WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.359 In many ways that is the theme of Christmas. In many ways that is the theme of this section in Galatians 4 that those who are outside the family have been brought into the family. 00:00:12.359 --> 00:00:21.140 Galatians has told us about remarkable privileges that are ours if we trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:00:21.719 --> 00:00:26.299 That if we are in Christ we have been justified. It's a big word isn't it? 00:00:26.719 --> 00:00:38.439 We have been declared right with God and we have been forgiven, acquitted of all our sins and we've been given the perfect, spotless, beautiful life of Jesus Christ. 00:00:38.439 --> 00:00:46.159 We are justified. Then we're told we have new life by God's grace. 00:00:47.199 --> 00:00:52.979 If you're a Christian you are a new creature. If you are united to Christ you've been given new life. 00:00:54.000 --> 00:00:58.019 If you are a Christian, if you are united to Christ you've been given the Holy Spirit. 00:00:58.759 --> 00:01:03.439 The Holy Spirit lives within you and dwells within you. He's always with you. 00:01:03.439 --> 00:01:08.000 If you are in Christ you've been made free. 00:01:09.099 --> 00:01:11.399 You are no longer a slave to sin. 00:01:12.219 --> 00:01:15.859 You're no longer in captivity. You've been freed by Jesus Christ. 00:01:17.359 --> 00:01:21.659 You are no longer under the bondage of the law. 00:01:21.900 --> 00:01:23.799 You've been free from God's law. 00:01:24.000 --> 00:01:25.400 It's quite a list isn't it? 00:01:25.400 --> 00:01:29.359 But the greatest privilege comes this morning. 00:01:31.060 --> 00:01:32.400 The privilege of adoption. 00:01:34.140 --> 00:01:39.380 That when you are united to the Lord Jesus Christ by faith you become a child of God. 00:01:39.480 --> 00:01:40.500 You become a son of God. 00:01:41.120 --> 00:01:42.980 You come into the family of God. 00:01:44.280 --> 00:01:47.800 Now and we need to do a little bit of work before we get to the Christmas passage. 00:01:48.240 --> 00:01:50.380 Can you look with me at verses 23 to 25. 00:01:50.540 --> 00:01:51.660 We looked at it two weeks ago. 00:01:51.659 --> 00:01:55.700 And can you look there who Paul is speaking to. 00:01:56.799 --> 00:02:00.899 The pronoun in verses 23 to 25 is we. 00:02:02.120 --> 00:02:04.439 He's including himself as a Jewish man. 00:02:05.719 --> 00:02:06.859 He's part of that. 00:02:08.180 --> 00:02:10.340 He says we speaking to his fellow Jews. 00:02:10.460 --> 00:02:11.460 Because he was a Jew. 00:02:11.539 --> 00:02:14.300 But notice in verse 26 the pronoun changes. 00:02:15.560 --> 00:02:16.800 It is you. 00:02:16.939 --> 00:02:17.719 Verse 26. 00:02:17.719 --> 00:02:20.240 If you forget everything else I say this morning. 00:02:20.639 --> 00:02:21.879 Remember verse 26. 00:02:22.939 --> 00:02:24.900 For in Christ Jesus. 00:02:25.719 --> 00:02:29.500 You are all sons of God. 00:02:30.039 --> 00:02:30.960 Through faith. 00:02:33.120 --> 00:02:34.319 And he says you. 00:02:34.439 --> 00:02:37.139 Because he wants his largely non-Jewish. 00:02:37.379 --> 00:02:38.719 His Gentile audience. 00:02:39.079 --> 00:02:40.259 To know where they fit in. 00:02:41.520 --> 00:02:44.500 He says you who are not part of the ancient people of God. 00:02:44.680 --> 00:02:46.319 Because you put your faith in Christ. 00:02:46.319 --> 00:02:47.819 Because you've come to Christ. 00:02:48.099 --> 00:02:50.159 And you've received the sign of baptism. 00:02:50.680 --> 00:02:52.659 You have become sons of God. 00:02:54.219 --> 00:02:55.340 This blessing. 00:02:56.180 --> 00:02:57.019 Is yours. 00:02:58.299 --> 00:03:00.159 Just as much as it is the Jews. 00:03:00.959 --> 00:03:03.560 And that is because in Jesus Christ. 00:03:03.560 --> 00:03:08.939 The distinction between Jew and Gentile matters very little. 00:03:09.379 --> 00:03:10.199 Look at verse 28. 00:03:10.199 --> 00:03:17.819 There is neither Jew nor Greek. 00:03:18.599 --> 00:03:20.099 There is neither slave nor free. 00:03:21.179 --> 00:03:22.819 There is no male and female. 00:03:23.379 --> 00:03:26.019 For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 00:03:27.239 --> 00:03:30.519 Now that verse I think gets misused an awful lot. 00:03:31.839 --> 00:03:33.419 I get it quoted to me quite often. 00:03:33.419 --> 00:03:36.519 But Paul is not saying. 00:03:36.979 --> 00:03:38.359 In Jesus Christ's church. 00:03:38.439 --> 00:03:40.719 All those distinctions are just obliterated. 00:03:41.119 --> 00:03:41.899 He's not saying that. 00:03:43.179 --> 00:03:45.060 He doesn't think that once you become a Christian. 00:03:45.199 --> 00:03:46.219 You cease to be a slave. 00:03:47.179 --> 00:03:48.539 Or you cease to be a man. 00:03:48.599 --> 00:03:49.399 Or you cease to be a woman. 00:03:50.259 --> 00:03:51.599 Or you cease to have. 00:03:51.839 --> 00:03:53.539 Your own racial background. 00:03:54.539 --> 00:03:55.799 That you've always had. 00:03:55.800 --> 00:03:58.640 In other parts of Paul's writing. 00:03:58.800 --> 00:04:01.500 Paul specifically addresses those groups of people. 00:04:01.840 --> 00:04:03.719 And he gives them particular instructions. 00:04:05.420 --> 00:04:07.080 In their particular circumstances. 00:04:07.420 --> 00:04:10.080 So he's not saying that those distinctions don't matter at all. 00:04:11.240 --> 00:04:13.939 But the point he's making is this wonderful point. 00:04:14.220 --> 00:04:16.720 That when it comes to being part of God's family. 00:04:17.340 --> 00:04:19.280 God makes no distinction. 00:04:19.279 --> 00:04:23.339 You can be a child of God. 00:04:24.619 --> 00:04:26.219 Irrespective of your sex. 00:04:27.379 --> 00:04:29.000 Irrespective of your race. 00:04:30.319 --> 00:04:31.619 Irrespective of your occupation. 00:04:32.179 --> 00:04:34.239 In Christ all are equal. 00:04:35.319 --> 00:04:36.359 Equally included. 