WEBVTT

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 Well, Gaius Octavius was born a wealthy and powerful Roman family in 63 BC.

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 His father was a Roman senator, but more importantly, his uncle was the great Roman general turned dictator.

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 His name was Julius Caesar.

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 When a few conspirators, particularly some close friends of Julius Caesar, Brutus and Cassius, assassinated him in 44 BC,

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 it was discovered that he had secretly adopted Octavius, Gaius Octavius,

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 which made Octavius the legal heir to Julius Caesar and put him in a position of potentially gaining tremendous power over Rome.

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 It was then that he took the name Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus, which we just use in English.

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 We shorten it to Octavian.

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 From there, a political drama unfolds, particularly between Octavius and another senator in Rome named Mark Antony.

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 Antony was married to Octavian's sister, but decided to divorce her in order to pursue an adulterous affair with a woman by the name of Cleopatra,

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 who was the queen of Egypt.

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 This was the final straw for Octavian, which led to a war between he and Antony,

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 which led to the defeat, I believe, at Actium of Antony and Cleopatra, who ultimately committed suicide in 31 BC.

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 Then, through a series of shrewd political maneuvers, Octavian became the first and perhaps the most important emperor of the Roman Empire.

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 At this point in Roman history, it's at this point that really the republic that it had become known for was really dead at this point.

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 With Octavian, we see the birth of the Roman Empire, and he becomes really the first emperor of that empire.

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 Now, his reign brought incredible prosperity to the expanse of the empire.

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 Under his leadership, Rome excelled significantly, made significant strides economically.

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 They made significant strides agriculturally.

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 They made significant strides in the arts.

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 He contributed to the incredible road system that connected all of the world together, seemingly.

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 And he's responsible for ushering in the Pax Romana, which we call the Roman Peace.

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 And recognizing his contributions, the Senate conferred upon Octavian the premier title of Caesar Augustus.

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 Augustus, meaning holy or reverend, up until that point had been reserved in Roman culture only for the gods.

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 People considered Octavian to be a savior.

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 One ancient inscription actually writes that Octavian was the savior of the whole world.

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 One historian wrote that when Augustus died in A.D. 14, the people, quote, comforted themselves,

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 reflecting that Augustus was a god and that gods do not truly die.

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 But while much of the world was lauding who they thought was a god and savior in Rome,

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 something much more glorious than they could ever imagine was taking place in this little town of Bethlehem in Judea.

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 It says Kent Hughes, the baby Mary carried, was not a Caesar.

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 He was not a Caesar who was a man who would become a god, but a far greater wonder, the true god who had become a man.

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 That's the story that begins to unfold here in Luke chapter 2.

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 Though his conception was a miracle unlike any other, there was nothing extraordinary about Jesus' actual birth.

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 In fact, we can read through these first seven verses and really there's nothing remarkable about them.

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 It's actually quite ordinary.

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 The circumstances aren't necessarily ordinary, but the way things began to unfold, at least at this point, is really quite ordinary.

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 In fact, that's kind of what's most noteworthy about it is how unremarkable it actually was.

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 We'd be hard-pressed to think of a more difficult and demeaning circumstance in which to give birth to a child.

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 Rather than in a palace surrounded by all the comforts possible,

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 the Son of God was born amidst the filth of animals.

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 Indeed, the contrast between Augustus in Rome and Jesus in Bethlehem couldn't be greater.

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 In Rome was a self-proclaimed God that valued glory and power above all else.

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 Jesus, however, willingly set aside the glory of heaven's throne

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 to become a man in order to save men from their sins.

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 It's a very different picture that we see between the two.

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 Luke rooted his record of Jesus' birth year in a historical reality

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 and also emphasized its prophetic significance.

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 We're going to talk about all of those things this morning.

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 But of course, his purpose in all of this was not to give us a unique tale to ponder

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 or to pass on to our children during the Christmas season.

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 His purpose was to give us certainty that Jesus of Nazareth is indeed the Son of God

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 and the true Savior of the world.

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 The point that Luke is getting across here is not to entertain us with a tale.

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 His point and his purpose here is to persuade us to believe.

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 He is giving us the good news of great joy,

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 as we've been calling it over these last few weeks.

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 Three simple things I want to point out about these seven verses.

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 The first thing I want to point out to you is that Christ's birth is fixed in history.

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 Christ's birth is fixed in history.

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 Look at the first three verses with me again.

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 In those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

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 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria

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 and all went to be registered, each to his own town.

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 Ever since the birth of Jesus, there have been efforts to deny the historic reliability of this nativity story.

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 In fact, the people involved in these events were convinced.

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 Of course they were.

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 How could they not be convinced?

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 But no one else seemed to believe them.

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 Have you ever thought it unusual that with all of the extravagance that went into the angels appearing to

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 Zechariah and Elizabeth and then to Mary and Joseph and then the circumstances that lead Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem

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 and then the angels appearing to the shepherds and then the magi that traveled from so far.

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 All of these extravagant things happening with the birth of Jesus.

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 Have you ever thought it unusual that no one else seemed to talk about it?

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 With something so grand, something so awesome, how was this not the talk of the town in Bethlehem?

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 How was this not the talk of the town in Israel and in Judea at this point?

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 And the simple answer to that must be that though the people involved in the story were convinced of the truthfulness of it,

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 no one else really was.

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 I mean, who of us would believe this story?

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 No one had an iPhone in that day to video the angel when he comes and delivers the message.

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 There was, there's no way to just stop and say, hey, let me get a selfie with you, Gabriel, here before you head back to heaven.

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 There's no way for them to provide evidence, right?

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 It's just stories.

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 And it probably wasn't until the growth of Jesus' popularity as a healer and as a teacher later on

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 that anyone really began to consider the old stories of angels and shepherds and magi and of virgin birth.

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 Several years ago, an atheist organization ran a series of Christmas billboards in New York City

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 to promote their particular denial.

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 I wish I would have put a picture of it on the screen for you to see.

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 If you want to see it, I'll show it to you after a service.

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 But basically, the way the billboard was, it was huge.

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 It was throughout the city.

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 And on the top was a picture of Santa Claus.

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 And it said, keep the Mary, keep the Mary, M-E-R-R-Y, keep the Mary with Santa Claus.

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 And then just below that picture was a picture of Jesus on a cross.

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 And it said, dump the myth.

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 So here, this was 2014, I think, or 2013.

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 Here is all of these billboards throughout the city promoting this idea that all of this stuff

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 about this nativity story, it's all mythological.

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 There is nothing historical about it.

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 It's not real.

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 And of course, people have said that for quite some time.

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 But really, to assert that the biblical narrative is mythological is actually intellectually dishonest.

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 You don't have to come to the same conclusions that we would as believers

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 about why this was happening and exactly the extent that it happened.

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 But to deny the historical reliability of it is actually irresponsible.

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 Even secular historians, both ancient and modern,

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 though they may not arrive at those same conclusions,

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 recognize the historical reliability of the New Testament documents.

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 Tacitus, the Roman from the first century.

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 Later on, Josephus, the Jewish historian,

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 all recognized the historical validity of Jesus' life

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 and the things that his disciples were teaching,

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 things that they truly believed were true about his life,

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 including his birth and his death and his resurrection.

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 And then we move on through history and we see,

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 even those who would not come to the same conclusions as us,

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 about faith in Christ acknowledge that these documents are historically reliable,

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 at least Luke really believed that this was true.

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 And Luke wrote a historical document.

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 C.S. Lewis, who lived a lot of his life as an atheist,

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 later in reflecting after his conversion,

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 wrote,

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 I have been reading poems,

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 romances,

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 vision literature,

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 legends and myths,

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 all my life.

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 I know what they are like.

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 I know none of them are like this,

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 he says.

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 And he's right.

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 Some of you enjoy to read fantasy and fiction

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 and things like that.

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 You know this is not that.

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 This does not read like that.

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 It's not intended to be like that.

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 Leading off in verse 1 with,

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 in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus.

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 That's quite a different approach than a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.

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 That is not the same thing.

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 It's not the same intention.

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 It's not the same type of writing.

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 In fact, Luke was a Greek doctor.

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 He's a companion of the Apostle Paul,

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 who was particularly thorough in his writings.

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 Flip back just to chapter 1 here.

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 Look at the first four verses of the book.

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 Luke describes what he's actually trying to accomplish in writing this gospel.

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 He says,

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 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative

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 of the things that have been accomplished among us,

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 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses

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 and ministers of the word have delivered them to us,

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 it seemed good to me also,

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 having followed all things closely for some time past,

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 to write an orderly account for you,

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 most excellent Theophilus,

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 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

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 Well, it's Luke's method here.

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 Well, his method involved interviewing eyewitnesses, he says,

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 in order that he might provide an orderly account,

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 sounds like a doctor to me,

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 provide an orderly account,

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 that gives historical certainty, he says,

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 concerning the things of Christ.

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 That's his goal.

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 That's his aim here.

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 He's not writing fiction.

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 He's trying to persuade.

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 By acknowledging Caesar Augustus,

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 Quirinius,

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 the census,

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 Luke was rooting the narrative of Jesus' birth

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 in historical reality

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 with real people

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 in actual places

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 at a precise time.

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 Luke's readers then

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 can recognize the circumstances

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 that actually brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem,

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 and they're reasonable circumstances.

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 There's no angel that lifts them up out of Nazareth

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 and delivers them to Bethlehem

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 just in order to try to make the stories fit.

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 That's not happening here.

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 Designating an exact census,

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 I don't know if you've ever considered this,

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 but designating an exact census,

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 and there were a few of them

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 that are listed in the New Testament,

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 but this particular one

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 meant there was a house of records somewhere

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 to where somebody reading this narrative

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 could go and find documentation

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 about this particular census,

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 there being a man from Nazareth named Joseph

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 who came to Bethlehem to register his family,

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 and here's the details of his family.

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 Here's his betrothed wife, Mary,

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 perhaps, depending on when the census actually occurred,

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 perhaps Jesus would even be listed on that.

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 There would be historical documentation

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 for the people originally reading this book.

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 God had so moved the wills of human history

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 that Jesus' birth occurred

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 at precisely the right time

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 for us to have certainty of its truth.

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 And Paul reflects on this in Galatians 4, doesn't he?

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 When the fullness of time had come, he says,

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 God sent forth his Son,

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 born of woman, born under the law,

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 to redeem those who were under the law

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 so that we might receive adoptions as sons.

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 When the fullness of time had come,

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 in other words, at just the right time,

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 God did this thing.

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 This was not coincidence.

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 It didn't just kind of happen this way,

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 and God decided retroactively

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 to look back on it and say,

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 this fits pretty well.

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 Let's make Jesus the Son of God and Messiah.

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 No, this was actually all God's plan.

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 He orchestrated this whole thing.

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 You don't know why he chose this particular time,

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 but there's no doubt that he did.

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 Augustus' rule over Rome

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 prepared the way for that census

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 that forced Joseph and Mary to go to Bethlehem,

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 which is so necessary.

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 And how assuring it is to believers' hearts

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 to consider the sovereign power of God

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 in orchestrating the events of world history

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 to accomplish his saving purposes.

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 That brings assurance to me,

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 because if God was willing to do all of this,

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 that means that he's not only in control,

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 but he's working all things together for good

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 to them who love God

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 and are the called according to his purpose.

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 That's what we see.

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 Marshall Howard said,

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 the census serves to place the birth of Jesus

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 in the context of world history

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 and to show that the fiat of an earthly ruler

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 can be utilized in the will of God

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 to bring his more important purposes to fruition.

