WEBVTT 00:00:00.320 --> 00:00:04.700 The scripture reading comes from Luke chapter 2 and Matthew chapter 2. 00:00:05.020 --> 00:00:07.900 Please follow along in your bulletin or on the screen. 00:00:09.380 --> 00:00:11.179 In Luke 2 we read, 00:00:12.019 --> 00:00:17.600 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 00:00:18.480 --> 00:00:22.900 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 00:00:23.780 --> 00:00:27.179 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 00:00:27.179 --> 00:00:36.719 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem. 00:00:37.399 --> 00:00:44.659 Because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 00:00:46.159 --> 00:00:49.879 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 00:00:49.880 --> 00:01:00.340 And she gave birth to her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 00:01:00.340 --> 00:01:04.200 And in Matthew 2 we read, 00:01:04.200 --> 00:01:10.960 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, 00:01:11.560 --> 00:01:16.640 Behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, 00:01:17.439 --> 00:01:20.159 Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? 00:01:20.859 --> 00:01:24.719 For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. 00:01:24.719 --> 00:01:30.760 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 00:01:31.439 --> 00:01:37.640 And assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 00:01:38.640 --> 00:01:39.640 They told him, 00:01:40.180 --> 00:01:44.180 In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet, 00:01:44.180 --> 00:01:52.400 And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judea, are by no means least among the rulers of Judea. 00:01:53.240 --> 00:01:57.080 For from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel. 00:01:59.080 --> 00:02:05.020 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly, and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 00:02:05.780 --> 00:02:08.379 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, 00:02:08.379 --> 00:02:17.419 Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I may too come and worship him. 00:02:18.939 --> 00:02:21.919 After listening to the king, they went on their way. 00:02:22.900 --> 00:02:27.539 And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them, 00:02:28.099 --> 00:02:31.500 until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 00:02:32.500 --> 00:02:37.000 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 00:02:37.000 --> 00:02:41.219 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother, 00:02:41.800 --> 00:02:43.960 and they fell down and worshipped him. 00:02:44.860 --> 00:02:50.960 Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 00:02:51.900 --> 00:02:55.219 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, 00:02:55.800 --> 00:02:58.599 they departed to their own country by another way. 00:02:59.139 --> 00:03:00.539 This is the word of God. 00:03:01.860 --> 00:03:03.580 Great. Thank you, Annabelle. 00:03:03.580 --> 00:03:09.540 Okay. Well, once again, on behalf of my family and the leaders, 00:03:09.720 --> 00:03:10.340 Merry Christmas. 00:03:10.560 --> 00:03:13.240 It's wonderful to be with you all today. 00:03:14.820 --> 00:03:19.380 I really trust and pray that each of us get to experience a wonder-filled, 00:03:19.880 --> 00:03:22.400 Christ-centered Christmas this year. 00:03:22.560 --> 00:03:26.500 And although this year has been a difficult year for many of us in Hong Kong, 00:03:26.500 --> 00:03:31.639 we do pray that the beauty and the wonder of Jesus and who He is 00:03:31.639 --> 00:03:36.300 will be more deeply felt and more significant this Christmas than any other year. 00:03:36.460 --> 00:03:40.099 And we pray that 2020 will be a great year for all of us. 00:03:40.740 --> 00:03:43.960 Now, when you think of Christmas, what do you think of? 00:03:44.060 --> 00:03:46.240 What things come to mind when we think of Christmas? 00:03:47.060 --> 00:03:47.879 I need some help here. 00:03:49.479 --> 00:03:49.879 Tree. 00:03:50.080 --> 00:03:51.520 Okay, Christmas trees. That's right. 00:03:52.620 --> 00:03:53.680 Any other ideas? 00:03:53.680 --> 00:03:55.680 Christmas stockings. 00:03:55.680 --> 00:03:57.240 Christmas stockings. Okay. Yeah. 00:03:59.200 --> 00:03:59.640 Sorry? 00:04:02.360 --> 00:04:02.760 Barbecue. 00:04:03.000 --> 00:04:04.580 Theo says a barbecue. Okay. 00:04:05.260 --> 00:04:07.680 Theo and myself both come from South Africa. 00:04:08.099 --> 00:04:11.400 And strangely enough, winter, I mean, Christmas takes place in summer. 00:04:11.960 --> 00:04:16.319 And so growing up, all our Christmases were spent on the beach with barbecue. 00:04:16.980 --> 00:04:21.560 So when someone says to me, I think of snow and reindeer, I think, not at all. 00:04:21.639 --> 00:04:22.920 I've never had a snowy Christmas. 00:04:22.920 --> 00:04:25.640 But once in my lifetime, I'm sure I'll experience that. 00:04:26.240 --> 00:04:26.360 Okay. 00:04:26.439 --> 00:04:31.540 But when we think of Christmas, I think of good food and some good wine to go with that food. 00:04:32.080 --> 00:04:37.560 I think of lights and Christmas carols and tinsel and all sorts of these things. 00:04:37.660 --> 00:04:37.860 Right? 00:04:38.300 --> 00:04:40.460 These are all wonderful things. 00:04:40.639 --> 00:04:45.540 And some of the words that we think of when we think of Christmas, what are some of the words that come to mind? 00:04:45.540 --> 00:04:52.260 Joy and peace and hope and love. 00:04:52.360 --> 00:04:52.819 That's right. 00:04:52.920 --> 00:04:56.040 These are the things that we think of when we think of Christmas. 00:04:56.840 --> 00:04:59.040 Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. 00:04:59.040 --> 00:05:06.160 And just the last two weeks, Claire, my wife and our two daughters were in Cape Town visiting their new nieces and the cousins. 00:05:06.900 --> 00:05:08.900 And so I've been home alone for the last two weeks. 00:05:09.220 --> 00:05:12.640 And every night, I turn on the lights of our Christmas tree. 00:05:12.879 --> 00:05:14.700 And I put the carols on loud. 00:05:15.080 --> 00:05:17.500 And don't feel sorry for me because I've loved it. 00:05:17.820 --> 00:05:18.600 It's been wonderful. 00:05:19.420 --> 00:05:20.439 I've missed my family. 00:05:20.620 --> 00:05:21.820 Don't hear the wrong message. 00:05:21.819 --> 00:05:25.379 But Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. 00:05:25.500 --> 00:05:28.740 The trees and the lights and the carols, it really gets me excited. 00:05:29.540 --> 00:05:36.199 But Christmas is meant to be so much more than just filling our stomachs with good food and good wine. 00:05:36.879 --> 00:05:39.680 Christmas is meant to be a time when we also fill our hearts. 00:05:40.459 --> 00:05:43.379 We don't just celebrate with food on the table. 00:05:43.379 --> 00:05:46.819 We're meant to feast on the richness and the significance of this. 00:05:46.819 --> 00:05:55.480 And when we ponder the intensity and the complexity, the riches as well as the challenge and the scandal of Christmas, 00:05:55.800 --> 00:05:58.240 we see that Christmas is far richer. 00:05:58.860 --> 00:05:59.920 It's far deeper. 00:06:00.500 --> 00:06:05.519 It's far more significant than just good food and presents and lights and Christmas tree. 00:06:06.039 --> 00:06:09.920 We see that the Christmas season tells us something deep and significant. 00:06:10.740 --> 00:06:14.879 And because Christmas should help us to see Jesus and captivate our hearts. 00:06:14.879 --> 00:06:18.980 And so this morning I want to just talk to us about three very simple things. 00:06:19.339 --> 00:06:22.159 I want us to consider the confrontation of Christmas. 00:06:22.959 --> 00:06:24.819 Secondly, the paradox of Christmas. 00:06:25.379 --> 00:06:27.219 And thirdly, the comfort of Christmas. 