00:04:36.739 --> 00:04:37.479 Equally blessed. 00:04:38.619 --> 00:04:39.699 Equal in hope. 00:04:41.279 --> 00:04:42.919 Verse 9 he presses this. 00:04:44.119 --> 00:04:45.479 Verse 29 he says. 00:04:45.479 --> 00:04:47.419 And if you are Christ. 00:04:47.420 --> 00:04:50.160 Then you are Abraham's offspring. 00:04:51.100 --> 00:04:51.600 As. 00:04:52.600 --> 00:04:53.500 According to the promise. 00:04:53.680 --> 00:04:55.360 That is an astonishing thing to say. 00:04:56.160 --> 00:04:57.759 To a non-Jewish audience. 00:04:57.900 --> 00:04:58.600 To a Gentile. 00:05:00.300 --> 00:05:00.819 You. 00:05:01.600 --> 00:05:02.660 Are Abraham's seed. 00:05:03.600 --> 00:05:06.840 The promises made to the patriarch Abraham. 00:05:07.939 --> 00:05:09.060 They are for you. 00:05:10.740 --> 00:05:12.840 You are part of the family of Abraham. 00:05:14.939 --> 00:05:15.840 Father Abraham. 00:05:15.839 --> 00:05:15.939 Abraham. 00:05:16.539 --> 00:05:17.679 Had many sons. 00:05:18.459 --> 00:05:19.339 And many sons. 00:05:19.459 --> 00:05:20.199 Had father Abraham. 00:05:20.839 --> 00:05:21.639 And I am one of them. 00:05:22.000 --> 00:05:22.679 And so are you. 00:05:23.060 --> 00:05:24.319 So let's all praise the Lord. 00:05:24.659 --> 00:05:24.939 Amen. 00:05:25.219 --> 00:05:25.619 Amen. 00:05:28.259 --> 00:05:28.979 And so. 00:05:29.159 --> 00:05:30.179 If you are. 00:05:30.799 --> 00:05:31.899 You don't know anything about. 00:05:32.299 --> 00:05:32.739 Israel. 00:05:33.019 --> 00:05:33.799 You don't know anything. 00:05:34.019 --> 00:05:34.339 About. 00:05:34.719 --> 00:05:35.559 The patriarchs. 00:05:36.359 --> 00:05:37.059 You don't know anything. 00:05:37.199 --> 00:05:37.819 About the old testament. 00:05:38.179 --> 00:05:39.359 But you have put your faith. 00:05:39.579 --> 00:05:40.319 In Jesus Christ. 00:05:40.439 --> 00:05:41.519 You are as much part of the people. 00:05:41.719 --> 00:05:42.139 Of God. 00:05:42.199 --> 00:05:42.879 As Abraham was. 00:05:42.879 --> 00:05:45.019 The inheritance. 00:05:45.019 --> 00:05:45.920 Of the Jewish nation. 00:05:46.040 --> 00:05:47.079 Is now your inheritance. 00:05:48.360 --> 00:05:50.439 And so at the start of chapter 4. 00:05:50.740 --> 00:05:51.800 Paul takes a step back. 00:05:51.939 --> 00:05:53.199 And notice verses 1 to 5. 00:05:53.259 --> 00:05:54.300 The pronouns change again. 00:05:55.519 --> 00:05:56.459 They go back to we. 00:05:56.579 --> 00:05:58.339 He's got the Jewish Christians in mind. 00:05:58.339 --> 00:06:00.779 And he uses an illustration. 00:06:02.199 --> 00:06:02.759 He says. 00:06:02.819 --> 00:06:03.919 Imagine there's a large house. 00:06:04.039 --> 00:06:05.000 There's a master of the house. 00:06:05.599 --> 00:06:06.519 And the master of the house. 00:06:06.599 --> 00:06:07.179 Has got a son. 00:06:08.759 --> 00:06:10.319 And the master has got a slave. 00:06:11.500 --> 00:06:13.159 And then he's also got a guardian. 00:06:13.279 --> 00:06:13.979 There's four people. 00:06:14.479 --> 00:06:15.359 There's the master. 00:06:15.779 --> 00:06:16.699 There's the son. 00:06:17.079 --> 00:06:18.000 There's the slave. 00:06:18.339 --> 00:06:19.559 And then there's the guardian. 00:06:19.559 --> 00:06:21.359 Who looks after the son. 00:06:22.279 --> 00:06:23.620 Who's to direct the son. 00:06:23.679 --> 00:06:24.459 And discipline the son. 00:06:25.459 --> 00:06:28.639 The guardian is in a different category from the slave. 00:06:29.259 --> 00:06:29.859 The son. 00:06:30.699 --> 00:06:33.299 Well one day he's going to inherit the whole lot. 00:06:34.399 --> 00:06:35.560 The slave. 00:06:35.759 --> 00:06:36.459 He inherits nothing. 00:06:38.060 --> 00:06:38.680 And yet he says. 00:06:38.799 --> 00:06:40.139 While the son is still a child. 00:06:41.079 --> 00:06:44.060 He's placed under the watchful eye of this guardian. 00:06:45.099 --> 00:06:45.819 This trustee. 00:06:46.899 --> 00:06:49.620 And when it comes to the day to day life of this child. 00:06:50.419 --> 00:06:52.479 There's actually very little difference. 00:06:52.480 --> 00:06:54.240 Between the son and the slave. 00:06:54.480 --> 00:06:54.920 While he's little. 00:06:56.040 --> 00:06:57.860 Both are told to do. 00:06:58.280 --> 00:06:59.580 What to do by someone else. 00:07:00.680 --> 00:07:02.100 Both will be disciplined. 00:07:02.100 --> 00:07:03.379 If they don't comply. 00:07:04.819 --> 00:07:06.180 Neither are free. 00:07:06.600 --> 00:07:07.840 To give orders. 00:07:08.580 --> 00:07:09.600 Neither are free. 00:07:09.700 --> 00:07:10.780 Neither the son is free. 00:07:11.180 --> 00:07:12.220 Neither is the slave free. 00:07:12.280 --> 00:07:13.060 To do what they like. 00:07:13.840 --> 00:07:15.759 And I think the point of the illustration is this. 00:07:16.020 --> 00:07:16.560 It is to say. 00:07:16.640 --> 00:07:18.340 Before Jesus Christ came. 00:07:18.740 --> 00:07:20.379 The Jewish people are under the law. 00:07:20.379 --> 00:07:23.319 It's like they're in their spiritual infancy. 00:07:24.420 --> 00:07:27.339 They stood one day to inherit the whole estate. 00:07:27.680 --> 00:07:28.519 That was the promise. 00:07:28.759 --> 00:07:29.779 But they weren't free. 00:07:31.219 --> 00:07:32.219 They were just like the slaves. 00:07:33.120 --> 00:07:33.819 The law. 00:07:33.980 --> 00:07:34.519 Their guardian. 00:07:34.680 --> 00:07:35.699 It was like a babysitter. 00:07:36.639 --> 00:07:37.420 Like a teacher. 00:07:37.659 --> 00:07:39.060 Like a stern guardian. 00:07:39.279 --> 00:07:40.240 Until Christ came. 00:07:41.560 --> 00:07:43.060 Israel was the heir. 00:07:44.060 --> 00:07:44.699 The son. 00:07:44.699 --> 00:07:45.819 And they had the promise. 00:07:46.979 --> 00:07:48.360 But while an infant. 00:07:48.779 --> 00:07:50.439 They were barely different from a slave. 00:07:51.139 --> 00:07:52.379 But now verse 3. 