WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.540 And if you've come in late, let me offer you again a very warm welcome. It's great to have you here. 00:00:05.240 --> 00:00:09.880 ! Who was up this morning before eight? Raise your hand if you were up before eight. 00:00:09.880 --> 00:00:20.260 8. Terry. Who was up before seven? Anybody up before seven? Anybody up before six? 00:00:23.100 --> 00:00:26.719 Emma Vane with her one month old baby. Emma Roberts, sorry. 00:00:26.719 --> 00:00:42.239 Anybody up before five? Anybody up before four? Chuck, you won't have you normally up around that. 00:00:42.879 --> 00:00:46.179 We should also have a competition with the best dress, isn't it? Now this is real enough. 00:00:46.239 --> 00:00:49.960 This is great bow ties. People are dressed as snooker players. 00:00:51.439 --> 00:00:55.879 It's great to have you here. Thank you very much for coming. 00:00:56.719 --> 00:00:59.920 I'm getting the story about the atheist who's walking in the woods on Christmas Day. 00:01:00.699 --> 00:01:01.179 Amos. 00:01:02.179 --> 00:01:08.120 So there's an atheist walking in the woods on Christmas Day and suddenly he meets a great bear. 00:01:08.900 --> 00:01:14.400 The bear chases him. He chases him into a cave and there's nowhere for the atheist to go. 00:01:15.099 --> 00:01:19.739 And the atheist doesn't know what to do. He's scared. He falls on his knees. 00:01:19.739 --> 00:01:22.500 After the first time in his life, the atheist begins to pray. 00:01:23.280 --> 00:01:32.039 And he says, Lord, I don't think it's fair after I've been an angry atheist all my life that I become a Christian. 00:01:32.159 --> 00:01:34.679 But please would you make the bear a Christian? 00:01:34.680 --> 00:01:41.000 He opens his eyes and he sees the bear fall to his knees. 00:01:42.040 --> 00:01:48.160 Close his eyes and put his hands together and say, Lord, for what we're about to receive, make us cry. 00:01:50.240 --> 00:01:52.420 It's very good of you to laugh because it's an old joke. 00:01:52.460 --> 00:01:54.080 I hope you're thankful for your gifts. 00:01:54.740 --> 00:01:56.480 I really hope you're thankful for your gifts. 00:01:56.480 --> 00:02:00.820 We are very privileged, aren't we? 00:02:01.140 --> 00:02:03.740 There are people today who have nothing. 00:02:03.820 --> 00:02:04.760 Nothing in this area. 00:02:04.880 --> 00:02:05.900 Who have nothing in this country. 00:02:06.439 --> 00:02:07.300 There are migrants. 00:02:07.600 --> 00:02:10.819 We are a free generation, aren't we? 00:02:10.860 --> 00:02:11.860 We are so blessed. 00:02:11.939 --> 00:02:14.060 We have so much to be thankful for. 00:02:14.420 --> 00:02:15.680 And I hope you're grateful. 00:02:16.140 --> 00:02:16.860 I hope you're thankful. 00:02:17.580 --> 00:02:20.240 I've been doing the Christmas Day service for 13 years. 00:02:20.840 --> 00:02:22.840 And it's a struggle to be original. 00:02:23.020 --> 00:02:23.800 I don't know if this is original. 00:02:23.800 --> 00:02:25.379 I probably have done something like this before. 00:02:25.379 --> 00:02:31.240 But I wanted to think about how we receive our gifts. 00:02:32.460 --> 00:02:36.539 Because I think the way that we receive our material gifts, the way that we receive our presents, 00:02:37.620 --> 00:02:39.299 is often the way we treat God's gift. 00:02:40.460 --> 00:02:43.120 So four different ways we receive gifts. 00:02:43.379 --> 00:02:44.340 That's all I want to think about. 00:02:44.439 --> 00:02:44.919 Not very long. 00:02:45.159 --> 00:02:46.439 Okay, so here's the first thing. 00:02:46.479 --> 00:02:47.159 I'm a volunteer. 00:02:47.719 --> 00:02:48.479 Is there a volunteer? 00:02:49.199 --> 00:02:50.340 Can I have a volunteer? 00:02:51.099 --> 00:02:53.240 Gus, come to the front. 00:02:53.780 --> 00:02:54.219 Okay. 00:02:55.379 --> 00:02:57.460 Now, I'm not going to let everybody keep these gifts. 00:02:57.539 --> 00:02:59.560 But I'm going to let you guys keep this gift. 00:02:59.819 --> 00:03:00.019 Okay? 00:03:00.539 --> 00:03:00.780 Alright. 