00:06:27.560 --> 00:06:31.659 Okay, the confrontation, the paradox, and the comfort of Christmas. 00:06:31.779 --> 00:06:34.040 And today we will be a little shorter than usual. 00:06:34.199 --> 00:06:36.719 So firstly, the confrontation of Christmas. 00:06:37.680 --> 00:06:43.079 We read it a little earlier, but in the narrative that the Bible tells about Jesus coming, 00:06:43.079 --> 00:06:45.719 Jesus is born in Bethlehem. 00:06:46.319 --> 00:06:49.319 And around that time, some wise men come from the east. 00:06:49.459 --> 00:06:51.779 Now these wise men, also known as magi, 00:06:52.339 --> 00:06:56.839 they were possibly astrologers or philosophers from Babylon or Persia. 00:06:57.360 --> 00:07:01.579 They were men that studied the ancient scripts, sacred scripts. 00:07:02.120 --> 00:07:03.579 They studied the stars. 00:07:04.120 --> 00:07:07.939 And together they would try and work out what is happening in the world 00:07:07.939 --> 00:07:10.199 and possibly even predict the future. 00:07:10.199 --> 00:07:14.360 And so by observing the stars and studying these ancient scripts, 00:07:14.459 --> 00:07:16.039 they would see what is going to happen. 00:07:16.740 --> 00:07:20.420 And around this time, they observed possibly a solar eclipse. 00:07:20.740 --> 00:07:24.219 We know there were a couple of eclipses around 4 BC when Jesus was born. 00:07:24.779 --> 00:07:28.039 Possibly some supernova that happened in the sky. 00:07:28.639 --> 00:07:31.860 And they observed some sign that takes place in the sky. 00:07:31.860 --> 00:07:35.000 And that, as well as the scripts they've been studying, 00:07:35.180 --> 00:07:40.060 they come to the conclusion that somebody somewhere is sending them a message. 00:07:40.280 --> 00:07:42.840 And the message is that a new king has been born. 00:07:43.500 --> 00:07:45.740 And so they saddle their camels and their entourage 00:07:45.740 --> 00:07:50.080 and they make their way across the desert to the city of Jerusalem, 00:07:50.240 --> 00:07:53.500 which is where they believe that the sign in the sky is leading them. 00:07:53.500 --> 00:07:58.079 And they come to Jerusalem and they start to ask questions. 00:07:58.079 --> 00:08:01.720 They go to the temple and the places of cultural significance. 00:08:02.019 --> 00:08:05.259 And they say, we believe that the new king has been born. 00:08:05.740 --> 00:08:08.519 Does anybody know where is the king of this land? 00:08:09.319 --> 00:08:11.860 And nobody can answer their questions at first. 00:08:12.100 --> 00:08:13.819 And Herod, who is the king, 00:08:14.699 --> 00:08:18.319 hears about these people that are asking conspicuous questions. 00:08:18.319 --> 00:08:20.159 And he is very troubled. 00:08:20.339 --> 00:08:22.339 In one of the great understatements of the Bible, 00:08:22.500 --> 00:08:23.860 it says Herod was troubled. 00:08:24.439 --> 00:08:25.819 Well, of course he's troubled, right? 00:08:26.279 --> 00:08:29.060 He's the king and he's heard that there's a new king in town. 00:08:29.680 --> 00:08:32.220 That's not a good thing for the incumbent who's on the throne. 00:08:32.899 --> 00:08:35.460 And so he brings these wise men to his palace 00:08:35.460 --> 00:08:38.519 and he says, what's this idea that you're spreading these rumors? 00:08:38.939 --> 00:08:41.600 And they tell them the story, the sign in the sky, 00:08:41.720 --> 00:08:42.580 and the ancient script. 00:08:43.340 --> 00:08:46.799 And they say, we believe that a new king has been born. 00:08:48.320 --> 00:08:52.060 Now we know from history that Herod is a very cruel man. 00:08:52.379 --> 00:08:53.940 He's a very violent man. 00:08:54.300 --> 00:08:57.440 But we see in the scripture that he's also a very cunning man. 00:08:57.780 --> 00:08:59.160 He's a crafty man. 00:08:59.960 --> 00:09:01.960 Herod puts on his very best poker face. 00:09:02.100 --> 00:09:03.160 You know what a poker face is? 00:09:03.600 --> 00:09:06.640 When you play poker, you've got to like have a deadpan face. 00:09:06.740 --> 00:09:08.180 You can't give away any emotions 00:09:08.180 --> 00:09:10.440 because you can't tell people what's in your hand, right? 00:09:10.800 --> 00:09:13.160 So you've just got an emotionless face. 00:09:13.880 --> 00:09:15.140 Herod puts on his poker face. 00:09:15.139 --> 00:09:18.879 He just nods his head and he doesn't give away any emotion. 00:09:19.879 --> 00:09:22.799 But inside, his heart is riling. 00:09:23.679 --> 00:09:25.460 Inside, his heart is churning. 00:09:26.299 --> 00:09:28.679 And the reason is because he's the king. 00:09:29.259 --> 00:09:33.419 And he's just been told there's a new king that's rolled into town 00:09:33.419 --> 00:09:36.379 and your position on the throne, 00:09:36.840 --> 00:09:39.819 your position as king is under threat. 00:09:40.220 --> 00:09:41.659 That's why he's so troubled. 00:09:41.840 --> 00:09:43.340 That's why he's so agitated. 00:09:43.340 --> 00:09:48.519 And so what Herod does is he consults his advisors and his counselors 00:09:48.519 --> 00:09:51.480 and he finds out the best Old Testament scholars 00:09:51.480 --> 00:09:55.660 and they determine that the Christ is to be born in this town called Bethlehem. 00:09:56.320 --> 00:09:58.660 And so he sends these magi to Bethlehem and he says, 00:09:59.060 --> 00:10:00.639 go and find out where the king is 00:10:00.639 --> 00:10:03.500 and come back and tell me exactly where he is 00:10:03.500 --> 00:10:05.759 so that I too can worship this king. 00:10:06.680 --> 00:10:07.639 Now Herod is crafty. 00:10:07.680 --> 00:10:08.840 He doesn't want to worship the king. 00:10:08.920 --> 00:10:09.820 He wants to kill him. 00:10:09.820 --> 00:10:14.500 And so the magi go off on their way and they find Bethlehem 00:10:14.500 --> 00:10:16.660 and they trick Herod. 00:10:16.960 --> 00:10:18.980 They don't come back and tell him where Jesus is. 00:10:19.540 --> 00:10:22.220 And Herod finds out he's been tricked and again he's fuming. 00:10:22.480 --> 00:10:24.580 And so Herod's true colors soon come out. 00:10:25.140 --> 00:10:26.260 And so he issues a decree, 00:10:26.740 --> 00:10:31.580 all children born in Bethlehem under two years of age are to be exterminated. 00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:32.780 Kill them all. 00:10:32.779 --> 00:10:35.279 And so he sends out this decree. 00:10:36.799 --> 00:10:41.100 Now friends, unfortunately, this story is all too familiar to us, 00:10:41.139 --> 00:10:42.500 even in our own world today. 00:10:43.259 --> 00:10:47.459 Stories of deception, of fear, stories of bloodshed and injustice 00:10:47.459 --> 00:10:49.299 fill our news feeds. 00:10:50.159 --> 00:10:53.939 You go on the news feeds and it's just full of the stories of injustice in our world. 00:10:54.459 --> 00:10:56.879 And all this forces us to ask the question, 00:10:57.019 --> 00:10:58.259 where does this all come from? 00:10:58.839 --> 00:11:01.139 Where does the evil in our world come from? 00:11:01.139 --> 00:11:02.519 And what can we do about it? 00:11:02.580 --> 00:11:03.879 How can we eradicate it? 00:11:03.939 --> 00:11:07.100 How can we do something about the evil in our world? 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:09.199 Where does it come from? 00:11:11.080 --> 00:11:14.259 In the country that I originally come from, South Africa, 00:11:14.379 --> 00:11:18.679 we have a terrible history of incredible racial injustice 00:11:18.679 --> 00:11:21.960 towards people that are different from us. 00:11:22.199 --> 00:11:23.840 One group opposing another group. 00:11:24.319 --> 00:11:27.019 One group imposing their will on another group. 00:11:27.019 --> 00:11:32.500 And in 1994, previously that was enshrined in the legislation, 00:11:32.639 --> 00:11:35.519 in the constitution, that one group could oppose another group. 00:11:36.039 --> 00:11:37.840 In 1994, the law changed. 00:11:38.279 --> 00:11:40.980 And so we all thought racism is gone from our country. 