00:07:53.500 --> 00:07:54.240 Christ has come. 00:07:55.740 --> 00:07:56.680 The law. 00:07:57.360 --> 00:07:59.259 Was preparing the way. 00:08:00.420 --> 00:08:01.240 But now. 00:08:01.419 --> 00:08:02.259 Through the entry. 00:08:02.500 --> 00:08:04.120 Of God's own son into the world. 00:08:04.219 --> 00:08:04.500 Jesus. 00:08:06.500 --> 00:08:07.459 They have become. 00:08:08.199 --> 00:08:08.620 The son. 00:08:08.620 --> 00:08:10.959 Jesus. 00:08:12.060 --> 00:08:13.060 Was made. 00:08:13.180 --> 00:08:14.180 Like the Jews. 00:08:15.139 --> 00:08:16.340 So that the Jews. 00:08:16.579 --> 00:08:17.420 Would be made like Jesus. 00:08:18.980 --> 00:08:19.879 They become. 00:08:20.120 --> 00:08:21.079 Sons of the father. 00:08:23.160 --> 00:08:24.319 There's something new. 00:08:24.420 --> 00:08:25.100 Going on here. 00:08:26.220 --> 00:08:27.800 There is a new reality. 00:08:27.800 --> 00:08:28.579 That is dawning. 00:08:30.579 --> 00:08:31.819 In the old testament. 00:08:31.980 --> 00:08:32.820 When they prayed. 00:08:33.060 --> 00:08:34.279 They didn't pray. 00:08:35.120 --> 00:08:36.460 Our father in heaven. 00:08:36.460 --> 00:08:39.340 This has stretched my mind. 00:08:39.460 --> 00:08:40.340 Over the last couple of days. 00:08:40.740 --> 00:08:42.360 The people of Israel. 00:08:42.600 --> 00:08:43.320 As a whole. 00:08:43.519 --> 00:08:44.000 Corporately. 00:08:44.220 --> 00:08:44.800 They were called. 00:08:44.940 --> 00:08:45.900 The son of God. 00:08:47.259 --> 00:08:48.120 The king. 00:08:48.280 --> 00:08:48.680 In Israel. 00:08:48.840 --> 00:08:49.860 Sometimes was called. 00:08:50.420 --> 00:08:51.740 The son of God. 00:08:53.139 --> 00:08:54.100 In old testament. 00:08:54.220 --> 00:08:54.660 Writings. 00:08:55.019 --> 00:08:56.019 It is made reference. 00:08:56.139 --> 00:08:56.460 Today. 00:08:56.840 --> 00:08:57.560 You have become. 00:08:57.680 --> 00:08:58.240 My son. 00:08:59.620 --> 00:09:00.180 That was true. 00:09:00.280 --> 00:09:00.800 Corporately. 00:09:01.060 --> 00:09:02.019 It was true of the king. 00:09:03.120 --> 00:09:04.220 But individual. 00:09:04.480 --> 00:09:04.920 Israelites. 00:09:05.220 --> 00:09:06.180 Would not have thought. 00:09:06.460 --> 00:09:07.500 Of God. 00:09:07.580 --> 00:09:08.200 As their father. 00:09:10.360 --> 00:09:12.340 They would not have thought. 00:09:12.340 --> 00:09:13.980 Of fellow Israelites. 00:09:13.980 --> 00:09:15.860 As their brothers and sisters. 00:09:17.820 --> 00:09:19.259 This is new. 00:09:21.100 --> 00:09:22.680 This is not how. 00:09:22.980 --> 00:09:23.680 It has been. 00:09:26.080 --> 00:09:26.879 Infancy. 00:09:27.120 --> 00:09:27.680 And adult. 00:09:27.980 --> 00:09:28.440 Slavery. 00:09:28.720 --> 00:09:29.400 And sonship. 00:09:29.399 --> 00:09:31.559 But now. 00:09:31.559 --> 00:09:32.559 They can cry. 00:09:33.100 --> 00:09:33.419 Abba. 00:09:33.519 --> 00:09:33.779 Father. 00:09:33.879 --> 00:09:34.539 They can say. 00:09:34.659 --> 00:09:35.539 Our father in heaven. 00:09:35.679 --> 00:09:36.600 How has this happened? 00:09:38.120 --> 00:09:38.500 Well. 00:09:38.559 --> 00:09:39.120 Happy Christmas. 00:09:39.340 --> 00:09:39.899 Verse 4. 00:09:41.799 --> 00:09:42.519 It's happened. 00:09:42.679 --> 00:09:43.039 Because. 00:09:43.299 --> 00:09:44.259 When the fullness of time. 00:09:44.980 --> 00:09:45.419 Had come. 00:09:45.500 --> 00:09:46.500 God sent forth his son. 00:09:46.579 --> 00:09:47.139 Born of a woman. 00:09:47.279 --> 00:09:48.120 Born under the law. 00:09:50.019 --> 00:09:50.399 Because. 00:09:50.519 --> 00:09:51.220 At a certain point. 00:09:51.220 --> 00:09:51.600 In history. 00:09:51.600 --> 00:09:53.139 In the fullness of time. 00:09:53.919 --> 00:09:55.019 A baby was born. 00:09:55.019 --> 00:09:56.819 Verse 4. 00:09:56.960 --> 00:09:57.620 When the time. 00:09:57.740 --> 00:09:58.559 Had fully come. 00:09:58.639 --> 00:10:00.019 God sent his son. 00:10:01.899 --> 00:10:02.639 Look at the time. 00:10:02.720 --> 00:10:03.159 Of his birth. 00:10:05.139 --> 00:10:05.579 Literally. 00:10:05.899 --> 00:10:06.439 When the time. 00:10:06.500 --> 00:10:07.139 Had reached its fullness. 00:10:07.139 --> 00:10:09.819 It's the word you use. 00:10:10.100 --> 00:10:11.279 For filling up a bottle. 00:10:11.939 --> 00:10:12.240 So. 00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:14.059 The bottle gets to its capacity. 00:10:15.059 --> 00:10:15.819 And nothing more. 00:10:15.860 --> 00:10:16.860 Can go into the bottle. 00:10:17.740 --> 00:10:18.220 It's like. 00:10:18.439 --> 00:10:19.319 Are you getting to lift. 00:10:19.399 --> 00:10:19.939 At the hospital. 00:10:20.360 --> 00:10:20.939 And it says. 00:10:21.039 --> 00:10:22.080 The maximum number. 00:10:22.159 --> 00:10:22.960 Allowed in this lift. 00:10:23.080 --> 00:10:24.199 Is 25. 00:10:24.879 --> 00:10:25.759 You look at the lift. 00:10:26.259 --> 00:10:26.659 There's room. 00:10:26.720 --> 00:10:27.639 For about four people in it. 00:10:28.819 --> 00:10:29.539 That's the word. 00:10:29.620 --> 00:10:30.460 In the fullness of time. 00:10:30.620 --> 00:10:31.620 There's nothing more. 00:10:31.620 --> 00:10:32.379 That can be added. 00:10:32.720 --> 00:10:33.919 It's the perfect content. 00:10:35.200 --> 00:10:35.759 And Paul is saying. 00:10:35.759 --> 00:10:37.360 When God had put everything. 00:10:37.360 --> 00:10:38.100 Into history. 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:40.059 Up to this point. 00:10:40.220 --> 00:10:41.000 To prepare for the birth. 00:10:41.039 --> 00:10:41.659 Of Jesus Christ. 00:10:42.360 --> 00:10:43.100 When the times. 00:10:43.179 --> 00:10:43.899 Had reached their fullness. 00:10:45.340 --> 00:10:46.659 When God has done everything. 00:10:46.840 --> 00:10:47.720 And has left nothing out. 00:10:48.179 --> 00:10:49.299 And left nothing undone. 00:10:49.419 --> 00:10:50.000 In the preparation. 00:10:50.179 --> 00:10:51.000 For the coming of Christ. 00:10:52.779 --> 00:10:53.419 And you see that. 00:10:53.480 --> 00:10:53.700 Don't you? 00:10:54.480 --> 00:10:55.919 In all the various pieces. 