WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.000 This is my 14th year of doing carol services. On average that's about 4 to 5 carol services per Christmas. 00:00:12.000 --> 00:00:16.240 And there's always the question of what do you speak on at a Christmas carol service. What do you want from me? 00:00:17.240 --> 00:00:25.439 I could try and entertain you for 10 to 15 minutes. Maybe you've been in those carol services with jokes and poignant stories. 00:00:26.780 --> 00:00:38.179 You couldn't go down the sentimental route, can you? Where the preacher talks about babies and talks about wonderful acts of service that's been done this year. 00:00:38.179 --> 00:00:46.299 In 2016 we could talk about post-truth. It's the word of the year. The Oxford Dictionary's word of the year. 00:00:47.159 --> 00:00:59.019 Its definition is relating to circumstances or facts which are influential in shaping public opinion that appeal to emotion and personal belief. 00:00:59.020 --> 00:01:09.820 Post-truth, that term has gone up in use by 2,000% in 2016 because of the EU referendum and the presidential election, according to the dictionary. 00:01:10.640 --> 00:01:17.879 And you might think, as we read the Christmas story and as we sang it, that's a great example of post-truth. 00:01:18.740 --> 00:01:20.000 But I would want to argue otherwise. 00:01:20.000 --> 00:01:28.299 And what I want to do in the few brief minutes that I have is to resurrect a great Christian truth. 00:01:29.260 --> 00:01:34.019 I've never spoken on it in over 70 carol services in 14 years. 00:01:34.799 --> 00:01:41.039 I've never heard anyone speak about this great Christian truth in any carol service that I've been to. 00:01:41.040 --> 00:01:46.420 And you might think that it's an old-fashioned truth and it's a relic. 00:01:47.080 --> 00:01:48.580 And you might even think it's laughable. 00:01:49.540 --> 00:01:57.620 But the great truth that I want to speak to you about this evening in these few minutes, which I think has a great deal of light to shine on your life and my life tonight, 00:01:58.260 --> 00:02:03.640 is the truth that Jesus Christ is going to return to this earth. 00:02:04.860 --> 00:02:07.820 And I have one small phrase from the New Testament. 00:02:07.819 --> 00:02:12.239 Where Jesus Christ says, I will come again. 00:02:13.359 --> 00:02:14.599 I will come again. 00:02:15.359 --> 00:02:21.379 And it may surprise you that Jesus says that many, many times in the New Testament. 00:02:22.699 --> 00:02:28.259 Now, so much is the need of this great truth that there are loads of Christians that have exaggerated it. 00:02:28.979 --> 00:02:34.340 The result is that people are put off, aren't they, by Christian oddballs. 00:02:35.099 --> 00:02:37.219 And by Christians who exaggerate this. 00:02:37.819 --> 00:02:39.079 And by controversy. 00:02:40.259 --> 00:02:44.780 You might remember, I don't know whether you're still there, there used to be a man with a megaphone at Oxford Circus that used to tell you, 00:02:45.120 --> 00:02:48.979 as you were going down onto the tube on the central line, that the world was going to end. 00:02:49.060 --> 00:02:50.079 That it might end tomorrow. 00:02:50.919 --> 00:02:52.699 Sometimes you wish it did on the central line. 00:02:54.079 --> 00:02:55.500 But you know how it is, isn't it? 00:02:55.539 --> 00:03:01.180 When someone foolish Christian has tried to date the return of Jesus in glory. 00:03:02.120 --> 00:03:03.919 The end of the world that you can date it. 00:03:03.919 --> 00:03:10.439 Someone might come up to you or you see the poster that Christ is going to come again tomorrow. 