00:11:41.319 --> 00:11:42.000 It's done. 00:11:42.079 --> 00:11:43.019 It's a thing of the past. 00:11:43.460 --> 00:11:46.699 But over the last two decades, South Africa has grappled with the fact 00:11:46.699 --> 00:11:49.199 that even though the legislation has changed, 00:11:49.279 --> 00:11:50.639 the constitution has changed, 00:11:51.939 --> 00:11:55.019 prejudice and animosity still is in our hearts. 00:11:55.019 --> 00:11:56.699 And so the question remains, 00:11:56.840 --> 00:11:59.379 how do we deal with what's going on in our hearts? 00:12:00.039 --> 00:12:03.699 Now one of the questions that people propose is education is the problem. 00:12:04.100 --> 00:12:06.879 If we can teach people and educate people, 00:12:07.100 --> 00:12:08.379 that will solve the problem. 00:12:08.759 --> 00:12:10.980 The reason why there's racism in the world 00:12:10.980 --> 00:12:13.039 is because we don't understand one another. 00:12:13.460 --> 00:12:15.480 And so if we sort out our education, 00:12:15.620 --> 00:12:16.740 that will solve the problem. 00:12:18.480 --> 00:12:21.279 Some people say the problem with our world is not education. 00:12:21.279 --> 00:12:23.100 It's the poor. 00:12:23.100 --> 00:12:24.059 It's the immoral. 00:12:24.319 --> 00:12:26.959 It's those that make irresponsible choices for their lives. 00:12:27.100 --> 00:12:29.259 If we can just help them make better decisions, 00:12:29.720 --> 00:12:31.279 the cycle will break the cycle 00:12:31.279 --> 00:12:33.039 and our world will become a better place. 00:12:33.879 --> 00:12:34.860 Some people say, 00:12:35.019 --> 00:12:36.199 no, no, that's not the problem. 00:12:36.299 --> 00:12:38.019 The problem is the rich and the powerful. 00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:38.959 They to blame. 00:12:39.500 --> 00:12:41.360 They the ones that control the politics. 00:12:41.459 --> 00:12:44.100 They control government for their own agenda. 00:12:44.240 --> 00:12:47.259 They use their positions of power to oppress the others. 00:12:47.259 --> 00:12:50.059 And so it's rampant greed and materialism. 00:12:50.179 --> 00:12:51.500 That's the problem with our world. 00:12:51.620 --> 00:12:54.019 We need to do a better job of redistributing wealth 00:12:54.019 --> 00:12:57.319 and curbing rampant greed. 00:12:58.019 --> 00:13:00.139 Step in Bernie Saunders, right? 00:13:01.519 --> 00:13:02.460 Different opinions. 00:13:02.639 --> 00:13:05.840 What's wrong with our world and how are we going to solve it? 00:13:07.179 --> 00:13:09.139 When you read the Christmas story, 00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:13.000 we may be tempted to think that the biblical writers agree with that last hypothesis. 00:13:13.539 --> 00:13:16.159 That the problem with the world is the rich and the powerful. 00:13:16.159 --> 00:13:16.939 Right? 00:13:17.019 --> 00:13:18.600 When you read the narrative of Christmas, 00:13:19.039 --> 00:13:22.240 Herod is the obvious villain and is humble Joseph and Mary. 00:13:22.419 --> 00:13:23.860 It's the shepherds that are esteemed. 00:13:24.339 --> 00:13:27.959 But the Christmas narrative is far more complex than that. 00:13:28.079 --> 00:13:29.839 It's far deeper and richer than that. 00:13:30.379 --> 00:13:32.339 Scripture gives us a far more deeper answer. 00:13:33.159 --> 00:13:34.639 Scripture tells us again and again 00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:36.799 that the source of the problems of the world 00:13:36.799 --> 00:13:38.500 is not the people out there. 00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:40.079 It's in here. 00:13:40.779 --> 00:13:42.000 It's in my heart. 00:13:42.720 --> 00:13:43.939 It's in all of our hearts. 00:13:43.940 --> 00:13:46.600 For King Herod's reaction to Christ 00:13:46.600 --> 00:13:48.620 is in a sense a picture of all of us. 00:13:49.440 --> 00:13:51.460 What agitates King Herod so much? 00:13:51.720 --> 00:13:53.220 What troubles him so much? 00:13:53.820 --> 00:13:56.220 It's the fact that he's confronted by the claim 00:13:56.220 --> 00:13:57.720 that there's another king in town. 00:13:58.240 --> 00:13:59.920 There's another person that's claiming 00:13:59.920 --> 00:14:01.960 to be on the throne of his life. 00:14:02.440 --> 00:14:04.660 There's another king who demands his allegiance 00:14:04.660 --> 00:14:07.400 before whom King Herod must bow. 00:14:08.080 --> 00:14:08.660 You see friends, 00:14:08.659 --> 00:14:10.899 each every one of us in our own way 00:14:10.899 --> 00:14:12.980 has a built-in desire to be the Lord 00:14:12.980 --> 00:14:13.939 and the king of our lives. 00:14:14.259 --> 00:14:15.719 Each one of us in our own way 00:14:15.719 --> 00:14:17.459 wants to sit on the throne of our lives. 00:14:17.799 --> 00:14:19.199 Each one of us wants to be king. 00:14:20.139 --> 00:14:22.279 And when somebody else comes along and says, 00:14:22.819 --> 00:14:24.639 no, no, no, I will be king, 00:14:25.079 --> 00:14:27.120 we find that the response of our heart 00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:28.439 is very similar to Herod. 00:14:29.019 --> 00:14:31.179 I was trying to explain to my daughters 00:14:31.179 --> 00:14:33.259 sometime this last year, 00:14:33.639 --> 00:14:35.199 every one of us likes to sit 00:14:35.199 --> 00:14:36.240 on the throne of our lives. 00:14:36.240 --> 00:14:37.279 We like to be king. 00:14:37.919 --> 00:14:39.180 And I was trying to explain this concept 00:14:39.180 --> 00:14:40.759 of being the king of our lives. 00:14:40.840 --> 00:14:42.440 And my one daughter turns to me, 00:14:42.539 --> 00:14:43.659 Shiloh, she's five years old, 00:14:43.720 --> 00:14:44.060 and she says, 00:14:44.700 --> 00:14:46.840 Dad, I don't think I want to be king. 00:14:47.299 --> 00:14:48.879 And I was getting ready to say, 00:14:48.980 --> 00:14:49.720 no, you do, 00:14:49.820 --> 00:14:50.899 and explain this to her. 00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:51.399 And she says, 00:14:51.560 --> 00:14:52.919 I don't think I want to be king, 00:14:53.399 --> 00:14:55.480 but I do think that I'm the queen quite often. 00:14:56.399 --> 00:14:57.180 And I realized, 00:14:57.519 --> 00:14:58.440 okay, you're right. 00:14:58.940 --> 00:15:00.259 You win this battle, right? 00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:01.700 But friends, 00:15:01.740 --> 00:15:02.720 whether we want to be king 00:15:02.720 --> 00:15:04.120 or whether we want to be queen, 00:15:04.120 --> 00:15:06.179 each one of us has a desire 00:15:06.179 --> 00:15:07.980 to occupy the throne of our lives. 00:15:08.279 --> 00:15:09.899 We see this in our children, right? 00:15:09.940 --> 00:15:12.019 Before we've taught them social etiquette 00:15:12.019 --> 00:15:13.000 or good manners, 00:15:13.080 --> 00:15:14.639 how to mask this desire, 00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:16.139 it comes out very naturally. 00:15:16.700 --> 00:15:18.460 Children naturally tell us 00:15:18.460 --> 00:15:20.539 that they want to be in charge of their lives. 00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:21.639 Friends, 00:15:22.179 --> 00:15:23.799 we all want things done our own way. 00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:25.240 And when that is threatened, 00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:27.500 when our autonomy is challenged, 00:15:28.340 --> 00:15:30.100 all of us are capable 00:15:30.100 --> 00:15:32.060 of causing great hurt 00:15:32.060 --> 00:15:33.060 to those around us. 00:15:33.059 --> 00:15:35.759 Maybe we lash out in physical rage. 00:15:36.519 --> 00:15:37.439 Maybe we don't do that, 00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:38.979 but maybe we use our words. 