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 We hear all kinds of stories that we wish were true,

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 but we know they must not be true.

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 The Bible, however, tells the story of salvation,

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 written with historical certainty and reliability.

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 It's not a fairy tale or a myth,

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 meaning it is truly good news that can bring great joy.

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 And Luke's intention was to remind us of that.

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 So that's the first thing that we see.

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 Christ's birth is fixed in history.

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 It's reliable.

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 Secondly, Christ's birth is the fulfillment of prophecy.

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 So once we understand, according to Luke's structure here,

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 that this is a real occurrence, this really happened,

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 here's the time frame that it happened,

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 real people, real places, precise time.

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 Then we can start to ask the questions,

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 well, is there any real significance

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 that would validate Mary's story here?

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 We know that Jesus was really born.

00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:53.000
 Records would indicate he was really born in Bethlehem

00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:54.099
 and all that stuff is true.

00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:55.879
 But what about the whole son of God,

00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:57.480
 angels, Messiah kind of thing?

00:17:57.959 --> 00:17:59.619
 Well, that's when we get to this second part.

00:17:59.899 --> 00:18:01.480
 It is the fulfillment of prophecy.

00:18:01.919 --> 00:18:02.539
 Look at verse four.

00:18:03.299 --> 00:18:05.039
 Joseph also went up from Galilee,

00:18:05.439 --> 00:18:07.459
 from the town of Nazareth to Judea,

00:18:07.859 --> 00:18:09.179
 to the city of David,

00:18:09.180 --> 00:18:10.600
 which is called Bethlehem,

00:18:11.340 --> 00:18:13.600
 because he was of the house and lineage of David,

00:18:14.220 --> 00:18:17.500
 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,

00:18:17.779 --> 00:18:18.779
 who was with child.

00:18:20.060 --> 00:18:22.220
 The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem,

00:18:22.340 --> 00:18:24.940
 probably 80 to 90 miles,

00:18:25.320 --> 00:18:26.160
 they would have traveled.

00:18:27.019 --> 00:18:29.840
 Probably took them close to a week

00:18:29.840 --> 00:18:30.940
 to accomplish this,

00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:32.820
 at least in Mary's condition, right?

00:18:33.819 --> 00:18:36.579
 And there's a lot that we don't actually know about this journey.

00:18:37.059 --> 00:18:40.339
 There's a lot of gaps that are left wide open for us, isn't there?

00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:44.819
 We often assume that Mary rode there on a donkey,

00:18:45.359 --> 00:18:47.980
 but given their financial situation,

00:18:48.679 --> 00:18:50.379
 there's a real chance that Mary,

00:18:50.659 --> 00:18:52.619
 at this advanced stage in her pregnancy,

00:18:53.139 --> 00:18:55.839
 probably had to walk the 80 to 90 miles.

00:18:56.819 --> 00:18:58.339
 The Bible never says she rode on a donkey.

00:18:58.419 --> 00:18:59.099
 She could have,

00:18:59.500 --> 00:19:00.759
 but it doesn't say that.

00:19:01.419 --> 00:19:03.119
 This is a tough journey for her.

00:19:03.899 --> 00:19:05.699
 We don't exactly know how she got there.

00:19:05.899 --> 00:19:08.139
 Could have been that there was a caravan of people

00:19:08.139 --> 00:19:11.139
 traveling from Galilee down to Jerusalem

00:19:11.139 --> 00:19:13.119
 and on then to Bethlehem.

00:19:13.439 --> 00:19:15.259
 Maybe they were able to tag along

00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:17.559
 and ride along on some type of wagon

00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:19.500
 or another animal or something like that.

00:19:19.559 --> 00:19:20.199
 We don't know.

00:19:20.200 --> 00:19:21.620
 That's just conjecture too.

00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:26.519
 We don't even know exactly why Mary went with Joseph.

00:19:27.460 --> 00:19:29.180
 The census wouldn't have required that.

00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:31.539
 Only the leader of the household

00:19:31.539 --> 00:19:33.080
 would have been required to go,

00:19:33.180 --> 00:19:33.819
 most likely,

00:19:34.140 --> 00:19:35.680
 to the place of their lineage

00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:38.700
 to actually fulfill the duties of this census.

00:19:38.920 --> 00:19:41.220
 Mary probably didn't even have to go.

00:19:42.100 --> 00:19:44.000
 So we're not exactly sure why she did.

00:19:44.100 --> 00:19:44.740
 And of course,

00:19:44.819 --> 00:19:45.960
 common sense would tell us

00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:48.720
 that Joseph wanted to keep Mary close by.

00:19:48.720 --> 00:19:51.539
 She's clearly at the very end of her term

00:19:51.539 --> 00:19:53.259
 as far as her pregnancy is concerned.

00:19:54.100 --> 00:19:55.579
 We don't know all the stuff

00:19:55.579 --> 00:19:56.720
 that's going into this journey.

00:19:56.819 --> 00:19:58.799
 All we know is that they made the journey together.

00:20:00.059 --> 00:20:02.980
 But we don't need to let the absence of information worry us

00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:04.360
 because that's not Luke's intention.

00:20:04.799 --> 00:20:06.299
 He's not trying to tell us

00:20:06.299 --> 00:20:08.920
 all of the details about the journey.

00:20:09.160 --> 00:20:11.039
 His intention is to tell us

00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:14.019
 the reasons why Joseph and Mary

00:20:14.019 --> 00:20:15.440
 ended up in Bethlehem

00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:17.720
 because the whole Bethlehem part of this

00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:18.620
 is so important.

00:20:18.720 --> 00:20:20.319
 Why were they there?

00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:23.600
 The significance of these verses

00:20:23.600 --> 00:20:24.680
 lies in the fact

00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:28.500
 that they record the fulfillment of prophecies

00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:31.460
 given by God hundreds of years before.

00:20:31.940 --> 00:20:33.460
 Two in particular

00:20:33.460 --> 00:20:36.339
 are directly addressed here in these verses.

00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:37.720
 The first one

00:20:37.720 --> 00:20:40.079
 had to do with the Davidic covenant

00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:42.839
 that this long-awaited Messiah

00:20:42.839 --> 00:20:45.240
 would come through the house and lineage

00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:47.660
 of King David.

00:20:48.980 --> 00:20:50.980
 Matthew's genealogy in Matthew chapter 1

00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:52.500
 and then Luke's emphasis here

00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:53.980
 on Joseph's heritage

00:20:53.980 --> 00:20:56.339
 serve to show that Jesus' birth

00:20:56.339 --> 00:20:58.259
 fulfills this prophecy.

00:20:58.259 --> 00:21:01.440
 So it's not just about the fact that Jesus historically

00:21:01.440 --> 00:21:02.640
 was born in Bethlehem.

00:21:02.640 --> 00:21:04.019
 It's also about the fact

00:21:04.019 --> 00:21:05.779
 that being born in Bethlehem

00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:08.140
 means that he fits the parameters

00:21:08.140 --> 00:21:11.240
 of what God said the Messiah would be.

00:21:12.299 --> 00:21:13.920
 2 Samuel chapter 7

00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:16.200
 this is where God gives his covenant to David.

00:21:16.200 --> 00:21:17.880
 When your days are fulfilled

00:21:17.880 --> 00:21:20.059
 and you lie down with your fathers

00:21:20.059 --> 00:21:23.019
 I will raise up your offspring after you

00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:25.259
 who shall come from your body

00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:27.720
 and I will establish his kingdom.

00:21:28.160 --> 00:21:29.799
 You say well that could be about Solomon.

00:21:29.940 --> 00:21:30.559
 It could be

00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:31.700
 but then he goes on

00:21:31.700 --> 00:21:33.819
 he shall build a house for my name

00:21:33.819 --> 00:21:37.539
 and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:40.359
 Remember that doesn't apply to Solomon.

00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:43.039
 In fact that doesn't apply to anybody else

00:21:43.039 --> 00:21:44.299
 that came in David's line.

00:21:44.819 --> 00:21:46.920
 That can apply to one person alone.

00:21:47.339 --> 00:21:49.019
 That's this Messiah king

00:21:49.019 --> 00:21:51.159
 that Israel had longed for.

00:21:52.139 --> 00:21:54.619
 And Israel understood this Davidic covenant

00:21:54.619 --> 00:21:57.200
 to be a reference to this Messiah king.

00:21:57.659 --> 00:21:59.159
 And the prophets affirm this.

00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:01.059
 In Isaiah chapter 11

00:22:01.059 --> 00:22:03.259
 there shall come forth a shoot

00:22:03.259 --> 00:22:04.879
 from the stump of Jesse.

00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:06.619
 Jesse was David's father.

00:22:06.619 --> 00:22:09.599
 And a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.

00:22:10.459 --> 00:22:12.359
 The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him.

00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:14.859
 The spirit of wisdom and understanding.

00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:17.439
 The spirit of counsel and might.

00:22:17.859 --> 00:22:19.079
 The spirit of knowledge

00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:20.479
 and the fear of the Lord.

00:22:20.879 --> 00:22:23.399
 And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.

00:22:24.439 --> 00:22:26.779
 Now remember Isaiah is writing these things

00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:29.639
 long after David and Solomon

00:22:29.639 --> 00:22:31.379
 and the age of the good kings

00:22:31.379 --> 00:22:32.699
 that we would say.

00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:35.279
 Then Jeremiah picks it up.

00:22:35.279 --> 00:22:37.299
 Jeremiah 23

00:22:37.299 --> 00:22:38.599
 Behold the days are coming

00:22:38.599 --> 00:22:39.480
 declares the Lord

00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:41.660
 when I will raise up for David

00:22:41.660 --> 00:22:42.920
 a righteous branch

00:22:42.920 --> 00:22:45.420
 and he shall reign as king

00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:46.859
 and deal wisely

00:22:46.859 --> 00:22:49.220
 and shall execute justice

00:22:49.220 --> 00:22:50.879
 and righteousness in the land.

00:22:51.740 --> 00:22:53.440
 All of these prophecies

00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:55.559
 pointing toward a savior

00:22:55.559 --> 00:22:57.139
 a Messiah king

00:22:57.139 --> 00:22:58.480
 who would rule

00:22:58.480 --> 00:23:00.619
 and be from the line of David.

00:23:00.619 --> 00:23:03.239
 And his rule would be an eternal rule

00:23:03.239 --> 00:23:04.379
 as the emphasis here.

00:23:06.159 --> 00:23:08.139
 And so Luke emphasizes this.

00:23:08.679 --> 00:23:09.939
 He says remember

00:23:09.939 --> 00:23:13.099
 and he emphasizes it greatly in verse 4.

00:23:13.959 --> 00:23:17.959
 Remember Joseph is from David's line.

00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:22.839
 Jesus' adopted father is from David's line.

00:23:22.839 --> 00:23:24.599
 And so was Mary

00:23:24.599 --> 00:23:26.299
 as you get to chapter 3

00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:29.019
 and as you reflect back on Matthew chapter 1.

00:23:29.439 --> 00:23:30.819
 No matter how you shake it up

00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:32.439
 Jesus' earthly parents

00:23:32.439 --> 00:23:33.259
 were of the house

00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:34.299
 and the lineage of David.

00:23:34.299 --> 00:23:35.859
 Which means that Jesus himself

00:23:35.859 --> 00:23:37.679
 comes from the house

00:23:37.679 --> 00:23:39.599
 and the lineage of King David.

