WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.220 Good morning everyone, my name is Steve, Sandy Parsey here. 00:00:04.080 --> 00:00:06.480 Welcome to St Paul's this morning. 00:00:06.640 --> 00:00:09.320 It's great if you have your Bibles over there at one Timothy. 00:00:09.519 --> 00:00:11.880 We've got some spare ones floating around if you want one. 00:00:12.400 --> 00:00:15.280 And you can take them home with you if you don't have one at home. 00:00:16.160 --> 00:00:20.480 And it's particularly mindful of the message you're coming through today. 00:00:21.080 --> 00:00:22.620 We're coming to the end of the year. 00:00:22.740 --> 00:00:24.120 Christmas is over. 00:00:24.920 --> 00:00:27.740 And New Year is on upon us. 00:00:27.739 --> 00:00:32.439 Let me pray as we launch into this text verse this morning. 00:00:32.979 --> 00:00:36.420 Gracious God, we thank you for your love for us in the Lord Jesus. 00:00:36.640 --> 00:00:39.560 We thank you for all we have just remembered and celebrated 00:00:39.560 --> 00:00:44.719 and coming into this world to save sinners just like us. 00:00:44.840 --> 00:00:46.980 We ask that as we launch into a new year, 00:00:47.459 --> 00:00:51.039 that you would affect genuine and radical change deep in our hearts 00:00:51.039 --> 00:00:54.399 and particularly our eternal status in him. 00:00:54.840 --> 00:00:56.019 And we ask it for your glory. 00:00:56.019 --> 00:00:56.619 Amen. 00:00:57.740 --> 00:01:02.219 Andy Parke is an electrician in the UK. 00:01:03.300 --> 00:01:06.079 He also goes by the name Mr Christmas. 00:01:06.579 --> 00:01:08.079 It's a name that he's given himself. 00:01:09.079 --> 00:01:12.579 He claims to have celebrated Christmas Day 00:01:12.579 --> 00:01:19.200 every single day of the year since July 1993. 00:01:19.200 --> 00:01:26.540 He claims that every day he eats turkey sandwich and mince pies for breakfast. 00:01:26.540 --> 00:01:32.359 He then goes to work and then returns home for a full roast turkey dinner 00:01:32.359 --> 00:01:37.900 before watching in the evening the recording of the Queen's Christmas speech 00:01:37.900 --> 00:01:39.240 with a sherry in the UK. 00:01:39.240 --> 00:01:45.240 In an interview that was published in 2006, 00:01:45.239 --> 00:01:49.519 Mr Parke said that over the previous 13 years, 00:01:49.519 --> 00:01:53.899 he has consumed 4,380 turkeys, 00:01:53.899 --> 00:01:57.859 87,600 mince pies, 00:01:57.859 --> 00:02:01.699 1,200 litres of gravy, 00:02:01.700 --> 00:02:03.040 26,280,000 litres of gravy, 00:02:03.040 --> 00:02:05.520 26,280 roast potatoes, 00:02:06.299 --> 00:02:09.620 30,660 stuffing balls, 00:02:10.159 --> 00:02:12.620 4,380 bottles of champagne, 00:02:12.819 --> 00:02:15.680 4,380 bottles of sherry, 00:02:15.900 --> 00:02:17.800 and 5,000 bottles of wine. 00:02:17.800 --> 00:02:23.680 Now, it all strikes me as a little bit odd. 00:02:25.980 --> 00:02:30.439 Although, his premise has a point, 00:02:32.000 --> 00:02:35.020 even if I think he's entirely missed the point. 00:02:36.400 --> 00:02:39.760 That is, his premise behind it all, 00:02:39.960 --> 00:02:41.580 in declaring himself being Mr Christmas, 00:02:42.320 --> 00:02:45.600 is that he thinks that Christmas is so wonderful, 00:02:45.599 --> 00:02:48.019 why would you just leave it to one day a year? 00:02:48.819 --> 00:02:52.900 It's something that needs to be celebrated every single day. 00:02:55.280 --> 00:02:56.919 And I would say he's right, 00:02:57.680 --> 00:03:01.240 even if he's got it entirely wrong. 00:03:02.299 --> 00:03:03.079 But how? 00:03:03.159 --> 00:03:04.900 How do we celebrate Christmas every day? 00:03:05.240 --> 00:03:07.340 Well, if you open up that passage of 1 Timothy, 00:03:07.979 --> 00:03:10.299 you'll see there the Christmas event 00:03:10.299 --> 00:03:13.120 is right there in verse 15. 00:03:13.120 --> 00:03:17.360 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 00:03:18.080 --> 00:03:20.240 Christ Jesus came into the world. 00:03:21.120 --> 00:03:22.840 That's the Christmas event right there. 00:03:22.939 --> 00:03:24.280 Christ Jesus came into the world. 00:03:25.480 --> 00:03:27.819 Christ Jesus came into the world. 00:03:29.259 --> 00:03:32.500 And the coming of the eternal Son of God 00:03:32.500 --> 00:03:33.879 into the world, Christ Jesus, 00:03:34.120 --> 00:03:35.700 is a fact of history. 00:03:35.699 --> 00:03:41.159 There is not a credible historian anywhere in the world 00:03:41.159 --> 00:03:42.019 that would deny that. 00:03:42.659 --> 00:03:43.839 It's a fact of history. 00:03:45.219 --> 00:03:49.339 And that's what we remember we celebrate every Christmas. 00:03:50.459 --> 00:03:53.299 But the coming of the Son of God into the world 00:03:53.299 --> 00:03:57.599 is so much more than just an historical fact. 00:03:57.599 --> 00:04:01.560 The historical event that we celebrate 00:04:01.560 --> 00:04:05.939 in Christmas year in, year out, 00:04:06.299 --> 00:04:09.259 is fundamentally a message of hope. 00:04:09.699 --> 00:04:12.620 When you continue to read the rest of verse 15, 00:04:13.759 --> 00:04:15.560 Christ Jesus came into the world 00:04:15.560 --> 00:04:18.339 to save sinners. 00:04:18.339 --> 00:04:25.219 The meaning of Christmas for you and me 00:04:25.219 --> 00:04:26.759 from Jesus Christ 00:04:26.759 --> 00:04:30.139 is that forgiveness and salvation 00:04:30.139 --> 00:04:32.039 and therefore hope 00:04:32.039 --> 00:04:35.019 is there and for our taking 00:04:35.019 --> 00:04:37.359 every single day. 00:04:37.360 --> 00:04:41.060 Since the Son of God lived, 00:04:41.860 --> 00:04:44.800 died, rose, reigns, and is coming again, 00:04:45.139 --> 00:04:48.620 God's message through him to us 00:04:48.620 --> 00:04:51.400 is more than just remembering 00:04:51.400 --> 00:04:53.139 an historical event. 00:04:54.280 --> 00:04:56.980 The real meaning of Christmas 00:04:56.980 --> 00:05:00.379 is about lives and destinies 00:05:00.379 --> 00:05:04.060 being changed by God forever. 00:05:04.060 --> 00:05:09.680 So what we are talking about here 00:05:09.680 --> 00:05:13.100 is not just a celebration of a historical fact 00:05:13.100 --> 00:05:14.819 and retelling of old stories. 00:05:17.459 --> 00:05:20.199 There may be some questions 00:05:20.199 --> 00:05:22.459 over the sanity and the authenticity 00:05:22.459 --> 00:05:26.660 of Andy Park's daily celebration of Christmas, 00:05:27.259 --> 00:05:29.519 but there is no mistake 00:05:29.519 --> 00:05:31.160 about the impact of Jesus 00:05:31.160 --> 00:05:33.079 coming into this world 00:05:33.079 --> 00:05:36.099 and that impact being on a daily basis 00:05:36.099 --> 00:05:38.139 in the lives of people across this globe. 