00:15:39.319 --> 00:15:41.319 We use our words to hurt those 00:15:41.319 --> 00:15:43.359 and to alienate those that threaten us, 00:15:43.519 --> 00:15:45.839 to make sure we stay on the throne of our lives. 00:15:46.679 --> 00:15:47.719 Maybe for some of us, 00:15:48.119 --> 00:15:49.579 we actually don't use our words. 00:15:49.679 --> 00:15:51.779 It's our silence that blocks others out. 00:15:52.119 --> 00:15:53.819 We just give people the silent treatment 00:15:53.819 --> 00:15:57.239 and we make sure that our position on the throne 00:15:57.239 --> 00:15:58.039 is well established 00:15:58.039 --> 00:16:00.039 and nobody can challenge us. 00:16:00.039 --> 00:16:02.739 We use our silence to build walls around us. 00:16:03.739 --> 00:16:04.399 But friends, 00:16:04.479 --> 00:16:05.959 when the throne of our life is threatened, 00:16:06.139 --> 00:16:07.239 all of us have the ability 00:16:07.239 --> 00:16:08.439 to be greatly troubled 00:16:08.439 --> 00:16:09.739 and to do troubling things. 00:16:10.099 --> 00:16:11.639 I was talking to a friend of mine 00:16:11.639 --> 00:16:12.979 about two or three months ago. 00:16:13.539 --> 00:16:15.539 He's got children similar age to me. 00:16:16.059 --> 00:16:18.059 And he was talking about the fact that 00:16:18.059 --> 00:16:19.679 when his children 00:16:19.679 --> 00:16:22.299 don't do what he wants, 00:16:22.759 --> 00:16:24.739 he has the ability to get very angry 00:16:24.739 --> 00:16:26.939 and to say things that he really regrets. 00:16:27.700 --> 00:16:29.580 And he was lamenting to me 00:16:29.580 --> 00:16:31.240 that he hates the words 00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:32.480 that comes out of his mouth 00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:33.920 at times, certain times, 00:16:34.340 --> 00:16:35.700 in the way that he treats his children. 00:16:36.820 --> 00:16:38.160 And while he was talking, 00:16:38.280 --> 00:16:39.440 I was being a good pastor 00:16:39.440 --> 00:16:41.460 and I was smiling and nodding my head, 00:16:41.880 --> 00:16:42.680 saying yes, yes, 00:16:42.720 --> 00:16:43.920 and asking good questions. 00:16:44.640 --> 00:16:46.360 But actually, what is going on 00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:48.660 was while I was pretending to listen, 00:16:49.340 --> 00:16:51.720 I was having a deep dialogue in my own heart 00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:53.720 and realizing what he was saying 00:16:53.720 --> 00:16:55.460 is exactly what goes on 00:16:55.460 --> 00:16:56.360 in my own heart, 00:16:56.879 --> 00:16:57.840 in my own home, 00:16:58.019 --> 00:16:58.960 and in my own life. 00:17:00.220 --> 00:17:01.800 Friends, if you see what goes on 00:17:01.800 --> 00:17:02.220 in my home, 00:17:02.279 --> 00:17:03.160 I'm ashamed to say 00:17:03.160 --> 00:17:05.120 that sometimes I hate the words 00:17:05.120 --> 00:17:06.180 that come out of my mouth. 00:17:07.120 --> 00:17:08.440 Sometimes I find myself 00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:10.299 being so incredibly angry 00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:11.640 with myself 00:17:11.640 --> 00:17:13.980 because of the way I've reacted 00:17:13.980 --> 00:17:15.660 when things don't go my way. 00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:18.460 When my kids don't listen to me, 00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:20.180 yeah, sure, I want my kids to listen, 00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:22.560 but there's a disproportionate frustration 00:17:22.560 --> 00:17:24.060 that sometimes comes out of me. 00:17:24.820 --> 00:17:25.779 Why is that? 00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:27.960 It's because I want to be king 00:17:27.960 --> 00:17:29.380 and I want my life 00:17:29.380 --> 00:17:31.000 to be nicely and neatly ordered 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:31.580 and packaged 00:17:31.580 --> 00:17:32.600 and I don't like it 00:17:32.600 --> 00:17:33.160 when people, 00:17:33.299 --> 00:17:34.700 even five-year-old children, 00:17:35.420 --> 00:17:38.180 threaten my right to rule and reign 00:17:38.180 --> 00:17:39.779 and to have life the way that I want. 00:17:40.320 --> 00:17:41.840 I'm sorry for that public confession. 00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:43.720 I didn't mean to be so honest. 00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:45.880 I apologize for that. 00:17:47.580 --> 00:17:49.720 Friends, we see this confrontation at Christmas. 00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:52.940 Jesus comes as a baby in a manger 00:17:52.940 --> 00:17:54.580 and yes, it's true 00:17:54.580 --> 00:17:55.620 that he comes mild, 00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:56.960 he lays his glory by, 00:17:57.060 --> 00:17:59.360 but Jesus wasn't just a good moral man, 00:17:59.880 --> 00:18:00.759 a good moral teacher 00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:01.680 who was later on 00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:03.279 to be made out to be some king. 00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:05.820 Jesus, from the very first days 00:18:05.820 --> 00:18:06.440 that he's born, 00:18:06.539 --> 00:18:08.100 while he's lying in a manger, 00:18:08.700 --> 00:18:09.779 here are some magi, 00:18:09.880 --> 00:18:10.580 some wise men 00:18:10.580 --> 00:18:11.519 and they come and they say, 00:18:11.620 --> 00:18:12.400 where is the king? 00:18:13.060 --> 00:18:14.640 Jesus, from the earliest days 00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:15.200 of his existence, 00:18:15.320 --> 00:18:17.220 in fact, before he was even born, 00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:18.600 it was spoken of 00:18:18.600 --> 00:18:19.880 that Jesus would not just be 00:18:19.880 --> 00:18:20.720 a good, wise man, 00:18:20.839 --> 00:18:21.920 Jesus would be a king. 00:18:22.519 --> 00:18:23.360 And that means 00:18:23.360 --> 00:18:25.279 that Jesus unashamedly 00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:27.240 claims the place 00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:29.039 of rule and reign in our lives. 00:18:29.600 --> 00:18:30.720 Friends, Jesus unashamedly 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:31.299 comes to us 00:18:31.299 --> 00:18:31.960 claiming to be 00:18:31.960 --> 00:18:33.059 heaven and earth's true king. 00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:34.519 Jesus said some pretty 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:35.500 strong things about it. 00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:36.819 At one point he says, 00:18:37.160 --> 00:18:38.480 if anyone wants to follow me, 00:18:38.839 --> 00:18:39.660 but does not hate 00:18:39.660 --> 00:18:40.839 his father and his mother, 00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:41.940 his wife and his children, 00:18:41.940 --> 00:18:43.279 he cannot be my disciple. 00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:45.099 Jesus wasn't commending 00:18:45.099 --> 00:18:45.960 that we be hateful 00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:46.899 to our family members. 00:18:46.980 --> 00:18:47.819 That's not what he's saying. 00:18:48.259 --> 00:18:49.420 But what he's saying is 00:18:49.420 --> 00:18:51.099 his call for allegiance 00:18:51.099 --> 00:18:52.139 is so strong 00:18:52.139 --> 00:18:52.660 that it makes 00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:53.720 some of our commitments 00:18:53.720 --> 00:18:55.039 to other family members 00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:56.619 seem weak in comparison. 00:18:57.500 --> 00:18:58.259 Jesus' claim 00:18:58.259 --> 00:19:00.839 is of absolute authority. 