00:23:40.159 --> 00:23:41.500
 The second prophecy

00:23:41.500 --> 00:23:42.740
 directly addressed here

00:23:42.740 --> 00:23:44.899
 has to do with the place

00:23:44.899 --> 00:23:47.119
 where this Messiah would be born.

00:23:48.119 --> 00:23:50.039
 And of course this is where Micah comes in.

00:23:50.419 --> 00:23:52.039
 Clementine maybe you'll remember this verse.

00:23:52.039 --> 00:23:53.299
 I think you quoted it last year

00:23:53.299 --> 00:23:53.759
 didn't you?

00:23:54.359 --> 00:23:56.159
 But you O Bethlehem Ephrathah

00:23:56.159 --> 00:23:58.039
 who are too little

00:23:58.039 --> 00:23:59.720
 to be among the clans of Judah

00:23:59.720 --> 00:24:02.440
 from you shall come forth

00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:04.720
 for me one who is to be ruler in Israel

00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:07.279
 whose coming forth is from old

00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:09.220
 from ancient of days.

00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:11.659
 There's a significance to this.

00:24:12.180 --> 00:24:14.319
 There's a significance to this place.

00:24:15.319 --> 00:24:16.639
 Now the birth of Jesus

00:24:16.639 --> 00:24:18.279
 fulfills both of those prophecies

00:24:18.279 --> 00:24:18.740
 and more.

00:24:20.059 --> 00:24:21.839
 The prophetic significance

00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:24.019
 of Jesus' birth

00:24:24.019 --> 00:24:25.199
 is about so much more

00:24:25.199 --> 00:24:26.419
 than the virgin conception.

00:24:27.119 --> 00:24:28.839
 That's a vital piece of it

00:24:28.839 --> 00:24:30.399
 but it's only a piece.

00:24:32.039 --> 00:24:33.480
 Now I want you to consider now

00:24:33.480 --> 00:24:34.959
 in the prophetic fulfillments

00:24:34.959 --> 00:24:38.379
 all the things that had to have been fulfilled

00:24:38.379 --> 00:24:40.099
 in order for Jesus

00:24:40.099 --> 00:24:41.859
 to truly be this Messiah.

00:24:43.119 --> 00:24:45.199
 Remember if only one prophecy

00:24:45.199 --> 00:24:46.500
 is left unfulfilled

00:24:46.500 --> 00:24:48.160
 it would be impossible

00:24:48.160 --> 00:24:49.880
 for Jesus to be our Savior.

00:24:51.119 --> 00:24:52.700
 Without the virgin birth

00:24:52.700 --> 00:24:55.339
 Jesus is not the Son of God.

00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:58.140
 Have to have the virgin birth piece.

00:25:00.440 --> 00:25:02.400
 If Mary had remained in Nazareth

00:25:02.400 --> 00:25:04.200
 rather than choosing to go on the journey

00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:05.779
 with Joseph to Bethlehem

00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:07.480
 if Jesus had been born in Nazareth

00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:09.099
 he could not have been the one

00:25:09.099 --> 00:25:09.859
 who was to come.

00:25:11.059 --> 00:25:13.240
 Without the ministry of John the Baptist

00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:15.259
 as the forerunner of the Christ

00:25:15.259 --> 00:25:18.259
 Jesus could not have been the Messiah.

00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:21.240
 Even if the rest of Jesus' life

00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:23.940
 happened exactly as it's recorded

00:25:23.940 --> 00:25:24.779
 in the scriptures

00:25:24.779 --> 00:25:27.019
 but only one of these prophecies

00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:28.059
 falls short.

00:25:28.420 --> 00:25:30.380
 Jesus could not have possibly

00:25:30.380 --> 00:25:31.759
 been the Messiah

00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:32.960
 and the Savior

00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:34.200
 and the ruler

00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:35.339
 and the king.

00:25:36.599 --> 00:25:38.539
 And we would be left in our sins.

00:25:38.539 --> 00:25:41.220
 Now if we were to take

00:25:41.220 --> 00:25:42.299
 all of these prophecies

00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:43.119
 from the Old Testament

00:25:43.119 --> 00:25:44.759
 we were to lay them side by side

00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:45.519
 and we would say

00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:46.500
 how are we

00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:47.740
 how are we going to find this

00:25:47.740 --> 00:25:48.720
 to be true in a person?

00:25:48.839 --> 00:25:50.059
 We say it's impossible

00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:52.420
 because this is in God's

00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:53.599
 divine providence

00:25:53.599 --> 00:25:54.879
 that this unfolds.

00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:57.000
 It is in the divine providence

00:25:57.000 --> 00:25:57.420
 of God

00:25:57.420 --> 00:25:58.960
 that every single prophecy

00:25:58.960 --> 00:26:00.680
 of this Savior king

00:26:00.680 --> 00:26:01.420
 was fulfilled

00:26:01.420 --> 00:26:02.539
 precisely

00:26:02.539 --> 00:26:04.700
 in Jesus of Nazareth

00:26:04.700 --> 00:26:06.240
 down to the minutest

00:26:06.240 --> 00:26:06.539
 detail

00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:08.240
 of the place

00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:09.079
 of his birth.

00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:10.639
 All of it.

00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:12.500
 All of it fulfilled.

00:26:13.500 --> 00:26:14.920
 It's not been fulfilled

00:26:14.920 --> 00:26:15.420
 this way

00:26:15.420 --> 00:26:16.500
 in any other person

00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:17.259
 ever.

00:26:18.059 --> 00:26:19.159
 Only one.

00:26:19.879 --> 00:26:20.460
 And Jesus

00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:21.399
 perfectly

00:26:21.399 --> 00:26:22.960
 fits it.

00:26:25.480 --> 00:26:25.980
 Of course

00:26:25.980 --> 00:26:27.119
 the ultimate validation

00:26:27.119 --> 00:26:28.720
 of Jesus' identity

00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:30.759
 is his resurrection

00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:31.680
 from the dead.

00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:33.980
 In fact

00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:34.539
 the resurrection

00:26:34.539 --> 00:26:35.399
 changes everything

00:26:35.399 --> 00:26:35.839
 doesn't it?

00:26:35.839 --> 00:26:36.519
 In fact

00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:37.819
 if you're struggling

00:26:37.819 --> 00:26:38.339
 with doubts

00:26:38.339 --> 00:26:38.799
 and you're trying

00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:39.500
 to see how all

00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:40.019
 these pieces

00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:40.740
 fit together

00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:42.399
 perhaps a good method

00:26:42.399 --> 00:26:43.879
 is to start at the end

00:26:43.879 --> 00:26:44.659
 and work your way

00:26:44.659 --> 00:26:45.480
 backwards.

00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:47.939
 You start with the resurrection

00:26:47.939 --> 00:26:48.980
 what does that tell us?

00:26:49.039 --> 00:26:49.639
 Well if Jesus

00:26:49.639 --> 00:26:50.839
 was able to raise

00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:51.459
 from the dead

00:26:51.459 --> 00:26:52.079
 there is something

00:26:52.079 --> 00:26:53.599
 significant about him

00:26:53.599 --> 00:26:54.419
 there must be

00:26:54.419 --> 00:26:55.980
 something divine

00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:57.259
 about him.

00:26:57.699 --> 00:26:58.599
 And you start to trace

00:26:58.599 --> 00:26:59.599
 those things backwards.

00:27:00.199 --> 00:27:00.799
 The resurrection

00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:02.559
 validates his crucifixion.

00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:04.679
 The fact that Jesus

00:27:04.679 --> 00:27:05.639
 rose from the dead

00:27:05.639 --> 00:27:06.919
 means that God

00:27:06.919 --> 00:27:07.659
 the Father

00:27:07.659 --> 00:27:08.659
 received

00:27:08.659 --> 00:27:10.179
 his crucifixion

00:27:10.179 --> 00:27:11.359
 as a sufficient

00:27:11.359 --> 00:27:11.859
 atonement

00:27:11.859 --> 00:27:12.619
 for our sins.

00:27:13.460 --> 00:27:14.740
 It means it worked.

00:27:15.579 --> 00:27:16.659
 It means the sacrifice

00:27:16.659 --> 00:27:17.440
 was good.

00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:18.659
 It was holy.

00:27:18.819 --> 00:27:19.440
 It was perfect.

00:27:20.039 --> 00:27:20.679
 It means forgiveness

00:27:20.679 --> 00:27:21.879
 can actually be achieved.

00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:23.639
 The resurrection

00:27:23.639 --> 00:27:25.639
 verifies

00:27:25.639 --> 00:27:26.759
 Jesus' miracles

00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:27.399
 were about

00:27:27.399 --> 00:27:28.339
 so much more

00:27:28.339 --> 00:27:28.919
 than

00:27:28.919 --> 00:27:31.159
 bringing goodness

00:27:31.160 --> 00:27:31.920
 into the world.

00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:32.400
 It was about

00:27:32.400 --> 00:27:33.200
 more than that.

00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:35.240
 It was about

00:27:35.240 --> 00:27:35.840
 his identity

00:27:35.840 --> 00:27:36.860
 and who he was.

00:27:39.060 --> 00:27:39.940
 It was more than

00:27:39.940 --> 00:27:40.680
 just a gift

00:27:40.680 --> 00:27:41.340
 for a particular

00:27:41.340 --> 00:27:42.400
 people at a particular

00:27:42.400 --> 00:27:43.040
 time.

00:27:45.120 --> 00:27:45.580
 The resurrection

00:27:45.580 --> 00:27:46.720
 gives us confidence

00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:47.540
 in the truthfulness

00:27:47.540 --> 00:27:48.180
 of the scriptures.

00:27:49.180 --> 00:27:49.900
 If Jesus

00:27:49.900 --> 00:27:50.820
 rose from the dead

00:27:50.820 --> 00:27:51.779
 that means there

00:27:51.779 --> 00:27:52.500
 must be something

00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:53.680
 significantly divine

00:27:53.680 --> 00:27:54.440
 about him

00:27:54.440 --> 00:27:55.720
 and Jesus said

00:27:55.720 --> 00:27:56.360
 that the scriptures

00:27:56.360 --> 00:27:57.340
 were God's word.

00:27:58.480 --> 00:27:58.900
 So then

00:27:58.900 --> 00:28:00.140
 surely they must

00:28:00.140 --> 00:28:00.960
 be God's word.

00:28:01.160 --> 00:28:03.519
 resurrection

00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:04.259
 brings

00:28:04.259 --> 00:28:05.420
 certainty

00:28:05.420 --> 00:28:06.540
 to the fact

00:28:06.540 --> 00:28:08.660
 that Jesus' birth

00:28:08.660 --> 00:28:09.420
 was indeed

00:28:09.420 --> 00:28:10.120
 the fulfillment

00:28:10.120 --> 00:28:10.680
 of these

00:28:10.680 --> 00:28:12.320
 messianic predictions.

00:28:13.320 --> 00:28:14.279
 It means that

00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:15.200
 the baby

00:28:15.200 --> 00:28:16.160
 in Bethlehem

00:28:16.160 --> 00:28:16.920
 has the power

00:28:16.920 --> 00:28:18.100
 to forgive sins

00:28:18.100 --> 00:28:19.620
 and give eternal life

00:28:19.620 --> 00:28:20.420
 to all who will

00:28:20.420 --> 00:28:21.840
 believe and follow him.

00:28:22.700 --> 00:28:23.920
 It's good news

00:28:23.920 --> 00:28:25.500
 of great joy.

