WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.680 So there are Bibles just in the hallway. Don't be afraid to run and get one. 00:00:03.980 --> 00:00:05.020 We won't think less of you. 00:00:05.560 --> 00:00:07.140 Don't be embarrassed to do that. 00:00:08.679 --> 00:00:11.880 You'll find it difficult, I think, to follow unless you've got a Bible. 00:00:13.040 --> 00:00:20.019 I have a file of sermons in my final cabinet of kind of unfinished sermons, of sermon ideas 00:00:20.019 --> 00:00:25.219 which normally get to about Thursday or Friday and then they never get any further. 00:00:25.219 --> 00:00:30.399 And so I was kind of looking at it this week and I thought, ah, this one I might be able to make something of. 00:00:30.640 --> 00:00:33.519 Alright? But we'll, well, you'll be the judge of that. 00:00:37.000 --> 00:00:38.700 Tonight's sermon begins with a grammar lesson. 00:00:40.500 --> 00:00:42.739 I can already hear some of you inwardly groan. 00:00:43.239 --> 00:00:50.280 To be honest, I can imagine the page in the communication textbook which says never use an opening line like that. 00:00:51.239 --> 00:00:52.980 But I don't care this evening. I'm going to stick with it. 00:00:52.979 --> 00:00:56.419 And we're going to begin with a grammar lesson. 00:00:57.899 --> 00:01:00.879 Because sometimes grammar really matters. 00:01:02.739 --> 00:01:07.420 And I want to try and persuade you tonight that the grammar of Christmas really matters. 00:01:09.179 --> 00:01:12.780 And so in particular tonight, I want to talk to you about preposition. 00:01:14.219 --> 00:01:14.620 Preposition. 00:01:15.579 --> 00:01:18.099 Now, to be honest, I've spoken English since I learned to talk. 00:01:19.239 --> 00:01:21.379 But grammar is a constant battle for me, as you know. 00:01:21.379 --> 00:01:26.819 And I managed to get through secondary school without really knowing what a preposition was. 00:01:27.659 --> 00:01:31.959 It was only in coming to study the Bible that I've come to see how important they are. 00:01:32.920 --> 00:01:34.199 And so let me start with the definition. 00:01:34.500 --> 00:01:34.579 Alright? 00:01:35.699 --> 00:01:38.679 Just when you thought this introduction of this sermon couldn't get any worse. 00:01:39.159 --> 00:01:41.640 Let me give you a definition of preposition. 00:01:41.640 --> 00:01:47.239 A preposition is a word in a sentence that governs a noun. 00:01:47.420 --> 00:01:48.359 That makes it clear, doesn't it? 00:01:49.140 --> 00:01:54.140 And expresses its relation to another word or words in that sentence. 00:01:54.379 --> 00:01:55.359 Let me give you examples. 00:01:57.260 --> 00:02:01.019 You are sitting on the church chairs. 00:02:01.019 --> 00:02:05.560 The word on is a preposition. 00:02:05.819 --> 00:02:06.340 Do you understand that? 00:02:07.479 --> 00:02:10.579 Because it describes the relationship between you and the church chairs. 00:02:10.680 --> 00:02:13.579 You are sitting on the church chairs. 00:02:13.840 --> 00:02:14.319 You're on it. 00:02:15.699 --> 00:02:16.859 Let me give you another example. 00:02:18.180 --> 00:02:25.019 I sat through an inexplicably boring sermon introduction this evening. 00:02:25.020 --> 00:02:29.800 And the word through is a preposition. 00:02:30.900 --> 00:02:35.080 Because it describes your relationship to the start of the sermon. 00:02:35.680 --> 00:02:36.140 You get the idea? 00:02:38.320 --> 00:02:40.840 Prepositions describe relationships. 00:02:41.000 --> 00:02:41.660 And that's why they matter. 00:02:43.240 --> 00:02:45.140 That's why we say things like, 00:02:45.520 --> 00:02:47.340 I'm not laughing at you. 00:02:47.700 --> 00:02:49.360 I'm laughing with you. 00:02:49.360 --> 00:02:52.260 Which is usually, isn't it, 00:02:52.280 --> 00:02:55.880 a vaguely apologetic sentence uttered by somebody who is laughing at you. 00:02:57.160 --> 00:03:02.080 At and with are prepositions. 00:03:04.580 --> 00:03:07.860 And there's a big difference between somebody laughing at you 00:03:07.860 --> 00:03:10.220 and somebody laughing with you, isn't there? 00:03:11.120 --> 00:03:12.840 Let me give you another couple of sentences. 00:03:13.380 --> 00:03:15.060 Where prepositions make a big difference. 00:03:15.440 --> 00:03:17.080 Just to drive the grammar lesson home. 00:03:18.080 --> 00:03:19.080 There's a difference, isn't there, 00:03:19.080 --> 00:03:23.140 between I swam in the English Channel 00:03:23.140 --> 00:03:26.440 and I swam across the English Channel. 00:03:27.400 --> 00:03:28.740 One is a bit mad. 00:03:29.880 --> 00:03:31.340 One is totally mad, isn't it? 00:03:32.660 --> 00:03:34.340 There's a big difference between 00:03:34.340 --> 00:03:38.520 I found the cat hiding behind the fridge 00:03:38.520 --> 00:03:42.040 and I found the cat hiding in the fridge. 00:03:42.620 --> 00:03:43.740 There's a big difference. 00:03:44.920 --> 00:03:45.820 I hope you're getting the idea. 00:03:46.280 --> 00:03:47.260 Prepositions matter 00:03:47.259 --> 00:03:50.340 and they matter especially at Christmas. 00:03:50.519 --> 00:03:51.659 Now let me show you what I mean. 00:03:53.060 --> 00:03:53.919 So for this message, 00:03:54.039 --> 00:03:54.719 what I'm going to do is 00:03:54.719 --> 00:03:57.599 I'm going to read you four very short passages 00:03:57.599 --> 00:03:58.579 from the Bible 00:03:58.579 --> 00:04:01.419 and each of them contains 00:04:01.419 --> 00:04:03.840 a really important preposition. 00:04:05.319 --> 00:04:05.819 And together, 00:04:05.879 --> 00:04:07.819 when you put together the four prepositions, 00:04:07.959 --> 00:04:10.399 they tell you the story of why Christmas really matters. 00:04:10.400 --> 00:04:13.280 So we're going to start with the passage that we read. 00:04:13.340 --> 00:04:15.200 Can you turn with me to Philippians chapter 2? 00:04:15.460 --> 00:04:15.760 All right. 00:04:16.100 --> 00:04:17.300 I'm going to give you the page numbers 00:04:17.300 --> 00:04:18.259 so you find it. 00:04:18.680 --> 00:04:20.280 And again, if you still want to go and get your Bible, 00:04:20.340 --> 00:04:20.939 it's not too late. 00:04:21.620 --> 00:04:22.319 So Philippians chapter 2, 00:04:22.379 --> 00:04:24.840 it's on page 980. 00:04:26.840 --> 00:04:27.860 Philippians chapter 2 00:04:27.860 --> 00:04:30.439 and verses 6 to 7. 00:04:33.139 --> 00:04:34.220 Page 980. 00:04:34.220 --> 00:04:38.400 And these are verses about Jesus' life 00:04:38.400 --> 00:04:40.640 before he came to earth. 00:04:42.120 --> 00:04:44.640 His life before he came to earth as a baby. 00:04:46.100 --> 00:04:46.740 And for Christians, 00:04:46.920 --> 00:04:49.560 this is a really important part of the Christmas story. 00:04:50.760 --> 00:04:53.160 These are verses about where Jesus was 00:04:53.160 --> 00:04:58.400 and who he was with 00:04:58.400 --> 00:05:01.720 before he arrived in Bethlehem in the manger. 00:05:02.580 --> 00:05:03.340 So let me read to you 00:05:03.340 --> 00:05:04.720 what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians 00:05:04.720 --> 00:05:07.520 in chapter 2 and verses 6 and 7. 00:05:07.620 --> 00:05:08.140 Can you see that? 00:05:09.280 --> 00:05:10.420 It's describing Jesus. 