00:03:01.340 --> 00:03:02.439 So, can you hold it? 00:03:03.560 --> 00:03:04.819 What do you think that is? 00:03:05.299 --> 00:03:06.079 Can you have a guess? 00:03:06.219 --> 00:03:06.719 Give me a shake. 00:03:07.759 --> 00:03:10.219 It's like a massive chocolate orange, isn't it? 00:03:11.299 --> 00:03:12.759 Do you know what a chocolate orange is? 00:03:13.460 --> 00:03:13.819 No. 00:03:14.060 --> 00:03:14.139 No. 00:03:14.139 --> 00:03:17.559 What does it feel like? 00:03:20.099 --> 00:03:20.679 You're done now. 00:03:20.739 --> 00:03:21.339 Do you want to rip it open? 00:03:21.579 --> 00:03:22.379 Do you want to see if you can get it? 00:03:22.459 --> 00:03:22.539 See? 00:03:22.719 --> 00:03:23.659 Are you good at opening presents? 00:03:24.279 --> 00:03:24.799 Good luck. 00:03:25.199 --> 00:03:25.619 Go on. 00:03:26.139 --> 00:03:26.619 Go on. 00:03:33.579 --> 00:03:34.079 Keep going. 00:03:34.459 --> 00:03:35.159 It's all yours. 00:03:35.159 --> 00:03:37.659 What is that? 00:03:38.500 --> 00:03:39.159 Do you know what that is? 00:03:39.400 --> 00:03:39.599 No. 00:03:41.039 --> 00:03:41.859 That's not this. 00:03:42.060 --> 00:03:42.859 You can have that. 00:03:43.500 --> 00:03:44.419 Can you hold it up? 00:03:44.659 --> 00:03:45.120 Hold it up? 00:03:46.879 --> 00:03:48.340 Give me a round of applause. 00:03:48.879 --> 00:03:49.500 Do you know what I mean? 00:03:49.879 --> 00:03:50.319 Thank you. 00:03:50.319 --> 00:03:50.319 00:03:50.439 --> 00:03:53.500 That is what we call a swede. 00:03:53.500 --> 00:03:58.400 And all vegetables are dangerous. 00:03:58.780 --> 00:04:01.840 But this vegetable is the most dangerous of all. 00:04:02.539 --> 00:04:03.780 I would want to argue this. 00:04:04.000 --> 00:04:05.020 This is repulsive. 00:04:06.740 --> 00:04:09.860 And of all the things that I was forced to eat as a boy, 00:04:10.659 --> 00:04:13.360 sweet would be the one that I hated the most. 00:04:13.659 --> 00:04:14.840 It doesn't matter what you do with it. 00:04:14.900 --> 00:04:15.319 Roast it. 00:04:15.400 --> 00:04:15.900 Mash it. 00:04:16.579 --> 00:04:17.339 Disguise it. 00:04:17.779 --> 00:04:18.899 It is gross. 00:04:19.699 --> 00:04:23.100 People complain about Brussels sprouts. 00:04:23.100 --> 00:04:24.220 But sweet. 00:04:26.480 --> 00:04:28.260 I would say it's the worst, isn't it? 00:04:28.420 --> 00:04:30.760 So if I say to you, do you want this at Christmas? 00:04:31.439 --> 00:04:31.680 No. 00:04:31.879 --> 00:04:32.240 No. 00:04:33.480 --> 00:04:34.379 Are you sure? 00:04:35.180 --> 00:04:35.540 No. 00:04:35.879 --> 00:04:37.140 You give it to your dad. 00:04:40.340 --> 00:04:41.540 It's the first thing, isn't it? 00:04:42.080 --> 00:04:43.920 Someone gives us a gift, isn't it? 00:04:43.980 --> 00:04:46.660 And it happens very rarely. 00:04:47.600 --> 00:04:49.939 But there are gifts, aren't they, that we just don't like. 00:04:50.300 --> 00:04:54.939 And there are gifts that actually, we really, really don't like them. 00:04:56.060 --> 00:05:00.160 Sometimes when we're little, we might even say really ungratefully, I hate that. 00:05:00.500 --> 00:05:01.319 I don't like that. 00:05:02.160 --> 00:05:04.120 Gifts we don't like. 00:05:05.019 --> 00:05:07.480 As you grow up, you get a bit better at hiding it, don't you? 00:05:08.080 --> 00:05:09.780 But there are gifts that we don't like. 00:05:10.720 --> 00:05:11.240 And do you know what? 00:05:11.300 --> 00:05:13.240 We do that with God, don't we? 00:05:14.200 --> 00:05:16.420 God gives us the greatest gift of all, the Lord Jesus. 00:05:16.540 --> 00:05:18.980 And there are many people that say, well, I don't want Jesus. 00:05:19.700 --> 00:05:21.720 I just don't want Jesus. 00:05:21.980 --> 00:05:23.600 I think that's the most common response I get. 00:05:24.319 --> 00:05:25.460 I don't want forgiveness. 00:05:25.800 --> 00:05:26.420 I don't want it. 00:05:26.420 --> 00:05:29.500 They hate the message. 