00:28:27.000 --> 00:28:27.940
 So we see

00:28:27.940 --> 00:28:29.240
 the birth of Christ

00:28:29.240 --> 00:28:30.320
 is fixed in history.

00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:31.919
 It is the fulfillment

00:28:31.919 --> 00:28:33.399
 of the Old Testament

00:28:33.399 --> 00:28:34.179
 prophecies,

00:28:34.259 --> 00:28:34.919
 every one of them

00:28:34.919 --> 00:28:35.700
 being fulfilled

00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:37.000
 and proven in him.

00:28:37.539 --> 00:28:38.639
 Thirdly and finally,

00:28:39.419 --> 00:28:40.119
 Christ's birth

00:28:40.119 --> 00:28:40.859
 is characterized

00:28:40.859 --> 00:28:42.619
 by humility.

00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:44.480
 It's characterized

00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:45.460
 by humility.

00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:46.939
 Look with me

00:28:46.939 --> 00:28:47.700
 at verse 6.

00:28:49.579 --> 00:28:50.480
 While they were there,

00:28:51.319 --> 00:28:52.319
 the time came

00:28:52.319 --> 00:28:53.460
 for her to give birth.

00:28:53.460 --> 00:28:56.100
 she gave birth

00:28:56.100 --> 00:28:57.340
 to her firstborn son

00:28:57.340 --> 00:28:58.480
 and wrapped him

00:28:58.480 --> 00:28:59.779
 in swaddling clothes,

00:29:00.840 --> 00:29:02.059
 laid him in a manger

00:29:02.059 --> 00:29:03.940
 because there was

00:29:03.940 --> 00:29:04.920
 no place for them

00:29:04.920 --> 00:29:06.500
 in the inn.

00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:08.299
 Now,

00:29:08.519 --> 00:29:09.920
 this is where

00:29:09.920 --> 00:29:11.380
 unusual circumstances

00:29:11.380 --> 00:29:12.180
 come into play.

00:29:12.299 --> 00:29:13.380
 The birth itself,

00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:14.119
 there's nothing really

00:29:14.119 --> 00:29:15.380
 extraordinary about that.

00:29:15.680 --> 00:29:16.240
 Mary felt

00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:17.200
 every contraction.

00:29:17.460 --> 00:29:17.779
 She felt

00:29:17.779 --> 00:29:18.539
 every pain.

00:29:18.660 --> 00:29:19.059
 She went through

00:29:19.059 --> 00:29:19.900
 all the processes

00:29:19.900 --> 00:29:20.599
 that you women

00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:22.279
 who have given birth

00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:22.920
 have gone through.

00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:23.539
 She went through

00:29:23.539 --> 00:29:24.500
 all of those things.

00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:25.400
 There wasn't anything

00:29:25.400 --> 00:29:25.960
 extraordinary

00:29:25.960 --> 00:29:27.160
 about that part of it.

00:29:27.640 --> 00:29:28.460
 But this is an

00:29:28.460 --> 00:29:29.420
 unusual circumstance.

00:29:30.720 --> 00:29:31.440
 They've traveled

00:29:31.440 --> 00:29:32.180
 to Bethlehem.

00:29:32.180 --> 00:29:32.840
 We don't know

00:29:32.840 --> 00:29:33.840
 how long

00:29:33.840 --> 00:29:35.320
 they were in Bethlehem

00:29:35.320 --> 00:29:36.600
 before the time

00:29:36.600 --> 00:29:37.140
 came for her

00:29:37.140 --> 00:29:37.900
 to give birth.

00:29:38.360 --> 00:29:39.779
 But all the indications

00:29:39.779 --> 00:29:40.580
 of the passage

00:29:40.580 --> 00:29:41.840
 say this was fast

00:29:41.840 --> 00:29:42.420
 and sudden.

00:29:43.560 --> 00:29:44.820
 They had not even yet

00:29:44.820 --> 00:29:45.420
 found a place

00:29:45.420 --> 00:29:46.279
 to settle in

00:29:46.279 --> 00:29:47.299
 to stay

00:29:47.299 --> 00:29:48.279
 for however long

00:29:48.279 --> 00:29:48.860
 it was going to be

00:29:48.860 --> 00:29:49.759
 necessary for them

00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:50.680
 to stay.

00:29:52.600 --> 00:29:53.080
 Accommodations,

00:29:53.180 --> 00:29:54.000
 from what I understand

00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:54.580
 in reading,

00:29:55.360 --> 00:29:55.920
 accommodations

00:29:55.920 --> 00:29:56.779
 for travelers

00:29:56.779 --> 00:29:57.720
 in Bethlehem

00:29:57.720 --> 00:29:59.120
 and in places like it

00:29:59.120 --> 00:30:00.259
 would have been

00:30:00.259 --> 00:30:01.080
 quite primitive

00:30:01.079 --> 00:30:02.960
 especially during

00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:04.439
 seasons of crowdedness

00:30:04.439 --> 00:30:05.460
 as this would have been.

00:30:06.319 --> 00:30:07.439
 The word that's used

00:30:07.439 --> 00:30:08.059
 for in

00:30:08.059 --> 00:30:10.240
 is not a typical

00:30:10.240 --> 00:30:11.359
 Greek word

00:30:11.359 --> 00:30:12.699
 for a hotel

00:30:12.699 --> 00:30:13.579
 what would be used

00:30:13.579 --> 00:30:14.119
 as a hotel

00:30:14.119 --> 00:30:14.759
 in that sense.

00:30:14.939 --> 00:30:16.039
 More like a campground

00:30:16.039 --> 00:30:17.460
 is really the idea

00:30:17.460 --> 00:30:18.079
 that would match

00:30:18.079 --> 00:30:19.299
 what we would think

00:30:19.299 --> 00:30:19.799
 of it as.

00:30:20.500 --> 00:30:21.460
 From what I've read

00:30:21.460 --> 00:30:22.359
 the situation

00:30:22.359 --> 00:30:23.299
 would be something

00:30:23.299 --> 00:30:25.079
 like an enclosure

00:30:25.079 --> 00:30:26.740
 that had different

00:30:26.740 --> 00:30:27.740
 stalls around

00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:28.460
 the perimeter.

00:30:29.859 --> 00:30:30.419
 Stalls where

00:30:30.420 --> 00:30:30.980
 these travelers

00:30:30.980 --> 00:30:31.600
 would come

00:30:31.600 --> 00:30:32.340
 and then

00:30:32.340 --> 00:30:33.140
 whoever owned

00:30:33.140 --> 00:30:33.600
 the property

00:30:33.600 --> 00:30:34.519
 or ran the property

00:30:34.519 --> 00:30:35.400
 whatever it was

00:30:35.400 --> 00:30:36.220
 would have

00:30:36.220 --> 00:30:36.940
 in the middle

00:30:36.940 --> 00:30:38.039
 of these enclosures

00:30:38.039 --> 00:30:39.019
 had a courtyard

00:30:39.019 --> 00:30:39.039
!

00:30:39.200 --> 00:30:39.960
 A common courtyard

00:30:39.960 --> 00:30:40.560
 where they would

00:30:40.560 --> 00:30:41.360
 have the animals

00:30:41.360 --> 00:30:42.700
 that were necessary

00:30:42.700 --> 00:30:44.220
 for them to bring

00:30:44.220 --> 00:30:45.019
 as they traveled.

00:30:45.980 --> 00:30:47.600
 The responsibility

00:30:47.600 --> 00:30:49.500
 of what we would say

00:30:49.500 --> 00:30:50.300
 is an innkeeper

00:30:50.300 --> 00:30:51.140
 or whoever's running

00:30:51.140 --> 00:30:52.000
 the deal here

00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:52.840
 the responsibility

00:30:52.840 --> 00:30:53.779
 that they had

00:30:53.779 --> 00:30:54.600
 was to provide

00:30:54.600 --> 00:30:56.880
 fodder for the animals

00:30:56.880 --> 00:30:57.920
 and then some type

00:30:57.920 --> 00:30:58.279
 of fire.

00:30:58.380 --> 00:30:59.039
 Really that's it.

00:30:59.039 --> 00:31:00.319
 So when Mary and Joseph

00:31:00.319 --> 00:31:01.019
 get there

00:31:01.019 --> 00:31:02.099
 they find that

00:31:02.099 --> 00:31:03.240
 these stalls are full

00:31:03.240 --> 00:31:04.279
 there's no stall

00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:05.220
 that's actually available

00:31:05.220 --> 00:31:06.519
 to them.

00:31:07.720 --> 00:31:08.759
 Our decorative

00:31:08.759 --> 00:31:10.460
 nativity sets

00:31:10.460 --> 00:31:11.759
 portray a cozy

00:31:11.759 --> 00:31:12.819
 kind of quaint

00:31:12.819 --> 00:31:15.399
 even private

00:31:15.399 --> 00:31:16.799
 stable

00:31:16.799 --> 00:31:19.019
 but there really

00:31:19.019 --> 00:31:20.159
 was no such setting

00:31:20.159 --> 00:31:21.460
 available to this

00:31:21.460 --> 00:31:23.359
 young teenage couple

00:31:23.359 --> 00:31:24.659
 who's just made

00:31:24.660 --> 00:31:26.019
 this 80 or 90

00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:26.800
 mile journey.

00:31:29.200 --> 00:31:30.120
 Customary doors

00:31:30.120 --> 00:31:30.960
 of hospitality

00:31:30.960 --> 00:31:31.560
 were shut

00:31:31.560 --> 00:31:32.340
 in their face.

00:31:35.480 --> 00:31:36.540
 The young virgin

00:31:36.540 --> 00:31:37.160
 was forced

00:31:37.160 --> 00:31:37.900
 to give birth

00:31:37.900 --> 00:31:38.320
 in the middle

00:31:38.320 --> 00:31:39.180
 of a communal

00:31:39.180 --> 00:31:39.920
 courtyard

00:31:39.920 --> 00:31:42.160
 meant for livestock

00:31:42.160 --> 00:31:44.820
 and you can only

00:31:44.820 --> 00:31:45.680
 imagine what that

00:31:45.680 --> 00:31:46.580
 must have been like.

00:31:49.580 --> 00:31:50.560
 People talk about

00:31:50.560 --> 00:31:51.220
 all the time

00:31:51.220 --> 00:31:51.960
 you know

00:31:51.960 --> 00:31:52.940
 the birth of your child

00:31:52.940 --> 00:31:53.360
 is something

00:31:53.360 --> 00:31:54.120
 that you never

00:31:54.120 --> 00:31:54.500
 forget.

00:31:55.220 --> 00:31:56.320
 It's entrenched

00:31:56.320 --> 00:31:56.940
 in your memory

00:31:56.940 --> 00:31:57.600
 and surely

00:31:57.600 --> 00:31:59.620
 even for us men

00:31:59.620 --> 00:32:00.259
 it's entrenched

00:32:00.259 --> 00:32:00.779
 in our memory

00:32:00.779 --> 00:32:01.420
 maybe for different

00:32:01.420 --> 00:32:02.420
 reasons but it's there.

00:32:03.700 --> 00:32:04.519
 It's one of the most

00:32:04.519 --> 00:32:05.620
 bizarre experiences

00:32:05.620 --> 00:32:06.400
 of my life.

00:32:07.100 --> 00:32:07.980
 A good experience

00:32:07.980 --> 00:32:08.640
 but bizarre.