00:05:11.720 --> 00:05:12.480 And it says this, 00:05:12.480 --> 00:05:14.460 who though he 00:05:14.460 --> 00:05:18.020 was in the form of God, 00:05:18.920 --> 00:05:21.800 did not count equality with God 00:05:21.800 --> 00:05:23.920 a thing to be grasped, 00:05:25.120 --> 00:05:26.560 but emptied himself 00:05:26.560 --> 00:05:29.639 by taking the form of a servant, 00:05:29.860 --> 00:05:33.199 being born in the likeness of men. 00:05:35.180 --> 00:05:37.000 So I just want you to see in verse 6, 00:05:37.060 --> 00:05:38.180 can you see the preposition there? 00:05:38.939 --> 00:05:39.960 With God. 00:05:41.860 --> 00:05:42.960 That's my first point. 00:05:43.120 --> 00:05:46.240 Jesus was equal with God. 00:05:48.759 --> 00:05:50.120 The Bible teaches us that Jesus 00:05:50.120 --> 00:05:53.459 is in very nature God. 00:05:55.399 --> 00:05:57.280 It's not only true that he's the Messiah, 00:05:58.280 --> 00:05:59.459 the Son of God, 00:06:00.379 --> 00:06:03.519 it's also true to say that he is God himself. 00:06:05.240 --> 00:06:06.459 And so that's why the wise men 00:06:06.459 --> 00:06:07.399 in the Christmas story, 00:06:07.759 --> 00:06:09.360 they traveled such a long way 00:06:09.360 --> 00:06:10.519 just to honor him. 00:06:11.920 --> 00:06:13.920 Not just to present him with precious gifts, 00:06:14.079 --> 00:06:15.120 but they bowed down 00:06:15.120 --> 00:06:16.120 and they worshipped him. 00:06:16.120 --> 00:06:19.560 Worship is something that you reserve 00:06:19.560 --> 00:06:20.680 for God. 00:06:22.100 --> 00:06:23.840 And those wise men knew very, 00:06:23.939 --> 00:06:25.000 very well what they were doing. 00:06:25.439 --> 00:06:27.439 Jesus existed before 00:06:27.439 --> 00:06:29.340 he was a human child. 00:06:29.480 --> 00:06:32.040 He was equal with God. 00:06:33.319 --> 00:06:35.780 He didn't consider equality with God 00:06:35.780 --> 00:06:37.899 something to be grasped. 00:06:38.899 --> 00:06:40.980 Something to be used for his own advantage. 00:06:41.139 --> 00:06:42.139 That's what he's saying. 00:06:42.139 --> 00:06:45.319 Something to be tightly clung onto. 00:06:46.759 --> 00:06:48.419 Rather, he humbled himself 00:06:48.419 --> 00:06:52.240 and he came down to earth from heaven. 00:06:53.560 --> 00:06:55.800 He was made in human likeness 00:06:55.800 --> 00:06:57.860 and he came as a human 00:06:57.860 --> 00:06:59.800 in order to serve humans. 00:07:01.360 --> 00:07:02.479 So this first preposition 00:07:02.479 --> 00:07:03.879 is really important to Christians 00:07:03.879 --> 00:07:04.800 because it tells us 00:07:04.800 --> 00:07:06.099 what Jesus left behind. 00:07:07.379 --> 00:07:09.579 He was with God. 00:07:09.579 --> 00:07:13.579 He was equal with God. 00:07:14.859 --> 00:07:16.279 And when he came to earth as a baby, 00:07:16.560 --> 00:07:17.779 he didn't just appear out of nowhere. 00:07:19.240 --> 00:07:20.199 He came down. 00:07:21.620 --> 00:07:23.339 He left behind the majesty 00:07:23.339 --> 00:07:24.860 of his throne in heaven. 00:07:25.019 --> 00:07:26.379 He surrendered his position 00:07:26.379 --> 00:07:27.759 at God's right hand. 00:07:28.079 --> 00:07:29.519 He gave up the splendor 00:07:29.519 --> 00:07:30.579 of his heavenly kingdom. 00:07:32.219 --> 00:07:33.360 And that's a very important question 00:07:33.360 --> 00:07:34.919 because it pushes us to ask 00:07:34.919 --> 00:07:36.699 another question. 00:07:36.799 --> 00:07:37.579 Why would he do that? 00:07:37.579 --> 00:07:40.439 Why did he do that? 00:07:42.639 --> 00:07:43.579 Jesus was equal 00:07:44.180 --> 00:07:46.659 with God. 00:07:48.479 --> 00:07:49.500 But then we're going to see 00:07:49.500 --> 00:07:49.899 secondly, 00:07:49.979 --> 00:07:51.060 the second preposition is this. 00:07:51.219 --> 00:07:52.699 Jesus dwelt among us. 00:07:54.459 --> 00:07:56.719 Jesus dwelt among us. 00:07:58.620 --> 00:07:59.680 And here I want us to go to 00:07:59.680 --> 00:08:00.639 the beginning of John's Gospel. 00:08:01.539 --> 00:08:02.839 So the beginning of John's Gospel, 00:08:02.939 --> 00:08:03.620 it's really famous. 00:08:04.079 --> 00:08:04.719 John chapter 1, 00:08:04.779 --> 00:08:05.240 can you turn there? 00:08:05.240 --> 00:08:06.579 It's on page 886. 00:08:09.819 --> 00:08:10.920 It's on page 886 00:08:10.920 --> 00:08:11.800 in the Church Bibles. 00:08:12.379 --> 00:08:13.900 And John actually begins his, 00:08:14.639 --> 00:08:15.100 if you want to call it, 00:08:15.120 --> 00:08:16.340 a biography of Jesus' life 00:08:16.340 --> 00:08:17.379 in a very poetic way. 00:08:19.460 --> 00:08:20.879 And it's one of the key verses 00:08:20.879 --> 00:08:22.199 in his introduction. 00:08:22.600 --> 00:08:23.900 He describes Jesus 00:08:23.900 --> 00:08:25.319 as the Word. 00:08:25.319 --> 00:08:28.639 And listen to what he writes. 00:08:31.060 --> 00:08:32.439 He writes in verse 14. 00:08:33.039 --> 00:08:33.460 And the Word, 00:08:33.559 --> 00:08:34.439 that is the Lord Jesus, 00:08:35.340 --> 00:08:37.080 who was equal with God, 00:08:37.120 --> 00:08:37.439 remember, 00:08:38.059 --> 00:08:38.679 became flesh. 00:08:40.159 --> 00:08:40.960 And he dwelt, 00:08:41.539 --> 00:08:42.580 here's the second preposition, 00:08:42.720 --> 00:08:43.319 among us. 00:08:45.319 --> 00:08:46.500 And we've seen his glory. 00:08:47.779 --> 00:08:49.500 Glory as of the only Son 00:08:49.500 --> 00:08:50.159 from the Father, 00:08:50.259 --> 00:08:51.299 full of grace and truth. 00:08:51.299 --> 00:08:54.899 He's actually saying something 00:08:54.899 --> 00:08:56.639 very similar to what Paul has said 00:08:56.639 --> 00:08:57.699 in Philippians chapter 2. 00:08:58.899 --> 00:09:01.079 That Jesus came from his Father, 00:09:01.719 --> 00:09:02.899 and he came to earth 00:09:02.899 --> 00:09:04.959 full of the grace of God, 00:09:05.219 --> 00:09:06.919 full of the truth of God. 00:09:07.279 --> 00:09:07.679 That is, 00:09:07.759 --> 00:09:09.019 even though he left behind 00:09:09.019 --> 00:09:09.799 his majesty, 00:09:10.799 --> 00:09:13.439 even though he left behind 00:09:13.439 --> 00:09:15.740 his glory, 00:09:15.740 --> 00:09:19.340 even though he left behind 00:09:19.340 --> 00:09:20.399 his heavenly throne 00:09:20.399 --> 00:09:21.480 where he was adored 00:09:21.480 --> 00:09:22.379 by the angels, 00:09:23.340 --> 00:09:24.220 he didn't leave behind 00:09:24.220 --> 00:09:24.779 his divinity. 00:09:26.639 --> 00:09:28.279 By becoming a man, 00:09:28.399 --> 00:09:29.919 he did not give up 00:09:29.919 --> 00:09:31.620 his godness. 00:09:33.779 --> 00:09:34.879 Jesus, the human, 00:09:35.000 --> 00:09:37.080 was full of divine character, 00:09:37.639 --> 00:09:39.180 grace and truth. 00:09:41.019 --> 00:09:42.000 And though for a time 00:09:42.000 --> 00:09:43.340 he surrendered his position 00:09:43.340 --> 00:09:44.600 at the Father's right hand, 00:09:44.600 --> 00:09:45.980 he did not surrender 00:09:45.980 --> 00:09:48.519 his godness. 