WEBVTT 00:00:00.820 --> 00:00:01.940 Well, good evening, everyone. 00:00:03.240 --> 00:00:03.640 Evening. 00:00:03.740 --> 00:00:04.020 Excellent. 00:00:04.099 --> 00:00:07.000 It's great to see that you're here because I can't actually see you because of the lights. 00:00:07.780 --> 00:00:08.140 Excellent. 00:00:08.220 --> 00:00:11.339 Thank you so much to everyone who's contributed so far to our service. 00:00:12.000 --> 00:00:15.259 It is just so great to get together and to sing God's praise. 00:00:15.900 --> 00:00:16.539 Here we are. 00:00:16.940 --> 00:00:20.580 We are officially seven days away from Christmas Day. 00:00:20.660 --> 00:00:22.719 Just think about what you'll be doing this time next week. 00:00:23.740 --> 00:00:25.120 We're all gearing up for it, aren't we? 00:00:25.120 --> 00:00:30.280 As you look around the city, as you look at what your friends are doing, as you look 00:00:30.280 --> 00:00:32.920 about what's going on, we're gearing up for Christmas Day. 00:00:33.880 --> 00:00:35.399 The mince pies are out. 00:00:35.560 --> 00:00:38.219 I've already been having a couple of them this weekend. 00:00:38.620 --> 00:00:39.520 Love mince pies. 00:00:39.840 --> 00:00:42.380 The Christmas jumpers are well and truly on. 00:00:42.719 --> 00:00:44.700 They seem to be getting crazier every year. 00:00:45.320 --> 00:00:47.299 Christmas parties are in full swing. 00:00:47.719 --> 00:00:51.920 And I got really excited today because I turned on Netflix and what was recommended for me, 00:00:52.219 --> 00:00:52.719 Home Alone. 00:00:53.340 --> 00:00:54.680 That's when you know it's Christmas, isn't it? 00:00:54.679 --> 00:00:56.679 Home Alone is on the TV. 00:00:57.100 --> 00:01:01.359 We go bananas for Christmas, don't we, as a city, as a culture, as a people. 00:01:02.119 --> 00:01:03.240 We go bananas for it. 00:01:03.259 --> 00:01:04.299 We go crazy for it. 00:01:04.640 --> 00:01:09.560 As well as the silly traditions, I'm sure many of us are looking forward to spending time 00:01:09.560 --> 00:01:12.620 with those friends and family that we love dearly. 00:01:13.420 --> 00:01:16.200 We love spending time with friends and family. 00:01:16.200 --> 00:01:22.260 And on that note, a friend of mine was telling me a story recently about a man. 00:01:24.020 --> 00:01:27.859 And a man who was head over heels in love with a woman. 00:01:29.340 --> 00:01:31.680 There was a big problem in their relationship, though. 00:01:31.680 --> 00:01:37.560 He lived in the UK and she lived in Australia. 00:01:38.240 --> 00:01:41.600 So my friend's telling me this story and I'm thinking what you're thinking as I'm hearing it. 00:01:41.640 --> 00:01:44.080 I'm thinking, how committed is this man to this relationship? 00:01:44.079 --> 00:01:50.840 Well, my friend continued to tell me that this man, he worked really hard at his job. 00:01:51.259 --> 00:01:52.400 Worked really hard at his job. 00:01:52.459 --> 00:01:58.299 And he saved up for months and months on end until eventually he secured enough money 00:01:58.299 --> 00:02:03.579 to buy a return ticket from London to Sydney to see his beloved. 00:02:04.739 --> 00:02:06.099 Now that's quite impressive, isn't it? 00:02:06.299 --> 00:02:07.019 I think that's cute. 00:02:07.019 --> 00:02:10.460 But I guess even more impressive than that. 00:02:11.099 --> 00:02:19.460 He went all that way and he spent all that money simply to spend 12 hours with the woman that he loved. 00:02:20.460 --> 00:02:24.180 Before he had to be back at the airport for his return flight to the UK. 00:02:24.400 --> 00:02:25.859 Now that is super cute, is it not? 00:02:26.460 --> 00:02:29.359 I mean, that is something that should be in a Christmas romantic comedy. 00:02:29.439 --> 00:02:31.500 I feel like I'm describing love actually. 00:02:33.500 --> 00:02:35.379 But here's my question for you this evening. 00:02:35.379 --> 00:02:37.500 As we think about that couple. 