00:05:29.939 --> 00:05:36.140 That message that I am a rebel and that I have sinned against God and against others. 00:05:37.120 --> 00:05:38.740 And I need a savior. 00:05:38.900 --> 00:05:40.300 And there's nothing I can do about it. 00:05:40.360 --> 00:05:42.560 And that I need God to save me. 00:05:43.020 --> 00:05:44.420 And people say, I don't want that. 00:05:44.740 --> 00:05:46.120 I hate that. 00:05:46.740 --> 00:05:48.480 I really don't like that. 00:05:48.480 --> 00:05:51.000 I don't want God in charge of my life. 00:05:51.120 --> 00:05:52.620 And so what they do is they reject it. 00:05:53.259 --> 00:05:53.920 I say, I don't want it. 00:05:54.200 --> 00:05:54.860 First response. 00:05:56.160 --> 00:05:56.800 Second response. 00:05:57.000 --> 00:05:57.920 Is there another volunteer? 00:05:58.400 --> 00:05:59.100 Is there another volunteer? 00:05:59.240 --> 00:05:59.700 What about we need? 00:05:59.780 --> 00:06:00.100 What is it? 00:06:00.100 --> 00:06:00.140 What is it? 00:06:00.140 --> 00:06:00.640 What is it? 00:06:01.640 --> 00:06:02.759 Come on, come on, come on. 00:06:03.379 --> 00:06:06.460 You can open that. 00:06:06.560 --> 00:06:08.720 You can't open this, but you probably don't want it. 00:06:18.480 --> 00:06:19.660 Who's that? 00:06:20.240 --> 00:06:20.980 Do you know who that is? 00:06:21.200 --> 00:06:21.920 Winnie the Pooh. 00:06:21.920 --> 00:06:22.280 Winnie the Pooh. 00:06:22.319 --> 00:06:23.319 Does that look brand new? 00:06:24.560 --> 00:06:25.740 No, it doesn't, doesn't it? 00:06:25.759 --> 00:06:27.879 Do you know this is my Winnie the Pooh that someone bought me? 00:06:29.020 --> 00:06:31.080 And it's all a bit strange, isn't it? 00:06:31.640 --> 00:06:32.360 It's nice to see. 00:06:33.360 --> 00:06:36.680 Do you think I should carry this around? 00:06:37.879 --> 00:06:40.200 Do you think I should take this to work when I go to work? 00:06:41.420 --> 00:06:41.780 Yeah. 00:06:42.060 --> 00:06:42.800 Would it be funny? 00:06:42.920 --> 00:06:44.060 It would be funny, wouldn't it? 00:06:44.740 --> 00:06:45.819 Why would it be funny? 00:06:45.819 --> 00:06:50.439 Because he wouldn't normally take a teddy to work. 00:06:50.639 --> 00:06:52.620 Does your dad not take a teddy to work? 00:06:53.420 --> 00:06:54.199 No, it doesn't. 00:06:54.279 --> 00:06:56.279 She doesn't carry a teddy bear around with him, does he? 00:06:56.699 --> 00:06:57.139 No. 00:06:57.219 --> 00:06:58.219 Who has teddy bears? 00:07:00.240 --> 00:07:00.639 Children. 00:07:01.680 --> 00:07:02.079 Children? 00:07:02.279 --> 00:07:02.639 That's right. 00:07:02.699 --> 00:07:03.300 Really well done. 00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:03.819 Goodness, man. 00:07:03.939 --> 00:07:04.579 I'm going to have a good one. 00:07:08.159 --> 00:07:09.639 It is, isn't it? 00:07:10.240 --> 00:07:10.560 Okay. 00:07:12.480 --> 00:07:13.379 Teddy bears, isn't it? 00:07:13.439 --> 00:07:15.539 There are gifts that you grew out of. 00:07:15.540 --> 00:07:17.360 So I remember the Christmas I got this. 00:07:18.360 --> 00:07:21.100 And I was thrilled, wasn't I? 00:07:21.160 --> 00:07:22.120 I can't remember what I was. 00:07:22.180 --> 00:07:23.460 I would have been about five, six or something. 00:07:23.600 --> 00:07:24.640 I liked Winnie the Pooh. 00:07:24.760 --> 00:07:25.240 I thought it was quite funny. 00:07:26.080 --> 00:07:26.860 And I loved it. 00:07:26.900 --> 00:07:27.920 I thought it was really great. 00:07:28.080 --> 00:07:29.560 And it was a gift that I enjoyed. 00:07:30.180 --> 00:07:32.560 I'm sat now at the bottom of Noah's bed. 00:07:33.060 --> 00:07:34.560 And I brought it with me. 00:07:34.980 --> 00:07:37.520 And it was a gift that I really enjoyed. 