00:32:10.220 --> 00:32:10.860
 And when Julie

00:32:10.860 --> 00:32:11.400
 gave birth

00:32:11.400 --> 00:32:12.059
 to our girls

00:32:12.059 --> 00:32:12.880
 it was in a

00:32:12.880 --> 00:32:13.660
 comfortable hospital

00:32:13.660 --> 00:32:14.299
 there was

00:32:14.299 --> 00:32:15.720
 heat

00:32:15.720 --> 00:32:16.600
 very high heat.

00:32:16.720 --> 00:32:16.960
 I don't know

00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:17.480
 why they cranked

00:32:17.480 --> 00:32:18.400
 the heat up so high

00:32:18.400 --> 00:32:19.080
 in those rooms

00:32:19.080 --> 00:32:19.740
 when this happens

00:32:19.740 --> 00:32:20.700
 and there's

00:32:20.700 --> 00:32:22.319
 not just a doctor

00:32:22.319 --> 00:32:22.960
 or a midwife

00:32:22.960 --> 00:32:24.680
 there's lots of them.

00:32:25.160 --> 00:32:25.920
 There's people everywhere

00:32:25.920 --> 00:32:27.559
 and they're all

00:32:27.559 --> 00:32:28.120
 coaching you

00:32:28.120 --> 00:32:28.500
 and there's all

00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:29.059
 the machinery

00:32:29.059 --> 00:32:29.660
 and there's all

00:32:29.660 --> 00:32:30.140
 the stuff

00:32:30.140 --> 00:32:30.920
 all the stuff

00:32:30.920 --> 00:32:31.500
 that they have you do.

00:32:31.920 --> 00:32:33.059
 Mary has none of that.

00:32:33.960 --> 00:32:34.740
 You can imagine

00:32:34.740 --> 00:32:36.480
 it's just her

00:32:36.480 --> 00:32:37.059
 and Joseph.

00:32:38.859 --> 00:32:39.779
 She's 12

00:32:39.779 --> 00:32:40.400
 13

00:32:40.400 --> 00:32:41.599
 14 years old.

00:32:42.920 --> 00:32:43.240
 Joseph

00:32:43.240 --> 00:32:44.279
 probably wasn't

00:32:44.279 --> 00:32:44.960
 much older

00:32:44.960 --> 00:32:45.640
 maybe a little

00:32:45.640 --> 00:32:46.240
 but probably

00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:47.000
 not much.

00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:50.319
 She has no idea

00:32:50.319 --> 00:32:51.779
 what this experience

00:32:51.779 --> 00:32:52.640
 is going to be like

00:32:52.640 --> 00:32:53.519
 except for however

00:32:53.519 --> 00:32:54.319
 it's been described

00:32:54.319 --> 00:32:55.019
 to her by other

00:32:55.019 --> 00:32:55.940
 women in her life.

00:32:56.420 --> 00:32:57.160
 Perhaps she was there

00:32:57.160 --> 00:32:58.000
 for John's birth

00:32:58.000 --> 00:32:59.559
 and was able to

00:32:59.559 --> 00:33:00.420
 experience at least

00:33:00.420 --> 00:33:01.140
 in that extent.

00:33:02.259 --> 00:33:03.480
 And now she's forced

00:33:03.480 --> 00:33:05.319
 into a not so private

00:33:05.319 --> 00:33:06.440
 communal courtyard

00:33:06.440 --> 00:33:06.440


00:33:08.720 --> 00:33:09.880
 Filled with animals.

00:33:11.880 --> 00:33:12.559
 Kent Hughes says

00:33:12.559 --> 00:33:13.259
 it was wretched

00:33:13.259 --> 00:33:14.759
 scandalous.

00:33:14.759 --> 00:33:16.779
 There was sweat

00:33:16.779 --> 00:33:17.480
 and pain

00:33:17.480 --> 00:33:18.519
 and blood

00:33:18.519 --> 00:33:19.480
 and cries

00:33:19.480 --> 00:33:20.859
 as Mary reached up

00:33:20.859 --> 00:33:21.700
 to the heavens

00:33:21.700 --> 00:33:22.299
 for help.

00:33:23.099 --> 00:33:24.359
 The smell of birth

00:33:24.359 --> 00:33:25.019
 mixed with

00:33:25.019 --> 00:33:25.879
 the stench

00:33:25.879 --> 00:33:26.400
 of manure

00:33:26.400 --> 00:33:27.799
 and acrid straw

00:33:27.799 --> 00:33:29.079
 made a contemptible

00:33:29.079 --> 00:33:29.619
 bouquet.

00:33:30.980 --> 00:33:31.539
 Trembling

00:33:31.539 --> 00:33:32.819
 carpenter's hands

00:33:32.819 --> 00:33:34.339
 clumsy with fear

00:33:34.339 --> 00:33:35.500
 grasped

00:33:35.500 --> 00:33:36.359
 God's son.

00:33:37.299 --> 00:33:37.960
 The baby's

00:33:37.960 --> 00:33:38.319
 limbs

00:33:38.319 --> 00:33:38.799
 waving

00:33:38.799 --> 00:33:39.920
 helplessly

00:33:39.920 --> 00:33:40.680
 as if falling

00:33:40.680 --> 00:33:41.539
 through space.

00:33:42.480 --> 00:33:43.000
 His face

00:33:43.000 --> 00:33:43.500
 grimacing

00:33:43.500 --> 00:33:44.480
 as he grasped

00:33:44.480 --> 00:33:45.099
 in the cold

00:33:45.099 --> 00:33:46.259
 and his cry

00:33:46.259 --> 00:33:46.799
 pierced

00:33:46.799 --> 00:33:47.599
 the night.

00:33:49.039 --> 00:33:49.720
 There's no

00:33:49.720 --> 00:33:50.680
 comfort of a mother.

00:33:51.339 --> 00:33:51.700
 There's no

00:33:51.700 --> 00:33:52.180
 assistance

00:33:52.180 --> 00:33:53.200
 from a midwife.

00:33:53.640 --> 00:33:54.079
 There's no

00:33:54.079 --> 00:33:55.019
 Clorox wipes

00:33:55.019 --> 00:33:55.619
 to clean out

00:33:55.619 --> 00:33:56.440
 the feeding trough

00:33:56.440 --> 00:33:56.859
 that she had

00:33:56.859 --> 00:33:57.599
 to lay the baby

00:33:57.599 --> 00:33:57.980
 in.

00:34:00.779 --> 00:34:01.299
 Unlike

00:34:01.299 --> 00:34:02.519
 Caesar Augustus

00:34:02.519 --> 00:34:04.400
 Jesus was the

00:34:04.400 --> 00:34:04.779
 king that

00:34:04.779 --> 00:34:05.640
 everybody needed

00:34:05.640 --> 00:34:06.440
 but no one

00:34:06.440 --> 00:34:07.359
 seemed to want.

00:34:08.400 --> 00:34:09.119
 No one

00:34:09.119 --> 00:34:09.840
 makes room.

00:34:10.900 --> 00:34:11.460
 No one

00:34:11.460 --> 00:34:12.159
 helps them.

00:34:12.159 --> 00:34:13.779
 The birth

00:34:13.779 --> 00:34:14.119
 of this

00:34:14.119 --> 00:34:14.519
 Messiah

00:34:14.519 --> 00:34:15.059
 could not

00:34:15.059 --> 00:34:15.420
 have been

00:34:15.420 --> 00:34:16.159
 more lowly.

00:34:16.719 --> 00:34:17.440
 It could not

00:34:17.440 --> 00:34:17.920
 have been

00:34:17.920 --> 00:34:18.859
 more humble

00:34:18.859 --> 00:34:20.159
 which of course

00:34:20.159 --> 00:34:20.779
 is the point

00:34:20.779 --> 00:34:21.179
 of it all.

00:34:21.599 --> 00:34:22.059
 That's the

00:34:22.059 --> 00:34:22.399
 point.

00:34:24.079 --> 00:34:25.000
 The creator

00:34:25.000 --> 00:34:25.799
 of the universe

00:34:25.799 --> 00:34:26.559
 enters our

00:34:26.559 --> 00:34:27.019
 world

00:34:27.019 --> 00:34:28.199
 taking true

00:34:28.199 --> 00:34:28.759
 humanity

00:34:28.759 --> 00:34:29.359
 with all

00:34:29.359 --> 00:34:29.619
 of its

00:34:29.619 --> 00:34:30.399
 brokenness.

00:34:31.279 --> 00:34:31.940
 He faced

00:34:31.940 --> 00:34:33.179
 every heartache

00:34:33.179 --> 00:34:34.539
 every temptation

00:34:34.539 --> 00:34:36.019
 every struggle

00:34:36.019 --> 00:34:36.699
 of life

00:34:36.699 --> 00:34:37.259
 in a sinful

00:34:37.259 --> 00:34:37.679
 world

00:34:37.679 --> 00:34:38.519
 but he did

00:34:38.519 --> 00:34:39.019
 so without

00:34:39.019 --> 00:34:39.719
 ever sinning

00:34:39.719 --> 00:34:40.399
 himself.

00:34:40.400 --> 00:34:42.920
 This makes

00:34:42.920 --> 00:34:43.660
 him a savior

00:34:43.660 --> 00:34:44.700
 and a mediator

00:34:44.700 --> 00:34:45.300
 according to

00:34:45.300 --> 00:34:45.680
 Hebrews

00:34:45.680 --> 00:34:46.360
 that is

00:34:46.360 --> 00:34:47.360
 perfectly able

00:34:47.360 --> 00:34:48.559
 to sympathize

00:34:48.559 --> 00:34:48.980
 with our

00:34:48.980 --> 00:34:49.420
 weaknesses

00:34:49.420 --> 00:34:50.700
 while maintaining

00:34:50.700 --> 00:34:51.320
 his power

00:34:51.320 --> 00:34:52.539
 to rescue

00:34:52.539 --> 00:34:53.200
 us from

00:34:53.200 --> 00:34:54.059
 those weaknesses.

00:34:56.059 --> 00:34:57.420
 King of heaven

00:34:57.420 --> 00:34:58.420
 now the

00:34:58.420 --> 00:34:58.880
 friend of

00:34:58.880 --> 00:34:59.320
 sinners

00:34:59.320 --> 00:35:01.059
 humble servant

00:35:01.059 --> 00:35:01.980
 in the

00:35:01.980 --> 00:35:02.920
 father's hands

00:35:02.920 --> 00:35:04.340
 filled with

00:35:04.340 --> 00:35:05.440
 power and

00:35:05.440 --> 00:35:05.880
 the Holy

00:35:05.880 --> 00:35:06.380
 Spirit

00:35:06.380 --> 00:35:07.660
 filled with

00:35:07.660 --> 00:35:08.240
 mercy

00:35:08.239 --> 00:35:08.299
 mercy

00:35:08.299 --> 00:35:09.299
 for the

00:35:09.299 --> 00:35:09.679
 broken

00:35:09.679 --> 00:35:10.159
 man.

00:35:11.359 --> 00:35:11.779
 Yes he

00:35:11.779 --> 00:35:12.399
 walked my

00:35:12.399 --> 00:35:12.879
 road

00:35:12.879 --> 00:35:13.679
 and he

00:35:13.679 --> 00:35:14.279
 felt my

00:35:14.279 --> 00:35:14.779
 pain

00:35:14.779 --> 00:35:16.379
 joys and

00:35:16.379 --> 00:35:16.879
 sorrows

00:35:16.879 --> 00:35:17.359
 that I

00:35:17.359 --> 00:35:17.959
 know so

00:35:17.959 --> 00:35:18.379
 well

00:35:18.379 --> 00:35:19.759
 yet his

00:35:19.759 --> 00:35:20.239
 righteous

00:35:20.239 --> 00:35:20.879
 steps

00:35:20.879 --> 00:35:21.379
 give me

00:35:21.379 --> 00:35:21.779
 hope

00:35:21.779 --> 00:35:22.500
 again

00:35:22.500 --> 00:35:23.779
 I will

00:35:23.779 --> 00:35:24.319
 follow

00:35:24.319 --> 00:35:25.019
 my

00:35:25.019 --> 00:35:25.679
 Emmanuel.

