 --> 00:17:49.039 dies the death we 00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:50.119 should have died, and 00:17:50.119 --> 00:17:51.160 who now holds our 00:17:51.160 --> 00:17:51.900 lives in his right 00:17:51.900 --> 00:17:52.519 hand at the 00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:54.259 God the Father's 00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:55.220 right hand side in 00:17:55.220 --> 00:17:55.879 the place of all 00:17:55.879 --> 00:17:56.839 power and authority. 00:17:56.839 --> 00:17:57.940 This is not about us 00:17:57.940 --> 00:17:58.639 up in our game. 00:17:59.220 --> 00:18:00.240 This is not us about 00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:02.180 finding our greatest 00:18:02.180 --> 00:18:03.440 self at this time of 00:18:03.440 --> 00:18:03.700 year. 00:18:03.819 --> 00:18:04.579 This is another 00:18:04.579 --> 00:18:05.720 wonderful reminder 00:18:05.720 --> 00:18:07.960 that Jesus has done 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:08.379 it all. 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:10.700 So that's what it is 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:11.500 to go full, Lamb. 00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:13.000 That's the invitation 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:14.039 we have this morning. 00:18:14.400 --> 00:18:15.740 So come to Bethlehem 00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:16.879 and savour what God 00:18:16.879 --> 00:18:17.440 is doing. 00:18:18.079 --> 00:18:19.059 As your Saviour 00:18:19.059 --> 00:18:21.579 takes on flesh and 00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:22.139 is born. 00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:23.059 No wonder the 00:18:23.059 --> 00:18:24.779 angel said, it is 00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:26.579 good news of great 00:18:26.579 --> 00:18:28.339 joy for all people. 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:30.500 Let's pray, will we? 00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:35.420 And we thank you, dear 00:18:35.420 --> 00:18:37.960 God, for your wonderful 00:18:37.960 --> 00:18:38.900 love for us. 00:18:40.400 --> 00:18:41.960 So undeserving. 00:18:42.480 --> 00:18:43.099 Lord, we weren't 00:18:43.099 --> 00:18:43.900 looking for you. 00:18:44.099 --> 00:18:45.059 Thank you that this 00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:46.279 tells us, the baby in 00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:48.359 the manger, that into 00:18:48.359 --> 00:18:49.779 our darkness and our 00:18:49.779 --> 00:18:51.279 distress and our sin, 00:18:51.700 --> 00:18:52.700 that you came looking 00:18:52.700 --> 00:18:53.279 for us. 00:18:54.460 --> 00:18:55.500 And we just thank you 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:56.480 that this is the kind 00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:57.519 of God that you are. 00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:59.539 And so, Father, I pray 00:18:59.539 --> 00:19:00.680 for those here today 00:19:00.680 --> 00:19:01.619 who are hurting. 00:19:02.639 --> 00:19:03.559 Lord, I pray that by 00:19:03.559 --> 00:19:04.440 your Spirit you would 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:05.759 meet them and comfort 00:19:05.759 --> 00:19:06.700 them in their loss. 00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:08.460 Lord, those who are 00:19:08.460 --> 00:19:10.119 anxious, those who are 00:19:10.119 --> 00:19:11.200 worried, those who are 00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:13.359 stressed, those who are 00:19:13.359 --> 00:19:14.240 fearful of what 00:19:14.240 --> 00:19:15.379 tomorrow might hold. 00:19:16.099 --> 00:19:17.099 Father, thank you that 00:19:17.099 --> 00:19:19.200 because Jesus came to 00:19:19.200 --> 00:19:20.160 earth, took on our 00:19:20.160 --> 00:19:21.500 flesh, not only does he 00:19:21.500 --> 00:19:24.680 know what it is, but 00:19:24.680 --> 00:19:25.339 Father, thank you that 00:19:25.339 --> 00:19:26.059 he's able to bring 00:19:26.059 --> 00:19:28.559 rest and peace for our 00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:28.960 souls. 00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:31.259 And we just thank you 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:32.240 for this wonderful time 00:19:32.240 --> 00:19:32.980 of year, everything that 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:34.079 we've done so far today. 00:19:34.460 --> 00:19:35.539 And we commit ourselves 00:19:35.539 --> 00:19:36.839 to you in his 00:19:36.839 --> 00:19:37.700 wonderful name. 00:19:38.419 --> 00:19:38.759 Amen.