00:02:38.579 --> 00:02:39.419 Picture the scene. 00:02:39.780 --> 00:02:40.439 She's there. 00:02:40.579 --> 00:02:44.000 She's waiting for her airport hug at Sydney International Airport. 00:02:44.819 --> 00:02:46.240 She's pictured it in her mind. 00:02:46.859 --> 00:02:48.859 She's thought about the guy. 00:02:49.960 --> 00:02:50.960 And there's the moment. 00:02:51.060 --> 00:02:52.560 He steps off the plane. 00:02:53.599 --> 00:02:54.079 Picture it. 00:02:54.120 --> 00:02:55.319 He steps off the plane. 00:02:55.519 --> 00:02:58.579 He's got flowers in his hand. 00:02:58.699 --> 00:03:01.639 And he embraces the one that he loves. 00:03:01.780 --> 00:03:04.159 Here's my question for you this evening as we picture that scene. 00:03:04.159 --> 00:03:07.759 How would you respond if you were the woman? 00:03:09.359 --> 00:03:10.699 How would you respond? 00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:20.879 You see, that's what the Bible tells us is the incredible story that happened at Christmas time. 00:03:20.879 --> 00:03:24.659 It's that God went to great lengths. 00:03:25.280 --> 00:03:30.379 And God, out of his great love, stooped down into the darkness. 00:03:30.500 --> 00:03:34.479 That's what the Bible tells us is the wonder of the baby in the manger. 00:03:34.479 --> 00:03:37.840 Now, I wonder if you've ever thought about it like that before. 00:03:39.659 --> 00:03:42.419 That God went to such lengths. 00:03:42.699 --> 00:03:45.979 Such lengths that make that man's efforts look like child's play. 00:03:46.560 --> 00:03:51.339 God went to such lengths to make himself known to us. 00:03:51.340 --> 00:03:53.460 And why? 00:03:54.680 --> 00:03:55.960 Why would he do that? 00:03:57.159 --> 00:04:03.000 Well, he went to such lengths because of his such love for us. 00:04:03.560 --> 00:04:09.099 You know, let me reread verse 14 from the Gospel of John, if you can see it on the screen there. 00:04:09.199 --> 00:04:12.599 The wonderful words that Esther read to us just a few moments ago. 00:04:12.599 --> 00:04:19.779 John, the man who saw Jesus up close and personal, he writes this in his Gospel. 00:04:19.939 --> 00:04:28.699 The words became flesh and made his dwelling among us. 00:04:29.779 --> 00:04:34.339 We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, 00:04:35.019 --> 00:04:40.159 who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 00:04:40.160 --> 00:04:46.800 So John says, firstly, he says, see the lengths that God went to. 00:04:47.760 --> 00:04:54.680 John, in the opening verses of his Gospel account, he tells his readers about this word. 00:04:55.800 --> 00:04:58.680 And this word was in the beginning. 00:04:59.760 --> 00:05:02.720 And this word was God. 00:05:03.600 --> 00:05:07.120 And this word was with God. 00:05:07.120 --> 00:05:14.139 In fact, it was through this word that the world, the universe, the cosmos was created. 00:05:15.420 --> 00:05:18.280 And this word was light. 00:05:19.280 --> 00:05:23.300 And in this word was life. 00:05:25.160 --> 00:05:26.639 Now, who is this word? 00:05:27.360 --> 00:05:28.319 Who is this word? 00:05:29.180 --> 00:05:32.120 Well, the word, says John, is Jesus. 00:05:32.120 --> 00:05:32.360 Jesus. 00:05:33.560 --> 00:05:36.199 The eternal Son of God. 00:05:36.300 --> 00:05:43.420 The one who has just always been in relationship with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. 00:05:44.300 --> 00:05:46.399 The all-powerful one. 00:05:47.060 --> 00:05:49.420 The all-seeing one. 00:05:49.560 --> 00:05:50.959 The all-knowing one. 00:05:51.060 --> 00:05:56.199 The creator, the sustainer, and the upholder of all things. 00:05:57.300 --> 00:05:58.280 And what are we told? 00:05:58.279 --> 00:06:05.559 He, that is the word, became flesh. 00:06:05.560 --> 00:06:15.899 Now, one of my TV, my favorite TV shows from a few years ago, I used to watch at Channel 4, Secret Millionaire. 