00:19:01.200 --> 00:19:02.819 He calls for unconditional loyalty 00:19:02.819 --> 00:19:04.279 and that it triggers 00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:06.119 an inevitable deep resistance 00:19:06.119 --> 00:19:07.000 inside of us. 00:19:07.420 --> 00:19:08.740 No, I want to be king. 00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:10.240 Christmas tells us 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:11.720 that Jesus has come to be king. 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:12.720 And that means 00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:13.680 all other kings, 00:19:13.799 --> 00:19:14.600 including ourselves, 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:15.640 need to vacate 00:19:15.640 --> 00:19:16.839 the throne of our lives 00:19:16.839 --> 00:19:18.440 in order to let him 00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:19.120 have his way. 00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:21.380 Tim Keller put it like this. 00:19:21.940 --> 00:19:22.960 According to the scriptures, 00:19:23.640 --> 00:19:24.960 the evil in the world 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:26.160 ultimately stems 00:19:26.160 --> 00:19:27.519 from the self-centeredness, 00:19:28.019 --> 00:19:29.019 the self-righteousness, 00:19:29.100 --> 00:19:30.200 and the self-absorption 00:19:30.200 --> 00:19:31.279 of every human heart. 00:19:31.839 --> 00:19:33.240 Each of us want the world 00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:34.539 to orbit around us 00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:35.600 and our needs 00:19:35.600 --> 00:19:36.440 and our desires. 00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:37.940 In every human heart, 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:38.819 then, there is a little 00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:39.620 king, Herod, 00:19:39.960 --> 00:19:41.160 who then wants to rule 00:19:41.160 --> 00:19:41.940 and is threatened 00:19:41.940 --> 00:19:42.779 by anything 00:19:42.779 --> 00:19:44.019 that may compromise 00:19:44.019 --> 00:19:45.360 its omnipotence 00:19:45.360 --> 00:19:46.560 and its sovereignty. 00:19:49.259 --> 00:19:50.140 The confrontation 00:19:50.140 --> 00:19:51.060 of Christmas. 00:19:51.580 --> 00:19:52.460 Christmas tells us 00:19:52.460 --> 00:19:53.259 that Jesus comes 00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:54.180 to claim and claims 00:19:54.180 --> 00:19:54.640 to be king. 00:19:55.440 --> 00:19:56.279 Now, that leads us 00:19:56.279 --> 00:19:56.960 to the second point, 00:19:57.040 --> 00:19:57.840 which is the paradox 00:19:57.840 --> 00:19:58.420 of Christmas. 00:19:58.920 --> 00:19:59.820 Look at what happens here. 00:20:00.400 --> 00:20:00.940 The Magi, 00:20:01.060 --> 00:20:01.360 eventually, 00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:02.340 they find their way 00:20:02.340 --> 00:20:03.160 to Bethlehem. 00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:04.360 And they come before him 00:20:04.360 --> 00:20:05.840 and they come bowing 00:20:05.840 --> 00:20:06.540 down before him. 00:20:06.580 --> 00:20:07.680 And they bring their gifts 00:20:07.680 --> 00:20:09.120 of gold and frankincense 00:20:09.119 --> 00:20:09.619 and myrrh. 00:20:10.179 --> 00:20:11.199 And this would have been 00:20:11.199 --> 00:20:12.000 highly appropriate 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:13.379 to a newborn king 00:20:13.379 --> 00:20:13.979 on the throne, 00:20:14.579 --> 00:20:15.699 a king that's just been 00:20:15.699 --> 00:20:17.739 coronated as king 00:20:17.739 --> 00:20:19.099 with his court officials 00:20:19.099 --> 00:20:19.879 and his entourage. 00:20:20.459 --> 00:20:20.919 But here, 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:22.099 there's a strange paradox. 00:20:22.699 --> 00:20:24.179 The Magi come bowing down, 00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:25.299 but they're bowing down 00:20:25.299 --> 00:20:27.459 on a muddy floor 00:20:27.459 --> 00:20:29.859 with hay and cow manure 00:20:29.859 --> 00:20:31.599 and all sorts of other things 00:20:31.599 --> 00:20:32.579 around them. 00:20:33.059 --> 00:20:33.619 There's something 00:20:33.619 --> 00:20:34.559 deeply ironic. 00:20:34.859 --> 00:20:36.179 Something doesn't feel right. 00:20:36.180 --> 00:20:37.299 And yet the Magi feel 00:20:37.299 --> 00:20:38.080 very comfortable. 00:20:38.620 --> 00:20:39.039 There's something 00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:41.259 deeply paradoxical about it. 00:20:41.600 --> 00:20:42.420 And this is something 00:20:42.420 --> 00:20:43.580 we see throughout the Scriptures. 00:20:44.200 --> 00:20:46.200 God constantly does things 00:20:46.200 --> 00:20:47.160 the way that we at least 00:20:47.160 --> 00:20:47.900 expect them to. 00:20:48.880 --> 00:20:50.200 Remember how God chooses 00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:50.980 to bring his message 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:51.620 of salvation 00:20:51.620 --> 00:20:52.560 throughout the Scriptures. 00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:54.019 Jesus doesn't do it 00:20:54.019 --> 00:20:54.980 through the mighty Romans 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:56.279 or the mighty Egyptians 00:20:56.279 --> 00:20:57.940 or the mighty Babylonians. 00:20:58.360 --> 00:20:59.640 He chooses the small 00:20:59.640 --> 00:21:00.840 insignificant nation 00:21:00.840 --> 00:21:01.860 of Israel. 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:03.039 Remember how 00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:04.500 in the Old Testament, 00:21:04.640 --> 00:21:05.360 in ancient times, 00:21:05.359 --> 00:21:06.839 the firstborn son 00:21:06.839 --> 00:21:08.219 got all the wealth. 00:21:08.679 --> 00:21:09.839 And the secondborn son, 00:21:10.359 --> 00:21:11.959 well, his social status 00:21:11.959 --> 00:21:13.059 wasn't quite the same. 00:21:13.219 --> 00:21:14.279 I'm the secondborn son 00:21:14.279 --> 00:21:14.839 in my family, 00:21:14.979 --> 00:21:17.519 so you can feel sorry for me. 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:19.539 But in ancient times, 00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:20.399 the firstborn son, 00:21:20.459 --> 00:21:21.419 he gets all the marbles, 00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:21.759 right? 00:21:21.899 --> 00:21:22.899 And the secondborn son 00:21:22.899 --> 00:21:23.839 is left with the scraps. 00:21:24.179 --> 00:21:25.659 But who does Jesus choose? 00:21:26.299 --> 00:21:27.319 Who does God choose? 00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:29.539 God chooses Abel, 00:21:29.659 --> 00:21:30.459 secondborn Abel, 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:31.059 not Cain. 00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:32.259 God chooses 00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:33.299 secondborn Isaac, 00:21:33.439 --> 00:21:34.099 not Ishmael. 00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:35.179 God chooses 00:21:35.179 --> 00:21:36.259 secondborn Jacob, 00:21:36.579 --> 00:21:37.099 not Esau. 00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:38.579 God chooses 00:21:38.579 --> 00:21:39.719 secondborn Ephraim, 00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:40.839 not Manasseh. 00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:41.939 And think about 00:21:41.939 --> 00:21:42.939 how in the Old Testament, 00:21:43.599 --> 00:21:45.299 a lady's value 00:21:45.299 --> 00:21:45.839 and worth 00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:46.539 to the family 00:21:46.539 --> 00:21:48.079 was often based 00:21:48.079 --> 00:21:49.259 on her ability 00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:50.079 to bear children. 