00:09:52.060 --> 00:09:52.600 In fact, 00:09:52.659 --> 00:09:53.019 one of the things 00:09:53.019 --> 00:09:53.860 that John's Gospel 00:09:53.860 --> 00:09:55.320 is at pains to suggest 00:09:55.320 --> 00:09:56.159 to you and I 00:09:56.159 --> 00:09:58.040 is that as people 00:09:58.040 --> 00:09:59.019 saw Jesus 00:09:59.019 --> 00:10:00.680 and as they heard Jesus, 00:10:02.259 --> 00:10:03.960 they saw the incredible things 00:10:03.960 --> 00:10:04.800 that he did 00:10:04.800 --> 00:10:05.659 when he was alive, 00:10:06.159 --> 00:10:06.960 they encountered 00:10:06.960 --> 00:10:08.060 the glory of God. 00:10:09.879 --> 00:10:11.399 Jesus was the life of God. 00:10:12.860 --> 00:10:14.019 Jesus was the glory of God. 00:10:14.019 --> 00:10:15.419 He was the grace 00:10:15.419 --> 00:10:16.860 and truth of God 00:10:16.860 --> 00:10:18.579 wrapped in skin. 00:10:18.939 --> 00:10:19.639 I can put it like that. 00:10:21.519 --> 00:10:22.720 He became flesh 00:10:22.720 --> 00:10:25.899 and made his dwelling 00:10:25.899 --> 00:10:26.600 amongst us. 00:10:28.379 --> 00:10:28.879 Among us. 00:10:31.460 --> 00:10:32.519 A friend of mine 00:10:32.519 --> 00:10:33.259 was in a pub quiz 00:10:33.259 --> 00:10:35.960 and over on the adjacent table 00:10:35.960 --> 00:10:36.899 as he glanced over, 00:10:37.019 --> 00:10:37.879 he saw a face 00:10:37.879 --> 00:10:38.860 that he recognized. 00:10:41.860 --> 00:10:43.279 Didn't know it was at the start. 00:10:44.019 --> 00:10:44.980 And so he looked at him again 00:10:44.980 --> 00:10:47.220 and he recognized who it was. 00:10:48.639 --> 00:10:49.779 Frodo Baggins. 00:10:51.559 --> 00:10:52.539 It was Elijah Wood, 00:10:52.740 --> 00:10:53.100 the actor. 00:10:54.939 --> 00:10:56.079 And my friend resisted 00:10:56.079 --> 00:10:57.100 kind of taking a photograph 00:10:57.100 --> 00:10:58.220 of himself 00:10:58.220 --> 00:10:59.419 with Elijah Wood 00:10:59.419 --> 00:11:01.439 on the other side of the table. 00:11:01.439 --> 00:11:03.639 But he did boast about it 00:11:03.639 --> 00:11:04.000 on Twitter. 00:11:04.000 --> 00:11:06.259 I thought, 00:11:06.360 --> 00:11:06.840 well, fair play. 00:11:07.080 --> 00:11:08.460 That's pretty newsworthy, 00:11:08.559 --> 00:11:08.840 isn't it? 00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:10.820 You don't usually 00:11:10.820 --> 00:11:12.000 go down to your local 00:11:12.000 --> 00:11:12.799 for your pub quiz 00:11:12.799 --> 00:11:14.139 and expect to bump into 00:11:14.139 --> 00:11:15.100 Frodo Baggins 00:11:15.100 --> 00:11:15.759 from Lord of the Rings. 00:11:17.740 --> 00:11:18.500 In the same way, 00:11:18.539 --> 00:11:19.519 if you were an innkeeper 00:11:19.519 --> 00:11:22.000 in a dusty town 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:22.980 called Bethlehem 00:11:22.980 --> 00:11:24.080 2,000 years ago, 00:11:24.139 --> 00:11:25.019 you don't rent out 00:11:25.019 --> 00:11:25.600 your stable 00:11:25.600 --> 00:11:26.440 on a full night 00:11:26.440 --> 00:11:27.820 and expect to find there 00:11:27.820 --> 00:11:29.059 the Jewish Messiah 00:11:29.059 --> 00:11:29.639 born in it. 00:11:29.639 --> 00:11:31.639 Likewise, 00:11:32.379 --> 00:11:33.460 if you were a rugged shepherd 00:11:33.460 --> 00:11:35.620 in those parts 00:11:35.620 --> 00:11:37.240 2,000 years ago, 00:11:37.340 --> 00:11:38.199 you don't expect 00:11:38.199 --> 00:11:39.179 to get some angels 00:11:39.179 --> 00:11:39.939 telling you 00:11:39.939 --> 00:11:40.840 to head into town 00:11:40.840 --> 00:11:42.519 to see the Son of God 00:11:42.519 --> 00:11:43.159 in a manger. 00:11:45.159 --> 00:11:46.759 It's definitely newsworthy. 00:11:48.600 --> 00:11:49.960 So if Elijah Wood 00:11:49.960 --> 00:11:51.639 hanging with the common people 00:11:51.639 --> 00:11:52.100 at the pub 00:11:52.100 --> 00:11:53.199 is newsworthy to tweet, 00:11:53.460 --> 00:11:54.360 then the Son of God 00:11:54.360 --> 00:11:55.779 turning up in a barn 00:11:55.779 --> 00:11:57.899 is undoubtedly worth 00:11:57.899 --> 00:11:58.559 telling people about. 00:11:59.639 --> 00:12:01.759 He made His dwelling 00:12:01.759 --> 00:12:03.000 among us. 00:12:06.220 --> 00:12:07.399 But we still haven't 00:12:07.399 --> 00:12:08.460 answered the why question. 00:12:08.679 --> 00:12:09.439 Why would He? 00:12:09.500 --> 00:12:09.879 And here's where 00:12:09.879 --> 00:12:10.879 our third preposition 00:12:10.879 --> 00:12:12.120 helps us. 00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:15.819 Philippians chapter 2 00:12:15.819 --> 00:12:16.399 tells us that 00:12:16.399 --> 00:12:17.460 He came to serve. 00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:19.980 He humbled Himself 00:12:19.980 --> 00:12:21.059 by becoming a man. 00:12:22.679 --> 00:12:23.419 And it went on to say 00:12:23.419 --> 00:12:24.559 that He ultimately 00:12:24.559 --> 00:12:25.819 humbled Himself 00:12:25.819 --> 00:12:27.419 by His death 00:12:27.419 --> 00:12:28.039 on the cross. 00:12:28.039 --> 00:12:30.299 And so come with me 00:12:30.299 --> 00:12:31.659 to Colossians chapter 1. 00:12:32.659 --> 00:12:33.799 Colossians chapter 1. 00:12:36.459 --> 00:12:38.159 Which is on page 00:12:38.159 --> 00:12:39.860 983. 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:41.319 Page 983. 00:12:43.719 --> 00:12:44.959 And let me read you again 00:12:44.959 --> 00:12:45.459 from the pen 00:12:45.459 --> 00:12:46.360 of the Apostle Paul. 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:48.759 And once again 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:49.779 he's talking about Jesus. 00:12:51.399 --> 00:12:52.819 Chapter 1 verse 19. 00:12:54.439 --> 00:12:55.120 It says this. 00:12:55.120 --> 00:12:58.980 For in Him 00:12:58.980 --> 00:13:01.879 all the fullness 00:13:01.879 --> 00:13:04.179 of God 00:13:04.179 --> 00:13:06.860 was pleased to dwell 00:13:06.860 --> 00:13:10.299 and through Him 00:13:10.299 --> 00:13:11.480 to reconcile 00:13:11.480 --> 00:13:12.519 to Himself 00:13:12.519 --> 00:13:13.899 all things 00:13:13.899 --> 00:13:16.299 whether on earth 00:13:16.299 --> 00:13:17.179 or in heaven 00:13:17.179 --> 00:13:19.519 making peace 00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:21.580 by the blood of the cross. 00:13:21.580 --> 00:13:24.600 before we come 00:13:24.600 --> 00:13:25.240 to the third preposition 00:13:25.240 --> 00:13:25.900 let me just 00:13:25.900 --> 00:13:26.800 point this out to you. 00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:27.420 Do you notice 00:13:27.420 --> 00:13:28.580 once again 00:13:28.580 --> 00:13:29.900 what the Bible says 00:13:29.900 --> 00:13:30.920 about Jesus' divinity? 00:13:31.100 --> 00:13:31.420 Look at it. 00:13:31.520 --> 00:13:32.520 It says all 00:13:32.520 --> 00:13:32.960 doesn't it? 00:13:33.180 --> 00:13:34.759 All God's fullness 00:13:34.759 --> 00:13:35.620 dwelt in Him. 00:13:38.120 --> 00:13:38.800 We're reminded 00:13:38.800 --> 00:13:39.440 that though Jesus 00:13:39.440 --> 00:13:40.080 left behind 00:13:40.080 --> 00:13:40.900 His majesty 00:13:40.900 --> 00:13:41.840 to dwell on the earth 00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:42.680 He didn't leave 00:13:42.680 --> 00:13:43.660 behind His godness. 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:46.240 He came to earth 00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:47.000 with the life 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:47.920 of God in Him. 00:13:48.020 --> 00:13:49.080 He dwelt with us. 00:13:49.259 --> 00:13:50.580 God dwelt in Him. 00:13:50.580 --> 00:13:52.060 And it pleased His Father 00:13:52.060 --> 00:13:53.379 not only to His fullness 00:13:53.379 --> 00:13:54.139 dwell in Him 00:13:54.139 --> 00:13:57.000 but to see Jesus 00:13:57.000 --> 00:13:58.440 accomplish what He came to do. 00:13:59.879 --> 00:14:01.600 He came to reconcile. 