00:03:12.060 --> 00:03:15.560 Now you know and I know perfectly well that that is very unlikely indeed. 00:03:15.560 --> 00:03:23.539 So you turn away from maybe your Christian friend by thinking, well he's as gullible as I thought all Christians were. 00:03:24.699 --> 00:03:26.060 And I have a surprise for you tonight. 00:03:26.159 --> 00:03:31.659 If you are new tonight, and if you're new to the Bible, when you turn to the pages of the New Testament, 00:03:31.659 --> 00:03:40.740 and you ask Jesus about his return in glory, he knew very well that there would be people like that. 00:03:41.620 --> 00:03:44.400 He talks about them in Mark's Gospel chapter 13. 00:03:44.680 --> 00:03:49.939 And he says that people will come up to you and they'll say, here he is or here he comes. 00:03:51.039 --> 00:03:53.019 And he's coming again, maybe tomorrow. 00:03:53.800 --> 00:03:56.079 And then Jesus says something very surprising. 00:03:56.080 --> 00:03:58.480 He says do not believe them. 00:03:59.500 --> 00:04:00.600 Do not believe them. 00:04:01.620 --> 00:04:08.620 Some people think that the Christian church is always telling us to believe things. 00:04:09.439 --> 00:04:14.900 But the Christian church is actually here also to tell you not to believe certain things. 00:04:16.020 --> 00:04:21.199 It tells you not to believe that you can achieve paradise on this earth. 00:04:21.199 --> 00:04:25.439 Not to believe the lie that you can create for yourself. 00:04:25.959 --> 00:04:29.319 The perfect family, the perfect world, the perfect Christmas. 00:04:30.099 --> 00:04:32.199 That can isolate you from pain. 00:04:33.219 --> 00:04:37.519 And the Bible tells you not to believe people when they say Jesus will come tomorrow. 00:04:38.899 --> 00:04:44.620 And yet the Christian church is commissioned to say, 00:04:45.319 --> 00:04:49.379 particularly during Advent and during Christmas season, 00:04:49.379 --> 00:04:53.439 that as certainly as Jesus came, 00:04:54.240 --> 00:05:01.300 in humility and generosity and meekness and helplessness as a baby, 00:05:01.759 --> 00:05:06.199 so that same Jesus will return in glory 00:05:06.199 --> 00:05:08.860 to judge the living and the dead. 00:05:10.300 --> 00:05:11.379 He has come. 00:05:12.459 --> 00:05:13.339 You read about it. 00:05:14.319 --> 00:05:15.959 You sang about it this evening. 00:05:16.899 --> 00:05:18.399 He left heaven. 00:05:19.379 --> 00:05:21.560 He was born of the Virgin Mary. 00:05:21.980 --> 00:05:23.939 He came to earth. 00:05:24.839 --> 00:05:28.100 He lived the life of God on earth. 00:05:28.819 --> 00:05:31.839 He performed miracles that backed up his claim. 00:05:32.199 --> 00:05:35.839 He was crucified, died and was buried. 00:05:36.959 --> 00:05:37.759 You can read about it. 00:05:37.800 --> 00:05:39.459 We've got gospels at the back. 00:05:39.600 --> 00:05:42.779 Eyewitnesses accounts of the life and death of the Lord Jesus. 00:05:43.180 --> 00:05:45.980 We'd love you to take one away and read it. 00:05:45.980 --> 00:05:46.580 He came. 00:05:46.580 --> 00:05:46.980 He came. 00:05:46.980 --> 00:05:48.800 He came. 00:05:50.300 --> 00:05:52.800 But the Bible tells us very clearly, 00:05:52.980 --> 00:05:54.400 he is coming again. 00:05:56.220 --> 00:05:58.560 And I think that saves us from despair. 00:05:58.560 --> 00:06:02.540 We look out, don't we, 00:06:03.160 --> 00:06:07.959 at limitless space and wonder what on earth is going to happen. 00:06:07.959 --> 00:06:13.399 That we don't have to despair over the situation of our world. 