00:06:16.019 --> 00:06:16.959 I used to love this show. 00:06:17.959 --> 00:06:26.980 If you've never watched it before, the idea is that Channel 4, they would convince a millionaire to ditch their luxurious lifestyle for a few weeks. 00:06:27.420 --> 00:06:29.759 And to go undercover into a poor community. 00:06:31.319 --> 00:06:34.280 And the millionaire would live in that community. 00:06:35.080 --> 00:06:37.580 And they would dress like the people in that community. 00:06:38.439 --> 00:06:41.439 And they would try and live on the budget of the people in that community. 00:06:42.160 --> 00:06:44.700 And they would get to know the people of that community. 00:06:45.200 --> 00:06:49.400 And they would get involved with some of the community projects of that community. 00:06:49.400 --> 00:06:56.740 And all the while, the people in that community were completely unaware as to who this millionaire really was. 00:06:57.900 --> 00:07:02.200 And as the show went on, the end of the show was, at the end of the few weeks, 00:07:02.340 --> 00:07:04.800 the true identity of the millionaire was revealed. 00:07:05.540 --> 00:07:08.360 He would write a big fat check, or she would write a big fat check, 00:07:08.360 --> 00:07:10.060 and the show would finish. 00:07:10.220 --> 00:07:11.040 There was tears. 00:07:11.340 --> 00:07:14.720 There was utter astonishment among those in the community 00:07:14.720 --> 00:07:17.439 when they understood who this person really was. 00:07:18.620 --> 00:07:24.660 Well, the Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is the secret millionaire par excellence. 00:07:24.660 --> 00:07:30.000 God truly has, in the coming of Jesus Christ, 00:07:30.120 --> 00:07:33.320 he really has, truly has moved into our neighborhoods. 00:07:34.480 --> 00:07:40.180 But you see, unlike that program, Jesus didn't come down to go undercover. 00:07:41.460 --> 00:07:45.680 Jesus came to reveal God to us. 00:07:46.820 --> 00:07:52.480 Here at Christmas is God going to such lengths, 00:07:52.480 --> 00:07:57.800 such lengths to make himself known to us. 00:07:58.340 --> 00:07:59.980 Here is Jesus Christ. 00:08:00.140 --> 00:08:02.319 Come to be God with us. 00:08:02.400 --> 00:08:03.800 Come to be Emmanuel. 00:08:06.080 --> 00:08:08.220 Here is God in human form. 00:08:08.340 --> 00:08:08.840 Incredible. 00:08:10.300 --> 00:08:10.900 Incredible. 00:08:12.360 --> 00:08:15.620 And has he come to be a king in a royal palace? 00:08:15.620 --> 00:08:17.660 That would be a stoop down enough for him. 00:08:17.660 --> 00:08:22.280 No, here is God born in hay and in straw, 00:08:22.920 --> 00:08:24.860 in a cold and dark, 00:08:24.980 --> 00:08:28.060 surrounded by stench and surrounded by rags. 00:08:29.820 --> 00:08:35.940 But the wonder is that this word would go to even greater lengths. 00:08:36.519 --> 00:08:38.320 For this baby in the manger, 00:08:38.540 --> 00:08:41.759 Jesus would grow up and become a man. 00:08:41.940 --> 00:08:43.320 And how would he be treated? 00:08:43.320 --> 00:08:46.480 Would he be celebrated? 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:49.220 And would he be worshipped by all? 00:08:50.740 --> 00:08:56.740 No, he would be rejected and scorned and despised. 00:08:57.220 --> 00:09:01.140 And would he be crowned king of the world as he should have been? 00:09:02.300 --> 00:09:04.860 No, he was crowned a criminal. 00:09:04.860 --> 00:09:08.440 And he was crowned with thorns. 00:09:09.360 --> 00:09:11.639 And he would be killed on a cross. 00:09:11.879 --> 00:09:14.120 As creator become creature, 00:09:14.560 --> 00:09:18.639 takes the punishment for our sins on himself. 00:09:19.159 --> 00:09:23.279 The very people that he came into the world to save. 00:09:24.899 --> 00:09:27.980 Here is the wonder of the baby in the manger. 00:09:27.980 --> 00:09:34.019 That the one who is higher than we can possibly imagine, 00:09:34.940 --> 00:09:38.980 stooped lower than we can even begin to comprehend. 