00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:03.960 He came to reconcile 00:14:03.960 --> 00:14:05.259 and it would ultimately 00:14:05.259 --> 00:14:06.520 be reconciliation 00:14:06.520 --> 00:14:10.240 through His blood. 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:13.080 Through His blood. 00:14:13.220 --> 00:14:13.940 That's the third 00:14:13.940 --> 00:14:15.320 preposition. 00:14:15.320 --> 00:14:19.240 It was His death 00:14:19.240 --> 00:14:19.800 on the cross 00:14:19.800 --> 00:14:20.640 that reconciliation 00:14:20.640 --> 00:14:21.100 would come by. 00:14:21.180 --> 00:14:22.020 Jesus reconciles 00:14:22.020 --> 00:14:23.020 through His blood. 00:14:25.600 --> 00:14:26.420 Through His death 00:14:26.420 --> 00:14:27.160 by standing 00:14:27.160 --> 00:14:27.820 in the place 00:14:27.820 --> 00:14:28.879 of the guilty 00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:29.879 Jesus the innocent 00:14:29.879 --> 00:14:30.740 bears our sin 00:14:30.740 --> 00:14:31.740 and He embraces 00:14:31.740 --> 00:14:32.440 God's judgment. 00:14:34.120 --> 00:14:34.800 He embraces 00:14:34.800 --> 00:14:35.360 God's judgment 00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:36.000 so that we would 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:36.780 never have to. 00:14:37.680 --> 00:14:38.200 And do you notice 00:14:38.200 --> 00:14:39.000 that this reconciliation 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:39.960 is not only available 00:14:39.960 --> 00:14:41.080 to those who are on earth 00:14:41.080 --> 00:14:41.760 but to the creatures 00:14:41.760 --> 00:14:42.160 in heaven. 00:14:42.159 --> 00:14:44.199 It is cosmic 00:14:44.199 --> 00:14:45.019 in its scope. 00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:47.240 And that word 00:14:47.240 --> 00:14:47.799 reconciliation 00:14:47.799 --> 00:14:48.500 it implies 00:14:48.500 --> 00:14:48.980 doesn't it 00:14:48.980 --> 00:14:50.879 a broken relationship. 00:14:52.279 --> 00:14:53.159 And without 00:14:53.159 --> 00:14:54.259 Jesus Christ's 00:14:54.259 --> 00:14:55.639 humble service of us 00:14:55.639 --> 00:14:57.179 a broken relationship 00:14:57.179 --> 00:14:57.659 with God 00:14:57.659 --> 00:14:58.480 is all we would have. 00:15:00.059 --> 00:15:01.100 Because in big 00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:02.000 and in small ways 00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:02.919 we've ignored God. 00:15:04.579 --> 00:15:05.579 Our relationship 00:15:05.579 --> 00:15:06.799 with our Creator 00:15:06.799 --> 00:15:08.240 has always been 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:09.159 in need of repair 00:15:09.159 --> 00:15:10.000 and in need of healing. 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:13.080 And so many people 00:15:13.080 --> 00:15:13.820 I meet today 00:15:13.820 --> 00:15:14.399 presume 00:15:14.399 --> 00:15:15.740 that everything 00:15:15.740 --> 00:15:16.500 is fine 00:15:16.500 --> 00:15:17.139 between them 00:15:17.139 --> 00:15:17.559 and God 00:15:17.559 --> 00:15:18.399 but it is not. 00:15:21.799 --> 00:15:22.620 And what all 00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:23.139 true Christians 00:15:23.139 --> 00:15:24.000 come to realize 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:24.980 and come to recognize 00:15:24.980 --> 00:15:26.179 is that without Jesus 00:15:26.179 --> 00:15:27.500 their relationship 00:15:27.500 --> 00:15:28.960 with God 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:29.440 would remain 00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:30.179 permanently 00:15:30.179 --> 00:15:31.759 and tragically broken. 00:15:33.639 --> 00:15:34.500 And that is why 00:15:34.500 --> 00:15:35.559 we love Jesus. 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:37.779 And that is why 00:15:37.779 --> 00:15:38.940 we love Christmas. 00:15:38.940 --> 00:15:39.640 And that is why 00:15:39.640 --> 00:15:40.760 you cannot understand 00:15:40.760 --> 00:15:41.180 Christmas 00:15:41.180 --> 00:15:42.160 without understanding 00:15:42.160 --> 00:15:43.200 Easter as well. 00:15:43.360 --> 00:15:44.180 Because Jesus 00:15:44.180 --> 00:15:45.280 came to reconcile 00:15:45.280 --> 00:15:46.760 through his blood. 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:50.240 He came to make peace 00:15:50.240 --> 00:15:51.760 between people 00:15:51.760 --> 00:15:52.320 and God. 00:15:53.680 --> 00:15:54.900 And this is the peace 00:15:54.900 --> 00:15:55.380 on earth 00:15:55.380 --> 00:15:56.080 that so often 00:15:56.080 --> 00:15:56.760 trotted out 00:15:56.760 --> 00:15:57.600 at Christmas time. 00:15:58.800 --> 00:15:59.320 It's not talking 00:15:59.320 --> 00:16:00.320 about the end of war 00:16:00.320 --> 00:16:01.300 and the end of violence 00:16:01.300 --> 00:16:02.140 and the end of fighting 00:16:02.140 --> 00:16:03.160 although that will be true 00:16:03.160 --> 00:16:04.180 one day when Jesus Christ 00:16:04.180 --> 00:16:04.820 comes again. 00:16:05.160 --> 00:16:05.800 But it's speaking 00:16:05.800 --> 00:16:06.540 about the peace 00:16:06.540 --> 00:16:07.880 that we all need 00:16:07.880 --> 00:16:08.900 between us and God. 00:16:08.940 --> 00:16:11.740 and it is a peace 00:16:11.740 --> 00:16:12.660 that he was able 00:16:12.660 --> 00:16:13.540 to accomplish 00:16:13.540 --> 00:16:14.680 not just wish for. 00:16:16.300 --> 00:16:17.480 He came to earth 00:16:17.480 --> 00:16:18.580 that first Christmas 00:16:18.580 --> 00:16:19.680 with a mission 00:16:19.680 --> 00:16:20.800 to reconcile people 00:16:20.800 --> 00:16:21.300 to God. 00:16:21.640 --> 00:16:22.860 And that reconciliation 00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:24.440 we all need 00:16:24.440 --> 00:16:25.640 can only come 00:16:25.640 --> 00:16:26.200 through Jesus 00:16:26.200 --> 00:16:27.220 through his blood. 00:16:30.420 --> 00:16:31.140 And of course 00:16:31.140 --> 00:16:32.140 what God accomplishes 00:16:32.140 --> 00:16:32.800 through Jesus 00:16:32.800 --> 00:16:33.440 is for the people 00:16:33.440 --> 00:16:33.880 he loves. 00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:38.439 and the fruit 00:16:38.439 --> 00:16:39.299 of the reconciliation 00:16:39.299 --> 00:16:40.439 that he wins 00:16:40.439 --> 00:16:41.500 lasts forever. 00:16:43.740 --> 00:16:44.559 Because after 00:16:44.559 --> 00:16:45.340 his resurrection 00:16:45.340 --> 00:16:46.439 from the dead 00:16:46.439 --> 00:16:47.399 Jesus returns 00:16:47.399 --> 00:16:48.159 to the majesty 00:16:48.159 --> 00:16:49.299 of his throne 00:16:49.299 --> 00:16:50.299 in heaven. 00:16:51.939 --> 00:16:53.740 And he is lifted up again 00:16:53.740 --> 00:16:55.379 just as he came down. 00:16:56.919 --> 00:16:58.019 He goes up 00:16:58.019 --> 00:16:58.879 in order to prepare 00:16:58.879 --> 00:16:59.919 a place for his people. 00:17:01.179 --> 00:17:02.179 That's our fourth preposition. 00:17:02.179 --> 00:17:04.519 Jesus' own words 00:17:04.519 --> 00:17:05.419 in John chapter 14. 00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:05.879 Can you come there 00:17:05.879 --> 00:17:06.139 with me? 00:17:07.059 --> 00:17:07.839 John chapter 14. 00:17:07.899 --> 00:17:08.679 This is your last passage. 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:09.679 John 14. 00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:12.779 It's on page 00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:14.019 901. 