00:06:14.560 --> 00:06:17.419 You read the horrific reports of Aleppo this week. 00:06:17.500 --> 00:06:18.739 It's been horrific, hasn't it? 00:06:18.939 --> 00:06:21.060 And where will it end, we ask? 00:06:21.060 --> 00:06:25.180 Well, if we believe that Jesus Christ will return, 00:06:25.379 --> 00:06:28.939 we do believe that he has got his hand on the tiller. 00:06:30.180 --> 00:06:31.879 That he is in control. 00:06:33.040 --> 00:06:34.480 That he saves us. 00:06:34.600 --> 00:06:35.319 It saves us. 00:06:35.399 --> 00:06:37.040 The truth that he's coming again, 00:06:37.879 --> 00:06:39.000 saves us from despair. 00:06:39.000 --> 00:06:43.959 But it also saves you from despising Jesus Christ. 00:06:45.360 --> 00:06:51.019 Because if he is really going to return on the last day, 00:06:51.100 --> 00:06:52.120 it means a great deal. 00:06:53.279 --> 00:06:55.379 That he will have the last word. 00:06:56.779 --> 00:06:59.939 It means that no one can compare to him. 00:06:59.939 --> 00:07:03.500 It's amazing the amount of intelligent people you meet today 00:07:03.500 --> 00:07:07.459 who say, I do believe in God, or in a God. 00:07:08.120 --> 00:07:09.139 At least I think I do. 00:07:09.219 --> 00:07:11.540 But Jesus can't be the only way. 00:07:13.699 --> 00:07:15.420 Look at all the other religions of the world. 00:07:17.420 --> 00:07:20.379 But if Jesus Christ is going to return, 00:07:21.959 --> 00:07:23.959 it means that he is the only Lord. 00:07:25.620 --> 00:07:27.319 Everyone else may have something to say. 00:07:28.220 --> 00:07:29.319 Something to give us. 00:07:29.939 --> 00:07:32.399 Something to commend in their teaching to us. 00:07:33.540 --> 00:07:35.560 But Jesus is going to come as judge. 00:07:37.420 --> 00:07:39.439 What a dreadful thing it will be. 00:07:40.719 --> 00:07:44.199 If when we meet him face to face on that day. 00:07:45.579 --> 00:07:49.639 And his name has been on our lips only in blasphemy. 00:07:51.279 --> 00:07:52.899 What a dreadful thing. 00:07:53.019 --> 00:07:55.639 As he faces us on that last day. 00:07:56.079 --> 00:07:59.079 And we've never paid any attention to him 00:07:59.079 --> 00:08:00.359 while we have the opportunity. 00:08:01.959 --> 00:08:04.839 If he's going to come, it means he is the Lord. 00:08:06.659 --> 00:08:09.319 And it means that you and I 00:08:09.319 --> 00:08:12.019 are going to have to give an account 00:08:12.019 --> 00:08:14.699 of the way we've used the world. 00:08:14.699 --> 00:08:17.939 And used our own lives. 00:08:17.939 --> 00:08:21.879 Now I just want to ask and answer the question 00:08:21.879 --> 00:08:23.180 before I sit down this evening. 00:08:23.360 --> 00:08:25.819 How does Jesus Christ prepare us 00:08:25.819 --> 00:08:27.939 for that great day 00:08:27.939 --> 00:08:30.399 which is beyond my imagination 00:08:30.959 --> 00:08:32.120 and yours 00:08:32.120 --> 00:08:33.179 when he will return? 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:36.500 And I think the Lord Jesus 00:08:36.500 --> 00:08:38.419 prepares us for his coming 00:08:38.419 --> 00:08:39.720 by coming to you today. 