00:09:40.980 --> 00:09:44.560 God steps into our world. 00:09:45.080 --> 00:09:47.840 Now, why did God go to such lengths? 00:09:49.080 --> 00:09:51.320 Why did he go to such lengths? 00:09:51.440 --> 00:09:54.759 Well, look how John describes this word at verse 14. 00:09:54.759 --> 00:10:00.039 He is full of grace and truth. 00:10:00.379 --> 00:10:04.220 Firstly, see the lengths that God went to, says John. 00:10:04.299 --> 00:10:07.539 But secondly, see the love that God showed. 00:10:08.779 --> 00:10:12.639 Did the words, did Jesus come down just to show face? 00:10:13.580 --> 00:10:16.159 Was he kind of like this divine Bob Geldof character 00:10:16.159 --> 00:10:18.439 that came down and put on a charity gig 00:10:18.439 --> 00:10:21.980 before he went back to his heavenly dwelling once again? 00:10:21.980 --> 00:10:24.039 Did he come just to boost morale? 00:10:24.759 --> 00:10:26.419 Did he come just to raise funds? 00:10:26.519 --> 00:10:28.080 Did he come just to drum up support? 00:10:29.840 --> 00:10:31.279 No, he stooped. 00:10:31.559 --> 00:10:34.539 He stooped into our darkness 00:10:34.539 --> 00:10:39.519 in order that he might deal with our darkness. 00:10:40.939 --> 00:10:42.139 There's a problem. 00:10:43.799 --> 00:10:47.319 It's our rebellion against God problem. 00:10:48.279 --> 00:10:51.860 It's our separation from God problem. 00:10:51.860 --> 00:10:54.200 It's our sin problem. 00:10:54.200 --> 00:10:58.519 And God could quite justifiably have left us in our darkness. 00:11:00.039 --> 00:11:01.180 But he came down 00:11:01.180 --> 00:11:05.300 in the person of his son, Jesus Christ, 00:11:06.100 --> 00:11:08.940 full of grace and truth, 00:11:09.139 --> 00:11:12.419 full of love and compassion 00:11:12.419 --> 00:11:16.600 to shine light into our darkness. 00:11:16.600 --> 00:11:19.820 And to make a way for all who, 00:11:19.940 --> 00:11:21.440 as we were singing in that last song, 00:11:21.440 --> 00:11:23.420 all who would come and receive him, 00:11:24.540 --> 00:11:26.840 be made reconciled with your creator. 00:11:27.980 --> 00:11:30.980 Now truly that is an undeserved gift from heaven. 00:11:32.259 --> 00:11:35.220 And the Bible, the word for that is grace. 00:11:35.220 --> 00:11:38.560 It's an undeserved gift. 00:11:39.500 --> 00:11:42.740 And how does John describe Jesus Christ? 00:11:43.779 --> 00:11:47.340 Full of grace and truth. 00:11:47.340 --> 00:11:51.820 You see, the baby in the manger is actually 00:11:51.820 --> 00:11:53.560 a divine invitation 00:11:53.560 --> 00:11:57.620 into the greatest privilege possible 00:11:57.620 --> 00:12:00.560 of entering into a relationship. 00:12:01.180 --> 00:12:02.980 A relationship of joy. 00:12:03.620 --> 00:12:05.460 A relationship of forgiveness. 00:12:06.200 --> 00:12:08.040 A relationship of wholeness. 00:12:08.460 --> 00:12:10.500 And a relationship knowing fully 00:12:10.500 --> 00:12:12.600 the God who created you. 00:12:12.600 --> 00:12:16.100 So as we close, 00:12:17.279 --> 00:12:19.779 let me take you back to the Australian airport. 00:12:21.980 --> 00:12:22.960 Picture that hug. 00:12:23.899 --> 00:12:24.700 Picture that hug. 00:12:24.960 --> 00:12:25.680 Must have been great. 00:12:26.580 --> 00:12:27.460 Picture that hug. 00:12:28.620 --> 00:12:29.340 Let me ask you again, 00:12:29.399 --> 00:12:30.279 how would you respond 00:12:30.279 --> 00:12:32.180 if you were that woman? 00:12:34.440 --> 00:12:37.040 This evening, this Christmas time, 00:12:37.120 --> 00:12:39.980 as we spend time doing all sorts of things, 00:12:39.980 --> 00:12:42.759 but as we spend time looking at the baby in the manger, 00:12:43.580 --> 00:12:47.000 let's consider the lengths that God went to. 00:12:47.759 --> 00:12:50.420 And let's consider the love that God showed. 00:12:51.840 --> 00:12:53.920 And so the question for us this evening is, 00:12:54.060 --> 00:12:56.120 how will we respond? 