00:10:55.919 --> 00:10:56.500 Of the jigsaw. 00:10:56.559 --> 00:10:57.600 In the infancy narratives. 00:10:57.659 --> 00:10:58.779 That we'll read tonight. 00:10:59.080 --> 00:11:00.480 God set it up perfectly. 00:11:02.220 --> 00:11:03.500 If you look at the time. 00:11:03.620 --> 00:11:04.559 When Jesus was born. 00:11:04.559 --> 00:11:06.319 At both the Roman. 00:11:06.439 --> 00:11:07.599 And the Greek civilizations. 00:11:08.199 --> 00:11:09.439 In which people have lived. 00:11:09.699 --> 00:11:10.659 They contributed. 00:11:10.879 --> 00:11:11.619 To that time. 00:11:13.199 --> 00:11:14.399 Rome geographically. 00:11:14.459 --> 00:11:14.919 And politically. 00:11:15.139 --> 00:11:16.059 Had made the world one. 00:11:17.579 --> 00:11:18.559 All roads. 00:11:18.779 --> 00:11:19.779 Lead to Rome. 00:11:20.859 --> 00:11:21.379 It had. 00:11:21.939 --> 00:11:22.459 Produced. 00:11:22.519 --> 00:11:23.059 A highway. 00:11:23.199 --> 00:11:23.779 For the gospel. 00:11:24.019 --> 00:11:24.699 Of Jesus Christ. 00:11:24.759 --> 00:11:25.319 To go out. 00:11:25.519 --> 00:11:26.759 All over the ancient world. 00:11:26.759 --> 00:11:27.759 The Greek language. 00:11:27.759 --> 00:11:28.919 Was the common means. 00:11:29.000 --> 00:11:29.619 Of communication. 00:11:30.099 --> 00:11:30.500 At just. 00:11:30.619 --> 00:11:31.359 The right time. 00:11:31.360 --> 00:11:36.279 Greek culture. 00:11:36.500 --> 00:11:36.940 And religion. 00:11:37.899 --> 00:11:38.620 Roman religion. 00:11:38.840 --> 00:11:39.399 Was in a. 00:11:40.600 --> 00:11:41.759 Terminal decline. 00:11:42.279 --> 00:11:43.620 And terminal emptiness. 00:11:43.779 --> 00:11:44.600 And vacuousness. 00:11:44.659 --> 00:11:45.899 That people were crying out. 00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:46.940 In a sense of despair. 00:11:48.620 --> 00:11:49.860 And the gospel came. 00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:50.620 Into that. 00:11:52.399 --> 00:11:53.159 Good news. 00:11:53.220 --> 00:11:53.759 Of great joy. 00:11:53.820 --> 00:11:54.560 For all the people. 00:11:54.559 --> 00:11:54.679 Paul. 00:11:57.239 --> 00:11:58.079 But Paul is speaking. 00:11:58.159 --> 00:11:58.439 About something. 00:11:58.619 --> 00:11:59.319 Much deeper than that. 00:12:00.519 --> 00:12:01.219 He's speaking. 00:12:01.639 --> 00:12:02.679 About the sovereign. 00:12:03.079 --> 00:12:04.119 Lord of all history. 00:12:06.459 --> 00:12:07.439 And so the event. 00:12:07.659 --> 00:12:08.159 Events. 00:12:08.339 --> 00:12:09.239 Of which we read. 00:12:09.419 --> 00:12:10.079 In Bethlehem. 00:12:10.139 --> 00:12:10.639 And the surrounding. 00:12:10.799 --> 00:12:11.299 Countryside. 00:12:11.519 --> 00:12:12.579 All those events. 00:12:14.199 --> 00:12:15.159 Took place. 00:12:16.839 --> 00:12:17.799 And that moment. 00:12:18.759 --> 00:12:19.759 Time struck. 00:12:21.179 --> 00:12:21.859 God's time. 00:12:21.939 --> 00:12:22.399 Meant that God. 00:12:22.519 --> 00:12:23.259 Had left nothing. 00:12:23.379 --> 00:12:23.699 Undone. 00:12:23.759 --> 00:12:24.319 In all of history. 00:12:24.320 --> 00:12:28.180 The Lord Jesus Christ. 00:12:28.320 --> 00:12:28.980 That he who. 00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:29.680 Came. 00:12:30.040 --> 00:12:30.220 From. 00:12:30.480 --> 00:12:31.379 Before the foundation. 00:12:31.379 --> 00:12:31.879 Of the world. 00:12:31.960 --> 00:12:32.540 Had been preparing. 00:12:32.680 --> 00:12:33.180 For this moment. 00:12:34.820 --> 00:12:35.420 That God. 00:12:35.480 --> 00:12:35.879 Had planned. 00:12:36.020 --> 00:12:36.640 And purposed. 00:12:36.760 --> 00:12:37.740 From all eternity. 00:12:37.740 --> 00:12:38.280 For the coming. 00:12:38.300 --> 00:12:38.720 Of his son. 00:12:40.560 --> 00:12:41.440 He'd been working. 00:12:41.440 --> 00:12:42.700 Amongst his ancient people. 00:12:42.879 --> 00:12:43.600 And preparing them. 00:12:43.700 --> 00:12:44.440 And discipling them. 00:12:44.780 --> 00:12:45.280 And patiently. 00:12:45.480 --> 00:12:45.960 Dealing with them. 00:12:46.240 --> 00:12:46.840 And in the fullness. 00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:47.540 Of days. 00:12:48.460 --> 00:12:49.200 Out of Zion. 00:12:49.340 --> 00:12:49.900 There would come. 00:12:50.180 --> 00:12:50.600 Good news. 00:12:50.680 --> 00:12:51.140 That a virgin. 00:12:51.280 --> 00:12:51.700 Would conceive. 00:12:51.800 --> 00:12:52.300 And bear a son. 00:12:52.299 --> 00:12:54.899 And it's this. 00:12:54.979 --> 00:12:56.059 That Paul is referring to. 00:12:56.159 --> 00:12:56.919 When he says. 00:12:57.079 --> 00:12:57.859 In the fullness of time. 00:12:59.379 --> 00:13:00.779 God sent forth. 00:13:00.899 --> 00:13:01.799 His son. 00:13:03.059 --> 00:13:03.579 He's saying. 00:13:03.579 --> 00:13:04.459 That God has left. 00:13:04.899 --> 00:13:06.039 Nothing undone. 00:13:06.759 --> 00:13:08.000 To prepare for this. 00:13:09.199 --> 00:13:10.120 The second thing we see. 00:13:10.240 --> 00:13:11.279 Is the identity. 00:13:11.279 --> 00:13:12.559 Of this baby. 00:13:12.720 --> 00:13:13.279 Who is it. 00:13:13.339 --> 00:13:13.860 That brings us. 00:13:13.879 --> 00:13:14.480 Into the family. 00:13:16.179 --> 00:13:16.539 And. 00:13:16.980 --> 00:13:18.000 The thing that God. 00:13:18.100 --> 00:13:18.720 Focuses on. 00:13:18.819 --> 00:13:19.559 Is the identity. 00:13:19.559 --> 00:13:20.100 Of the baby. 00:13:20.199 --> 00:13:20.980 Because that's what matters. 00:13:21.059 --> 00:13:21.699 More than anything else. 00:13:22.019 --> 00:13:22.600 So look at. 00:13:22.659 --> 00:13:23.419 Galatians 4. 00:13:23.480 --> 00:13:24.159 Verse 4. 00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:26.919 He gives us. 00:13:27.480 --> 00:13:28.339 Two answers. 00:13:28.720 --> 00:13:29.699 To who the baby is. 00:13:29.759 --> 00:13:30.240 In the manger. 