00:07:37.660 --> 00:07:39.300 But I don't play with it now, do I? 00:07:39.300 --> 00:07:41.460 I don't think, oh, I tell you what. 00:07:41.540 --> 00:07:43.840 This afternoon when I get home, I know what I'm going to do. 00:07:43.860 --> 00:07:46.420 Me and Winnie the Pooh are going to have a picnic or something like that. 00:07:46.520 --> 00:07:47.060 I don't know about it. 00:07:47.620 --> 00:07:51.560 When I go away to speak somewhere or I go to a conference, I don't think, oh, I remember 00:07:51.560 --> 00:07:52.620 what I've got to pack. 00:07:52.660 --> 00:07:53.699 I've got to pack Winnie the Pooh. 00:07:54.319 --> 00:07:57.800 I don't think that because we grow out of gifts, don't we? 00:07:59.280 --> 00:08:00.100 Gifts we grow out of. 00:08:00.120 --> 00:08:00.860 And I think that's something. 00:08:00.960 --> 00:08:03.160 The first thing was gifts we don't like, gifts we hate. 00:08:03.280 --> 00:08:05.080 Second thing, that's gifts we grow out of. 00:08:05.079 --> 00:08:08.839 And once upon a time, I like cuddly toys. 00:08:10.019 --> 00:08:11.419 But I'm not a boy now, am I? 00:08:11.500 --> 00:08:13.060 I'm a man now. 00:08:13.519 --> 00:08:14.579 I'm a real man. 00:08:14.680 --> 00:08:17.000 And so real men don't have cuddly toys. 00:08:17.919 --> 00:08:20.479 And so many people, they treat the Lord Jesus like that, don't they? 00:08:21.699 --> 00:08:23.139 They treat the Lord Jesus like that. 00:08:23.199 --> 00:08:25.079 They think, oh, it's really nice for children. 00:08:25.839 --> 00:08:29.299 So everybody loves it, kids, when they come to your school nativity play. 00:08:29.799 --> 00:08:31.279 Everybody loves that. 00:08:31.279 --> 00:08:35.039 But actually, they think it's just the children. 00:08:36.199 --> 00:08:40.379 And so God coming to earth, I'm living a life that you and I should have lived. 00:08:41.019 --> 00:08:44.600 I'm dying the death that you and I deserve for our sins. 00:08:44.720 --> 00:08:47.259 And then rising again, I'm ascending to heaven. 00:08:47.620 --> 00:08:51.120 I'm being seated at the right hand of God the Father where he is this morning. 00:08:51.120 --> 00:08:56.759 And that Jesus Christ will one day come again to bring in the new heavens and the new earth. 00:08:57.679 --> 00:08:59.940 And God loving me. 00:09:01.639 --> 00:09:06.120 And bringing in a world without suffering and pain and death. 00:09:06.220 --> 00:09:08.000 People think, oh, that's make-believe, don't they? 00:09:08.320 --> 00:09:09.259 They think that's Cinderella. 00:09:10.200 --> 00:09:12.620 They think that's Billy Goat Gruff. 00:09:13.440 --> 00:09:16.240 And all the little beautiful nursery rhymes. 00:09:16.340 --> 00:09:18.100 They think that's just Never Neverland. 00:09:18.100 --> 00:09:21.920 Many, many people, particularly at this time of year, 00:09:22.019 --> 00:09:24.240 they're really happy to come to a carol service. 00:09:24.320 --> 00:09:26.540 If you said to them, would you come to church next Sunday morning? 00:09:26.980 --> 00:09:27.740 They'd say no. 00:09:28.560 --> 00:09:30.700 If you said, do you want to come to church for a carol service? 00:09:30.759 --> 00:09:31.759 They'd say, oh, yeah, yeah, of course. 00:09:31.820 --> 00:09:33.259 Because it's sentimental, isn't it? 00:09:33.920 --> 00:09:34.980 They love the songs. 00:09:36.240 --> 00:09:37.420 They love the stories. 00:09:38.139 --> 00:09:40.440 They'll tell their children about the Lord Jesus. 00:09:40.440 --> 00:09:42.600 But they think they've left it all behind. 00:09:43.440 --> 00:09:44.920 They think they've grown out of it. 00:09:46.220 --> 00:09:47.700 That's the second thing we do with gifts. 00:09:49.019 --> 00:09:49.899 Gifts we don't like. 00:09:50.360 --> 00:09:51.060 Gifts we can grow out of it. 00:09:51.159 --> 00:09:53.800 And the third thing is gifts that we're obliged to wear. 00:09:54.460 --> 00:09:55.460 Now, I haven't got a gift for this, 00:09:55.560 --> 00:09:58.980 but occasionally you, as the generous people of this church, 00:09:59.060 --> 00:10:00.060 give me clothes. 