00:08:41.720 --> 00:08:42.399 Jesus, you see, 00:08:42.559 --> 00:08:44.139 if you look carefully at the New Testament, 00:08:44.139 --> 00:08:46.340 not only says, I have come 00:08:46.340 --> 00:08:49.819 and I will come again 00:08:49.819 --> 00:08:51.139 at the last day 00:08:51.139 --> 00:08:52.840 but he keeps saying 00:08:52.840 --> 00:08:53.879 in the Gospels 00:08:53.879 --> 00:08:55.960 and the Apostles say 00:08:55.960 --> 00:08:56.740 in their epistles 00:08:56.740 --> 00:08:58.419 he will come here and now. 00:09:00.159 --> 00:09:01.539 Let me try and explain to you what I mean. 00:09:02.500 --> 00:09:03.439 In John's Gospel 00:09:03.439 --> 00:09:05.740 written by the Apostle John 00:09:05.740 --> 00:09:07.960 Jesus explains to his disciples 00:09:07.960 --> 00:09:09.000 that one day 00:09:09.000 --> 00:09:11.200 he will come again 00:09:11.200 --> 00:09:13.280 to take them to the place 00:09:13.280 --> 00:09:14.320 where he's prepared for them. 00:09:15.500 --> 00:09:16.940 And he then says to them 00:09:16.940 --> 00:09:18.120 the Holy Spirit 00:09:18.120 --> 00:09:19.620 is going to come 00:09:19.620 --> 00:09:20.900 in the meantime 00:09:20.900 --> 00:09:23.020 and take my place 00:09:23.020 --> 00:09:23.680 with you. 00:09:25.120 --> 00:09:26.320 And when he comes 00:09:26.320 --> 00:09:28.259 John 14 verse 18 00:09:28.259 --> 00:09:30.300 I will come to you. 00:09:31.160 --> 00:09:32.879 So he prepared them 00:09:32.879 --> 00:09:35.360 for that great day 00:09:35.360 --> 00:09:37.080 what the Christian church 00:09:37.080 --> 00:09:38.180 calls that Pentecost 00:09:38.179 --> 00:09:39.759 when the Holy Spirit 00:09:39.759 --> 00:09:41.620 came to the church 00:09:41.620 --> 00:09:43.439 and entered 00:09:43.439 --> 00:09:44.659 into the hearts 00:09:44.659 --> 00:09:45.399 of the believers. 00:09:45.839 --> 00:09:47.099 And when the Holy Spirit 00:09:47.099 --> 00:09:48.419 entered into the hearts 00:09:48.419 --> 00:09:49.000 of believers 00:09:49.000 --> 00:09:50.219 lo and behold 00:09:50.219 --> 00:09:52.519 they suddenly found 00:09:52.519 --> 00:09:53.659 that they knew 00:09:53.659 --> 00:09:55.099 Jesus Christ again. 00:09:56.759 --> 00:09:58.120 No longer did they have 00:09:58.120 --> 00:09:59.000 to depend on him 00:09:59.000 --> 00:10:00.179 being with them 00:10:00.179 --> 00:10:01.239 in a certain place 00:10:01.239 --> 00:10:02.719 and at a certain time 00:10:02.719 --> 00:10:03.699 in a certain space. 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:05.000 He was with them 00:10:05.000 --> 00:10:06.120 wherever they went 00:10:06.120 --> 00:10:08.000 by his Holy Spirit. 00:10:08.699 --> 00:10:10.039 He's come again. 00:10:11.599 --> 00:10:13.239 And that great joy 00:10:13.239 --> 00:10:14.239 has been with the 00:10:14.239 --> 00:10:14.979 Christian church 00:10:14.979 --> 00:10:15.959 ever since. 00:10:16.439 --> 00:10:18.379 The gift of the Holy Spirit 00:10:18.379 --> 00:10:20.139 in your heart 00:10:20.139 --> 00:10:21.199 wherever you are. 00:10:22.959 --> 00:10:24.279 You cannot have 00:10:24.279 --> 00:10:25.579 anything more practical 00:10:25.579 --> 00:10:26.239 than that. 00:10:27.579 --> 00:10:28.459 I spoke to someone 00:10:28.459 --> 00:10:28.899 this week 00:10:28.899 --> 00:10:30.120 after another carol service 00:10:30.120 --> 00:10:31.019 and we got talking 00:10:31.019 --> 00:10:32.079 and I said to them 00:10:32.079 --> 00:10:33.139 do you believe 00:10:33.139 --> 00:10:34.019 in Jesus Christ? 00:10:36.019 --> 00:10:36.679 The man said 00:10:36.679 --> 00:10:37.899 he's such a wonderful example 00:10:37.899 --> 00:10:39.759 but it's just not practical. 00:10:41.319 --> 00:10:42.059 He had to go 00:10:42.059 --> 00:10:43.379 back to his office. 00:10:44.779 --> 00:10:45.759 But I was dying 00:10:45.759 --> 00:10:46.579 to speak to him 00:10:46.579 --> 00:10:47.279 about the gift 00:10:47.279 --> 00:10:48.419 of the Holy Spirit 00:10:48.419 --> 00:10:50.699 of God 00:10:50.699 --> 00:10:52.360 come down to earth 00:10:52.360 --> 00:10:53.399 by his Spirit 00:10:53.399 --> 00:10:55.059 into our lives 00:10:55.059 --> 00:10:57.240 to enable us 00:10:57.240 --> 00:10:59.340 by his power 00:10:59.340 --> 00:11:00.639 to follow Jesus. 