00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:51.159 How many children 00:21:51.159 --> 00:21:52.139 she could bear 00:21:52.139 --> 00:21:52.879 and continue 00:21:52.879 --> 00:21:53.819 the family line. 00:21:54.519 --> 00:21:55.579 Well, who does God choose? 00:21:56.099 --> 00:21:56.859 God chooses 00:21:56.859 --> 00:21:57.579 Rebecca 00:21:57.579 --> 00:21:58.179 who can't 00:21:58.179 --> 00:21:59.299 have any children. 00:21:59.879 --> 00:22:00.539 God chooses 00:22:00.539 --> 00:22:00.839 Hannah 00:22:00.839 --> 00:22:01.480 who can't have 00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:01.960 any children. 00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:03.160 God chooses 00:22:03.160 --> 00:22:04.059 Samson's mother 00:22:04.059 --> 00:22:04.799 who can't bear 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:05.279 any children. 00:22:05.920 --> 00:22:06.519 God chooses 00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:07.039 Elizabeth, 00:22:07.259 --> 00:22:08.160 John the Baptist's mother 00:22:08.160 --> 00:22:08.920 who can't bear 00:22:08.920 --> 00:22:09.500 any children. 00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:10.440 Friends, 00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:11.519 the uniqueness of Christmas 00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:12.420 is the continuation 00:22:12.420 --> 00:22:13.839 of the divine paradox 00:22:13.839 --> 00:22:15.259 throughout the scriptures. 00:22:16.019 --> 00:22:16.880 This is the paradox 00:22:16.880 --> 00:22:17.420 of Christmas 00:22:17.420 --> 00:22:19.220 that the Magi 00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:19.960 come bearing 00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:20.640 their gifts 00:22:20.640 --> 00:22:22.079 but they do so 00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:22.779 in the muddy 00:22:22.779 --> 00:22:23.920 stable 00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:25.000 to a king 00:22:25.000 --> 00:22:25.519 who's lying 00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:26.120 in a manger. 00:22:27.160 --> 00:22:27.380 Now, 00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:28.319 what are we to make 00:22:28.319 --> 00:22:28.720 of this? 00:22:29.240 --> 00:22:29.379 Well, 00:22:29.439 --> 00:22:30.399 most people think 00:22:30.399 --> 00:22:31.039 that the way 00:22:31.039 --> 00:22:31.700 they think about this 00:22:31.700 --> 00:22:32.359 is that Jesus 00:22:32.359 --> 00:22:32.939 is giving us 00:22:32.939 --> 00:22:33.439 an example. 00:22:34.019 --> 00:22:34.799 He's showing us 00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:35.599 how humility 00:22:35.599 --> 00:22:36.919 triumphs over arrogance. 00:22:37.379 --> 00:22:38.059 He's showing us 00:22:38.059 --> 00:22:38.579 how the weak 00:22:38.579 --> 00:22:39.539 overcome the strong. 00:22:40.039 --> 00:22:40.659 He's showing us 00:22:40.659 --> 00:22:41.639 how the good guys 00:22:41.639 --> 00:22:42.500 always win 00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:43.299 in the end. 00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:44.279 Friends, 00:22:44.379 --> 00:22:44.839 you and I know 00:22:44.839 --> 00:22:45.659 that's not the case. 00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:46.759 The good guys 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:47.460 don't always win 00:22:47.460 --> 00:22:47.899 in the end. 00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:48.679 The weak 00:22:48.679 --> 00:22:49.619 don't always triumph. 00:22:50.319 --> 00:22:51.179 Sometimes the evil 00:22:51.179 --> 00:22:51.519 triumph. 00:22:52.159 --> 00:22:53.139 Sometimes the good guys 00:22:53.139 --> 00:22:54.019 don't win in the end. 00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:55.220 Sometimes the weak 00:22:55.220 --> 00:22:55.939 don't always 00:22:55.939 --> 00:22:57.539 have it their way. 00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:59.039 So what's going on here? 00:22:59.119 --> 00:23:00.379 What's God telling us? 00:23:01.819 --> 00:23:02.980 Jesus is telling us 00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:03.960 something about salvation 00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:05.259 and about the gospel itself. 00:23:06.059 --> 00:23:06.420 See friends, 00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:07.359 every religion, 00:23:07.700 --> 00:23:09.039 every moral philosophy 00:23:09.039 --> 00:23:09.700 of the world 00:23:09.700 --> 00:23:10.700 tells us that you need 00:23:10.700 --> 00:23:12.079 to summon up your strength. 00:23:12.599 --> 00:23:13.720 You need to work hard. 00:23:14.139 --> 00:23:14.740 You need to do 00:23:14.740 --> 00:23:15.359 all the right things. 00:23:15.460 --> 00:23:16.259 Obey the rules. 00:23:16.440 --> 00:23:17.259 Follow the steps. 00:23:17.619 --> 00:23:18.659 Be one of the good guys 00:23:18.659 --> 00:23:19.579 and then you'll inherit 00:23:19.579 --> 00:23:20.139 the promises. 00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:21.299 Then you'll get the blessing. 00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:23.099 God blesses those 00:23:23.099 --> 00:23:24.299 who look after themselves. 00:23:25.059 --> 00:23:25.980 God blesses those 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:27.079 who abide by the rules. 00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:28.799 God blesses those 00:23:28.799 --> 00:23:29.980 who do all the right things. 00:23:30.059 --> 00:23:31.359 Who can earn the credit 00:23:31.359 --> 00:23:32.639 and earn God's forgiveness. 00:23:33.579 --> 00:23:33.819 Friends, 00:23:33.939 --> 00:23:34.579 Jesus Christ 00:23:34.579 --> 00:23:35.699 tells us something different. 00:23:36.319 --> 00:23:36.819 Jesus says, 00:23:36.939 --> 00:23:37.839 I haven't come for those 00:23:37.839 --> 00:23:38.899 that have got it all together. 00:23:39.439 --> 00:23:40.279 I've got it for those 00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:40.819 that haven't. 00:23:41.319 --> 00:23:42.339 I haven't come for those 00:23:42.339 --> 00:23:43.299 that are in the palace 00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:45.779 and their lives look all pretty. 00:23:46.259 --> 00:23:47.119 I've come for those 00:23:47.119 --> 00:23:47.740 that haven't. 00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:48.519 Friends, 00:23:48.639 --> 00:23:50.179 Christmas is the greatest example 00:23:50.179 --> 00:23:51.799 that Jesus Christ says, 00:23:51.879 --> 00:23:53.500 salvation comes not for those 00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:54.599 who think they deserve it 00:23:54.599 --> 00:23:55.599 or who have all the answers. 00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:57.459 Salvation is revealed 00:23:57.459 --> 00:23:58.279 for those that have 00:23:58.279 --> 00:23:59.079 nothing at all. 00:23:59.819 --> 00:24:00.759 And this tells us 00:24:00.759 --> 00:24:02.119 it's entirely by grace. 00:24:02.819 --> 00:24:03.079 Friends, 00:24:03.179 --> 00:24:04.500 those that encounter Jesus 00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:05.199 in the end 00:24:05.199 --> 00:24:06.219 are not those 00:24:06.219 --> 00:24:06.799 who are saved 00:24:06.799 --> 00:24:07.779 by what they've done 00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:09.039 but saved by what 00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:09.939 Jesus has done. 00:24:10.639 --> 00:24:10.859 See, 00:24:10.899 --> 00:24:11.939 at the end of Jesus' life 00:24:11.939 --> 00:24:13.459 he ascends not a throne 00:24:13.459 --> 00:24:14.859 but a cross. 00:24:15.899 --> 00:24:16.679 Jesus doesn't come 00:24:16.679 --> 00:24:17.399 as an example 00:24:17.399 --> 00:24:18.599 just how to live our lives. 00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:20.319 He comes as our substitute. 