00:10:01.159 --> 00:10:03.680 And last year, I put on a little bit of weight last year, 00:10:03.779 --> 00:10:06.019 and someone who I don't think is here 00:10:06.019 --> 00:10:08.399 gave me a jumper 00:10:08.399 --> 00:10:11.639 that was at least two sizes too small for me. 00:10:12.379 --> 00:10:13.580 And so when I put it on, 00:10:13.759 --> 00:10:15.980 it kind of roared to the top of my stomach. 00:10:16.539 --> 00:10:18.080 But I felt I had to wear it. 00:10:19.139 --> 00:10:20.539 I felt I had to pay lips. 00:10:20.799 --> 00:10:23.179 Some of you are wearing gifts like that this morning, 00:10:23.220 --> 00:10:23.819 I can tell. 00:10:23.820 --> 00:10:28.760 But you don't want to hurt the person's feelings. 00:10:30.300 --> 00:10:31.400 And so you pretend. 00:10:32.700 --> 00:10:33.640 You know what it is, isn't it? 00:10:33.640 --> 00:10:35.740 That jumper that someone's made for you, 00:10:36.020 --> 00:10:38.420 or that gift that someone gave to you, 00:10:38.540 --> 00:10:40.260 that piece of jewellery that you really don't like, 00:10:40.280 --> 00:10:42.500 but you put it on when they come round, 00:10:42.600 --> 00:10:45.340 because you want them to think that you loved it. 00:10:45.720 --> 00:10:47.260 You pay lip service. 00:10:47.740 --> 00:10:49.640 You feel obliged to wear it. 00:10:49.639 --> 00:10:50.279 And do you know what? 00:10:50.299 --> 00:10:51.399 There are many people like that. 00:10:52.580 --> 00:10:53.240 When you go to church, 00:10:53.279 --> 00:10:54.419 I go to church Christmas and Easter. 00:10:55.659 --> 00:10:58.000 You can even go to church each week like that. 00:10:58.059 --> 00:10:59.899 And you pretend, now and again. 00:11:01.919 --> 00:11:04.539 Many people pretend that Jesus is King, 00:11:05.299 --> 00:11:07.500 but they don't actually want Him. 00:11:08.319 --> 00:11:09.500 They don't want to know Him. 00:11:09.939 --> 00:11:12.199 They don't want to be in a relationship with Him. 00:11:14.000 --> 00:11:14.960 Somebody was telling me today 00:11:14.960 --> 00:11:17.279 that they had been given interdental brushes 00:11:17.279 --> 00:11:19.419 as a present for Christmas. 00:11:19.419 --> 00:11:19.879 It's one of them. 00:11:19.939 --> 00:11:20.879 They do the same thing. 00:11:21.500 --> 00:11:22.500 Interdental brushes. 00:11:22.819 --> 00:11:23.979 The next time that person comes, 00:11:24.139 --> 00:11:25.599 that person will have brushed their teeth 00:11:25.599 --> 00:11:26.559 right in between the gaps. 00:11:26.699 --> 00:11:27.779 They'll have clean teeth, 00:11:28.159 --> 00:11:29.599 because they will want to pay lip service. 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:32.620 And there are many people that feel obliged 00:11:32.620 --> 00:11:35.479 that pay lip service to Jesus. 00:11:36.459 --> 00:11:37.559 Fourth gift is this gift. 00:11:37.639 --> 00:11:38.240 One more volunteer. 00:11:38.599 --> 00:11:39.299 One more volunteer. 00:11:40.019 --> 00:11:40.699 One more volunteer. 00:11:42.279 --> 00:11:42.779 And drink. 00:11:43.819 --> 00:11:44.519 That's great. 00:11:45.439 --> 00:11:47.899 Now this is what I bought my wife last year. 00:11:49.419 --> 00:11:53.059 And well, I think it'll ruin the surprise. 00:11:53.759 --> 00:11:56.019 You know this, we have to do that. 00:11:57.659 --> 00:12:01.319 I would normally bought very bad gifts 00:12:01.319 --> 00:12:02.539 for this year and last year, 00:12:02.599 --> 00:12:03.319 as far as myself. 00:12:05.379 --> 00:12:06.179 What is it? 00:12:06.559 --> 00:12:06.979 What about this? 00:12:07.939 --> 00:12:08.799 Have a guess. 00:12:11.299 --> 00:12:11.959 A month old. 00:12:12.319 --> 00:12:12.759 Yes. 00:12:13.199 --> 00:12:14.000 What do you think that is? 00:12:14.059 --> 00:12:14.740 It's another one. 00:12:14.740 --> 00:12:15.720 It is another one. 00:12:15.779 --> 00:12:16.940 Well done, well done, well done. 00:12:17.080 --> 00:12:17.659 You can put a set of them. 00:12:17.860 --> 00:12:18.279 It's another one. 00:12:18.919 --> 00:12:20.240 And I think Claire was, 00:12:20.840 --> 00:12:22.820 after 15 years of marriage, 00:12:22.980 --> 00:12:24.159 was greatly shocked. 