00:11:00.639 --> 00:11:03.500 There's a verse 00:11:03.500 --> 00:11:04.559 which is very precious 00:11:04.559 --> 00:11:05.319 for many of us 00:11:05.319 --> 00:11:05.980 who are Christians 00:11:05.980 --> 00:11:07.199 and I want to leave you 00:11:07.199 --> 00:11:08.120 with this this evening. 00:11:09.340 --> 00:11:10.220 It's in the last 00:11:10.220 --> 00:11:11.319 book of the Bible 00:11:11.319 --> 00:11:13.000 where Jesus 00:11:13.000 --> 00:11:13.740 is writing 00:11:13.740 --> 00:11:14.639 to the church 00:11:14.639 --> 00:11:16.439 of his own day. 00:11:17.639 --> 00:11:18.399 And it's fascinating 00:11:18.399 --> 00:11:18.939 Jesus has got 00:11:18.939 --> 00:11:20.059 some pretty rude things 00:11:20.059 --> 00:11:20.879 to say to the church 00:11:20.879 --> 00:11:21.319 of his day 00:11:21.319 --> 00:11:21.860 and I'm sure 00:11:21.860 --> 00:11:22.220 he has got some 00:11:22.220 --> 00:11:23.179 pretty straight things 00:11:23.179 --> 00:11:23.980 to say to us 00:11:23.980 --> 00:11:25.279 as the church 00:11:25.279 --> 00:11:25.899 in our day. 00:11:25.899 --> 00:11:27.799 And at the end 00:11:27.799 --> 00:11:28.159 of the letter 00:11:28.159 --> 00:11:29.039 there's a strange 00:11:29.039 --> 00:11:30.059 twist to it. 00:11:30.340 --> 00:11:31.639 He finishes his letter 00:11:31.639 --> 00:11:32.559 by saying this 00:11:32.559 --> 00:11:33.019 and I want you 00:11:33.019 --> 00:11:34.259 to listen very carefully. 00:11:35.500 --> 00:11:35.980 He says 00:11:35.980 --> 00:11:37.100 look, behold 00:11:37.100 --> 00:11:39.840 I stand at the door 00:11:39.840 --> 00:11:42.259 and I knock. 00:11:43.340 --> 00:11:43.840 What's that? 00:11:45.199 --> 00:11:46.519 The Lord Jesus Christ 00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:48.299 outside the doors 00:11:48.299 --> 00:11:49.939 of the church 00:11:49.939 --> 00:11:52.220 unable to get in. 00:11:52.220 --> 00:11:54.759 And I'm afraid 00:11:54.759 --> 00:11:55.440 that's very much 00:11:55.440 --> 00:11:56.180 like the church 00:11:56.180 --> 00:11:57.160 in our country 00:11:57.160 --> 00:11:58.060 and the west. 00:11:59.540 --> 00:11:59.920 Behold 00:11:59.920 --> 00:12:01.340 I stand at the door 00:12:01.340 --> 00:12:02.460 and knock. 00:12:04.279 --> 00:12:05.100 And if any man 00:12:05.100 --> 00:12:05.660 if any woman 00:12:05.660 --> 00:12:06.340 if any boy 00:12:06.340 --> 00:12:06.899 if any girl 00:12:06.899 --> 00:12:07.920 hear my voice 00:12:07.920 --> 00:12:09.060 and open the door 00:12:09.060 --> 00:12:09.860 I will 00:12:09.860 --> 00:12:11.320 come. 00:12:12.759 --> 00:12:13.620 There's our phrase 00:12:13.620 --> 00:12:14.879 I will come to him 00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:17.160 and I will eat with him. 00:12:19.060 --> 00:12:19.480 Do you see 00:12:19.480 --> 00:12:20.320 Jesus Christ 00:12:20.320 --> 00:12:21.000 says to the church 00:12:21.000 --> 00:12:21.500 of his own day 00:12:21.500 --> 00:12:22.379 I'm outside 00:12:22.379 --> 00:12:24.220 but if there's 00:12:24.220 --> 00:12:24.779 anyone there 00:12:24.779 --> 00:12:25.220 who will open 00:12:25.220 --> 00:12:26.179 the door of their hearts 00:12:26.179 --> 00:12:26.879 I will come. 00:12:28.019 --> 00:12:28.879 I will come here 00:12:28.879 --> 00:12:29.259 and now. 00:12:31.679 --> 00:12:32.440 You tonight 00:12:32.440 --> 00:12:33.039 have not got to wait 00:12:33.039 --> 00:12:33.620 until tomorrow. 