00:13:32.039 --> 00:13:32.659 First of all. 00:13:32.679 --> 00:13:33.079 He says. 00:13:34.279 --> 00:13:35.579 He is God's son. 00:13:37.459 --> 00:13:38.500 When the time had fully come. 00:13:38.559 --> 00:13:39.399 God sent his son. 00:13:39.399 --> 00:13:42.039 And he is secondly. 00:13:42.259 --> 00:13:43.019 Mary's child. 00:13:44.439 --> 00:13:45.139 God's son. 00:13:45.299 --> 00:13:46.000 Mary's child. 00:13:48.279 --> 00:13:49.579 Those two descriptions. 00:13:50.539 --> 00:13:51.579 Those two things. 00:13:51.679 --> 00:13:52.159 Tell you. 00:13:52.299 --> 00:13:53.459 What you most need to know. 00:13:53.579 --> 00:13:54.199 About the baby. 00:13:55.340 --> 00:13:56.259 That he is both. 00:13:56.360 --> 00:13:57.100 Perfectly God. 00:13:57.220 --> 00:13:58.000 And fully man. 00:14:00.059 --> 00:14:01.179 And that is what makes him. 00:14:01.299 --> 00:14:02.139 Perfectly qualified. 00:14:02.139 --> 00:14:03.059 To fulfill his mission. 00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:08.139 God sent his son. 00:14:09.399 --> 00:14:11.100 It's the same word we use for apostle. 00:14:13.799 --> 00:14:15.259 Apostle means sent one. 00:14:15.519 --> 00:14:16.100 God came. 00:14:16.299 --> 00:14:16.959 Christ came. 00:14:17.259 --> 00:14:18.319 As God's apostle. 00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:23.779 Hebrews tells us that he is the apostle and high priest of our profession. 00:14:25.259 --> 00:14:28.899 He came sent by God into the world. 00:14:28.899 --> 00:14:32.620 And an apostle is one who fulfills a mission. 00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:35.679 And what Christ. 00:14:36.019 --> 00:14:38.860 What enabled Jesus to fulfill his mission. 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:40.000 For which his father sent him. 00:14:40.199 --> 00:14:42.600 It was that he was perfectly God. 00:14:43.679 --> 00:14:44.720 And perfectly man. 00:14:47.299 --> 00:14:48.819 Look how that displays itself. 00:14:48.959 --> 00:14:52.500 It was only God who could accomplish our salvation. 00:14:52.500 --> 00:14:57.600 Only God could accomplish our salvation. 00:14:57.600 --> 00:14:58.220 That's true isn't it? 00:14:58.279 --> 00:14:59.820 From its planning in eternity. 00:15:00.700 --> 00:15:02.940 To its execution on Calvary. 00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:05.720 And its consummation at the end of time. 00:15:07.100 --> 00:15:08.580 In his coming again. 00:15:08.740 --> 00:15:09.940 From beginning to end. 00:15:10.039 --> 00:15:12.679 Only God can accomplish what we need. 00:15:15.159 --> 00:15:17.399 Within the general context of this verse. 00:15:17.399 --> 00:15:22.000 Paul is speaking about this dreadful disaster that's happened to the Galatians. 00:15:23.100 --> 00:15:23.819 Do you remember? 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:25.819 They were going back to a place. 00:15:26.519 --> 00:15:28.819 They were trying to produce a salvation of their own. 00:15:30.159 --> 00:15:32.379 They thought it was about law keeping. 00:15:33.720 --> 00:15:36.899 And he is emphasizing to them and to us. 00:15:37.059 --> 00:15:39.439 That it's only God can accomplish salvation. 00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:45.120 And if you think that the Galatian problem was just a problem. 00:15:45.120 --> 00:15:47.179 For the New Testament times. 00:15:47.399 --> 00:15:48.980 We know that it's not. 00:15:50.659 --> 00:15:54.740 But the common conception today is that we're somehow acceptable to God. 00:15:54.799 --> 00:15:55.579 Whoever he is. 00:15:55.919 --> 00:15:57.120 By doing our best. 00:15:58.480 --> 00:15:59.679 And if you do your best. 00:15:59.840 --> 00:16:00.539 And you try your hardest. 00:16:00.679 --> 00:16:01.779 God will never keep you out of glory. 00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:05.720 And that is never far from our hearts. 00:16:07.340 --> 00:16:10.639 Even if we've been professing as a Christian for years. 00:16:11.220 --> 00:16:12.059 It's deadly. 00:16:13.799 --> 00:16:14.699 Somebody says to you. 00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:16.819 Are you a Christian? 00:16:17.399 --> 00:16:18.259 He said well I hope so. 00:16:19.840 --> 00:16:21.959 Will you go to heaven when you die? 00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:23.860 Well I'm trying. 00:16:26.159 --> 00:16:27.199 What is a Christian? 00:16:27.519 --> 00:16:28.279 Well somebody who's kind. 00:16:28.399 --> 00:16:29.220 Somebody who does their best. 00:16:31.220 --> 00:16:32.379 What is Paul saying? 00:16:32.459 --> 00:16:35.459 Paul is saying God sent forth his son. 00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:35.540 God. 00:16:36.080 --> 00:16:40.320 That is that only God can save you. 00:16:42.019 --> 00:16:43.600 Only God can deal. 00:16:45.460 --> 00:16:46.840 With the needs of humanity. 00:16:48.420 --> 00:16:50.600 And when he says God sent forth his son. 00:16:52.060 --> 00:16:54.220 It's that God the creator. 00:16:55.420 --> 00:16:56.700 Who made all things. 00:16:56.900 --> 00:16:58.519 Has now become God the redeemer. 00:16:58.519 --> 00:17:03.199 He who in the manger lies. 00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:05.359 He who built the starry skies. 00:17:05.359 --> 00:17:06.400 That is who he is. 00:17:08.240 --> 00:17:10.460 The baby in the manger is not someone you can manipulate. 00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:11.819 He is the Lord of glory. 00:17:13.079 --> 00:17:15.299 Who has come down to be the redeemer of his people. 00:17:15.299 --> 00:17:18.799 Born in order to save us. 00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:21.339 To enter into our predicament. 00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:25.220 And in our place he has become one of us. 00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:26.720 He had to represent us. 