00:12:25.220 --> 00:12:26.639 It was pure desperation, 00:12:26.820 --> 00:12:27.460 I'll give you that. 00:12:28.580 --> 00:12:29.519 But she was greatly shocked. 00:12:29.580 --> 00:12:30.779 And she said, you know what she said? 00:12:30.840 --> 00:12:31.519 She said, I love it. 00:12:32.080 --> 00:12:32.919 I love it. 00:12:33.879 --> 00:12:35.019 And this year, 00:12:35.600 --> 00:12:37.100 she's really loved it. 00:12:37.100 --> 00:12:38.820 She's been able to watch 00:12:38.820 --> 00:12:40.279 Strictly Come Dancing 00:12:40.279 --> 00:12:41.720 incessantly on it. 00:12:42.820 --> 00:12:43.680 And she's, 00:12:44.139 --> 00:12:45.240 well, she isn't always on it, 00:12:45.279 --> 00:12:46.340 but she's often on it. 00:12:47.060 --> 00:12:48.019 And so occasionally, 00:12:48.340 --> 00:12:49.720 we lose the iPad. 00:12:50.420 --> 00:12:52.080 And a state of emergency is declared. 00:12:52.700 --> 00:12:54.740 And we all have to find the iPad. 00:12:55.399 --> 00:12:56.580 And there are gifts out there, 00:12:56.680 --> 00:12:57.639 gifts that you treasure. 00:12:58.779 --> 00:13:00.340 Gifts that you treasure. 00:13:00.759 --> 00:13:01.460 We've all got that. 00:13:01.460 --> 00:13:03.540 So, what's your favourite gift, children? 00:13:03.639 --> 00:13:05.180 What's been your favourite gift today? 00:13:05.780 --> 00:13:06.720 What's the favourite gift 00:13:06.720 --> 00:13:07.440 you've received today? 00:13:07.500 --> 00:13:08.360 Anybody want to tell us? 00:13:08.700 --> 00:13:09.440 Noah, what's been yours? 00:13:10.259 --> 00:13:13.900 I think it was my, 00:13:14.480 --> 00:13:16.700 I got a superhero book. 00:13:17.080 --> 00:13:17.879 A superhero book? 00:13:18.300 --> 00:13:19.259 It wasn't that tough, fresh. 00:13:21.400 --> 00:13:22.400 Ali, what about you? 00:13:22.840 --> 00:13:27.139 It was like my princess book. 00:13:27.259 --> 00:13:27.840 Your princess book. 00:13:27.860 --> 00:13:28.860 What about you, Miriam? 00:13:29.860 --> 00:13:30.860 I don't know. 00:13:32.360 --> 00:13:32.759 Playmobil. 00:13:32.940 --> 00:13:33.400 Very cool. 00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:33.780 Gasp. 00:13:35.680 --> 00:13:36.040 Playmobil. 00:13:36.180 --> 00:13:36.960 Very cool. 00:13:37.440 --> 00:13:38.379 And so there are gifts out there 00:13:38.379 --> 00:13:39.160 that all of us, 00:13:39.220 --> 00:13:39.879 we treasure. 00:13:40.820 --> 00:13:41.360 And there are gifts 00:13:41.360 --> 00:13:41.900 that we want to say, 00:13:41.980 --> 00:13:42.720 oh, thank you. 00:13:42.800 --> 00:13:43.560 I love it. 00:13:43.900 --> 00:13:44.660 I love it. 00:13:45.900 --> 00:13:46.420 And do you know what? 00:13:46.460 --> 00:13:47.820 There are millions upon millions 00:13:47.820 --> 00:13:49.259 upon millions upon millions 00:13:49.259 --> 00:13:50.340 of people today 00:13:50.340 --> 00:13:52.080 who have received 00:13:52.080 --> 00:13:53.160 the Lord Jesus Christ 00:13:53.160 --> 00:13:54.240 with great joy 00:13:54.240 --> 00:13:56.440 and great thankfulness. 00:13:57.060 --> 00:13:58.139 And they meet together 00:13:58.139 --> 00:13:58.620 and change it 00:13:58.620 --> 00:13:59.639 like we do this morning 00:13:59.639 --> 00:14:00.139 to say, 00:14:00.400 --> 00:14:01.220 I love him. 00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:02.800 I love him. 00:14:02.860 --> 00:14:03.759 He is very precious. 00:14:04.840 --> 00:14:06.500 And he is part of our daily life. 00:14:06.759 --> 00:14:07.660 In fact, more than that, 00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:08.960 he is our life. 00:14:09.480 --> 00:14:10.600 Christmas is him. 00:14:11.440 --> 00:14:12.280 Christmas is about 00:14:12.280 --> 00:14:13.259 receiving him 00:14:13.259 --> 00:14:14.120 and knowing him 00:14:14.120 --> 00:14:14.980 and loving him. 00:14:16.100 --> 00:14:16.700 Four gifts. 00:14:16.820 --> 00:14:17.340 Do you remember them? 00:14:17.560 --> 00:14:18.420 Gifts we don't like. 00:14:18.840 --> 00:14:19.740 Gifts we grow out of. 00:14:20.120 --> 00:14:21.980 Gifts we pay lip service to. 00:14:22.259 --> 00:14:23.360 And gifts we love. 00:14:23.420 --> 00:14:24.040 Now be honest. 