00:05:40.199 --> 00:05:42.439 The sentences in front of us today 00:05:42.439 --> 00:05:46.259 are the words of the Apostle Paul. 00:05:47.259 --> 00:05:49.000 He was one of the leaders 00:05:49.000 --> 00:05:51.019 of the Christian church in the first century 00:05:51.019 --> 00:05:53.379 and he's often, even to this day, 00:05:54.360 --> 00:05:57.099 he is often features in the list 00:05:57.099 --> 00:06:00.299 of top 20 most influential people of all time. 00:06:00.300 --> 00:06:03.860 that's who's writing these words. 00:06:05.360 --> 00:06:07.800 And they are the sentences, 00:06:09.340 --> 00:06:12.040 are the testimony of the change 00:06:12.040 --> 00:06:16.580 that Jesus Christ brought about in his life. 00:06:16.579 --> 00:06:21.859 Have a look there in verses 12 to 14 00:06:21.859 --> 00:06:22.919 if you've got in front of you. 00:06:23.699 --> 00:06:26.219 I thank Christ Jesus, our Lord, 00:06:26.279 --> 00:06:27.560 who has given me strength 00:06:27.560 --> 00:06:28.919 and he considered me faithful, 00:06:29.079 --> 00:06:30.379 appointed me to his service. 00:06:31.319 --> 00:06:32.979 Even though I was once 00:06:32.979 --> 00:06:35.620 a blasphemer and a persecutor 00:06:35.620 --> 00:06:36.680 and a violent man, 00:06:36.680 --> 00:06:38.500 I was shown mercy 00:06:38.500 --> 00:06:41.459 because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 00:06:42.540 --> 00:06:44.160 The grace of our Lord 00:06:44.160 --> 00:06:46.279 was poured out on me abundantly 00:06:46.279 --> 00:06:48.540 along with the faith and love 00:06:48.540 --> 00:06:50.060 that are in Christ Jesus. 00:06:51.259 --> 00:06:54.079 So this is one of the top 20 00:06:54.079 --> 00:06:55.899 most influential people of all time 00:06:55.899 --> 00:06:57.600 and he describes himself here 00:06:57.600 --> 00:06:58.620 as a blasphemer 00:06:58.620 --> 00:06:59.500 and a persecutor 00:07:00.019 --> 00:07:01.540 and a violent man 00:07:01.540 --> 00:07:05.139 before God graciously intervened 00:07:05.139 --> 00:07:05.899 in his life 00:07:05.899 --> 00:07:07.639 in Jesus Christ. 00:07:08.939 --> 00:07:10.180 This is Paul 00:07:10.180 --> 00:07:12.459 who used to hunt down Christians 00:07:12.459 --> 00:07:14.479 in an attempt to devastate 00:07:14.479 --> 00:07:16.159 the early Christian church. 00:07:17.060 --> 00:07:17.979 Paul's biographer, 00:07:18.259 --> 00:07:19.539 a guy named Luke, 00:07:19.699 --> 00:07:20.339 Dr. Luke, 00:07:20.759 --> 00:07:23.399 described him as a religious predator 00:07:23.399 --> 00:07:25.319 who breathed out 00:07:25.319 --> 00:07:27.180 murderous threats against Christians. 00:07:27.860 --> 00:07:28.719 This is the Paul 00:07:28.719 --> 00:07:30.639 who was a callous, 00:07:31.240 --> 00:07:31.779 pious, 00:07:32.519 --> 00:07:33.719 self-righteous, 00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:34.839 bigoted murderer 00:07:34.839 --> 00:07:36.019 held bent 00:07:36.019 --> 00:07:38.839 on the full-scale extermination 00:07:38.839 --> 00:07:40.919 of the early Christian church. 00:07:41.959 --> 00:07:43.859 He was one of the main enemies 00:07:43.859 --> 00:07:45.959 of Jesus Christ 00:07:45.959 --> 00:07:47.299 and the early church. 00:07:49.000 --> 00:07:50.939 And he lived day by day 00:07:50.939 --> 00:07:53.659 with God at his back. 00:07:54.839 --> 00:07:55.459 And yet, 00:07:55.719 --> 00:07:57.459 that reality to him 00:07:57.459 --> 00:07:58.479 in that moment 00:07:58.479 --> 00:07:59.819 was a surprise for him. 00:08:01.019 --> 00:08:01.719 He says here 00:08:01.719 --> 00:08:03.339 he acted in ignorance 00:08:03.339 --> 00:08:04.239 and unbelief. 00:08:04.240 --> 00:08:04.639 That is, 00:08:04.660 --> 00:08:05.960 he was totally oblivious 00:08:05.960 --> 00:08:08.420 that his day-by-day existence 00:08:08.420 --> 00:08:10.319 was standing opposed 00:08:10.319 --> 00:08:11.620 to God, 00:08:12.040 --> 00:08:12.680 his creator. 00:08:15.360 --> 00:08:17.000 He was under the assumption 00:08:17.000 --> 00:08:18.300 that he and God were okay. 00:08:19.180 --> 00:08:21.620 He had religious pedigree. 00:08:22.620 --> 00:08:23.860 He had piety 00:08:23.860 --> 00:08:25.860 that set him apart 00:08:25.860 --> 00:08:27.720 from all of his peers. 00:08:27.720 --> 00:08:30.000 He was zealous 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:30.940 to do what was right 00:08:30.940 --> 00:08:31.980 and obey God's law. 00:08:32.980 --> 00:08:34.740 When he persecuted Jesus 00:08:34.740 --> 00:08:36.300 and the followers of Jesus, 00:08:36.840 --> 00:08:38.879 he thought he was actually 00:08:38.879 --> 00:08:39.879 doing God a favour. 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:43.000 He was ignorant of the fact 00:08:43.000 --> 00:08:44.860 that when he stood opposed 00:08:44.860 --> 00:08:46.100 to Jesus, 00:08:46.460 --> 00:08:47.480 he stood opposed 00:08:47.480 --> 00:08:48.080 to the God 00:08:48.080 --> 00:08:48.720 that he said 00:08:48.720 --> 00:08:49.960 that he worshipped. 00:08:49.960 --> 00:08:54.600 all of his religious zeal 00:08:54.600 --> 00:08:55.740 in fact 00:08:55.740 --> 00:08:56.200 made him 00:08:56.200 --> 00:08:57.460 an enemy of God. 00:08:59.800 --> 00:09:00.840 It's noticeable 00:09:00.840 --> 00:09:03.500 that he twice says 00:09:03.500 --> 00:09:04.620 in these verses, 00:09:04.740 --> 00:09:06.160 verses 15 and 16, 00:09:06.700 --> 00:09:08.300 he refers to himself 00:09:08.300 --> 00:09:10.120 as the worst 00:09:10.120 --> 00:09:11.400 of sinners. 00:09:11.740 --> 00:09:12.340 In other bits 00:09:12.340 --> 00:09:13.080 of the New Testament, 00:09:13.200 --> 00:09:13.700 he refers to himself 00:09:13.700 --> 00:09:14.340 as the chief 00:09:14.340 --> 00:09:14.960 of all sinners. 00:09:14.960 --> 00:09:17.900 a whole lot of people 00:09:17.900 --> 00:09:18.800 struggle with that 00:09:18.800 --> 00:09:19.740 kind of declaration. 00:09:21.980 --> 00:09:23.440 He actually says 00:09:23.440 --> 00:09:24.820 it multiple times. 00:09:25.620 --> 00:09:27.120 Of all the people 00:09:27.120 --> 00:09:27.720 that he knows, 00:09:27.800 --> 00:09:28.700 of all the people 00:09:28.700 --> 00:09:29.460 in the world, 00:09:29.680 --> 00:09:32.160 I am the worst. 00:09:34.340 --> 00:09:35.700 One commentator 00:09:35.700 --> 00:09:37.040 in fact on this text, 00:09:37.780 --> 00:09:39.080 unhappy with Paul's 00:09:39.080 --> 00:09:40.379 self-assessment here, 00:09:41.180 --> 00:09:42.080 says that Paul 00:09:42.080 --> 00:09:43.780 is either morbid 00:09:43.779 --> 00:09:45.579 or he's being 00:09:45.579 --> 00:09:46.879 unreal. 