00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:22.299 Jesus doesn't come 00:24:22.299 --> 00:24:22.879 for those 00:24:22.879 --> 00:24:23.559 to show us 00:24:23.559 --> 00:24:24.480 how to win at life. 00:24:24.899 --> 00:24:25.859 He comes and he takes 00:24:25.859 --> 00:24:26.379 our losses 00:24:26.379 --> 00:24:26.980 and our shame 00:24:26.980 --> 00:24:27.659 upon himself. 00:24:28.419 --> 00:24:28.659 Friends, 00:24:28.799 --> 00:24:30.240 Jesus came and did for us 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:31.399 what we could not do 00:24:31.399 --> 00:24:31.899 for ourselves 00:24:31.899 --> 00:24:32.799 and what we probably 00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:33.899 wouldn't do for ourselves 00:24:33.899 --> 00:24:34.480 if we could. 00:24:35.099 --> 00:24:36.119 Jesus comes and he takes 00:24:36.119 --> 00:24:37.279 our sin upon himself 00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:38.559 so that we don't have 00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:39.599 to bear the consequences 00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:41.000 for our sin ourselves. 00:24:41.579 --> 00:24:41.939 Friends, 00:24:42.059 --> 00:24:43.240 Jesus comes and he announces 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:44.059 that he's king 00:24:44.059 --> 00:24:45.419 but he hasn't come 00:24:45.419 --> 00:24:45.960 as a king 00:24:45.960 --> 00:24:47.159 to brush us aside 00:24:47.159 --> 00:24:48.039 as Herod feared. 00:24:48.639 --> 00:24:49.480 He's come as a king 00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:50.259 to include us 00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:50.859 in his family, 00:24:51.059 --> 00:24:51.680 to include us 00:24:51.680 --> 00:24:52.279 in his kingdom. 00:24:52.659 --> 00:24:53.799 He's come to bring us 00:24:53.799 --> 00:24:55.000 healing and wholeness. 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:56.159 And that brings us 00:24:56.159 --> 00:24:56.619 to the third 00:24:56.619 --> 00:24:57.460 and the final point 00:24:57.460 --> 00:24:58.339 which is the comfort 00:24:58.339 --> 00:24:59.139 of Christmas. 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:00.639 Friends, 00:25:00.720 --> 00:25:01.920 because of who Jesus is 00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:03.299 and because of the nature 00:25:03.299 --> 00:25:03.879 of his kingdom, 00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:05.240 because he's come 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:06.740 not to ascend a throne 00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:07.659 at first 00:25:07.659 --> 00:25:08.579 but he came to ascend 00:25:08.579 --> 00:25:09.139 a cross, 00:25:09.619 --> 00:25:10.480 that means that 00:25:10.480 --> 00:25:11.420 when he comes knocking 00:25:11.420 --> 00:25:12.599 on the door of our hearts 00:25:12.599 --> 00:25:13.659 and the door of our lives, 00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:15.200 we can trust him. 00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:17.059 You can trust him. 00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:18.379 See friends, 00:25:18.460 --> 00:25:19.000 Jesus comes 00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:19.460 and he makes 00:25:19.460 --> 00:25:20.839 an outrageous claim. 00:25:21.619 --> 00:25:22.859 He makes a radical claim. 00:25:22.960 --> 00:25:23.220 He says, 00:25:23.500 --> 00:25:25.539 either I have all of you 00:25:25.539 --> 00:25:26.559 or I take none of you. 00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:27.919 I've come to be king 00:25:27.919 --> 00:25:28.700 or I've come to be nothing. 00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:30.359 Jesus doesn't come 00:25:30.359 --> 00:25:31.460 just to help us. 00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:32.679 Jesus doesn't come 00:25:32.679 --> 00:25:33.460 just to make our lives 00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:34.039 more comfortable 00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:34.679 or convenient. 00:25:35.359 --> 00:25:36.119 Jesus doesn't come 00:25:36.119 --> 00:25:36.399 and say, 00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:37.139 I will help you 00:25:37.139 --> 00:25:38.279 get your life back on track. 00:25:38.839 --> 00:25:39.279 Jesus says, 00:25:39.339 --> 00:25:40.159 I've come to be Lord. 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:41.200 I've come to be king. 00:25:41.819 --> 00:25:42.960 But he doesn't come 00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:44.919 to brush us aside. 00:25:44.920 --> 00:25:46.380 He doesn't come 00:25:46.380 --> 00:25:50.880 to destroy our lives. 00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:52.019 Jesus comes 00:25:52.019 --> 00:25:53.120 to heal our lives. 00:25:53.620 --> 00:25:54.200 And that means, 00:25:54.360 --> 00:25:54.519 friends, 00:25:54.560 --> 00:25:55.440 that we can trust him 00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:56.380 with the most precious 00:25:56.380 --> 00:25:57.560 and the vulnerable things 00:25:57.560 --> 00:25:58.160 in our lives. 00:25:58.940 --> 00:25:59.200 Friends, 00:25:59.259 --> 00:25:59.860 you can trust him 00:25:59.860 --> 00:26:00.340 with the things 00:26:00.340 --> 00:26:01.460 that worry you most. 00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:03.240 You can trust him 00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:04.580 to open yourself up to him 00:26:04.580 --> 00:26:05.420 with your identity 00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:06.539 and your self-worth. 00:26:07.500 --> 00:26:07.740 Friends, 00:26:07.840 --> 00:26:08.360 Jesus came 00:26:08.360 --> 00:26:09.460 not to shame us 00:26:09.460 --> 00:26:11.180 but to rescue us. 00:26:11.980 --> 00:26:12.880 Jesus comes as king 00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:14.000 and he makes no apologies 00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:15.680 about his claim to be king. 00:26:16.120 --> 00:26:16.860 He comes to call 00:26:16.860 --> 00:26:17.960 all people everywhere, 00:26:18.120 --> 00:26:18.980 including you and I, 00:26:19.060 --> 00:26:19.880 to follow him. 00:26:20.440 --> 00:26:20.759 Friends, 00:26:20.799 --> 00:26:21.560 we can trust him 00:26:21.560 --> 00:26:22.340 with our surrender 00:26:22.340 --> 00:26:24.100 because Jesus tells us 00:26:24.100 --> 00:26:24.680 he didn't come 00:26:24.680 --> 00:26:25.420 to use us 00:26:25.420 --> 00:26:26.299 and abuse us. 00:26:26.700 --> 00:26:28.160 He came to allow himself 00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:29.460 to be used and abused 00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:30.320 on the cross 00:26:30.320 --> 00:26:31.360 so that you and I 00:26:31.360 --> 00:26:32.100 could be saved. 00:26:33.840 --> 00:26:34.240 Friends, 00:26:34.299 --> 00:26:34.920 you know what this means? 00:26:35.120 --> 00:26:35.880 It means that no one 00:26:35.880 --> 00:26:36.539 is disqualified. 