00:14:24.259 --> 00:14:24.400 Okay? 00:14:24.400 --> 00:14:25.759 Be honest. 00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:26.620 Which one 00:14:26.620 --> 00:14:29.000 of those four represents 00:14:29.000 --> 00:14:31.759 how you treat the Lord Jesus? 00:14:31.939 --> 00:14:32.439 Be honest. 00:14:34.600 --> 00:14:35.439 Which one? 00:14:37.179 --> 00:14:38.639 There's only two basic responses. 00:14:38.799 --> 00:14:39.659 The first three, 00:14:40.439 --> 00:14:42.360 they all reject Jesus. 00:14:43.700 --> 00:14:44.019 And again, 00:14:44.059 --> 00:14:45.259 we shouldn't be surprised at that. 00:14:45.340 --> 00:14:45.659 Do you remember 00:14:45.659 --> 00:14:46.960 what Peter read to us 00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:47.939 from John 1? 00:14:47.940 --> 00:14:50.240 It's an amazing thing 00:14:50.240 --> 00:14:51.520 that even though 00:14:51.520 --> 00:14:52.940 the world was made 00:14:52.940 --> 00:14:53.880 through him, 00:14:54.820 --> 00:14:55.980 he was in the world 00:14:55.980 --> 00:14:56.460 or the way it was 00:14:56.460 --> 00:14:56.840 through him 00:14:56.840 --> 00:14:57.400 and yet the world 00:14:57.400 --> 00:14:57.940 did not know him. 00:14:57.940 --> 00:14:59.080 He came to his own 00:14:59.080 --> 00:15:00.080 but his own 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:01.960 did not receive him. 00:15:01.960 --> 00:15:05.440 And they reject him. 00:15:06.680 --> 00:15:07.740 They said no. 00:15:07.980 --> 00:15:08.400 Herod, 00:15:08.680 --> 00:15:09.519 teachers of the law, 00:15:09.660 --> 00:15:10.780 some of the people of Israel, 00:15:11.280 --> 00:15:12.780 they rejected Jesus. 00:15:14.280 --> 00:15:15.160 And that is bad 00:15:15.160 --> 00:15:16.100 and that is sad 00:15:16.100 --> 00:15:16.879 and that is 00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:18.360 rejecting the God 00:15:18.360 --> 00:15:19.060 who made you 00:15:19.060 --> 00:15:19.759 and owns you 00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:20.379 and who loves you. 00:15:20.620 --> 00:15:21.940 It is rejecting the Saviour. 00:15:22.040 --> 00:15:23.800 It's rejecting your only hope 00:15:23.800 --> 00:15:26.019 that we will be condemned 00:15:26.019 --> 00:15:26.960 for eternity 00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:27.820 without him. 00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:29.019 But it doesn't have to be like that, 00:15:29.080 --> 00:15:29.340 does it? 00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:31.000 Because that verse goes on 00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:33.799 for all who received him, 00:15:33.879 --> 00:15:35.120 who believed in his name, 00:15:35.159 --> 00:15:35.899 he gave the right 00:15:35.899 --> 00:15:37.440 to become children of God. 00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:39.299 A couple of chapters 00:15:39.299 --> 00:15:39.899 later in John, 00:15:39.960 --> 00:15:40.840 there's that famous verse, 00:15:40.899 --> 00:15:41.220 you know it, 00:15:41.279 --> 00:15:41.419 isn't it? 00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:42.480 For God so loved the world 00:15:42.480 --> 00:15:43.700 that he gave his one 00:15:43.700 --> 00:15:44.360 and only Son 00:15:44.360 --> 00:15:46.360 that whosoever will believe 00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:46.879 on him 00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:47.960 shall not perish 00:15:47.960 --> 00:15:49.240 but have eternal life. 00:15:50.200 --> 00:15:51.639 So if we believe in him 00:15:51.639 --> 00:15:52.960 and trust in him 00:15:52.960 --> 00:15:54.100 and receive him, 00:15:55.039 --> 00:15:56.220 well we receive 00:15:56.220 --> 00:15:57.960 eternal life with God. 00:15:59.899 --> 00:16:00.600 And so let me ask you, 00:16:00.600 --> 00:16:01.180 this Christmas day, 00:16:01.220 --> 00:16:01.820 have you received 00:16:01.820 --> 00:16:02.720 the gift? 00:16:04.379 --> 00:16:05.560 Have you received the gift? 00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:07.560 It's not that you don't need it, 00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:08.320 we all need it. 00:16:09.420 --> 00:16:10.840 It's not that it's not available, 00:16:11.040 --> 00:16:11.779 it is available. 