00:09:48.399 --> 00:09:49.220 He's not telling 00:09:49.220 --> 00:09:49.759 the truth. 00:09:52.220 --> 00:09:53.299 We might say 00:09:53.299 --> 00:09:54.279 Paul is using 00:09:54.279 --> 00:09:56.539 pious exaggeration. 00:09:57.699 --> 00:09:58.339 This can be 00:09:58.339 --> 00:09:58.899 a tendency 00:09:58.899 --> 00:10:00.959 in religious circles 00:10:00.959 --> 00:10:01.799 and even 00:10:01.799 --> 00:10:02.860 in Christian circles. 00:10:04.199 --> 00:10:05.220 You can call it 00:10:05.220 --> 00:10:06.100 spiritual hype, 00:10:06.220 --> 00:10:07.019 you can call it 00:10:07.019 --> 00:10:08.819 spiritual hyperbole, 00:10:09.759 --> 00:10:11.500 but it's actually 00:10:11.500 --> 00:10:13.699 spiritual posturing. 00:10:14.740 --> 00:10:16.459 It's spiritual pride. 00:10:17.199 --> 00:10:18.299 How many Bible verses 00:10:18.299 --> 00:10:19.439 I can memorise 00:10:19.439 --> 00:10:20.899 and how pious 00:10:20.899 --> 00:10:21.500 I've been. 00:10:23.679 --> 00:10:24.699 But it's not that 00:10:24.699 --> 00:10:25.059 for Paul. 00:10:25.139 --> 00:10:25.539 That's not what 00:10:25.539 --> 00:10:26.379 he's talking about here. 00:10:27.240 --> 00:10:28.659 Paul is here 00:10:28.659 --> 00:10:29.620 articulating 00:10:29.620 --> 00:10:31.220 a well-considered 00:10:32.039 --> 00:10:32.539 position. 00:10:34.240 --> 00:10:34.980 This is not a bit 00:10:34.980 --> 00:10:35.980 of spiritual 00:10:35.980 --> 00:10:36.899 false humility 00:10:36.899 --> 00:10:38.360 to make him 00:10:38.360 --> 00:10:39.379 look righteous. 00:10:39.379 --> 00:10:39.580 selfishness. 00:10:40.100 --> 00:10:40.799 But it's also 00:10:40.799 --> 00:10:42.019 not Paul 00:10:42.019 --> 00:10:43.159 being morbid. 00:10:45.159 --> 00:10:45.620 Paul is not 00:10:45.620 --> 00:10:46.379 a person 00:10:46.379 --> 00:10:47.580 with any 00:10:47.580 --> 00:10:48.259 sense of 00:10:48.259 --> 00:10:49.399 low self-image. 00:10:49.500 --> 00:10:49.939 You can read 00:10:49.939 --> 00:10:50.439 the rest of the 00:10:50.439 --> 00:10:51.019 New Testament. 00:10:52.620 --> 00:10:53.299 That is, 00:10:53.439 --> 00:10:53.679 of course, 00:10:53.840 --> 00:10:55.039 the common view 00:10:55.039 --> 00:10:56.139 in our society 00:10:56.139 --> 00:10:57.000 for Christianity. 00:10:57.379 --> 00:10:58.159 It's a crutch 00:10:58.159 --> 00:10:58.620 for those 00:10:58.620 --> 00:10:59.659 with low self-esteem 00:10:59.659 --> 00:11:00.120 and a guilty 00:11:00.120 --> 00:11:00.759 conscience. 00:11:00.759 --> 00:11:03.299 the argument 00:11:03.299 --> 00:11:03.899 is that 00:11:03.899 --> 00:11:04.379 Paul 00:11:04.379 --> 00:11:05.439 and Paul's 00:11:05.439 --> 00:11:05.980 type 00:11:05.980 --> 00:11:06.939 are such 00:11:06.939 --> 00:11:07.980 perfectionists 00:11:07.980 --> 00:11:08.819 who are, 00:11:08.980 --> 00:11:09.659 they just get 00:11:09.659 --> 00:11:10.740 bent all out 00:11:10.740 --> 00:11:11.200 of shape, 00:11:11.340 --> 00:11:12.059 turned upside 00:11:12.059 --> 00:11:12.740 down 00:11:12.740 --> 00:11:15.519 over the 00:11:15.519 --> 00:11:16.799 smallest mistakes, 00:11:17.600 --> 00:11:18.059 over the 00:11:18.059 --> 00:11:18.659 tiniest 00:11:18.659 --> 00:11:19.879 failures. 00:11:20.139 --> 00:11:20.720 They just 00:11:20.720 --> 00:11:21.319 go to 00:11:21.319 --> 00:11:21.679 jelly. 00:11:21.679 --> 00:11:25.679 And so 00:11:25.679 --> 00:11:26.379 for those 00:11:26.379 --> 00:11:26.839 who think 00:11:26.839 --> 00:11:27.239 Paul's 00:11:27.239 --> 00:11:28.019 being morbid 00:11:28.019 --> 00:11:29.179 here in 00:11:29.179 --> 00:11:29.620 saying that 00:11:29.620 --> 00:11:29.939 he's the 00:11:29.939 --> 00:11:30.359 worst of 00:11:30.359 --> 00:11:30.639 sinners, 00:11:30.779 --> 00:11:31.179 they'd say, 00:11:31.259 --> 00:11:31.339 oh, 00:11:31.419 --> 00:11:31.799 come on, 00:11:31.859 --> 00:11:32.179 Paul, 00:11:32.719 --> 00:11:33.299 stop being 00:11:33.299 --> 00:11:34.199 so morbid. 00:11:34.379 --> 00:11:35.219 Goodness me. 00:11:35.859 --> 00:11:36.419 Lighten up, 00:11:36.539 --> 00:11:36.819 Paul. 00:11:37.079 --> 00:11:37.259 You know, 00:11:37.379 --> 00:11:38.599 50% is a 00:11:38.599 --> 00:11:39.279 pass mark. 00:11:39.419 --> 00:11:39.579 See, 00:11:39.639 --> 00:11:39.919 he's get 00:11:39.919 --> 00:11:40.399 degrees. 00:11:41.039 --> 00:11:41.259 You know, 00:11:41.359 --> 00:11:41.879 come on, 00:11:41.939 --> 00:11:42.479 stop being a 00:11:42.479 --> 00:11:43.019 perfectionist. 00:11:43.039 --> 00:11:43.479 You just need 00:11:43.479 --> 00:11:44.000 a therapist, 00:11:44.239 --> 00:11:44.439 Paul. 00:11:44.799 --> 00:11:45.319 That's what 00:11:45.319 --> 00:11:45.839 you need. 00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:47.159 Lighten up. 00:11:47.159 --> 00:11:50.819 So why 00:11:50.819 --> 00:11:51.360 is he 00:11:51.360 --> 00:11:52.299 saying here 00:11:52.299 --> 00:11:53.179 that he 00:11:53.179 --> 00:11:53.980 is the 00:11:53.980 --> 00:11:54.539 worst? 00:11:58.639 --> 00:11:59.480 What's 00:11:59.480 --> 00:11:59.799 in verse 00:11:59.799 --> 00:12:00.279 13? 00:12:01.279 --> 00:12:02.079 Where he 00:12:02.079 --> 00:12:03.120 describes himself 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:03.659 as a 00:12:03.659 --> 00:12:04.559 violent man. 00:12:06.500 --> 00:12:07.439 In the 00:12:07.439 --> 00:12:08.360 original 00:12:08.360 --> 00:12:09.459 language of 00:12:09.459 --> 00:12:09.779 the New 00:12:09.779 --> 00:12:10.360 Testament, 00:12:11.039 --> 00:12:11.759 the word 00:12:11.759 --> 00:12:12.480 translated 00:12:12.480 --> 00:12:13.279 violent there 00:12:13.279 --> 00:12:13.600 in our 00:12:13.600 --> 00:12:14.019 English 00:12:14.019 --> 00:12:14.579 Bibles 00:12:14.579 --> 00:12:16.919 is the 00:12:16.919 --> 00:12:17.439 same 00:12:17.439 --> 00:12:17.879 root 00:12:17.879 --> 00:12:18.620 word 00:12:18.620 --> 00:12:19.559 where we 00:12:19.559 --> 00:12:20.039 get the 00:12:20.039 --> 00:12:20.459 English 00:12:20.459 --> 00:12:20.899 word 00:12:20.899 --> 00:12:21.620 hubris 00:12:21.620 --> 00:12:22.079 from. 00:12:24.620 --> 00:12:25.059 Verse 00:12:25.059 --> 00:12:25.659 13 00:12:25.659 --> 00:12:26.539 means, 00:12:27.039 --> 00:12:27.839 in reality, 00:12:27.979 --> 00:12:28.159 in the 00:12:28.159 --> 00:12:28.620 form of 00:12:28.620 --> 00:12:29.240 verse 13, 00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:29.779 it means 00:12:29.779 --> 00:12:30.579 that I 00:12:30.579 --> 00:12:31.779 am a 00:12:31.779 --> 00:12:32.360 trampler 00:12:32.360 --> 00:12:33.120 of people. 00:12:34.339 --> 00:12:34.819 That's 00:12:34.819 --> 00:12:35.079 what it 00:12:35.079 --> 00:12:35.360 literally 00:12:35.360 --> 00:12:35.860 means. 