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:30.659 He took the place of us. 00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:33.500 He took the place of our judgment. 00:17:34.859 --> 00:17:37.139 And in order to do that he had to become a man. 00:17:37.440 --> 00:17:38.079 Like us. 00:17:38.460 --> 00:17:40.279 And that's why he's called not only the son of God. 00:17:40.339 --> 00:17:41.059 But the son of Mary. 00:17:41.059 --> 00:17:44.359 Fully God and fully man. 00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:48.460 And do you notice he's not just a man. 00:17:48.519 --> 00:17:49.240 He's a perfect man. 00:17:49.319 --> 00:17:50.039 Notice what Paul says. 00:17:50.099 --> 00:17:51.059 When the time would fully come. 00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:52.919 God sent forth his son. 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:53.519 Born of a woman. 00:17:53.679 --> 00:17:54.799 Born under the law. 00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:57.759 That means many things. 00:17:58.399 --> 00:17:59.759 And it's got many implications. 00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:02.679 But one of the things it means is that the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:18:03.099 --> 00:18:04.919 Perfectly submitted himself to God's law. 00:18:06.539 --> 00:18:08.740 That he obeyed every last detail of it. 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:11.740 That law which I have broken. 00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:12.740 And I have transgressed. 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:16.299 And that law which was good. 00:18:16.400 --> 00:18:18.079 But it's become the instrument of my judgment. 00:18:20.460 --> 00:18:23.000 And the Lord Jesus Christ kept that law perfectly. 00:18:24.579 --> 00:18:26.359 In the perfection of his obedience. 00:18:26.519 --> 00:18:28.200 He lived not only as a man. 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:29.180 But as a perfect man. 00:18:30.359 --> 00:18:32.000 And when the moment came. 00:18:32.620 --> 00:18:34.339 For sin to be atoned for. 00:18:34.920 --> 00:18:36.039 He could atone for it. 00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:37.160 He could deal with sin. 00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:38.680 Because he had no sin of his own. 00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:42.299 And therefore the baby in the manger. 00:18:44.380 --> 00:18:46.279 Was the God made perfect man. 00:18:47.200 --> 00:18:48.259 For our salvation. 00:18:48.400 --> 00:18:49.660 His divinity and his humanity. 00:18:52.839 --> 00:18:54.859 But what's the reason he was born? 00:18:56.759 --> 00:18:58.279 What is the reason he came? 00:18:59.440 --> 00:19:01.039 Well it's crystal clear in the text isn't it? 00:19:01.059 --> 00:19:01.900 When the time had fully come. 00:19:01.980 --> 00:19:03.359 God sent forth his son. 00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:03.960 Born of a woman. 00:19:04.099 --> 00:19:04.799 Born under the law. 00:19:04.799 --> 00:19:07.339 To redeem those under the law. 00:19:07.399 --> 00:19:09.079 That we might receive adoption. 00:19:10.460 --> 00:19:12.339 So can you see this baby does two things. 00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:13.460 First of all he redeems. 00:19:13.579 --> 00:19:14.279 And then he adopts. 00:19:17.079 --> 00:19:18.359 As we think about the baby. 00:19:18.579 --> 00:19:19.159 This Christmas. 00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:20.099 Why did he come? 00:19:21.559 --> 00:19:24.419 What is the purpose of these cries from the baby? 00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:28.300 What is the reason behind the angels breaking into the night sky? 00:19:30.860 --> 00:19:32.680 He came to redeem those under the law. 00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:33.360 What does that mean? 00:19:35.340 --> 00:19:37.480 Well it means that men and women and boys and girls. 00:19:37.600 --> 00:19:40.140 Who thought that they could climb the ladder of the law. 00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:42.460 And somehow reach God. 00:19:42.600 --> 00:19:43.380 And keep the commandments. 00:19:43.380 --> 00:19:48.400 It means that. 00:19:48.820 --> 00:19:51.000 It shows us that that is utterly futile. 00:19:52.120 --> 00:19:53.260 John Carson wrote this. 00:19:53.360 --> 00:19:55.660 If God had perceived that our greatest need was economic. 00:19:56.440 --> 00:19:57.680 He would have sent an economist. 00:19:59.040 --> 00:20:01.340 If he perceived that our greatest need was entertainment. 00:20:01.600 --> 00:20:03.360 He would have sent us a comedian or an artist. 00:20:04.580 --> 00:20:07.460 If God had perceived that our greatest need was political stability. 00:20:07.660 --> 00:20:08.740 He would have sent us a politician. 00:20:10.100 --> 00:20:12.120 If he perceived that our greatest need was health. 00:20:12.119 --> 00:20:13.159 He would have sent us a doctor. 00:20:13.459 --> 00:20:16.259 But he perceived that our greatest need involved our sin. 00:20:16.919 --> 00:20:18.319 Our alienation from him. 00:20:18.519 --> 00:20:19.619 Our profound rebellion. 00:20:19.799 --> 00:20:20.339 Our death. 00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:22.079 And so he sent us a saviour. 00:20:23.959 --> 00:20:25.699 And so you don't need a lecture. 00:20:27.019 --> 00:20:28.199 You need a saviour. 00:20:28.439 --> 00:20:28.979 A rescuer. 00:20:30.399 --> 00:20:32.479 Who will deal with your rebellion. 00:20:33.659 --> 00:20:35.479 And your tendency to failure. 00:20:37.699 --> 00:20:40.459 And so those who are under the judgment of the law of God. 00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:42.220 Paul says in the fullness of time. 00:20:42.380 --> 00:20:43.600 God sent forth his son. 00:20:43.740 --> 00:20:44.600 Born of a woman. 