00:16:13.259 --> 00:16:14.300 It's not that God 00:16:14.300 --> 00:16:15.440 doesn't want you to have it. 00:16:16.019 --> 00:16:16.899 He sent his Son. 00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:18.800 And so take it, 00:16:18.899 --> 00:16:19.960 take God at his word 00:16:19.960 --> 00:16:21.100 and receive the gift. 00:16:22.480 --> 00:16:23.279 And he will give you 00:16:23.279 --> 00:16:24.300 the greatest present 00:16:24.300 --> 00:16:25.100 that you can ever know 00:16:25.100 --> 00:16:26.420 and that is to know Jesus. 00:16:26.419 --> 00:16:29.059 And that is something 00:16:29.059 --> 00:16:30.120 that we all need. 00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:32.059 And actually, 00:16:32.219 --> 00:16:32.740 do you know when you 00:16:32.740 --> 00:16:33.919 delve down a little bit deeper, 00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:35.179 it's something that we all want. 00:16:36.419 --> 00:16:37.519 And God offers it. 00:16:38.659 --> 00:16:39.240 I think I say this 00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:39.860 every Christmas day. 00:16:39.899 --> 00:16:40.579 My brother Dave, 00:16:40.639 --> 00:16:41.479 he's 12 years older than me, 00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:42.139 he became a Christian 00:16:42.139 --> 00:16:42.779 on Christmas day. 00:16:42.860 --> 00:16:43.559 It's a wonderful day 00:16:43.559 --> 00:16:44.240 to become a Christian. 00:16:45.379 --> 00:16:46.279 It's a wonderful day 00:16:46.279 --> 00:16:48.079 to receive the gift. 00:16:49.699 --> 00:16:50.799 To pray to God 00:16:50.799 --> 00:16:51.240 and say, 00:16:51.399 --> 00:16:51.919 thank you. 00:16:51.919 --> 00:16:53.779 I know I need rescuing 00:16:53.779 --> 00:16:55.659 and Jesus is the only rescuer. 00:16:57.019 --> 00:16:58.279 Why not do that today? 00:16:59.059 --> 00:16:59.819 Let's pray. 00:17:00.839 --> 00:17:01.759 God our Father, 00:17:01.860 --> 00:17:02.919 help us not to forget 00:17:02.919 --> 00:17:03.959 what we've heard 00:17:03.959 --> 00:17:05.480 and sung 00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:06.299 and read 00:17:06.299 --> 00:17:06.879 this morning. 00:17:08.420 --> 00:17:09.279 Thank you that you 00:17:09.279 --> 00:17:10.259 didn't give your Son 00:17:10.259 --> 00:17:11.920 so that we could celebrate 00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:12.740 once a year, 00:17:12.839 --> 00:17:13.680 but you sent him 00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:14.659 so we could celebrate 00:17:14.659 --> 00:17:16.420 life with you forever. 00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:18.980 And so now, 00:17:19.059 --> 00:17:20.259 may the wisdom of Jesus, 00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:21.680 the wonderful counselor, 00:17:21.839 --> 00:17:22.440 guide us. 00:17:23.559 --> 00:17:24.920 May the strength of Jesus, 00:17:25.079 --> 00:17:25.960 the mighty God, 00:17:26.079 --> 00:17:26.799 protect us. 00:17:27.980 --> 00:17:29.299 May the love of Jesus, 00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:30.700 the everlasting Father, 00:17:30.839 --> 00:17:31.539 enfold us. 00:17:32.440 --> 00:17:33.700 And the peace of Jesus, 00:17:33.960 --> 00:17:35.319 the Prince of Peace. 00:17:36.400 --> 00:17:37.099 Bring us peace 00:17:37.099 --> 00:17:38.079 this Christmas time 00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:38.960 and always. 00:17:39.859 --> 00:17:40.319 Amen. 00:17:40.319 --> 00:17:40.519 Amen.