00:17:17.859 --> 00:17:18.659 And as Jesus 00:17:18.659 --> 00:17:20.000 talks with his disciples 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:21.059 on page 901 00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:22.619 John chapter 14 00:17:22.619 --> 00:17:24.799 and verse 2 00:17:24.799 --> 00:17:25.559 he says this. 00:17:25.559 --> 00:17:28.019 He says 00:17:28.019 --> 00:17:29.139 in my father's house 00:17:29.139 --> 00:17:29.899 there are many 00:17:29.899 --> 00:17:30.879 rooms. 00:17:31.079 --> 00:17:31.940 There's plenty of room. 00:17:33.859 --> 00:17:35.079 If it were not so 00:17:35.079 --> 00:17:36.000 I would have told you 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:38.419 that I go 00:17:38.419 --> 00:17:38.879 to prepare 00:17:38.879 --> 00:17:39.659 a place for you. 00:17:41.259 --> 00:17:42.339 And if I go 00:17:42.339 --> 00:17:43.279 and prepare 00:17:43.279 --> 00:17:44.079 a place for you 00:17:44.079 --> 00:17:44.940 I will come again 00:17:44.940 --> 00:17:45.779 and will take you 00:17:45.779 --> 00:17:46.379 to myself 00:17:46.379 --> 00:17:48.559 that where I am 00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:49.500 you may 00:17:49.500 --> 00:17:50.419 be also. 00:17:52.879 --> 00:17:53.539 So do you see 00:17:53.539 --> 00:17:54.019 that completes 00:17:54.019 --> 00:17:54.700 Jesus' journey? 00:17:54.700 --> 00:17:57.880 He came down 00:17:57.880 --> 00:17:58.539 to earth 00:17:58.539 --> 00:17:59.600 from heaven 00:17:59.600 --> 00:18:01.420 in order 00:18:01.420 --> 00:18:02.559 to take people 00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:03.740 with him 00:18:03.740 --> 00:18:04.180 to heaven. 00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:07.180 He came down 00:18:07.180 --> 00:18:08.680 so that we 00:18:08.680 --> 00:18:09.420 might be lifted up. 00:18:10.880 --> 00:18:11.900 He comes to be 00:18:11.900 --> 00:18:12.400 with us 00:18:12.400 --> 00:18:14.000 so that he 00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:14.860 can carry us 00:18:14.860 --> 00:18:16.059 to our eternal home. 00:18:17.259 --> 00:18:18.180 Jesus prepares 00:18:18.180 --> 00:18:18.840 a place 00:18:18.840 --> 00:18:20.460 for his people. 00:18:21.460 --> 00:18:22.400 That's the preposition. 00:18:22.400 --> 00:18:24.780 Jesus prepares 00:18:24.780 --> 00:18:25.220 a place 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:26.259 for his people. 00:18:28.660 --> 00:18:29.480 So what these 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:30.080 four prepositions 00:18:30.080 --> 00:18:30.980 have taught us 00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:31.720 is that Jesus 00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:32.820 was with God 00:18:32.820 --> 00:18:33.360 in heaven 00:18:33.360 --> 00:18:34.759 and he was 00:18:34.759 --> 00:18:35.940 equal with God 00:18:35.940 --> 00:18:37.740 but he left 00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:38.259 it behind 00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:38.960 in order to be 00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:39.940 born in a stable. 00:18:41.400 --> 00:18:41.980 And so the amazing 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:42.540 truth of that 00:18:42.540 --> 00:18:43.240 first Christmas 00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:43.960 is that he comes 00:18:43.960 --> 00:18:44.860 to be among us 00:18:44.860 --> 00:18:45.920 and because when 00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:47.360 Jesus was born 00:18:47.360 --> 00:18:49.680 his story 00:18:49.680 --> 00:18:50.320 and our story 00:18:50.320 --> 00:18:50.960 become joined. 00:18:50.960 --> 00:18:53.160 he humbled 00:18:53.160 --> 00:18:53.539 himself 00:18:53.539 --> 00:18:53.980 by becoming 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:54.440 a man 00:18:54.440 --> 00:18:54.940 but he humbled 00:18:54.940 --> 00:18:55.319 himself 00:18:55.319 --> 00:18:56.019 further even 00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:56.740 to death 00:18:56.740 --> 00:18:57.440 on a cross 00:18:57.440 --> 00:18:58.380 and he did 00:18:58.380 --> 00:18:58.920 that in order 00:18:58.920 --> 00:18:59.319 that we might 00:18:59.319 --> 00:19:00.059 be reconciled 00:19:00.059 --> 00:19:00.440 with him 00:19:00.440 --> 00:19:02.240 through his 00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:02.519 blood. 00:19:04.700 --> 00:19:04.980 And because 00:19:04.980 --> 00:19:05.600 of his humility 00:19:05.600 --> 00:19:06.740 and his service 00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:08.200 all who trust 00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:08.799 in him 00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:09.940 can be with 00:19:09.940 --> 00:19:10.819 him forever. 00:19:13.940 --> 00:19:14.799 He prepares 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:15.240 a heavenly 00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:15.759 home for his 00:19:15.759 --> 00:19:16.019 people. 00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:19.220 And that is 00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:19.539 the Christmas 00:19:19.539 --> 00:19:19.920 story. 00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:22.860 And that is 00:19:22.860 --> 00:19:23.640 why the 00:19:23.640 --> 00:19:25.120 grammar of 00:19:25.120 --> 00:19:25.420 Christmas 00:19:25.420 --> 00:19:25.920 matters. 00:19:27.340 --> 00:19:28.579 Because these 00:19:28.579 --> 00:19:30.039 prepositions tell 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:30.440 us what is 00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:30.860 important. 00:19:32.860 --> 00:19:34.200 They teach us 00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:35.120 Jesus with 00:19:35.120 --> 00:19:35.600 God. 00:19:36.600 --> 00:19:37.980 Jesus among 00:19:37.980 --> 00:19:38.539 us. 00:19:39.940 --> 00:19:41.259 Jesus reconciling 00:19:41.259 --> 00:19:42.319 through his 00:19:42.319 --> 00:19:42.740 blood. 00:19:44.380 --> 00:19:45.279 Jesus preparing 00:19:45.279 --> 00:19:46.140 a place in 00:19:46.140 --> 00:19:47.160 heaven for 00:19:47.160 --> 00:19:48.200 his people. 00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:50.680 with God 00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:52.059 among us 00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:53.440 reconciling 00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:53.799 through his 00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:54.140 blood 00:19:54.140 --> 00:19:55.660 preparing a 00:19:55.660 --> 00:19:56.059 place in 00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:56.420 heaven for 00:19:56.420 --> 00:19:56.799 his people. 00:19:59.700 --> 00:20:00.019 And so they 00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:00.480 are my four 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:00.759 Christmas 00:20:00.759 --> 00:20:01.580 prepositions and 00:20:01.580 --> 00:20:02.019 I hope they're a 00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:02.420 little bit more 00:20:02.420 --> 00:20:02.920 interesting than 00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:03.400 you expected. 