00:12:35.419 --> 00:12:36.320 You've not got to wait 00:12:36.320 --> 00:12:37.000 until ten years. 00:12:37.120 --> 00:12:37.659 You've not got to wait 00:12:37.659 --> 00:12:38.620 until your older children. 00:12:40.580 --> 00:12:41.419 You've not got to wait 00:12:41.419 --> 00:12:42.620 for that final day 00:12:42.620 --> 00:12:44.000 when all the accounts 00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:45.600 will be settled up 00:12:45.600 --> 00:12:47.000 on that day of reckoning. 00:12:48.460 --> 00:12:49.659 I will come to you today 00:12:49.659 --> 00:12:50.379 Jesus says. 00:12:51.500 --> 00:12:53.679 I know that 00:12:53.679 --> 00:12:54.299 for some of you 00:12:54.299 --> 00:12:55.620 this is the only opportunity 00:12:55.620 --> 00:12:56.279 I shall ever have 00:12:56.279 --> 00:12:57.340 to speak to you. 00:12:58.679 --> 00:12:59.879 But I want to commend 00:12:59.879 --> 00:13:00.799 Jesus Christ 00:13:00.799 --> 00:13:03.580 as someone who is able 00:13:03.580 --> 00:13:05.120 to come into your life 00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:05.580 today 00:13:05.580 --> 00:13:07.259 and change it. 00:13:08.779 --> 00:13:09.460 Transform it. 00:13:11.059 --> 00:13:12.779 For me it was in 1993 00:13:12.779 --> 00:13:14.039 I was 17 years old 00:13:14.039 --> 00:13:14.620 on a camp 00:13:14.620 --> 00:13:15.500 in North Wales. 00:13:15.500 --> 00:13:17.700 And so Christ 00:13:17.700 --> 00:13:18.679 opened the door 00:13:18.679 --> 00:13:19.480 of my heart 00:13:19.480 --> 00:13:20.139 and I'm thankful 00:13:20.139 --> 00:13:20.720 that he did. 00:13:21.980 --> 00:13:23.200 I didn't make much progress 00:13:23.200 --> 00:13:24.159 for many years 00:13:24.159 --> 00:13:25.039 but he did come 00:13:25.039 --> 00:13:25.679 into my heart 00:13:25.679 --> 00:13:26.019 and love. 00:13:27.740 --> 00:13:28.360 And I have met 00:13:28.360 --> 00:13:29.179 so many people 00:13:29.179 --> 00:13:29.700 ever since 00:13:29.700 --> 00:13:30.179 who've taken 00:13:30.179 --> 00:13:31.340 that great step. 00:13:32.480 --> 00:13:33.720 And they've responded 00:13:33.720 --> 00:13:35.080 to Christ's promise 00:13:35.080 --> 00:13:36.740 that he will come. 00:13:37.100 --> 00:13:38.039 And I have never 00:13:38.039 --> 00:13:38.500 met anyone 00:13:38.500 --> 00:13:41.240 who's asked 00:13:41.240 --> 00:13:41.740 Christ 00:13:41.740 --> 00:13:42.440 to come into 00:13:42.440 --> 00:13:43.340 their lives 00:13:43.340 --> 00:13:44.980 and then gone 00:13:44.980 --> 00:13:45.899 on to serve him 00:13:45.899 --> 00:13:46.580 and obey him 00:13:46.580 --> 00:13:47.559 who has regretted 00:13:47.559 --> 00:13:48.299 that step. 00:13:49.799 --> 00:13:50.679 It is the greatest 00:13:50.679 --> 00:13:51.240 step that you 00:13:51.240 --> 00:13:51.899 can ever take. 00:13:51.899 --> 00:13:54.959 I want you 00:13:54.959 --> 00:13:55.840 to read with me 00:13:55.840 --> 00:13:57.439 the third verse 00:13:57.439 --> 00:13:58.199 of our little town 00:13:58.199 --> 00:13:58.659 of Bethlehem. 