00:12:36.000 --> 00:12:36.419 I'm a 00:12:36.419 --> 00:12:36.899 trampler 00:12:36.899 --> 00:12:37.639 of people. 00:12:41.219 --> 00:12:42.079 So Paul's 00:12:42.079 --> 00:12:42.579 saying here, 00:12:42.679 --> 00:12:42.959 I'm not 00:12:42.959 --> 00:12:43.599 being morbid. 00:12:45.079 --> 00:12:45.419 Yeah, 00:12:45.480 --> 00:12:46.079 it's true. 00:12:46.219 --> 00:12:46.679 I did a 00:12:46.679 --> 00:12:47.139 whole heap 00:12:47.139 --> 00:12:47.479 of good 00:12:47.479 --> 00:12:48.019 stuff. 00:12:49.539 --> 00:12:50.239 But the 00:12:50.239 --> 00:12:51.159 motive that 00:12:51.159 --> 00:12:51.939 was under 00:12:51.939 --> 00:12:52.759 all of my 00:12:52.759 --> 00:12:54.919 actions was 00:12:54.919 --> 00:12:55.719 driven by 00:12:55.719 --> 00:12:58.399 pride and 00:12:58.399 --> 00:12:59.399 a desire to 00:12:59.399 --> 00:13:00.259 be superior 00:13:00.259 --> 00:13:01.179 than everyone 00:13:01.179 --> 00:13:01.779 else. 00:13:06.399 --> 00:13:07.219 As I 00:13:07.219 --> 00:13:08.500 pursued things 00:13:08.500 --> 00:13:09.139 to please 00:13:09.139 --> 00:13:10.059 God, I 00:13:10.059 --> 00:13:11.139 trampled all 00:13:11.139 --> 00:13:12.139 over everyone. 00:13:12.139 --> 00:13:12.279 everyone. 00:13:15.600 --> 00:13:16.259 In other 00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:16.639 words, what 00:13:16.639 --> 00:13:17.199 he's saying 00:13:17.199 --> 00:13:17.860 there in 00:13:17.860 --> 00:13:19.879 that verse, 00:13:20.980 --> 00:13:21.779 everything I 00:13:21.779 --> 00:13:22.259 did was 00:13:22.259 --> 00:13:23.039 about me. 00:13:24.819 --> 00:13:25.539 It was 00:13:25.539 --> 00:13:26.720 all about 00:13:26.720 --> 00:13:27.419 me. 00:13:30.419 --> 00:13:31.120 At the 00:13:31.120 --> 00:13:31.580 heart of 00:13:31.580 --> 00:13:32.379 every one of 00:13:32.379 --> 00:13:33.100 his actions 00:13:33.100 --> 00:13:34.100 was a need 00:13:34.100 --> 00:13:34.840 for him to 00:13:34.840 --> 00:13:35.360 be the 00:13:35.360 --> 00:13:36.100 absolute 00:13:36.100 --> 00:13:37.120 ruler and 00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:38.319 controller of 00:13:38.320 --> 00:13:39.300 his world 00:13:39.300 --> 00:13:40.020 and he 00:13:40.020 --> 00:13:40.700 would wreak 00:13:40.700 --> 00:13:42.280 destruction on 00:13:42.280 --> 00:13:43.180 anyone and 00:13:43.180 --> 00:13:44.600 everyone that 00:13:44.600 --> 00:13:45.400 stood in 00:13:45.400 --> 00:13:46.320 his way. 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:50.420 What the 00:13:50.420 --> 00:13:51.340 New Testament 00:13:51.340 --> 00:13:52.060 tells us, 00:13:52.180 --> 00:13:52.400 what the 00:13:52.400 --> 00:13:53.220 Bible tells us 00:13:53.220 --> 00:13:54.140 is that's the 00:13:54.140 --> 00:13:55.060 very essence 00:13:55.060 --> 00:13:56.000 of what it 00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:56.760 means to be 00:13:56.760 --> 00:13:57.400 a sinner. 00:13:58.060 --> 00:13:58.879 And Paul 00:13:58.879 --> 00:13:59.720 recognises 00:13:59.720 --> 00:14:01.520 that he is 00:14:01.520 --> 00:14:02.740 the worst of 00:14:02.740 --> 00:14:03.120 sinners, 00:14:03.780 --> 00:14:04.980 purely because 00:14:04.980 --> 00:14:06.060 he is a 00:14:06.059 --> 00:14:06.299 sinner. 00:14:09.919 --> 00:14:10.679 In that 00:14:10.679 --> 00:14:11.099 sense, we 00:14:11.099 --> 00:14:11.639 are all 00:14:11.639 --> 00:14:12.859 violent people 00:14:12.859 --> 00:14:13.859 and acting 00:14:13.859 --> 00:14:15.399 in ignorance 00:14:15.399 --> 00:14:16.059 in our 00:14:16.059 --> 00:14:16.579 violence. 00:14:18.859 --> 00:14:19.619 At the 00:14:19.619 --> 00:14:20.339 deepest level, 00:14:20.479 --> 00:14:20.839 we want to 00:14:20.839 --> 00:14:21.319 make sure 00:14:21.319 --> 00:14:21.839 that no 00:14:21.839 --> 00:14:22.239 one, 00:14:23.039 --> 00:14:23.519 including 00:14:23.519 --> 00:14:24.039 God 00:14:24.039 --> 00:14:24.639 himself, 00:14:25.179 --> 00:14:25.839 tells us 00:14:25.839 --> 00:14:26.339 how to run 00:14:26.339 --> 00:14:27.079 our lives. 00:14:27.959 --> 00:14:28.319 That's the 00:14:28.319 --> 00:14:28.899 very essence 00:14:28.899 --> 00:14:29.419 of sin. 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:33.919 Sin differs 00:14:33.919 --> 00:14:34.459 in its 00:14:34.459 --> 00:14:35.239 objects for 00:14:35.239 --> 00:14:35.659 each of 00:14:35.659 --> 00:14:35.959 us. 00:14:36.059 --> 00:14:36.639 It will 00:14:36.639 --> 00:14:37.239 look different 00:14:37.239 --> 00:14:37.699 for each 00:14:37.699 --> 00:14:38.179 of us, 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:40.199 but it 00:14:40.199 --> 00:14:40.959 won't differ 00:14:40.959 --> 00:14:41.399 in its 00:14:41.399 --> 00:14:41.839 nature. 00:14:44.239 --> 00:14:44.799 Imagine 00:14:44.799 --> 00:14:45.399 two 00:14:45.399 --> 00:14:46.839 eucalypse 00:14:46.839 --> 00:14:47.319 seeds. 00:14:48.599 --> 00:14:49.539 One falls 00:14:49.539 --> 00:14:49.919 onto the 00:14:49.919 --> 00:14:50.539 ground where 00:14:50.539 --> 00:14:51.059 there is no 00:14:51.059 --> 00:14:51.679 soil and 00:14:51.679 --> 00:14:52.179 there is no 00:14:52.179 --> 00:14:52.599 moisture. 00:14:53.379 --> 00:14:53.839 The other 00:14:53.839 --> 00:14:54.679 seed falls 00:14:54.679 --> 00:14:55.059 into a 00:14:55.059 --> 00:14:55.679 place of 00:14:55.679 --> 00:14:56.779 really rich 00:14:56.779 --> 00:14:57.559 soil and 00:14:57.559 --> 00:14:58.379 lots of 00:14:58.379 --> 00:14:58.799 rain. 00:14:59.399 --> 00:14:59.879 The first 00:14:59.879 --> 00:15:00.699 one rots, 00:15:00.959 --> 00:15:01.239 the other 00:15:01.239 --> 00:15:02.419 one grows 00:15:02.419 --> 00:15:03.399 into a 00:15:03.399 --> 00:15:04.259 great tree, 00:15:04.259 --> 00:15:05.860 which 00:15:05.860 --> 00:15:06.799 eucalypt 00:15:06.799 --> 00:15:08.000 seed had 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:08.299 more 00:15:08.299 --> 00:15:09.039 vitality 00:15:09.039 --> 00:15:09.240 and 00:15:09.240 --> 00:15:09.860 strength. 00:15:12.439 --> 00:15:13.000 Neither. 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:14.639 There's no 00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:15.139 difference in 00:15:15.139 --> 00:15:15.559 the seed. 00:15:16.840 --> 00:15:17.379 It had 00:15:17.379 --> 00:15:17.899 everything to 00:15:17.899 --> 00:15:18.220 do with 00:15:18.220 --> 00:15:18.340 the 00:15:18.340 --> 00:15:18.819 environment. 