00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:06.299 But having 00:20:06.299 --> 00:20:06.759 shared those 00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:07.380 four Christmas 00:20:07.380 --> 00:20:09.400 prepositions I 00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:09.840 want to finish 00:20:09.840 --> 00:20:10.259 today with a 00:20:10.259 --> 00:20:10.539 Christmas 00:20:10.539 --> 00:20:11.319 proposition. 00:20:13.319 --> 00:20:13.720 Proposition. 00:20:14.160 --> 00:20:14.680 I want to 00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:15.940 propose something 00:20:15.940 --> 00:20:16.360 to you. 00:20:18.440 --> 00:20:18.799 And my 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:19.059 Christmas 00:20:19.059 --> 00:20:19.580 proposition 00:20:19.580 --> 00:20:22.000 about this 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:23.100 is will 00:20:23.100 --> 00:20:23.680 you do 00:20:23.680 --> 00:20:25.340 something with 00:20:25.340 --> 00:20:25.860 this Christmas 00:20:25.860 --> 00:20:26.320 story? 00:20:26.319 --> 00:20:30.639 I propose 00:20:30.639 --> 00:20:31.599 that tonight 00:20:31.599 --> 00:20:31.980 we don't 00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:33.000 just hear the 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:33.859 Christmas story 00:20:33.859 --> 00:20:34.759 and nod our 00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:35.500 heads politely. 00:20:36.919 --> 00:20:37.500 But we 00:20:37.500 --> 00:20:38.200 actually respond 00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:38.579 to it. 00:20:40.539 --> 00:20:41.519 It's a story 00:20:41.519 --> 00:20:42.179 that is looking 00:20:42.179 --> 00:20:42.599 for a 00:20:42.599 --> 00:20:43.079 response. 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.319 We'll hear the 00:20:47.319 --> 00:20:48.319 phrase this week 00:20:48.319 --> 00:20:48.919 that I'm just 00:20:48.919 --> 00:20:49.480 trying to get 00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:50.159 through Christmas. 00:20:51.119 --> 00:20:51.720 I just want 00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:52.539 to make it to 00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:52.919 Christmas. 00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:53.039 Christmas. 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:55.840 And God's 00:20:55.840 --> 00:20:56.420 message is that 00:20:56.420 --> 00:20:57.120 Christmas is not 00:20:57.120 --> 00:20:57.960 something just to 00:20:57.960 --> 00:20:58.600 be endured. 00:21:00.060 --> 00:21:01.039 And it is not 00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:01.720 something just to 00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:02.460 be enjoyed 00:21:02.460 --> 00:21:02.900 either. 00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:06.080 Christmas is 00:21:06.080 --> 00:21:07.420 for remembering 00:21:07.420 --> 00:21:08.259 something totally 00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:08.860 newsworthy. 00:21:10.800 --> 00:21:11.360 Something 00:21:11.360 --> 00:21:12.360 momentous. 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:13.340 And it is for 00:21:13.340 --> 00:21:14.640 responding to 00:21:14.640 --> 00:21:15.279 this momentous 00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:15.500 thing. 00:21:18.300 --> 00:21:19.120 And so for 00:21:19.120 --> 00:21:19.480 some of us 00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:19.800 tonight, 00:21:21.340 --> 00:21:22.140 responding will 00:21:22.140 --> 00:21:22.800 mean what we've 00:21:22.799 --> 00:21:23.579 done many 00:21:23.579 --> 00:21:24.039 Christmases 00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:24.399 before. 00:21:26.559 --> 00:21:27.339 It will mean 00:21:27.339 --> 00:21:28.240 praising God 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:28.720 for Jesus. 00:21:30.759 --> 00:21:31.619 And savoring 00:21:31.619 --> 00:21:32.240 his goodness 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:33.019 with grateful 00:21:33.019 --> 00:21:33.399 joy. 00:21:37.059 --> 00:21:37.919 For some of us 00:21:37.919 --> 00:21:38.440 it might mean 00:21:38.440 --> 00:21:39.240 acknowledging that 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:39.619 we've been 00:21:39.619 --> 00:21:40.440 ignoring Jesus 00:21:40.440 --> 00:21:40.839 lately. 00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:43.279 Or even for 00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:43.859 a long time. 00:21:46.359 --> 00:21:47.039 And this 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:47.519 Christmas time 00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:48.279 is an opportunity 00:21:48.279 --> 00:21:48.619 isn't it? 00:21:48.619 --> 00:21:49.139 To turn back 00:21:49.139 --> 00:21:49.779 to him and 00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:50.740 embrace once 00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:51.720 again his 00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:52.259 word and his 00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:52.539 people. 00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:54.480 And the 00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:55.039 way of life 00:21:55.039 --> 00:21:55.539 he calls us 00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:55.859 to live. 00:21:58.839 --> 00:21:59.339 And for 00:21:59.339 --> 00:21:59.740 some of us 00:21:59.740 --> 00:21:59.980 tonight, 00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:00.740 as humiliating 00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:01.159 as it might 00:22:01.159 --> 00:22:01.460 be, 00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:02.599 it might be 00:22:02.599 --> 00:22:02.859 that we 00:22:02.859 --> 00:22:03.180 need to 00:22:03.180 --> 00:22:03.539 acknowledge 00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:03.980 the fact 00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:04.339 that we've 00:22:04.339 --> 00:22:05.059 never really 00:22:05.059 --> 00:22:05.440 understood 00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:05.759 what the 00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:06.079 fuss is 00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:06.319 about. 00:22:08.899 --> 00:22:09.419 And if 00:22:09.419 --> 00:22:09.779 that is the 00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:10.099 boat that 00:22:10.099 --> 00:22:10.440 you find 00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:10.980 yourself in 00:22:10.980 --> 00:22:11.559 this Christmas, 00:22:11.700 --> 00:22:12.000 then my 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:12.639 proposal for 00:22:12.639 --> 00:22:13.240 you is that 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:13.740 you make 00:22:13.740 --> 00:22:14.399 time this 00:22:14.399 --> 00:22:14.819 Christmas, 00:22:15.079 --> 00:22:15.720 this January, 00:22:16.399 --> 00:22:17.399 to do some 00:22:17.400 --> 00:22:18.060 investigating. 