00:26:37.660 --> 00:26:38.539 Whoever you are, 00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:40.560 whatever your background is, 00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:41.980 whatever you've done 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:42.899 or you haven't done, 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:44.759 whatever dark secrets 00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:45.919 you carry about yourself, 00:26:46.419 --> 00:26:47.240 whatever shame 00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:48.019 you hold on to, 00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:49.460 whatever you think 00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:50.179 about yourself, 00:26:50.859 --> 00:26:52.240 Jesus comes to each one of us 00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:52.960 and he comes knocking 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:53.819 on the door of our hearts 00:26:53.819 --> 00:26:54.159 and he says, 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:55.019 will you let me in? 00:26:55.500 --> 00:26:56.339 Will you allow me 00:26:56.339 --> 00:26:56.879 to be king? 00:26:57.700 --> 00:26:59.079 And that's a difficult thing 00:26:59.079 --> 00:27:00.200 and it's a vulnerable thing 00:27:00.200 --> 00:27:01.700 to trust our lives to him. 00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:03.500 But why can we trust him? 00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:05.500 Because at the greatest moment 00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:06.220 of Jesus' life, 00:27:06.299 --> 00:27:06.819 he didn't come 00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:07.839 to destroy his enemies. 00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:09.059 He came to die for them. 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:10.980 He came to die on the cross. 00:27:11.399 --> 00:27:11.879 Friends, 00:27:11.980 --> 00:27:12.799 this is the comfort 00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:13.500 of Christmas. 00:27:14.000 --> 00:27:14.960 This is the wonder 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:16.480 of Jesus born in Bethlehem. 00:27:17.019 --> 00:27:18.139 This is the good news 00:27:18.139 --> 00:27:19.279 of great joy. 00:27:19.839 --> 00:27:20.659 Let's pray together. 00:27:23.940 --> 00:27:24.720 Well, Jesus, 00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:25.779 thank you so much 00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:26.539 for Christmas, 00:27:26.919 --> 00:27:27.720 the Christmas story. 00:27:28.419 --> 00:27:29.099 Thank you, Jesus, 00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:30.339 for coming and dying, 00:27:30.899 --> 00:27:31.759 coming and being born 00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:32.359 in a manger 00:27:32.359 --> 00:27:34.000 all those years ago. 00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:35.220 Christ, 00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:36.420 we pray that 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:38.099 your humble birth 00:27:38.099 --> 00:27:39.579 won't distract us 00:27:39.579 --> 00:27:40.740 from the radical claim 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:41.400 that you make. 00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:42.559 That you weren't just 00:27:42.559 --> 00:27:43.160 a good man 00:27:43.160 --> 00:27:44.220 or a good moral teacher. 00:27:44.819 --> 00:27:45.700 You weren't just somebody 00:27:45.700 --> 00:27:46.799 who came to 00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:48.240 show us the way 00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:49.000 towards heaven. 00:27:49.220 --> 00:27:50.059 You came to die 00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:50.539 on the cross. 00:27:50.660 --> 00:27:51.579 You came to open up 00:27:51.579 --> 00:27:52.420 the way for us. 00:27:53.099 --> 00:27:53.480 Father, 00:27:53.539 --> 00:27:54.839 we pray that this Christmas, 00:27:55.039 --> 00:27:55.700 Christmas will be 00:27:55.700 --> 00:27:56.259 so much more 00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:57.619 than just good food 00:27:57.619 --> 00:27:58.220 and presents 00:27:58.220 --> 00:27:58.839 and lights 00:27:58.839 --> 00:28:00.059 and tinsel 00:28:00.059 --> 00:28:00.940 and Christmas trees. 00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:02.180 We pray, God, 00:28:02.180 --> 00:28:03.279 that this Christmas, 00:28:03.500 --> 00:28:04.220 the good news 00:28:04.220 --> 00:28:05.039 of great joy, 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:06.279 the richness 00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:07.279 and the complexity 00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:08.700 and the challenge 00:28:08.700 --> 00:28:09.420 and the comfort 00:28:09.420 --> 00:28:10.779 and the paradox 00:28:10.779 --> 00:28:11.320 of Christmas 00:28:11.320 --> 00:28:11.980 will be real 00:28:11.980 --> 00:28:12.820 to each one of us. 00:28:13.620 --> 00:28:14.539 Jesus, we pray, 00:28:14.640 --> 00:28:15.460 come and have your way 00:28:15.460 --> 00:28:16.200 in our lives. 00:28:17.200 --> 00:28:17.600 Father, 00:28:17.680 --> 00:28:18.279 where it's difficult 00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:19.220 to trust you, 00:28:19.860 --> 00:28:20.440 where it's difficult 00:28:20.440 --> 00:28:21.160 to be vulnerable 00:28:21.160 --> 00:28:22.380 and to open up our lives, 00:28:22.500 --> 00:28:23.700 we pray, Lord Jesus, 00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:24.900 come and help us. 00:28:27.840 --> 00:28:28.240 Jesus, 00:28:28.380 --> 00:28:29.100 give us faith 00:28:29.100 --> 00:28:30.220 to trust you. 00:28:32.180 --> 00:28:33.740 Jesus, 00:28:33.840 --> 00:28:34.539 won't you open up 00:28:34.539 --> 00:28:35.460 the eyes of our hearts 00:28:35.460 --> 00:28:36.299 to see you 00:28:36.299 --> 00:28:37.380 for who you really are? 00:28:41.039 --> 00:28:41.420 Father, 00:28:41.539 --> 00:28:42.380 I pray that in the next 00:28:42.380 --> 00:28:43.720 few days 00:28:43.720 --> 00:28:44.799 that we really 00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:45.880 will come to see 00:28:45.880 --> 00:28:49.539 you in all your glory. 00:28:52.240 --> 00:28:53.120 We'll see, Jesus, 00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:53.920 that you're not just 00:28:53.920 --> 00:28:54.940 a baby in a manger 00:28:54.940 --> 00:28:56.200 2,000 years ago, 00:28:56.700 --> 00:28:58.400 but that even still today 00:28:58.400 --> 00:28:59.200 you are the king, 00:28:59.900 --> 00:29:01.140 that you rule and reign, 00:29:01.140 --> 00:29:02.280 you're heaven and earth's 00:29:02.280 --> 00:29:02.840 true king, 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:06.120 and that we'll bring 00:29:06.120 --> 00:29:07.080 our lives and surrender 00:29:07.080 --> 00:29:07.620 to you. 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.160 Christ, 00:29:11.220 --> 00:29:12.000 come and have your way 00:29:12.000 --> 00:29:12.700 in our lives. 00:29:15.080 --> 00:29:15.460 Father, 00:29:15.580 --> 00:29:16.640 pray that this next year 00:29:16.640 --> 00:29:17.320 in 2020, 00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:19.620 you'll have your way 00:29:19.620 --> 00:29:20.220 in our life. 00:29:21.340 --> 00:29:22.460 We'll let you be king. 00:29:24.700 --> 00:29:25.080 God, 00:29:25.140 --> 00:29:26.120 with our finances, 00:29:27.160 --> 00:29:28.400 with our careers, 00:29:28.400 --> 00:29:30.600 with our family 00:29:30.600 --> 00:29:31.380 and our children, 00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:34.840 with our relationships 00:29:34.840 --> 00:29:35.840 and our sexuality, 00:29:37.780 --> 00:29:38.000 God, 00:29:38.040 --> 00:29:38.519 with our hopes 00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:39.280 and our dreams, 00:29:39.540 --> 00:29:39.800 Jesus, 00:29:39.920 --> 00:29:40.580 come and be king. 00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:44.380 Come and have your way, 00:29:44.460 --> 00:29:44.840 we pray. 00:29:46.920 --> 00:29:47.820 Start with us today, 00:29:47.920 --> 00:29:48.140 Lord. 00:29:49.400 --> 00:29:50.440 Come and have your way 00:29:50.440 --> 00:29:51.640 today. 00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:54.120 In your name we pray. 00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:55.080 Amen. 00:29:55.080 --> 00:29:55.259 Amen. 00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:55.280 Amen. 00:29:55.280 --> 00:29:55.300 Amen.