00:15:18.820 --> 00:15:20.460 the Bible 00:15:20.460 --> 00:15:21.100 says that 00:15:21.100 --> 00:15:21.680 most of 00:15:21.680 --> 00:15:22.060 us do 00:15:22.060 --> 00:15:22.540 not grow 00:15:22.540 --> 00:15:22.960 up to 00:15:22.960 --> 00:15:23.280 be 00:15:23.280 --> 00:15:24.800 Ivan the 00:15:24.800 --> 00:15:25.780 Terrible or 00:15:25.780 --> 00:15:27.080 Adolf Hitler, 00:15:27.080 --> 00:15:27.180 God. 00:15:28.360 --> 00:15:29.120 But it 00:15:29.120 --> 00:15:29.759 isn't for 00:15:29.759 --> 00:15:30.080 a lack 00:15:30.080 --> 00:15:30.660 of talent. 00:15:32.720 --> 00:15:33.480 It's not 00:15:33.480 --> 00:15:33.920 because of 00:15:33.920 --> 00:15:34.240 lack of 00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:34.520 talent. 00:15:35.740 --> 00:15:36.400 Underneath 00:15:36.400 --> 00:15:37.080 the religious 00:15:37.080 --> 00:15:38.960 self-righteousness 00:15:38.960 --> 00:15:41.920 sorry, 00:15:42.100 --> 00:15:42.800 underneath the 00:15:42.800 --> 00:15:43.200 religious 00:15:43.200 --> 00:15:44.320 self-righteous 00:15:44.320 --> 00:15:46.580 to the 00:15:46.580 --> 00:15:46.980 hardened 00:15:46.980 --> 00:15:47.560 criminal 00:15:47.560 --> 00:15:49.400 is a 00:15:49.400 --> 00:15:49.800 violent 00:15:49.800 --> 00:15:50.600 pride 00:15:50.600 --> 00:15:51.300 that 00:15:51.300 --> 00:15:52.080 elevates 00:15:52.080 --> 00:15:52.860 the self 00:15:52.860 --> 00:15:53.440 over 00:15:53.440 --> 00:15:53.980 everyone 00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:54.580 else. 00:15:54.580 --> 00:15:57.259 Some 00:15:57.259 --> 00:15:57.759 use 00:15:57.759 --> 00:15:58.420 religion 00:15:58.420 --> 00:15:58.980 and 00:15:58.980 --> 00:15:59.560 morality. 00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:01.180 Others 00:16:01.180 --> 00:16:01.680 use 00:16:01.680 --> 00:16:02.620 irreligion 00:16:02.620 --> 00:16:03.000 and 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:03.740 immorality 00:16:03.740 --> 00:16:04.660 to achieve 00:16:04.660 --> 00:16:05.400 the exact 00:16:05.400 --> 00:16:05.940 same 00:16:05.940 --> 00:16:06.460 end. 00:16:07.460 --> 00:16:07.900 And Paul 00:16:07.900 --> 00:16:08.600 is saying 00:16:08.600 --> 00:16:09.639 that his 00:16:09.639 --> 00:16:10.220 heart 00:16:10.220 --> 00:16:11.200 is no 00:16:11.200 --> 00:16:11.780 different 00:16:11.780 --> 00:16:12.540 in its 00:16:12.540 --> 00:16:13.139 principle 00:16:13.139 --> 00:16:14.100 and power 00:16:14.100 --> 00:16:14.800 than the 00:16:14.800 --> 00:16:15.460 very worst 00:16:15.460 --> 00:16:15.980 of sinners. 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:16.740 That's what 00:16:16.740 --> 00:16:17.180 he's saying 00:16:17.180 --> 00:16:17.500 here. 00:16:18.600 --> 00:16:19.440 Don't look 00:16:19.440 --> 00:16:19.700 at my 00:16:19.700 --> 00:16:20.500 actions per 00:16:20.500 --> 00:16:20.680 se, 00:16:20.780 --> 00:16:21.040 look at 00:16:21.040 --> 00:16:21.680 my heart 00:16:21.680 --> 00:16:22.280 and my 00:16:22.280 --> 00:16:22.980 heart is 00:16:22.980 --> 00:16:24.220 in its 00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:24.720 principle 00:16:24.720 --> 00:16:25.220 and its 00:16:25.220 --> 00:16:25.720 power 00:16:25.720 --> 00:16:26.860 exactly the 00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:27.320 same as 00:16:27.320 --> 00:16:28.240 the worst 00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:28.759 of sinners. 00:16:29.720 --> 00:16:30.340 And it's 00:16:30.340 --> 00:16:31.539 only by 00:16:31.539 --> 00:16:32.039 the grace 00:16:32.039 --> 00:16:32.460 of God 00:16:32.460 --> 00:16:32.800 that he 00:16:32.800 --> 00:16:33.440 is who 00:16:33.440 --> 00:16:34.139 he is. 00:16:34.539 --> 00:16:35.399 That is 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:35.800 the message 00:16:35.800 --> 00:16:36.259 of Christmas 00:16:36.259 --> 00:16:36.920 right there. 00:16:37.700 --> 00:16:38.340 That Jesus 00:16:38.340 --> 00:16:39.000 Christ came 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:39.460 into the 00:16:39.460 --> 00:16:39.899 world to 00:16:39.899 --> 00:16:40.879 save Paul 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:41.700 and you 00:16:41.700 --> 00:16:42.440 and me 00:16:42.440 --> 00:16:43.379 from the 00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:43.779 deepest 00:16:43.779 --> 00:16:44.420 recesses 00:16:44.420 --> 00:16:44.700 of our 00:16:44.700 --> 00:16:45.180 hearts. 00:16:47.659 --> 00:16:48.360 That's the 00:16:48.360 --> 00:16:48.700 hope of 00:16:48.700 --> 00:16:49.039 Christmas. 00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:50.879 See it 00:16:50.879 --> 00:16:51.500 halfway down 00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:52.720 in verse 00:16:52.720 --> 00:16:53.220 13. 00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:54.259 I was 00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:54.500 shown 00:16:54.500 --> 00:16:54.860 mercy. 00:16:54.980 --> 00:16:55.179 Verse 00:16:55.179 --> 00:16:55.740 14. 00:16:56.080 --> 00:16:56.700 The grace 00:16:56.700 --> 00:16:57.159 of our 00:16:57.159 --> 00:16:57.879 Lord was 00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:58.659 poured out 00:16:58.659 --> 00:16:58.960 on me 00:16:58.960 --> 00:16:59.600 abundantly. 00:17:00.799 --> 00:17:01.399 See what 00:17:01.399 --> 00:17:01.820 he's saying 00:17:01.820 --> 00:17:02.659 here is the 00:17:02.659 --> 00:17:03.039 hope of 00:17:03.039 --> 00:17:03.399 Christmas, 00:17:03.539 --> 00:17:03.919 the message 00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:04.339 of Christmas 00:17:04.339 --> 00:17:05.440 is that 00:17:05.440 --> 00:17:05.799 it's the 00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:06.700 grace and 00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:07.220 the mercy 00:17:07.220 --> 00:17:07.859 of God 00:17:07.859 --> 00:17:08.220 that has 00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:09.119 transformed 00:17:09.119 --> 00:17:09.579 him. 00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:10.420 God's 00:17:10.420 --> 00:17:11.059 undeserved 00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:11.579 favour to 00:17:11.579 --> 00:17:11.920 him has 00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:12.480 transformed 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:12.799 him. 00:17:14.500 --> 00:17:15.000 God did 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:15.420 not give 00:17:15.420 --> 00:17:15.920 Paul what 00:17:15.920 --> 00:17:16.680 he deserved 00:17:16.680 --> 00:17:17.500 or what 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:17.799 he had 00:17:17.799 --> 00:17:18.279 coming to 00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:18.579 him. 00:17:21.500 --> 00:17:22.019 That would 00:17:22.019 --> 00:17:22.299 have been 00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:22.819 rejection 00:17:22.819 --> 00:17:23.579 and death. 