00:22:20.380 --> 00:22:21.080 That you 00:22:21.080 --> 00:22:21.900 really get 00:22:21.900 --> 00:22:23.000 behind why 00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:23.519 is it that 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:24.300 some people 00:22:24.300 --> 00:22:25.019 worship 00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:25.720 Jesus, 00:22:26.400 --> 00:22:28.019 why they 00:22:28.019 --> 00:22:28.740 love 00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:29.420 Jesus, 00:22:30.920 --> 00:22:31.580 why they're 00:22:31.580 --> 00:22:32.080 willing to 00:22:32.080 --> 00:22:32.740 devote their 00:22:32.740 --> 00:22:33.540 lives to 00:22:33.540 --> 00:22:34.040 Jesus, 00:22:35.400 --> 00:22:36.420 and why they're 00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:36.840 willing to pay 00:22:36.840 --> 00:22:37.680 a great cost 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:38.120 for the Lord 00:22:38.120 --> 00:22:38.400 Jesus. 00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:38.560 Jesus. 00:22:42.680 --> 00:22:43.180 And I 00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:43.400 think, 00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:43.800 you see, 00:22:43.880 --> 00:22:44.060 I think 00:22:44.060 --> 00:22:44.519 church is a 00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:44.840 great place 00:22:44.840 --> 00:22:45.180 to hide, 00:22:45.240 --> 00:22:45.540 isn't it? 00:22:47.400 --> 00:22:48.100 You can 00:22:48.100 --> 00:22:48.480 hide in 00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:48.920 church life. 00:22:50.840 --> 00:22:51.360 You can 00:22:51.360 --> 00:22:51.660 sit here 00:22:51.660 --> 00:22:52.320 week by 00:22:52.320 --> 00:22:52.960 week by 00:22:52.960 --> 00:22:53.600 week by 00:22:53.600 --> 00:22:54.100 week and 00:22:54.100 --> 00:22:54.780 enjoy the 00:22:54.780 --> 00:22:55.140 people, 00:22:55.600 --> 00:22:56.000 join in 00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:56.160 with the 00:22:56.160 --> 00:22:56.620 hymns, 00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:57.940 love being 00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:58.180 in each 00:22:58.180 --> 00:22:58.380 other's 00:22:58.380 --> 00:22:58.640 homes, 00:22:59.600 --> 00:23:00.519 but never 00:23:00.519 --> 00:23:01.400 really get 00:23:01.400 --> 00:23:01.600 to the 00:23:01.600 --> 00:23:01.960 point where 00:23:01.960 --> 00:23:02.480 you love 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:02.840 the Lord 00:23:02.840 --> 00:23:03.140 Jesus, 00:23:05.140 --> 00:23:05.940 where you're 00:23:05.940 --> 00:23:06.259 willing to 00:23:06.259 --> 00:23:07.019 devote yourselves 00:23:07.019 --> 00:23:07.560 to him, 00:23:07.720 --> 00:23:08.040 where you're 00:23:08.040 --> 00:23:08.360 willing to 00:23:08.359 --> 00:23:08.839 put him 00:23:08.839 --> 00:23:09.439 first and 00:23:09.439 --> 00:23:09.879 yourself 00:23:09.879 --> 00:23:10.339 second. 00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:11.599 And everybody 00:23:11.599 --> 00:23:12.059 might think, 00:23:12.139 --> 00:23:12.199 well, 00:23:12.219 --> 00:23:12.439 they're at 00:23:12.439 --> 00:23:12.679 all the 00:23:12.679 --> 00:23:13.099 meetings, 00:23:14.099 --> 00:23:15.119 but actually 00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:15.500 you don't 00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:15.839 love the 00:23:15.839 --> 00:23:16.240 Lord Jesus. 00:23:18.639 --> 00:23:19.099 And so 00:23:19.099 --> 00:23:19.519 you pretend. 00:23:22.740 --> 00:23:23.159 And I 00:23:23.159 --> 00:23:23.419 want to say 00:23:23.419 --> 00:23:23.759 to you tonight, 00:23:23.839 --> 00:23:24.259 tonight's the 00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:24.559 time to 00:23:24.559 --> 00:23:25.000 own up to 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:25.240 that. 00:23:27.099 --> 00:23:27.679 To own up 00:23:27.679 --> 00:23:27.879 to that 00:23:27.879 --> 00:23:28.419 before God. 00:23:31.579 --> 00:23:32.000 There will 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:32.500 be loads 00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:33.059 of ways 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:33.639 that we 00:23:33.639 --> 00:23:34.099 would love 00:23:34.099 --> 00:23:34.479 to help 00:23:34.479 --> 00:23:34.659 you. 00:23:37.219 --> 00:23:37.579 We're 00:23:37.579 --> 00:23:37.779 going to 00:23:37.779 --> 00:23:38.099 run a 00:23:38.099 --> 00:23:38.539 course in 00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:38.859 January. 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.019 It's 00:23:40.019 --> 00:23:40.199 called 00:23:40.199 --> 00:23:40.619 Hope 00:23:40.619 --> 00:23:41.379 Explored. 00:23:42.059 --> 00:23:42.319 It's 00:23:42.319 --> 00:23:42.839 about the 00:23:42.839 --> 00:23:44.059 life and 00:23:44.059 --> 00:23:44.500 the death 00:23:44.500 --> 00:23:44.799 and the 00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:45.099 resurrection 00:23:45.099 --> 00:23:45.459 of the 00:23:45.459 --> 00:23:45.859 Lord Jesus. 00:23:46.459 --> 00:23:46.980 I'm told 00:23:46.980 --> 00:23:47.459 it's really 00:23:47.459 --> 00:23:47.859 basic. 00:23:48.459 --> 00:23:48.619 I think 00:23:48.619 --> 00:23:48.719 we'll 00:23:48.719 --> 00:23:49.079 probably do 00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:49.279 it on 00:23:49.279 --> 00:23:49.579 Zoom. 00:23:50.699 --> 00:23:51.679 And you 00:23:51.679 --> 00:23:52.079 can join 00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:52.279 in. 00:23:53.419 --> 00:23:53.839 You can 00:23:53.839 --> 00:23:54.159 turn your 00:23:54.159 --> 00:23:54.699 camera off. 00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:55.579 You can 00:23:55.579 --> 00:23:55.959 eat your 00:23:55.959 --> 00:23:56.339 tea while 00:23:56.339 --> 00:23:56.459 you're 00:23:56.459 --> 00:23:56.959 watching it. 00:23:57.319 --> 00:23:57.819 You can 00:23:57.819 --> 00:23:58.279 ask any 00:23:58.279 --> 00:23:58.819 questions you 00:23:58.819 --> 00:23:59.079 want. 00:23:59.319 --> 00:23:59.539 You can 00:23:59.539 --> 00:23:59.819 put a 00:23:59.819 --> 00:24:00.399 fake name 00:24:00.399 --> 00:24:00.619 into 00:24:00.619 --> 00:24:00.939 Zoom 00:24:00.939 --> 00:24:01.240 if you 00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:01.379 want. 00:24:01.439 --> 00:24:01.519 I 00:24:01.519 --> 00:24:01.719 couldn't 00:24:01.719 --> 00:24:02.240 care less. 00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:04.700 But I 00:24:04.700 --> 00:24:04.880 want to 00:24:04.880 --> 00:24:05.000 say 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:05.400 tonight if 00:24:05.400 --> 00:24:05.559 you've 00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:05.680 been 00:24:05.680 --> 00:24:06.019 hiding 00:24:06.019 --> 00:24:08.620 and if 00:24:08.620 --> 00:24:08.839 you've 00:24:08.839 --> 00:24:09.160 been here 00:24:09.160 --> 00:24:09.579 and actually 00:24:09.579 --> 00:24:10.740 you recognize 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:12.120 I do not 00:24:12.120 --> 00:24:12.440 love him 00:24:12.440 --> 00:24:13.120 and I 00:24:13.120 --> 00:24:13.279 don't 00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:13.900 worship him 00:24:13.900 --> 00:24:14.620 come on 00:24:14.620 --> 00:24:15.019 the course. 