00:12:58.300 --> 00:13:00.720 You know, we sang just the last song there, 00:13:00.759 --> 00:13:02.300 one of my favorite Christmas carols, 00:13:02.460 --> 00:13:03.300 Oh Holy Night. 00:13:03.460 --> 00:13:06.759 And it's a modern version of that song that we sung. 00:13:06.759 --> 00:13:10.559 And let me just read to you the lines 00:13:10.559 --> 00:13:12.480 and the words from that last chorus 00:13:12.480 --> 00:13:13.500 that are on the screen 00:13:13.500 --> 00:13:15.639 for you to think about as well. 00:13:15.759 --> 00:13:17.399 And let's finish with this thought. 00:13:19.080 --> 00:13:20.100 Oh Holy Night, 00:13:20.200 --> 00:13:21.980 the last verse goes like this. 00:13:22.360 --> 00:13:23.620 Come then to him 00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:26.179 who lies within the manger. 00:13:27.179 --> 00:13:28.919 With joyful shepherds, 00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:31.179 proclaim him as Lord. 00:13:32.620 --> 00:13:35.679 Let not the promised son remain a stranger. 00:13:35.679 --> 00:13:37.959 In reverent worship, 00:13:38.259 --> 00:13:41.500 make Christ your adored. 00:13:43.000 --> 00:13:47.459 Eternal life is theirs who would receive him. 00:13:48.279 --> 00:13:49.939 With grace and peace, 00:13:50.079 --> 00:13:52.399 their lives he will adorn. 00:13:53.399 --> 00:13:55.539 Fall on your knees. 00:13:56.859 --> 00:13:58.659 Receive the gift of heaven. 00:13:59.099 --> 00:14:00.079 Oh night divine. 00:14:00.779 --> 00:14:03.179 Oh night when Christ was born. 00:14:03.179 --> 00:14:05.000 Oh night, 00:14:05.179 --> 00:14:06.579 oh holy night, 00:14:07.179 --> 00:14:09.599 when Christ was born. 00:14:11.339 --> 00:14:12.959 In just a minute I'm going to pray 00:14:12.959 --> 00:14:15.919 and we'll stand and sing our final carol. 00:14:16.599 --> 00:14:17.859 But just before we do that, 00:14:17.919 --> 00:14:19.439 it's such a busy time of year, isn't it? 00:14:19.459 --> 00:14:20.279 That we're running around 00:14:20.279 --> 00:14:21.719 doing all sorts of different things. 00:14:21.799 --> 00:14:22.739 What a great chance 00:14:22.739 --> 00:14:24.719 on the cusp of a really busy week 00:14:24.719 --> 00:14:26.059 just to have some stillness 00:14:26.059 --> 00:14:28.199 and to have some silence. 00:14:28.200 --> 00:14:29.960 And maybe just to think about 00:14:29.960 --> 00:14:31.080 what we've been singing about 00:14:31.080 --> 00:14:32.020 and reading tonight. 00:14:32.140 --> 00:14:33.120 So let's just have a moment, 00:14:33.259 --> 00:14:34.379 a few moments of silence 00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:36.900 and let's use this opportunity 00:14:36.900 --> 00:14:38.240 to think about these things. 00:14:45.080 --> 00:14:48.600 Almighty God and loving Heavenly Father, 00:14:49.200 --> 00:14:53.580 we praise you for the truth of Christmas. 00:14:53.580 --> 00:14:56.580 and we pray, 00:14:57.720 --> 00:14:58.280 Lord God, 00:14:58.360 --> 00:15:00.120 that you would help us not to miss 00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:01.920 in all the busyness 00:15:01.920 --> 00:15:03.160 and all the excitement 00:15:03.160 --> 00:15:05.000 and in all that goes on, 00:15:05.060 --> 00:15:07.220 not to miss the staggering truth 00:15:07.220 --> 00:15:09.700 that you sent your Son, 00:15:10.680 --> 00:15:11.639 Jesus Christ, 00:15:12.300 --> 00:15:15.060 the light into our darkness 00:15:15.060 --> 00:15:18.580 to save us from our darkness. 00:15:18.580 --> 00:15:19.100 darkness. 00:15:20.540 --> 00:15:22.300 Would you help us to receive him 00:15:22.300 --> 00:15:23.080 as Lord, 00:15:23.720 --> 00:15:24.520 Saviour, 00:15:24.860 --> 00:15:27.120 and would we fall at his feet 00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:29.139 and declare him King and Lord. 00:15:30.340 --> 00:15:31.200 And in Jesus' name, 00:15:31.259 --> 00:15:32.180 we pray these things. 00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:32.920 Amen.