00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:46.200 To redeem those under the law. 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:49.039 And what does it mean to be under the law? 00:20:49.079 --> 00:20:50.940 It means to be under the curse and judgment of God. 00:20:52.880 --> 00:20:53.920 Because the scripture says. 00:20:54.019 --> 00:20:55.600 Is that cursed is everyone. 00:20:55.799 --> 00:20:57.340 Who does not continue in these commandments. 00:20:59.360 --> 00:21:01.160 And so how does Christ redeem us. 00:21:01.259 --> 00:21:02.480 From the curse of the law. 00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:03.460 Well you don't need to look very far. 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:04.779 Look at chapter 3 in verse 13. 00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:06.960 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law. 00:21:06.960 --> 00:21:08.200 By becoming a curse for us. 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:10.640 For it is written. 00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:12.279 Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree. 00:21:14.340 --> 00:21:15.360 He became. 00:21:15.620 --> 00:21:16.279 He came. 00:21:16.559 --> 00:21:17.340 Perfect God. 00:21:17.640 --> 00:21:18.440 And perfect man. 00:21:18.680 --> 00:21:20.319 Recognizing that there is no other way. 00:21:22.620 --> 00:21:24.460 In which that curse of God. 00:21:25.640 --> 00:21:26.680 Could be poured out. 00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:27.980 Except that it was poured out on him. 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:31.720 In order that we might be freed from God's law. 00:21:31.720 --> 00:21:33.680 From the law's curse. 00:21:35.799 --> 00:21:37.620 The Lord Jesus related to God's law. 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:39.420 In lots of different ways. 00:21:39.740 --> 00:21:40.900 He fulfilled it in his own life. 00:21:41.059 --> 00:21:41.059 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:44.400 He lived it out in perfect obedience. 00:21:44.579 --> 00:21:46.640 And he bore the judgment of that broken law. 00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:48.559 On himself. 00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:54.079 On Calvary. 00:21:55.579 --> 00:21:56.880 He became a baby. 00:21:57.839 --> 00:21:58.720 He was helpless. 00:21:58.720 --> 00:22:02.900 But the Bible tells us he became poor. 00:22:04.220 --> 00:22:06.839 He who was rich beyond all telling became poor. 00:22:06.940 --> 00:22:08.120 He had to borrow a coin. 00:22:08.860 --> 00:22:09.660 For an illustration. 00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:11.360 He had no place to lay his head. 00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:13.039 And yet he'd made the universe. 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:16.360 And not only did he become poor. 00:22:17.140 --> 00:22:19.100 And become man. 00:22:19.200 --> 00:22:20.339 He became a curse for us. 00:22:20.339 --> 00:22:23.759 And that means that the very curse of God. 00:22:23.899 --> 00:22:25.220 Was laid on him at Calvary. 00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:28.359 But he came not only to redeem. 00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:29.659 But he came to adopt. 00:22:31.439 --> 00:22:32.559 Look at verse 5. 00:22:34.179 --> 00:22:36.179 He came to redeem those under the law. 00:22:36.359 --> 00:22:38.500 So that we might receive adoption as sons. 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:43.139 He takes us from that place. 00:22:43.220 --> 00:22:44.720 Where we are about to be banished. 00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:45.720 From God's presence. 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:50.299 And he brings us into the glorious privilege of his children. 00:22:52.059 --> 00:22:53.400 Chapter 3 verse 26. 00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:55.880 His sons and daughters who have access to him. 00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:57.579 And call him father. 00:22:59.380 --> 00:23:01.579 And so Christ was born to bear our judgment. 00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:07.339 And yet wonderfully brings us all the privileges of being sons and daughters of God. 00:23:07.339 --> 00:23:11.959 And this helps us hugely. 00:23:15.199 --> 00:23:16.359 That what God is doing. 00:23:16.539 --> 00:23:19.240 He is gathering his sons to him. 00:23:22.179 --> 00:23:24.039 I hope you're not upset by that language. 00:23:27.039 --> 00:23:29.299 That God has sons. 00:23:30.119 --> 00:23:31.639 It doesn't say that God has daughters. 00:23:33.139 --> 00:23:36.359 We are all God's sons. 00:23:36.359 --> 00:23:37.740 Whether we're male or female. 00:23:38.459 --> 00:23:39.019 And that is because. 00:23:39.119 --> 00:23:40.639 Do you remember the son was the heir? 00:23:40.959 --> 00:23:41.839 In the same way. 00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:44.099 That we are all a bride of Christ. 00:23:44.199 --> 00:23:44.899 If we're a guy. 00:23:45.059 --> 00:23:46.240 There's no offence in being that. 00:23:46.299 --> 00:23:47.679 We are all a bride of Christ. 00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:52.479 We are all adopted as God's sons and God's heirs. 00:23:52.599 --> 00:23:55.059 And this helps us hugely with all our insecurities. 00:23:58.519 --> 00:24:00.539 Imagine you are in court tomorrow. 00:24:01.319 --> 00:24:02.759 And you know that you are guilty. 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:06.420 You know that you are guilty of a very severe crime. 