00:24:16.920 --> 00:24:17.160 I will 00:24:17.160 --> 00:24:17.500 send the 00:24:17.500 --> 00:24:17.779 Zoom link 00:24:17.779 --> 00:24:17.900 out. 00:24:17.960 --> 00:24:18.200 Don't be 00:24:18.200 --> 00:24:18.620 embarrassed 00:24:18.620 --> 00:24:19.420 at all. 00:24:19.559 --> 00:24:19.740 If you 00:24:19.740 --> 00:24:20.019 think I 00:24:20.019 --> 00:24:20.960 just need 00:24:20.960 --> 00:24:21.660 to know 00:24:21.660 --> 00:24:22.359 more 00:24:22.359 --> 00:24:24.859 come on 00:24:24.859 --> 00:24:25.319 the course. 00:24:26.839 --> 00:24:27.059 We'll 00:24:27.059 --> 00:24:27.380 send the 00:24:27.380 --> 00:24:27.700 link out 00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:27.980 and you 00:24:27.980 --> 00:24:28.460 don't even 00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:28.720 have to 00:24:28.720 --> 00:24:29.099 sign up. 00:24:29.099 --> 00:24:29.279 You can 00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:29.439 just 00:24:29.439 --> 00:24:29.819 join us 00:24:29.819 --> 00:24:30.019 on the 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:30.240 night. 00:24:32.899 --> 00:24:33.339 But 00:24:33.339 --> 00:24:33.740 whatever it 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:34.059 might mean 00:24:34.059 --> 00:24:34.299 for you 00:24:34.299 --> 00:24:34.899 my proposition 00:24:34.899 --> 00:24:35.619 is that 00:24:35.619 --> 00:24:35.899 this 00:24:35.899 --> 00:24:36.319 Christmas 00:24:36.319 --> 00:24:36.779 you don't 00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:37.139 let a 00:24:37.139 --> 00:24:37.839 wave of 00:24:37.839 --> 00:24:38.539 tinsely 00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:39.240 nostalgia 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:39.519 and 00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:39.959 festiveness 00:24:39.959 --> 00:24:40.699 wash over 00:24:40.699 --> 00:24:40.959 you. 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:43.079 And you 00:24:43.079 --> 00:24:43.319 certainly 00:24:43.319 --> 00:24:43.619 don't let 00:24:43.619 --> 00:24:44.000 the Christmas 00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:44.719 story wash 00:24:44.719 --> 00:24:45.099 over you. 00:24:47.079 --> 00:24:47.539 My 00:24:47.539 --> 00:24:47.939 proposition 00:24:47.939 --> 00:24:48.819 is that 00:24:48.819 --> 00:24:49.319 you respond 00:24:49.319 --> 00:24:49.759 to it 00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.219 because it 00:24:50.219 --> 00:24:50.599 really is 00:24:50.599 --> 00:24:51.059 a stunning 00:24:51.059 --> 00:24:51.599 story. 00:24:52.859 --> 00:24:53.399 And it 00:24:53.399 --> 00:24:53.799 is true. 00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:56.039 That a 00:24:56.039 --> 00:24:56.299 couple of 00:24:56.299 --> 00:24:56.899 thousand years 00:24:56.899 --> 00:24:57.539 ago Jesus 00:24:57.539 --> 00:24:58.119 who was 00:24:58.119 --> 00:24:59.379 with God 00:24:59.379 --> 00:25:00.899 came to 00:25:00.899 --> 00:25:01.679 be among 00:25:01.679 --> 00:25:02.319 us. 00:25:03.219 --> 00:25:03.659 And he 00:25:03.659 --> 00:25:04.099 came so 00:25:04.099 --> 00:25:04.359 that we 00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:04.699 could be 00:25:04.699 --> 00:25:05.599 reconciled 00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:06.519 through him 00:25:06.519 --> 00:25:08.219 so that we 00:25:08.219 --> 00:25:08.539 could be 00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:09.019 forever with 00:25:09.019 --> 00:25:10.839 God in 00:25:10.839 --> 00:25:11.159 the place 00:25:11.159 --> 00:25:11.500 that he's 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:11.919 prepared for 00:25:11.919 --> 00:25:12.299 his people. 00:25:14.459 --> 00:25:14.759 And I 00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:14.919 want to 00:25:14.919 --> 00:25:15.119 say to 00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:15.259 you it 00:25:15.259 --> 00:25:15.759 is true 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:18.099 and it 00:25:18.099 --> 00:25:18.539 is wonderful. 00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:22.359 I love 00:25:22.359 --> 00:25:22.679 finishing 00:25:22.679 --> 00:25:23.139 books. 00:25:23.500 --> 00:25:23.679 Don't you? 00:25:23.939 --> 00:25:24.399 I love 00:25:24.399 --> 00:25:24.779 finishing 00:25:24.779 --> 00:25:25.159 books. 00:25:26.459 --> 00:25:26.719 And by the 00:25:26.719 --> 00:25:26.939 end of the 00:25:26.939 --> 00:25:27.039 day I'm 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:27.279 trying to 00:25:27.279 --> 00:25:27.639 finish a 00:25:27.639 --> 00:25:27.899 load of 00:25:27.900 --> 00:25:28.200 books by 00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:28.420 the end 00:25:28.420 --> 00:25:28.580 of the 00:25:28.580 --> 00:25:28.840 year that 00:25:28.840 --> 00:25:28.980 I've 00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:29.660 started and 00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:30.140 not got 00:25:30.140 --> 00:25:30.420 through. 00:25:30.640 --> 00:25:31.060 You know 00:25:31.060 --> 00:25:31.259 what it's 00:25:31.259 --> 00:25:31.580 like when 00:25:31.580 --> 00:25:32.019 you finish 00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:32.300 a book. 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.780 You get 00:25:34.780 --> 00:25:35.080 to the 00:25:35.080 --> 00:25:35.580 end and 00:25:35.580 --> 00:25:35.840 you go 00:25:35.840 --> 00:25:36.200 like this. 00:25:37.320 --> 00:25:37.700 And you 00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:37.880 put it 00:25:37.880 --> 00:25:38.080 down. 00:25:39.740 --> 00:25:40.200 And that's 00:25:40.200 --> 00:25:40.360 it. 00:25:42.060 --> 00:25:42.460 And you 00:25:42.460 --> 00:25:42.740 have a 00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:43.380 sense of 00:25:43.380 --> 00:25:43.800 well-being. 00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:44.140 You get 00:25:44.140 --> 00:25:44.320 on with 00:25:44.320 --> 00:25:44.640 the day. 00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:46.259 Maybe put 00:25:46.259 --> 00:25:46.680 the book 00:25:46.680 --> 00:25:47.320 back on 00:25:47.320 --> 00:25:47.680 the shelf 00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:48.220 a couple 00:25:48.220 --> 00:25:48.480 of months 00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:48.880 later if 00:25:48.880 --> 00:25:48.980 you're 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:49.220 like me. 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:52.360 But the 00:25:52.360 --> 00:25:52.600 Christmas 00:25:52.600 --> 00:25:53.140 story is 00:25:53.140 --> 00:25:53.440 not like 00:25:53.440 --> 00:25:53.640 that. 00:25:56.080 --> 00:25:56.680 The word 00:25:56.680 --> 00:25:57.140 became 00:25:57.140 --> 00:25:59.740 flesh and 00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:00.120 made his 00:26:00.120 --> 00:26:00.780 dwelling among 00:26:00.780 --> 00:26:01.120 us. 00:26:02.800 --> 00:26:03.460 And we 00:26:03.460 --> 00:26:03.980 have seen 00:26:03.980 --> 00:26:04.700 his glory, 00:26:06.280 --> 00:26:07.120 the glory 00:26:07.120 --> 00:26:07.500 of the one 00:26:07.500 --> 00:26:07.800 and only 00:26:07.800 --> 00:26:10.120 Son who 00:26:10.120 --> 00:26:10.500 came from 00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:10.860 the Father 00:26:10.860 --> 00:26:11.320 full of 00:26:11.320 --> 00:26:13.420 grace and 00:26:13.420 --> 00:26:13.640 truth. 00:26:13.640 --> 00:26:14.100 Let's 00:26:14.100 --> 00:26:15.600 pray.