00:35:26.679 --> 00:35:27.439
 That's the

00:35:27.439 --> 00:35:27.879
 whole point

00:35:27.879 --> 00:35:28.119
 of the

00:35:28.119 --> 00:35:28.379
 thing.

00:35:29.379 --> 00:35:30.099
 It was

00:35:30.099 --> 00:35:30.839
 his divine

00:35:30.839 --> 00:35:32.119
 love

00:35:32.119 --> 00:35:33.559
 and desire

00:35:33.559 --> 00:35:34.799
 to save

00:35:34.799 --> 00:35:35.239
 sinners

00:35:35.239 --> 00:35:36.979
 that led

00:35:36.979 --> 00:35:37.679
 Jesus to

00:35:37.679 --> 00:35:38.299
 so willingly

00:35:38.299 --> 00:35:39.179
 humble

00:35:39.179 --> 00:35:39.819
 himself

00:35:39.819 --> 00:35:40.939
 in this

00:35:40.939 --> 00:35:41.359
 way.

00:35:42.559 --> 00:35:43.359
 But the

00:35:43.359 --> 00:35:44.119
 surest sign

00:35:44.119 --> 00:35:44.379
 of his

00:35:44.379 --> 00:35:44.919
 humility

00:35:44.919 --> 00:35:46.199
 wasn't his

00:35:46.199 --> 00:35:46.739
 birth in

00:35:46.739 --> 00:35:47.459
 Bethlehem

00:35:47.459 --> 00:35:49.000
 it was his

00:35:49.000 --> 00:35:49.659
 death in

00:35:49.659 --> 00:35:50.219
 Jerusalem.

00:35:51.859 --> 00:35:52.699
 Philippians 2

00:35:52.699 --> 00:35:53.159
 you know the

00:35:53.159 --> 00:35:53.879
 passage well

00:35:53.879 --> 00:35:55.379
 have this

00:35:55.379 --> 00:35:55.899
 mind among

00:35:55.899 --> 00:35:56.419
 yourselves

00:35:56.419 --> 00:35:56.939
 which is

00:35:56.939 --> 00:35:57.379
 yours in

00:35:57.379 --> 00:35:58.000
 Christ Jesus

00:35:58.000 --> 00:35:59.459
 who though

00:35:59.459 --> 00:35:59.939
 he was in

00:35:59.939 --> 00:36:00.399
 the form

00:36:00.399 --> 00:36:00.959
 of God

00:36:00.959 --> 00:36:02.219
 did not

00:36:02.219 --> 00:36:02.500
 count

00:36:02.500 --> 00:36:03.119
 equality

00:36:03.119 --> 00:36:03.739
 with God

00:36:03.739 --> 00:36:04.039
 a thing

00:36:04.039 --> 00:36:04.359
 to be

00:36:04.360 --> 00:36:05.019
 grasped

00:36:05.019 --> 00:36:06.980
 but emptied

00:36:06.980 --> 00:36:07.460
 himself

00:36:07.460 --> 00:36:09.599
 and taking

00:36:09.599 --> 00:36:10.079
 the form

00:36:10.079 --> 00:36:10.380
 of a

00:36:10.380 --> 00:36:10.740
 servant

00:36:10.740 --> 00:36:12.140
 being born

00:36:12.140 --> 00:36:12.460
 in the

00:36:12.460 --> 00:36:12.820
 likeness

00:36:12.820 --> 00:36:13.320
 of men

00:36:13.320 --> 00:36:14.900
 and being

00:36:14.900 --> 00:36:15.539
 found in

00:36:15.539 --> 00:36:16.280
 human form

00:36:16.280 --> 00:36:17.360
 he humbled

00:36:17.360 --> 00:36:17.920
 himself

00:36:17.920 --> 00:36:19.260
 by becoming

00:36:19.260 --> 00:36:20.000
 obedient to

00:36:20.000 --> 00:36:20.360
 the point

00:36:20.360 --> 00:36:20.880
 of death

00:36:20.880 --> 00:36:22.380
 even death

00:36:22.380 --> 00:36:23.400
 on a cross.