00:17:24.299 --> 00:17:24.640 Instead 00:17:24.640 --> 00:17:25.059 he was 00:17:25.059 --> 00:17:25.279 shown 00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:25.700 mercy. 00:17:27.319 --> 00:17:27.720 That is 00:17:27.720 --> 00:17:28.160 Paul's 00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:28.960 first hand 00:17:28.960 --> 00:17:30.279 account of 00:17:30.279 --> 00:17:31.140 the impact 00:17:31.140 --> 00:17:32.200 of Jesus 00:17:32.200 --> 00:17:32.779 coming into 00:17:32.779 --> 00:17:33.160 the world 00:17:33.160 --> 00:17:33.700 to save 00:17:33.700 --> 00:17:34.099 sinners. 00:17:35.559 --> 00:17:36.619 So why 00:17:36.619 --> 00:17:37.319 is Paul 00:17:37.319 --> 00:17:38.019 here in 00:17:38.019 --> 00:17:38.559 this moment 00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:39.539 telling us 00:17:39.539 --> 00:17:40.519 about his 00:17:40.519 --> 00:17:41.940 experience of 00:17:41.940 --> 00:17:42.700 God's radical 00:17:42.700 --> 00:17:43.380 change in 00:17:43.380 --> 00:17:43.900 his life 00:17:43.900 --> 00:17:44.440 through Jesus 00:17:44.440 --> 00:17:44.920 Christ? 00:17:45.140 --> 00:17:45.720 Why is he 00:17:45.720 --> 00:17:46.200 doing that? 00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:47.240 Verse 16. 00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:48.920 For that 00:17:48.920 --> 00:17:49.559 very reason 00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:50.019 I was 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:50.420 shown 00:17:50.420 --> 00:17:51.559 mercy so 00:17:51.559 --> 00:17:52.120 that in 00:17:52.120 --> 00:17:53.059 me the 00:17:53.059 --> 00:17:53.660 worst of 00:17:53.660 --> 00:17:55.200 sinners Christ 00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:55.940 Jesus might 00:17:55.940 --> 00:17:56.599 display his 00:17:56.599 --> 00:17:57.839 unlimited patience 00:17:57.839 --> 00:17:58.799 as an example 00:17:58.799 --> 00:17:59.900 for those who 00:17:59.900 --> 00:18:00.539 would believe 00:18:00.539 --> 00:18:01.259 on him and 00:18:01.259 --> 00:18:02.299 receive eternal 00:18:02.299 --> 00:18:02.819 life. 00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:05.960 What Paul's 00:18:05.960 --> 00:18:06.420 saying there 00:18:06.420 --> 00:18:08.480 is Jesus 00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:10.160 Christ changed 00:18:10.160 --> 00:18:11.039 me, Paul, 00:18:11.160 --> 00:18:12.440 the chief enemy 00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:13.200 of the church 00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:13.859 in its infant 00:18:13.859 --> 00:18:16.240 days and Paul 00:18:16.240 --> 00:18:17.099 tells us 00:18:17.099 --> 00:18:17.779 about that 00:18:17.779 --> 00:18:19.019 change so 00:18:19.019 --> 00:18:19.500 that in 00:18:19.500 --> 00:18:20.259 here on 00:18:20.259 --> 00:18:20.740 the last 00:18:20.740 --> 00:18:21.299 day of 00:18:21.299 --> 00:18:22.940 2023 you 00:18:22.940 --> 00:18:23.440 and I 00:18:23.440 --> 00:18:24.799 could grasp 00:18:24.799 --> 00:18:25.559 the meaning 00:18:25.559 --> 00:18:26.099 of Christmas 00:18:26.099 --> 00:18:26.660 on the other 00:18:26.660 --> 00:18:27.140 side of the 00:18:27.140 --> 00:18:28.299 world two 00:18:28.299 --> 00:18:29.019 centuries later. 00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:32.180 The word 00:18:32.180 --> 00:18:33.059 example there 00:18:33.059 --> 00:18:33.960 in verse 16 00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:35.039 means that 00:18:35.039 --> 00:18:36.000 Paul is not 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:36.559 just a 00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:38.019 pattern but 00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:38.740 that he is 00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:39.819 the ultimate 00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:40.599 pattern. 00:18:41.339 --> 00:18:41.960 He is the 00:18:41.960 --> 00:18:43.200 ultimate type 00:18:43.200 --> 00:18:44.220 of what a 00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:45.220 Christian is. 00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:48.839 Jesus Christ 00:18:48.839 --> 00:18:49.420 picked the 00:18:49.420 --> 00:18:50.039 chief of 00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:51.059 sinners to 00:18:51.059 --> 00:18:52.039 demonstrate to 00:18:52.039 --> 00:18:52.920 you and to 00:18:52.920 --> 00:18:54.019 me today in 00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:56.039 2023 what his 00:18:56.039 --> 00:18:57.500 mercy and his 00:18:57.500 --> 00:18:58.799 power can do 00:18:58.799 --> 00:18:59.819 in your life 00:18:59.819 --> 00:19:00.480 now. 00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:02.500 That's what he's 00:19:02.500 --> 00:19:02.980 saying in verse 00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:03.420 16. 00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:05.180 There is no 00:19:05.180 --> 00:19:06.259 sinner that the 00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:07.039 grace of God 00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:07.980 in Jesus cannot 00:19:07.980 --> 00:19:09.019 overflow to and 00:19:09.019 --> 00:19:09.500 deal with. 00:19:09.960 --> 00:19:10.799 And so when 00:19:10.799 --> 00:19:11.319 you're sitting 00:19:11.319 --> 00:19:12.019 here and you've 00:19:12.019 --> 00:19:12.480 lived a long 00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:12.940 life and 00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:13.680 particularly when 00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:14.259 you're cynical, 00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:15.680 do not 00:19:15.680 --> 00:19:17.799 belittle the 00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:18.660 mercy of 00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:20.519 God at the 00:19:20.519 --> 00:19:21.119 end of this 00:19:21.119 --> 00:19:21.680 year saying 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:22.180 well I am 00:19:22.180 --> 00:19:22.640 who I am and 00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:23.119 I just can't 00:19:23.119 --> 00:19:23.539 change. 00:19:24.160 --> 00:19:24.579 That is 00:19:24.579 --> 00:19:25.180 nonsense. 