00:13:58.679 --> 00:13:58.959 I don't know 00:13:58.959 --> 00:13:59.379 whether you can 00:13:59.379 --> 00:14:00.100 just flip back 00:14:00.100 --> 00:14:00.659 and just look 00:14:00.659 --> 00:14:01.159 at this verse 00:14:01.159 --> 00:14:01.419 with me. 00:14:01.439 --> 00:14:01.699 I'm not going 00:14:01.699 --> 00:14:01.959 to ask you 00:14:01.959 --> 00:14:02.279 to read it 00:14:02.279 --> 00:14:02.620 out loud. 00:14:02.740 --> 00:14:03.100 It's okay. 00:14:04.939 --> 00:14:05.699 But the third 00:14:05.699 --> 00:14:06.199 verse of our 00:14:06.199 --> 00:14:06.620 little town 00:14:06.620 --> 00:14:07.100 of Bethlehem 00:14:07.100 --> 00:14:07.500 as you change 00:14:07.500 --> 00:14:07.639 it. 00:14:07.860 --> 00:14:08.419 Preaches my 00:14:08.419 --> 00:14:08.959 sermon far 00:14:08.959 --> 00:14:09.340 better than 00:14:09.340 --> 00:14:09.980 I ever can. 00:14:11.659 --> 00:14:12.480 It says this. 00:14:12.559 --> 00:14:13.039 Can you see it? 00:14:14.720 --> 00:14:15.659 How silently 00:14:15.659 --> 00:14:17.679 how silently 00:14:17.679 --> 00:14:19.740 the wondrous 00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:20.600 gift is given. 00:14:21.899 --> 00:14:23.240 So God 00:14:23.240 --> 00:14:24.240 imparts 00:14:24.240 --> 00:14:26.079 to human hearts 00:14:26.079 --> 00:14:27.840 the blessing 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:28.379 of his heaven. 00:14:30.100 --> 00:14:30.879 No ear 00:14:30.879 --> 00:14:31.559 may hear 00:14:31.559 --> 00:14:32.220 his coming 00:14:32.220 --> 00:14:34.659 but in this 00:14:34.659 --> 00:14:35.500 world of sin 00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:37.959 where meek 00:14:37.959 --> 00:14:38.819 souls will 00:14:38.819 --> 00:14:39.620 receive him 00:14:39.620 --> 00:14:40.039 still 00:14:40.039 --> 00:14:42.579 the dear 00:14:42.579 --> 00:14:43.039 Christ 00:14:43.039 --> 00:14:43.879 enters in. 00:14:45.419 --> 00:14:46.039 Yes 00:14:46.039 --> 00:14:46.799 to be Lord 00:14:46.799 --> 00:14:48.939 as you 00:14:48.939 --> 00:14:49.419 leave 00:14:49.419 --> 00:14:50.059 this evening 00:14:50.059 --> 00:14:50.819 as you walk 00:14:50.819 --> 00:14:51.220 out of those 00:14:51.220 --> 00:14:51.879 doors behind 00:14:51.879 --> 00:14:52.399 you. 00:14:52.620 --> 00:14:53.279 Why not say 00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:53.860 Lord Jesus 00:14:53.860 --> 00:14:54.379 Christ 00:14:54.379 --> 00:14:55.539 you've never 00:14:55.539 --> 00:14:56.299 been in my 00:14:56.299 --> 00:14:56.799 Christmas 00:14:56.799 --> 00:14:58.480 or in my 00:14:58.480 --> 00:14:59.120 life really. 00:15:00.559 --> 00:15:01.220 Come into my 00:15:01.220 --> 00:15:01.899 heart today. 00:15:03.740 --> 00:15:04.320 Pick up a 00:15:04.320 --> 00:15:04.720 gospel. 00:15:06.080 --> 00:15:06.860 Read an 00:15:06.860 --> 00:15:08.220 eyewitness 00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:09.399 account of the 00:15:09.399 --> 00:15:09.860 Lord Jesus 00:15:09.860 --> 00:15:10.620 Christ and be 00:15:10.620 --> 00:15:11.500 convinced by the 00:15:11.500 --> 00:15:11.980 evidence. 00:15:13.299 --> 00:15:13.960 Speak to a 00:15:13.960 --> 00:15:14.399 friend. 00:15:16.019 --> 00:15:16.539 Grab me. 00:15:16.940 --> 00:15:17.340 Let's meet up 00:15:17.340 --> 00:15:17.779 and talk about 00:15:17.779 --> 00:15:18.000 it. 00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:19.340 Jesus Christ 00:15:19.340 --> 00:15:20.679 because the 00:15:20.679 --> 00:15:21.179 Lord Jesus 00:15:21.179 --> 00:15:22.419 Christ has 00:15:22.419 --> 00:15:23.039 come in 00:15:23.039 --> 00:15:23.440 history 00:15:23.440 --> 00:15:26.159 and he 00:15:26.159 --> 00:15:27.159 will come 00:15:27.159 --> 00:15:27.559 in the 00:15:27.559 --> 00:15:27.960 future. 00:15:30.200 --> 00:15:30.440 But 00:15:30.440 --> 00:15:31.059 wonderfully he 00:15:31.059 --> 00:15:31.559 can come to 00:15:31.559 --> 00:15:32.039 you today. 00:15:34.279 --> 00:15:34.940 Let's bow our 00:15:34.940 --> 00:15:35.440 heads in prayer. 00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:35.879 Let's pray.