00:36:24.519 --> 00:36:24.720
 You see

00:36:24.720 --> 00:36:24.940
 this

00:36:24.940 --> 00:36:25.940
 characterization

00:36:25.940 --> 00:36:27.180
 of humility

00:36:27.180 --> 00:36:28.200
 the humble

00:36:28.200 --> 00:36:28.880
 nature of

00:36:28.880 --> 00:36:29.440
 the Messiah

00:36:29.440 --> 00:36:30.200
 is the

00:36:30.200 --> 00:36:30.539
 entire

00:36:30.539 --> 00:36:31.180
 point

00:36:31.179 --> 00:36:34.440
 that the

00:36:34.440 --> 00:36:34.759
 God of

00:36:34.759 --> 00:36:35.139
 heaven

00:36:35.139 --> 00:36:35.480
 endured

00:36:35.480 --> 00:36:36.460
 so much

00:36:36.460 --> 00:36:38.559
 out of

00:36:38.559 --> 00:36:39.099
 his love

00:36:39.099 --> 00:36:40.059
 for man

00:36:40.059 --> 00:36:41.419
 out of

00:36:41.419 --> 00:36:42.179
 his desire

00:36:42.179 --> 00:36:43.279
 to save

00:36:43.279 --> 00:36:43.719
 us

00:36:43.719 --> 00:36:45.639
 the pinnacle

00:36:45.639 --> 00:36:46.079
 of that

00:36:46.079 --> 00:36:46.519
 humility

00:36:46.519 --> 00:36:47.019
 being

00:36:47.019 --> 00:36:48.679
 a criminal's

00:36:48.679 --> 00:36:49.000
 death

00:36:49.000 --> 00:36:50.659
 the perfect

00:36:50.659 --> 00:36:51.099
 son of

00:36:51.099 --> 00:36:51.460
 God

00:36:51.460 --> 00:36:52.440
 nailed to

00:36:52.440 --> 00:36:53.019
 a cross

00:36:53.019 --> 00:36:53.699
 by the

00:36:53.699 --> 00:36:54.159
 people he

00:36:54.159 --> 00:36:54.599
 came to

00:36:54.599 --> 00:36:55.000
 save

00:36:55.000 --> 00:36:57.719
 Luke's

00:36:57.719 --> 00:36:58.099
 telling of

00:36:58.099 --> 00:36:58.480
 the birth

00:36:58.480 --> 00:36:58.699
 of

00:36:58.699 --> 00:36:59.480
 Jesus

00:36:59.480 --> 00:37:00.079
 is intended

00:37:00.079 --> 00:37:00.480
 to give

00:37:00.480 --> 00:37:00.659
 us

00:37:00.659 --> 00:37:01.139
 certainty

00:37:01.139 --> 00:37:02.800
 that God

00:37:02.800 --> 00:37:03.639
 has provided

00:37:03.639 --> 00:37:04.340
 salvation

00:37:04.340 --> 00:37:05.039
 through him

00:37:05.039 --> 00:37:07.559
 we get

00:37:07.559 --> 00:37:08.139
 the certainty

00:37:08.139 --> 00:37:08.820
 through the

00:37:08.820 --> 00:37:09.360
 historical

00:37:09.360 --> 00:37:09.960
 existence

00:37:09.960 --> 00:37:10.679
 of Christ

00:37:10.679 --> 00:37:11.739
 we see

00:37:11.739 --> 00:37:12.300
 the prophetic

00:37:12.300 --> 00:37:12.900
 fulfillment

00:37:12.900 --> 00:37:13.400
 we see

00:37:13.400 --> 00:37:13.840
 his divine

00:37:13.840 --> 00:37:14.320
 humility

00:37:14.320 --> 00:37:15.219
 but God

00:37:15.219 --> 00:37:15.559
 doesn't

00:37:15.559 --> 00:37:16.099
 desire

00:37:16.099 --> 00:37:17.760
 for us

00:37:17.760 --> 00:37:18.179
 to gain

00:37:18.179 --> 00:37:18.480
 mere

00:37:18.480 --> 00:37:19.159
 intellectual

00:37:19.159 --> 00:37:19.840
 certainty

00:37:19.840 --> 00:37:21.400
 there's a

00:37:21.400 --> 00:37:21.840
 difference

00:37:21.840 --> 00:37:22.159
 here

00:37:22.159 --> 00:37:23.420
 we can

00:37:23.420 --> 00:37:23.980
 sit down

00:37:23.980 --> 00:37:24.340
 with our

00:37:24.340 --> 00:37:24.760
 neighbor

00:37:24.760 --> 00:37:25.500
 and we

00:37:25.500 --> 00:37:25.900
 can go

00:37:25.900 --> 00:37:26.320
 through

00:37:26.320 --> 00:37:27.160
 the notes

00:37:27.160 --> 00:37:27.440
 that I've

00:37:27.440 --> 00:37:27.780
 given you

00:37:27.780 --> 00:37:28.140
 today

00:37:28.140 --> 00:37:28.420
 and you

00:37:28.420 --> 00:37:28.540
 can

00:37:28.540 --> 00:37:28.920
 highlight

00:37:28.920 --> 00:37:29.320
 all the

00:37:29.320 --> 00:37:29.580
 things

00:37:29.580 --> 00:37:29.880
 and you

00:37:29.880 --> 00:37:30.240
 can win

00:37:30.240 --> 00:37:30.440
 them

00:37:30.440 --> 00:37:31.220
 intellectually

00:37:31.220 --> 00:37:31.620
 maybe

00:37:31.620 --> 00:37:31.980
 to your

00:37:31.980 --> 00:37:32.560
 perspective

00:37:32.560 --> 00:37:33.900
 but

00:37:33.900 --> 00:37:34.660
 intellectual

00:37:34.660 --> 00:37:35.380
 agreement

00:37:35.380 --> 00:37:36.000
 with the

00:37:36.000 --> 00:37:36.720
 facts

00:37:36.720 --> 00:37:37.700
 is not

00:37:37.700 --> 00:37:38.180
 the same

00:37:38.180 --> 00:37:38.580
 thing

00:37:38.580 --> 00:37:39.500
 as saving

00:37:39.500 --> 00:37:40.160
 faith in

00:37:40.160 --> 00:37:40.480
 Christ

00:37:40.480 --> 00:37:40.940
 as Lord

00:37:40.940 --> 00:37:41.480
 and Savior

00:37:41.480 --> 00:37:44.100
 he doesn't

00:37:44.100 --> 00:37:44.640
 call us

00:37:44.640 --> 00:37:45.140
 simply to

00:37:45.140 --> 00:37:45.760
 agree with

00:37:45.760 --> 00:37:46.180
 the facts

00:37:46.180 --> 00:37:47.140
 he calls

00:37:47.140 --> 00:37:47.520
 us

00:37:47.520 --> 00:37:48.560
 invites

00:37:48.560 --> 00:37:49.180
 us

00:37:49.180 --> 00:37:50.080
 to repent

00:37:50.080 --> 00:37:50.640
 of sin

00:37:50.640 --> 00:37:51.600
 and trusting

00:37:51.600 --> 00:37:52.700
 Christ alone

00:37:52.700 --> 00:37:54.180
 as the only

00:37:54.179 --> 00:37:54.879
 means of

00:37:54.879 --> 00:37:55.500
 reconciliation

00:37:55.500 --> 00:37:56.379
 with God

00:37:56.379 --> 00:37:57.519
 you see

00:37:57.519 --> 00:37:57.879
 that's where

00:37:57.879 --> 00:37:58.359
 people get

00:37:58.359 --> 00:37:59.079
 tripped up

00:37:59.079 --> 00:38:01.599
 they're not

00:38:01.599 --> 00:38:02.460
 so opposed

00:38:02.460 --> 00:38:03.659
 to the

00:38:03.659 --> 00:38:04.539
 things of

00:38:04.539 --> 00:38:04.839
 Jesus

00:38:04.839 --> 00:38:05.480
 as far as

00:38:05.480 --> 00:38:05.940
 the stories

00:38:05.940 --> 00:38:06.559
 are concerned

00:38:06.559 --> 00:38:07.079
 and even

00:38:07.079 --> 00:38:08.000
 in our

00:38:08.000 --> 00:38:09.139
 particular age

00:38:09.139 --> 00:38:10.879
 they're fine

00:38:10.879 --> 00:38:11.419
 to listen

00:38:11.419 --> 00:38:12.460
 Amy mentioned

00:38:12.460 --> 00:38:13.359
 last Sunday

00:38:13.359 --> 00:38:13.699
 night

00:38:13.699 --> 00:38:14.919
 at our

00:38:14.919 --> 00:38:15.579
 fellowship

00:38:15.579 --> 00:38:16.879
 co-workers

00:38:16.879 --> 00:38:17.539
 even that she

00:38:17.539 --> 00:38:17.799
 has

00:38:17.799 --> 00:38:18.119
 who are

00:38:18.119 --> 00:38:18.639
 introducing

00:38:18.639 --> 00:38:19.139
 their kids

00:38:19.139 --> 00:38:19.739
 to Christianity

00:38:19.739 --> 00:38:20.479
 at Christmas

00:38:20.479 --> 00:38:21.659
 not because

00:38:21.659 --> 00:38:21.879
 they're

00:38:21.879 --> 00:38:22.379
 Christian

00:38:22.379 --> 00:38:23.199
 but because

00:38:23.199 --> 00:38:23.579
 they just

00:38:23.579 --> 00:38:23.919
 want them

00:38:23.919 --> 00:38:24.219
 to have

00:38:24.219 --> 00:38:25.059
 a well-rounded

00:38:25.059 --> 00:38:25.719
 understanding

00:38:25.719 --> 00:38:26.279
 of religions

00:38:26.279 --> 00:38:27.279
 and cultures

00:38:27.279 --> 00:38:27.759
 and things

00:38:27.759 --> 00:38:28.119
 like that

00:38:28.119 --> 00:38:28.479
 it's a whole

00:38:28.479 --> 00:38:29.099
 different thing

00:38:29.099 --> 00:38:30.119
 those kids

00:38:30.119 --> 00:38:30.679
 can go through

00:38:30.679 --> 00:38:30.979
 and learn

00:38:30.979 --> 00:38:31.799
 all the facts

00:38:31.799 --> 00:38:32.219
 and give

00:38:32.219 --> 00:38:32.559
 assent

00:38:32.559 --> 00:38:33.000
 to all

00:38:33.000 --> 00:38:33.619
 the facts

00:38:33.619 --> 00:38:34.439
 and still

00:38:34.439 --> 00:38:35.099
 go to hell

00:38:35.099 --> 00:38:36.539
 because it's

00:38:36.539 --> 00:38:37.079
 not about

00:38:37.079 --> 00:38:38.059
 giving intellectual

00:38:38.059 --> 00:38:38.539
 assent

00:38:38.539 --> 00:38:39.239
 to the facts

00:38:39.239 --> 00:38:39.779
 it's about

00:38:39.779 --> 00:38:40.399
 coming to a

00:38:40.399 --> 00:38:40.819
 place where

00:38:40.819 --> 00:38:41.139
 you see

00:38:41.139 --> 00:38:42.239
 the exclusivity

00:38:42.239 --> 00:38:42.839
 of Christ

00:38:42.839 --> 00:38:44.399
 Christ alone

00:38:44.399 --> 00:38:45.599
 brings salvation

00:38:45.599 --> 00:38:47.359
 Christ alone

00:38:47.360 --> 00:38:48.539
 can save me

00:38:48.539 --> 00:38:49.420
 from my sins

00:38:49.420 --> 00:38:51.019
 Christ alone

00:38:51.019 --> 00:38:52.539
 reconciles me

00:38:52.539 --> 00:38:53.460
 to the Father

00:38:53.460 --> 00:38:54.599
 so Luke writes

00:38:54.599 --> 00:38:55.360
 this not just

00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.700
 to say

00:38:55.700 --> 00:38:56.940
 here's the stuff

00:38:56.940 --> 00:38:58.340
 here's the facts

00:38:58.340 --> 00:38:59.760
 he gives the facts

00:38:59.760 --> 00:39:00.360
 in order that

00:39:00.360 --> 00:39:01.079
 he can say

00:39:01.079 --> 00:39:02.440
 now believe

00:39:02.440 --> 00:39:03.900
 believe

00:39:03.900 --> 00:39:05.519
 and follow Christ

00:39:05.519 --> 00:39:06.940
 believe

00:39:06.940 --> 00:39:07.720
 turn

00:39:07.720 --> 00:39:08.980
 from your sin

00:39:08.980 --> 00:39:11.400
 because the message

00:39:11.400 --> 00:39:12.280
 is good news

00:39:12.280 --> 00:39:13.180
 it's gospel news

00:39:13.180 --> 00:39:14.880
 but it's only good

00:39:14.880 --> 00:39:16.059
 if it's received

00:39:16.059 --> 00:39:16.780
 by faith

00:39:16.780 --> 00:39:18.400
 that's the only

00:39:18.400 --> 00:39:19.160
 way it brings

00:39:19.160 --> 00:39:19.780
 great joy

00:39:19.780 --> 00:39:22.440
 and you say

00:39:22.440 --> 00:39:22.960
 well what are we

00:39:22.960 --> 00:39:23.720
 what is it

00:39:23.720 --> 00:39:24.140
 exactly

00:39:24.140 --> 00:39:24.420
 what we're

00:39:24.420 --> 00:39:25.040
 supposed to do

00:39:25.040 --> 00:39:25.480
 with this

00:39:25.480 --> 00:39:26.260
 with these

00:39:26.260 --> 00:39:26.640
 things

00:39:26.640 --> 00:39:27.019
 and well

00:39:27.019 --> 00:39:27.540
 it depends

00:39:27.540 --> 00:39:28.060
 on who you

00:39:28.060 --> 00:39:28.400
 are

00:39:28.400 --> 00:39:30.019
 if you're

00:39:30.019 --> 00:39:30.519
 a believer

00:39:30.519 --> 00:39:33.120
 be confident

00:39:33.120 --> 00:39:33.960
 in the truth

00:39:33.960 --> 00:39:34.540
 of the Bible

00:39:34.540 --> 00:39:36.320
 it's

00:39:36.320 --> 00:39:37.560
 sometimes we

00:39:37.560 --> 00:39:38.280
 get this idea

00:39:38.280 --> 00:39:38.980
 that the things

00:39:38.980 --> 00:39:39.320
 that God

00:39:39.320 --> 00:39:39.900
 has given us

00:39:39.900 --> 00:39:40.340
 in the word

00:39:40.340 --> 00:39:40.800
 are just kind

00:39:40.800 --> 00:39:41.040
 of like

00:39:41.040 --> 00:39:41.800