00:19:28.680 --> 00:19:29.140 What 00:19:29.140 --> 00:19:29.720 happened to 00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:30.200 Paul can 00:19:30.200 --> 00:19:30.660 happen to 00:19:30.660 --> 00:19:30.900 you. 00:19:30.900 --> 00:19:31.539 Notice it 00:19:31.539 --> 00:19:31.839 there in 00:19:31.839 --> 00:19:32.519 verse 15. 00:19:32.940 --> 00:19:33.359 Here is a 00:19:33.359 --> 00:19:33.680 trustworthy 00:19:33.680 --> 00:19:35.079 saying that 00:19:35.079 --> 00:19:35.759 deserves full 00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:36.440 acceptance. 00:19:36.940 --> 00:19:37.759 Christ Jesus 00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:38.599 came into the 00:19:38.599 --> 00:19:40.000 world to save 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:41.460 sinners of 00:19:41.460 --> 00:19:42.759 whom I am 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.900 the worst. 00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:45.980 To save 00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:46.460 sinners. 00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:47.879 Paul's 00:19:47.879 --> 00:19:49.500 personal reason 00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:50.319 to give 00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:51.059 thanks to 00:19:51.059 --> 00:19:52.559 God is 00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:54.859 now widened 00:19:54.859 --> 00:19:55.420 to the 00:19:55.420 --> 00:19:56.480 praise of 00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:57.379 the universal 00:19:57.379 --> 00:19:58.220 significance of 00:19:58.220 --> 00:19:58.519 Christmas. 00:20:00.839 --> 00:20:01.759 Jesus came 00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:02.079 into the 00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:03.079 world for 00:20:03.079 --> 00:20:03.740 the world. 00:20:04.200 --> 00:20:04.859 For you. 00:20:05.359 --> 00:20:05.680 Not just 00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:06.099 Paul. 00:20:10.099 --> 00:20:10.960 Purpose of 00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:11.740 Jesus coming 00:20:11.740 --> 00:20:12.400 into the 00:20:12.400 --> 00:20:12.740 world to 00:20:12.740 --> 00:20:13.480 save sinners 00:20:13.480 --> 00:20:14.700 has been 00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:15.500 welcomed by 00:20:15.500 --> 00:20:17.339 2,000 years 00:20:17.339 --> 00:20:18.359 of human 00:20:18.359 --> 00:20:19.480 beings from 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:20.480 every culture 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:21.240 and tribe 00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:23.240 who conscious 00:20:23.240 --> 00:20:24.240 of their guilt 00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:25.099 before God 00:20:25.099 --> 00:20:26.880 have gratefully 00:20:26.880 --> 00:20:28.039 accepted what 00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:28.839 the saving 00:20:28.839 --> 00:20:29.440 death of 00:20:29.440 --> 00:20:30.259 Jesus Christ 00:20:30.259 --> 00:20:31.380 has accomplished 00:20:31.380 --> 00:20:32.900 for them in 00:20:32.900 --> 00:20:33.380 bringing them 00:20:33.380 --> 00:20:33.819 back into 00:20:33.819 --> 00:20:34.599 relationship with 00:20:34.599 --> 00:20:34.900 God. 00:20:38.620 --> 00:20:39.380 Christmas 00:20:39.380 --> 00:20:40.200 declares 00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:42.660 your 00:20:42.660 --> 00:20:45.600 marriage is 00:20:45.600 --> 00:20:50.740 going to 00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:51.940 work so 00:20:51.940 --> 00:20:53.559 put it here 00:20:53.559 --> 00:20:53.880 in the 00:20:53.880 --> 00:21:02.920 confused children, cynical teenagers, the poor, the outcast, the guilt-ridden, the tired parents, 00:21:04.200 --> 00:21:13.960 the financially stressed, the aged, the lonely, the preachers, for lovers, for haters, for you and for me. 00:21:13.960 --> 00:21:23.460 Paul, in these verses, calls across the centuries to celebrate Christmas in 2023. 00:21:24.279 --> 00:21:32.460 Don't despair. He saved me, the worst of sinners. He can save you too and he can change you too. 00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:41.220 There's one more thing. Because Jesus came into this world to save sinners, 00:21:41.220 --> 00:21:47.480 what is most precious to us doesn't need to ever be lost. This is the greatest hope of Christmas. 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:48.720 Verse 16 again. 00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:56.720 I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience 00:21:56.720 --> 00:22:02.680 as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:08.500 The deepest hope of Christmas is eternal life. 00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:16.579 And life is good. Life is precious. And we don't want to ever lose it. 00:22:17.019 --> 00:22:20.420 We can talk all we like about all the good things of life. 00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:22.960 But if you don't have life, you don't have anything. 00:22:24.180 --> 00:22:30.640 And the promise of Christmas is that you need never lose the most precious thing in your life. 00:22:31.180 --> 00:22:31.779 Your life. 00:22:31.779 --> 00:22:37.240 Your life is precious and can be saved. 00:22:38.059 --> 00:22:41.819 Jesus Christ came into the world to save us and to change us forever. 00:22:42.879 --> 00:22:47.379 He came into this world to change our eternal status. 00:22:48.839 --> 00:22:53.279 And so that's got to be one of the biggest motives for allowing him to change us right now. 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:55.180 Right now, each day. 00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:58.000 And I think that's how we celebrate Christmas. 00:22:59.539 --> 00:23:03.279 By holding on to the good news of the mercy and the grace of God. 00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:06.840 And allowing that news to change us day in and day out. 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:08.980 That's how you celebrate Christmas. 00:23:09.560 --> 00:23:10.880 Every day of the year. 00:23:12.100 --> 00:23:14.860 And I happen to think that it's a really happy connection. 00:23:15.539 --> 00:23:21.080 That every year, one week after celebration of Christmas and the great salvation event, 00:23:21.079 --> 00:23:24.279 we enter into the new year. 00:23:25.079 --> 00:23:31.019 We move from the celebration of God's salvation for all of humanity in Jesus Christ 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:35.119 to the dawning of a new age, a new era, a new year. 00:23:35.439 --> 00:23:36.779 The promise of a reset. 