00:24:06.420 --> 00:24:06.940 Let's say. 00:24:07.460 --> 00:24:09.819 And the judge in the doc says. 00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:11.519 I'm actually I'm going to acquit you. 00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:15.859 I'm going to declare you not guilty. 00:24:17.640 --> 00:24:18.700 But more than that. 00:24:19.079 --> 00:24:20.660 I want you to come home with me. 00:24:21.660 --> 00:24:22.539 Because you're homeless. 00:24:22.819 --> 00:24:24.500 And I want you to live with my family. 00:24:24.819 --> 00:24:27.119 And we will look after you every day for the rest of your life. 00:24:27.119 --> 00:24:29.859 You see. 00:24:30.339 --> 00:24:31.119 To be adopted. 00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:33.500 Is even more wonderful than to be justified. 00:24:35.579 --> 00:24:36.879 Justification is a glorious thing. 00:24:36.959 --> 00:24:39.019 The church in history has really rejoiced in it. 00:24:39.419 --> 00:24:42.000 But adoption is a more wonderful thing. 00:24:43.459 --> 00:24:44.739 It's an incredible thing. 00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:46.059 To be clared not guilty. 00:24:46.719 --> 00:24:47.799 To have your sin forgiven. 00:24:47.899 --> 00:24:49.739 To be credited with the righteousness of Christ. 00:24:49.939 --> 00:24:51.739 But adoption is far greater. 00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:55.960 Because justification deals with our first need. 00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:57.380 Which is to be acquitted. 00:24:58.299 --> 00:24:59.799 By the judge of the universe. 00:25:00.640 --> 00:25:03.200 But to be adopted gives us a new status. 00:25:03.380 --> 00:25:04.339 A new identity. 00:25:05.099 --> 00:25:06.240 From which we are to live. 00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:09.740 I think I need to say this tonight. 00:25:09.940 --> 00:25:10.960 Fathers are difficult. 00:25:12.339 --> 00:25:13.779 And I say that as a father. 00:25:14.539 --> 00:25:16.700 I say that with my father watching on the YouTube. 00:25:16.700 --> 00:25:20.200 And fathers are difficult. 00:25:20.340 --> 00:25:21.700 And for many of you this Christmas. 00:25:22.620 --> 00:25:23.880 Family is both wonderful. 00:25:23.960 --> 00:25:25.400 But really really hard work. 00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:30.019 And we do not understand God the father. 00:25:30.140 --> 00:25:31.940 By reference to our own fathers. 00:25:32.980 --> 00:25:36.180 But actually we seek to understand our fathers. 00:25:36.840 --> 00:25:38.039 And our fatherhood. 00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:40.240 In the light of God's perfect fatherhood. 00:25:40.620 --> 00:25:41.799 That is the right way round. 00:25:43.299 --> 00:25:45.819 That even our own father's failings. 00:25:45.819 --> 00:25:47.960 Bring us to the point of appreciating. 00:25:48.179 --> 00:25:50.539 The perfection of God's love for us. 00:25:53.599 --> 00:25:54.919 And then the final outcome. 00:25:55.659 --> 00:25:57.319 That he touches on in verse 6. 00:25:59.359 --> 00:26:01.439 Because you are sons of God. 00:26:02.539 --> 00:26:05.500 God sent the spirit of his son into our hearts. 00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:07.179 Who calls out Abba Father. 00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:11.299 And again there are multitudes of things we could look at. 00:26:11.379 --> 00:26:12.480 But let me point this to you. 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:14.779 The glorious outcome of Jesus Christ. 00:26:15.220 --> 00:26:16.279 Coming to Bethlehem. 00:26:16.539 --> 00:26:17.819 For people like ourselves. 00:26:18.860 --> 00:26:20.559 Who gladly embrace him. 00:26:20.700 --> 00:26:21.460 And trust him. 00:26:21.620 --> 00:26:22.420 And receive him. 00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:26.839 Is that Christ too. 00:26:27.559 --> 00:26:29.599 Is going to be born in Bethlehem. 00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:30.420 By the Holy Spirit. 00:26:31.660 --> 00:26:33.900 But he's also going to be born in us. 00:26:33.900 --> 00:26:38.340 And the place where Jesus Christ dwells now. 00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:40.960 Is not only at the right hand of the father in glory. 00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:44.620 But also in the life of the humblest believer. 00:26:46.800 --> 00:26:48.040 God sent his son. 00:26:49.360 --> 00:26:50.519 God sent his spirit. 00:26:50.620 --> 00:26:52.519 These verses are gloriously Trinitarian. 00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:55.140 And why did he send his spirit? 00:26:55.140 --> 00:27:00.259 In order that Christ who came to be with us. 00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:03.040 And die for us. 00:27:03.900 --> 00:27:05.520 Might dwell in us. 00:27:07.020 --> 00:27:08.840 And that is why he sent his spirit. 00:27:10.440 --> 00:27:12.220 And the glorious reality. 00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:14.880 The distinctive reality for the Christian. 00:27:15.300 --> 00:27:17.420 Is that this Christ. 00:27:17.720 --> 00:27:18.860 The Lord of the ages. 00:27:18.859 --> 00:27:21.619 Is the saviour of sinners. 00:27:22.939 --> 00:27:23.919 Perfect God. 00:27:24.039 --> 00:27:25.039 And perfect man. 00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:28.659 Lives in me. 00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:31.019 By his Holy Spirit. 00:27:32.659 --> 00:27:34.679 So that as we come to the Lord's table. 00:27:34.859 --> 00:27:35.319 This morning. 00:27:36.579 --> 00:27:38.399 We look up to the Lord God. 00:27:38.399 --> 00:27:39.259 Of heaven and earth. 00:27:40.099 --> 00:27:41.599 The sovereign creator. 00:27:41.919 --> 00:27:42.359 And redeemer. 00:27:44.159 --> 00:27:45.319 And we call him. 00:27:47.019 --> 00:27:47.759 Our father. 00:27:48.859 --> 00:27:51.779 Let's pray.