 barely hanging

00:39:41.800 --> 00:39:42.660
 on by a thread

00:39:42.660 --> 00:39:43.019
 that if

00:39:43.019 --> 00:39:44.760
 one atheist

00:39:44.760 --> 00:39:45.460
 just pulls

00:39:45.460 --> 00:39:46.400
 just the right

00:39:46.400 --> 00:39:46.700
 thread

00:39:46.699 --> 00:39:47.159
 it's all

00:39:47.159 --> 00:39:47.359
 going to

00:39:47.359 --> 00:39:47.960
 fall apart

00:39:47.960 --> 00:39:49.619
 and you

00:39:49.619 --> 00:39:49.939
 need to

00:39:49.939 --> 00:39:50.319
 remember

00:39:50.319 --> 00:39:51.159
 that for

00:39:51.159 --> 00:39:51.599
 thousands

00:39:51.599 --> 00:39:52.139
 of years

00:39:52.139 --> 00:39:52.500
 now

00:39:52.500 --> 00:39:53.179
 they've been

00:39:53.179 --> 00:39:53.699
 trying to

00:39:53.699 --> 00:39:54.179
 pull those

00:39:54.179 --> 00:39:54.639
 threads

00:39:54.639 --> 00:39:55.259
 and the

00:39:55.259 --> 00:39:55.579
 Bible

00:39:55.579 --> 00:39:56.159
 has stood

00:39:56.159 --> 00:39:56.719
 the test

00:39:56.719 --> 00:39:57.299
 of time

00:39:57.299 --> 00:39:58.039
 it cannot

00:39:58.039 --> 00:39:58.759
 be defeated

00:39:58.759 --> 00:40:00.500
 your greatest

00:40:00.500 --> 00:40:01.799
 doubts

00:40:01.799 --> 00:40:02.819
 will not be

00:40:02.819 --> 00:40:03.239
 able to

00:40:03.239 --> 00:40:03.759
 defeat the

00:40:03.759 --> 00:40:04.139
 truth of

00:40:04.139 --> 00:40:04.699
 God's word

00:40:04.699 --> 00:40:05.239
 and when you

00:40:05.239 --> 00:40:05.739
 come to a

00:40:05.739 --> 00:40:06.339
 passage like

00:40:06.339 --> 00:40:06.759
 this you

00:40:06.759 --> 00:40:07.199
 can use

00:40:07.199 --> 00:40:07.719
 logic

00:40:07.719 --> 00:40:08.119
 and the

00:40:08.119 --> 00:40:08.539
 reason

00:40:08.539 --> 00:40:08.939
 that God

00:40:08.939 --> 00:40:09.359
 has given

00:40:09.359 --> 00:40:09.619
 you

00:40:09.619 --> 00:40:10.519
 to develop

00:40:10.519 --> 00:40:11.279
 the confidence

00:40:11.279 --> 00:40:12.039
 necessary

00:40:12.039 --> 00:40:12.539
 in the truth

00:40:12.539 --> 00:40:13.039
 of the Bible

00:40:13.039 --> 00:40:14.659
 and then

00:40:14.659 --> 00:40:15.199
 the confidence

00:40:15.199 --> 00:40:15.659
 of those

00:40:15.659 --> 00:40:16.699
 factual things

00:40:16.699 --> 00:40:17.380
 produces

00:40:17.380 --> 00:40:18.039
 worship

00:40:18.039 --> 00:40:19.980
 that's what

00:40:19.980 --> 00:40:20.539
 these Christmas

00:40:20.539 --> 00:40:21.279
 services are

00:40:21.279 --> 00:40:21.599
 about

00:40:21.599 --> 00:40:23.639
 that's what

00:40:23.639 --> 00:40:24.360
 that nativity

00:40:24.360 --> 00:40:25.019
 set on your

00:40:25.019 --> 00:40:25.579
 counter is

00:40:25.579 --> 00:40:26.059
 about

00:40:26.059 --> 00:40:27.820
 it's to bring

00:40:27.820 --> 00:40:28.199
 you to a

00:40:28.199 --> 00:40:28.599
 place of

00:40:28.599 --> 00:40:29.219
 worship

00:40:29.219 --> 00:40:31.380
 if you're a

00:40:31.380 --> 00:40:31.619
 believer

00:40:31.619 --> 00:40:32.219
 that's your

00:40:32.219 --> 00:40:32.880
 response

00:40:32.880 --> 00:40:34.840
 have confidence

00:40:34.840 --> 00:40:35.579
 in the truth

00:40:35.579 --> 00:40:37.019
 have confidence

00:40:37.019 --> 00:40:37.619
 to share the

00:40:37.619 --> 00:40:38.219
 truth and then

00:40:38.219 --> 00:40:39.159
 allow it to

00:40:39.159 --> 00:40:39.840
 drive you to

00:40:39.840 --> 00:40:40.219
 worship

00:40:40.219 --> 00:40:41.719
 maybe you're

00:40:41.719 --> 00:40:42.739
 a sufferer

00:40:42.739 --> 00:40:43.980
 here today

00:40:43.980 --> 00:40:45.699
 and perhaps

00:40:45.699 --> 00:40:46.179
 when you come

00:40:46.179 --> 00:40:46.480
 to this

00:40:46.480 --> 00:40:47.159
 passage you

00:40:47.159 --> 00:40:48.179
 are reminded

00:40:48.179 --> 00:40:49.219
 that Jesus

00:40:49.219 --> 00:40:49.959
 knows your

00:40:49.959 --> 00:40:50.459
 suffering

00:40:50.459 --> 00:40:52.179
 that there's

00:40:52.179 --> 00:40:52.799
 no suffering

00:40:52.799 --> 00:40:53.519
 you've experienced

00:40:53.519 --> 00:40:54.119
 that he did

00:40:54.119 --> 00:40:54.539
 not also

00:40:54.539 --> 00:40:55.059
 experience

00:40:55.059 --> 00:40:56.019
 he knows

00:40:56.019 --> 00:40:58.019
 he sympathizes

00:40:58.019 --> 00:40:58.439
 with your

00:40:58.439 --> 00:40:58.939
 weakness

00:40:58.939 --> 00:41:00.699
 receive his

00:41:00.699 --> 00:41:01.159
 comfort

00:41:01.159 --> 00:41:03.919
 maybe you're

00:41:03.919 --> 00:41:04.439
 a doubter

00:41:04.439 --> 00:41:06.019
 and if you're

00:41:06.019 --> 00:41:06.519
 a doubter

00:41:06.519 --> 00:41:07.179
 I just beg

00:41:07.179 --> 00:41:07.399
 you to

00:41:07.399 --> 00:41:08.000
 consider the

00:41:08.000 --> 00:41:08.519
 evidence

00:41:08.519 --> 00:41:09.399
 there is

00:41:09.399 --> 00:41:09.839
 abundant

00:41:09.840 --> 00:41:10.500
 evidence

00:41:10.500 --> 00:41:12.480
 consider it

00:41:12.480 --> 00:41:14.460
 if you're

00:41:14.460 --> 00:41:14.940
 a sinner

00:41:14.940 --> 00:41:18.240
 I invite

00:41:18.240 --> 00:41:18.500
 you to

00:41:18.500 --> 00:41:18.960
 turn to

00:41:18.960 --> 00:41:19.240
 Jesus

00:41:19.240 --> 00:41:19.740
 today

00:41:19.740 --> 00:41:22.400
 only he

00:41:22.400 --> 00:41:22.840
 can save

00:41:22.840 --> 00:41:23.380
 your sin

00:41:23.380 --> 00:41:25.000
 and that's

00:41:25.000 --> 00:41:25.539
 exactly what

00:41:25.539 --> 00:41:25.880
 he came

00:41:25.880 --> 00:41:26.360
 to do

00:41:26.360 --> 00:41:28.140
 we read

00:41:28.140 --> 00:41:28.380
 it in

00:41:28.380 --> 00:41:28.960
 John 3

00:41:28.960 --> 00:41:30.240
 God did

00:41:30.240 --> 00:41:30.680
 not send

00:41:30.680 --> 00:41:31.180
 his son

00:41:31.180 --> 00:41:31.780
 into the

00:41:31.780 --> 00:41:31.980
 world

00:41:31.980 --> 00:41:32.420
 to condemn

00:41:32.420 --> 00:41:32.860
 the world

00:41:32.860 --> 00:41:33.680
 not this

00:41:33.680 --> 00:41:34.120
 time

00:41:34.120 --> 00:41:35.860
 that time

00:41:35.860 --> 00:41:36.300
 comes at

00:41:36.300 --> 00:41:36.740
 the end

00:41:36.740 --> 00:41:37.559
 where he

00:41:37.559 --> 00:41:38.000
 will come

00:41:38.000 --> 00:41:38.400
 to condemn

00:41:38.400 --> 00:41:38.800
 the world

00:41:38.800 --> 00:41:39.920
 that time

00:41:39.920 --> 00:41:40.180
 has not

00:41:40.180 --> 00:41:40.340
 yet

00:41:40.340 --> 00:41:40.780
 occurred

00:41:40.780 --> 00:41:41.880
 God

00:41:41.880 --> 00:41:42.160
 sent

00:41:42.160 --> 00:41:42.580
 his son

00:41:42.580 --> 00:41:42.980
 into the

00:41:42.980 --> 00:41:43.320
 world

00:41:43.320 --> 00:41:44.220
 in order

00:41:44.220 --> 00:41:44.740
 that he

00:41:44.740 --> 00:41:45.039
 might

00:41:45.039 --> 00:41:45.740
 save

00:41:45.740 --> 00:41:46.080
 them

00:41:46.080 --> 00:41:48.180
 and he

00:41:48.180 --> 00:41:48.580
 says the

00:41:48.580 --> 00:41:48.980
 way that

00:41:48.980 --> 00:41:49.580
 you receive

00:41:49.580 --> 00:41:50.400
 this salvation

00:41:50.400 --> 00:41:51.980
 is through

00:41:51.980 --> 00:41:52.660
 faith

00:41:52.659 --> 00:41:54.239
 he that

00:41:54.239 --> 00:41:54.699
 believes

00:41:54.699 --> 00:41:55.619
 is not

00:41:55.619 --> 00:41:56.079
 condemned

00:41:56.079 --> 00:41:57.619
 but he

00:41:57.619 --> 00:41:58.019
 who does

00:41:58.019 --> 00:41:58.299
 not

00:41:58.299 --> 00:41:58.739
 believe

00:41:58.739 --> 00:41:59.619
 he's

00:41:59.619 --> 00:41:59.879
 condemned

00:41:59.879 --> 00:42:00.379
 already

00:42:00.379 --> 00:42:01.099
 you say

00:42:01.099 --> 00:42:01.399
 what am

00:42:01.399 --> 00:42:01.679
 I supposed

00:42:01.679 --> 00:42:02.099
 to do

00:42:02.099 --> 00:42:03.119
 cry out

00:42:03.119 --> 00:42:03.420
 to God

00:42:03.420 --> 00:42:04.059
 for mercy

00:42:04.059 --> 00:42:05.679
 acknowledging

00:42:05.679 --> 00:42:06.119
 that only

00:42:06.119 --> 00:42:06.619
 in Jesus

00:42:06.619 --> 00:42:07.159
 Christ

00:42:07.159 --> 00:42:08.119
 in his

00:42:08.119 --> 00:42:08.859
 crucifixion

00:42:08.859 --> 00:42:09.519
 and resurrection

00:42:09.519 --> 00:42:10.440
 is that

00:42:10.440 --> 00:42:10.779
 mercy

00:42:10.779 --> 00:42:11.619
 even possible

00:42:11.619 --> 00:42:13.039
 repent

00:42:13.039 --> 00:42:13.519
 from your

00:42:13.519 --> 00:42:13.879
 sin

00:42:13.879 --> 00:42:15.379
 trust in

00:42:15.379 --> 00:42:15.719
 him

00:42:15.719 --> 00:42:17.099
 faithfully

00:42:17.099 --> 00:42:17.500
 follow

00:42:17.500 --> 00:42:19.500
 for

00:42:19.500 --> 00:42:20.739
 reason

00:42:20.739 --> 00:42:20.739


00:42:20.739 --> 00:42:20.739


00:42:20.739 --> 00:42:21.400
 aspire to

00:42:21.400 --> 00:42:22.099
 aspire to

00:42:22.099 --> 00:42:22.099


00:42:22.099 --> 00:42:22.099


00:42:22.099 --> 00:42:22.800
 aspire to

00:42:22.800 --> 00:42:23.320
 aspire to

00:42:23.320 --> 00:42:23.820
 aspire to

00:42:23.820 --> 00:42:23.820


00:42:23.820 --> 00:42:23.820


00:42:23.820 --> 00:42:23.820


00:42:23.820 --> 00:42:25.880
 aspire to

00:42:25.880 --> 00:42:25.880


00:42:25.880 --> 00:42:26.179
 aspire to

00:42:26.179 --> 00:42:27.440
 aspire to

00:42:27.440 --> 00:42:27.440


00:42:27.440 --> 00:42:29.019
 aspire to

00:42:29.019 --> 00:42:29.019


00:42:29.019 --> 00:42:29.019


00:42:29.019 --> 00:42:29.019


00:42:29.019 --> 00:42:29.019


00:42:29.019 --> 00:42:29.019


00:42:29.019 --> 00:42:29.019


00:42:29.019 --> 00:42:31.820
 aspire to

00:42:31.820 --> 00:42:31.820


00:42:31.820 --> 00:42:33.480
 aspire to

00:42:33.480 --> 00:42:33.480


00:42:33.480 --> 00:42:34.179
 aspire to

00:42:34.179 --> 00:42:34.880
 aspire to

00:42:34.880 --> 00:42:34.880


00:42:34.880 --> 00:42:35.659
 aspire to

00:42:35.659 --> 00:42:36.679
 aspire to

00:42:36.679 --> 00:42:37.619
 aspire to

00:42:37.619 --> 00:42:39.739
 aspire to

00:42:39.739 --> 00:42:40.659
 aspire to

00:42:40.659 --> 00:42:40.659


00:42:40.659 --> 00:42:42.099
 aspire to

00:42:42.099 --> 00:42:43.119
 aspire to

00:42:43.119 --> 00:42:44.019
 aspire to

00:42:44.019 --> 00:42:44.019


00:42:44.019 --> 00:42:44.019


00:42:44.019 --> 00:42:44.019


00:42:44.019 --> 00:42:44.019


00:42:44.019 --> 00:42:44.019


00:42:44.019 --> 00:42:44.019


00:42:44.019 --> 00:42:44.019


00:42:44.019 --> 00:42:44.019


00:42:44.019 --> 00:42:44.019


00:42:44.019 --> 00:42:44.019


00:42:44.019 --> 00:42:44.019


00:42:44.019 --> 00:42:44.019


00:42:44.019 --> 00:42:44.019


00:42:44.019 --> 00:42:44.019


00:42:44.019 --> 00:42:44.019


00:42:44.019 --> 00:42:44.019