00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:38.839 Resolutions of change. 00:23:40.179 --> 00:23:43.279 And these verses are declaring that real change is possible. 00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:47.779 The meaning of Christmas. 00:23:48.819 --> 00:23:51.599 God's mercy to sinners through Jesus Christ 00:23:51.599 --> 00:23:55.279 should be pushed down into our hearts day by day 00:23:55.279 --> 00:24:00.119 and it should rise again in change day by day in our lives. 00:24:02.819 --> 00:24:05.740 What God did on that very first Christmas 00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:09.839 and what he did in changing Paul's life forever 00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:14.000 and what he does in forgiving and changing people across the globe 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:18.259 nowadays is utterly free mercy. 00:24:19.399 --> 00:24:21.819 So let me just first of all say 00:24:21.819 --> 00:24:25.039 if you're not a Christian and you're here today, 00:24:25.159 --> 00:24:26.319 you're tuning in online, 00:24:28.379 --> 00:24:29.559 mark this year, 00:24:30.599 --> 00:24:32.099 mark this year 00:24:32.099 --> 00:24:35.459 by coming to Jesus today. 00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:40.579 recognise that through the actions of your life, 00:24:41.860 --> 00:24:46.440 even though they may not warrant you being declared the worst of people, 00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:50.100 but the actual motive of your heart, 00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:53.220 if you allow yourself a moment of silence to dig deep enough, 00:24:53.860 --> 00:24:56.799 the motive of your heart declares that you do need saving. 00:24:57.940 --> 00:24:59.299 You do need rescuing. 00:24:59.299 --> 00:25:04.379 And the good news of Christianity is that though we are worse 00:25:04.379 --> 00:25:07.799 than we could possibly even imagine, 00:25:09.079 --> 00:25:10.919 in Jesus Christ, 00:25:11.220 --> 00:25:13.419 we are more loved and affirmed 00:25:13.419 --> 00:25:15.740 than you could ever possibly dream. 00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:18.839 That's the wonder of Christmas. 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:22.960 Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. 00:25:23.500 --> 00:25:26.259 That is God's gift to the world. 00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:28.879 It's his gift to you this Christmas 00:25:28.879 --> 00:25:32.500 and it's worthy of full acceptance today. 00:25:34.660 --> 00:25:36.299 If you are a Christian, 00:25:37.400 --> 00:25:40.680 how has God changed you this year? 00:25:41.619 --> 00:25:44.519 Because that is the reason he has saved you. 00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:46.640 How has he changed you? 00:25:47.920 --> 00:25:50.740 Can you actually mark how he's changed you? 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:50.759 Can you actually mark how he's changed you? 00:25:56.259 --> 00:26:00.680 Paul is the ultimate example of a life changed. 00:26:01.879 --> 00:26:04.339 In this past year at St. Paul's, 00:26:04.400 --> 00:26:06.339 we have constantly been asking you, 00:26:06.660 --> 00:26:08.319 what is your next step? 00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:10.859 Another way you might want to put that, 00:26:10.920 --> 00:26:13.359 what is your next step of change and transforming 00:26:13.359 --> 00:26:15.420 to become more like Jesus 00:26:15.420 --> 00:26:18.180 as you cling to the grace and his mercy to you? 00:26:18.920 --> 00:26:22.079 We began this year looking at the example of others 00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:24.079 who have been changed by God's mercy 00:26:24.079 --> 00:26:26.139 and have run the race of faith, 00:26:26.639 --> 00:26:28.259 focused on Jesus alone. 00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:30.339 And then we spent a whole term 00:26:30.339 --> 00:26:33.519 looking at Jesus and the good news of Christianity 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:36.859 and why that news today is still plausible, 00:26:37.359 --> 00:26:38.399 why it is still relevant 00:26:38.399 --> 00:26:41.139 and why it is so immensely good. 00:26:43.379 --> 00:26:47.419 From there we got glimpses of God's glory and majesty 00:26:47.420 --> 00:26:52.360 in term two as we jumped into the book of Isaiah. 00:26:53.200 --> 00:26:56.539 In term three we again soaked in God's generosity 00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:59.140 and his grace and his mercy to us 00:26:59.140 --> 00:27:01.759 and the way that it transforms our life 00:27:01.759 --> 00:27:03.220 in every sphere of life 00:27:03.220 --> 00:27:06.060 as we walk through the latter sections of Luke's gospel. 00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:10.860 And then we just finished out just before Christmas 00:27:10.860 --> 00:27:13.700 discovering again the abundant life 00:27:13.700 --> 00:27:17.100 on offer in Jesus in John's gospel. 00:27:18.100 --> 00:27:22.019 The constant theme throughout this entire year 00:27:22.019 --> 00:27:24.680 has been the goodness, 00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:27.819 the plausibility and the relevance 00:27:27.819 --> 00:27:30.000 of the gospel of Jesus Christ, 00:27:30.100 --> 00:27:30.980 the good news 00:27:30.980 --> 00:27:35.819 and the change it must bring into your life now. 00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:40.299 Right through the year we have used virtually every Sunday 00:27:40.299 --> 00:27:44.220 the word what is or the statement what is your next step? 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:50.200 How has God changed you in 2023? 00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:55.059 Jesus Christ came into the world to save you 00:27:55.059 --> 00:27:56.579 and to change you forever. 00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:59.139 How has that been evident? 00:28:01.099 --> 00:28:03.139 And if you say that you're Christian 00:28:03.139 --> 00:28:05.500 and that is not evident, 00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:09.339 how might you be taking your next step 00:28:09.339 --> 00:28:11.399 in celebrating the meaning of Christianness 00:28:11.399 --> 00:28:15.079 tomorrow and every day of 2024? 00:28:15.079 --> 00:28:15.359 Thank you. 00:28:15.359 --> 00:28:15.740 Thank you. 00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:15.859 Thank you.