WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.760 I'm not a fan of that question. 00:00:04.759 --> 00:00:08.199 I think that question has ruined Christmas. 00:00:09.620 --> 00:00:11.040 ! What do you want for Christmas? 00:00:11.939 --> 00:00:18.100 ! Maybe not ruined Christmas, but I know that we don't want to get something that the person doesn't want. 00:00:18.960 --> 00:00:23.160 But we're supposed to think about what the person would like. 00:00:23.800 --> 00:00:29.980 We're supposed to know them to such a degree that when we choose that gift and wrap it up, 00:00:29.980 --> 00:00:33.179 and they open it, there's something special about that moment. 00:00:33.600 --> 00:00:38.320 We've communicated that we know them and we were thinking about them when they weren't with us. 00:00:39.920 --> 00:00:43.219 What do you want for Christmas? Where's the care? Where's the meaning? 00:00:45.079 --> 00:00:51.439 My biggest problem with the question is that it takes away the surprise of opening the gift. 00:00:52.460 --> 00:00:56.939 We ask the people what they want. We wrap up the present. We put it under the tree. 00:00:56.939 --> 00:00:59.340 And then we have this performance on Christmas Day. 00:00:59.979 --> 00:01:05.060 We give them the present. And they say, oh, I think I know what this is. 00:01:05.700 --> 00:01:08.359 Well, you sent me the link. And I ordered it. 00:01:08.579 --> 00:01:12.219 And I've gone through the charade of wrapping it up. So of course you know what it is. 00:01:13.879 --> 00:01:15.679 Oh, it's just what I always wanted. 00:01:16.479 --> 00:01:18.640 Well, I know that. You told me. 00:01:19.819 --> 00:01:22.259 It's all pretend. It's a big old performance. 00:01:22.920 --> 00:01:24.000 There's no surprise. 00:01:24.000 --> 00:01:32.819 When you lose the element of surprise at Christmas, I think you lose something that's integral to the whole thing. 00:01:33.620 --> 00:01:40.359 When you lose the element of surprise at Christmas, I think you lose something that's absolutely essential to the whole story. 00:01:40.359 --> 00:01:45.439 And it's certainly true that as the culture moves away from the real heart of the season 00:01:45.439 --> 00:01:51.599 into the circus of consumption that we have at this time of year, it is harder to see the surprise. 00:01:52.879 --> 00:01:55.219 Every year rolls around and we do the same old thing. 00:01:55.299 --> 00:01:56.879 There's nothing surprising about Christmas. 00:01:57.000 --> 00:01:59.019 We do the same stuff year on year on year. 00:01:59.019 --> 00:02:09.000 But in all of that regular run of things, it is important that we do what the Advent season in the church calendar was designed to do. 00:02:09.259 --> 00:02:11.859 Advent, the word comes from the Latin word for coming. 00:02:12.300 --> 00:02:16.680 And it is designed to turn our gaze to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:16.960 --> 00:02:21.919 Both as we remember His first coming and His birth that first Christmas. 00:02:22.039 --> 00:02:26.639 Also, as we look forward and we anticipate His second coming, His second Advent. 00:02:26.639 --> 00:02:35.979 And if we think about the mere fact of that statement, looking back and looking forward, that in itself is surprising, is it not? 00:02:36.779 --> 00:02:38.539 That God would come to earth. 00:02:39.039 --> 00:02:42.119 That God would come and walk among us as one of us. 00:02:42.579 --> 00:02:46.459 That He would then come again, return to the earth to put things right. 00:02:47.799 --> 00:02:52.779 Don't allow years of familiarity with the story take away that surprise. 00:02:52.780 --> 00:02:54.960 But there's more to say. 00:02:55.419 --> 00:02:59.860 And so we're going to go back to this Old Testament prophecy of Micah and Micah chapter 5. 00:03:00.979 --> 00:03:06.599 Now in context, Micah's context, this is a word to people in the midst of widespread rejection of God. 00:03:06.860 --> 00:03:13.800 And therefore, the inevitable cultural confusion that follows when a culture rejects God in a widespread way. 00:03:13.960 --> 00:03:18.060 So it's coming to a people who are experiencing judgment for their rebellion against God. 00:03:18.060 --> 00:03:24.860 And it is coming to a people, therefore, who are opposed for their faith. 00:03:24.960 --> 00:03:29.379 The faithful few that are hanging on in the context of rejection are being opposed. 00:03:30.840 --> 00:03:35.659 Rejection on the one hand, opposition for those that want to follow Christ, it sounds familiar. 00:03:36.580 --> 00:03:42.740 And what we discover, just like last week, is that God is promising to do something in the midst of this context 00:03:42.740 --> 00:03:46.100 that has the power to transform our seasonal festivities. 00:03:46.659 --> 00:03:53.780 It has the power to transform Christmas because it has the power to transform our hearts and our lives all the way down. 00:03:55.060 --> 00:04:01.000 So much so that whenever we face trials, whatever is going on that might tempt us to despair, 00:04:02.300 --> 00:04:06.879 we actually have a reason for deep and lasting joy. 00:04:06.879 --> 00:04:12.419 And it all centers on the one whom God is sending to put things right. 00:04:12.479 --> 00:04:17.180 Just as we saw last week in Isaiah 9 and 11, he is sending a king. 00:04:17.279 --> 00:04:17.860 Verse 2, 00:04:17.860 --> 00:04:23.459 But you, O Bethlehem, Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, 00:04:23.879 --> 00:04:28.439 from you shall come forth for me one who is to be a ruler in Israel, 00:04:28.740 --> 00:04:31.759 whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. 00:04:31.759 --> 00:04:36.959 Therefore, he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth, 00:04:37.339 --> 00:04:40.759 when the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. 00:04:41.939 --> 00:04:46.000 Micah's hearers are likened to a woman going through labor. 00:04:47.000 --> 00:04:52.439 It is a painful struggle in their experience, but they can look forward to a day when that pain 00:04:52.439 --> 00:04:56.779 will come to an end, and the baby will be born, and there will be celebration. 00:04:56.779 --> 00:05:03.459 And that will signal the arrival of God's king, bringing in his kingdom, 00:05:03.539 --> 00:05:07.339 a ruler over Israel whose coming is from of old. 00:05:08.359 --> 00:05:10.679 A ruler over Israel whose coming is from of old. 00:05:10.719 --> 00:05:15.779 That is Micah's way of connecting the king who's promised with the line of David, 00:05:16.179 --> 00:05:17.959 the great king in the Old Testament. 00:05:18.339 --> 00:05:22.779 Back in 1 Samuel 16, when David is chosen, he is referred to as a Bethlehemite. 00:05:22.779 --> 00:05:23.379 Bethlehemite. 00:05:24.619 --> 00:05:31.599 And it was God's covenant with David, 2 Samuel 7, that he is being faithful to keep as he raises up this new king. 00:05:32.879 --> 00:05:36.599 So, in these words, the prophet is saying, 00:05:37.119 --> 00:05:44.479 I'm connecting this one with the king, the one who is going to be in the line of the Messiah. 00:05:44.480 --> 00:05:50.780 And there are two aspects of this king that I want us to allow to surprise us this morning. 00:05:51.520 --> 00:05:57.740 Two aspects of this king that should cause us to go, huh, surprising. 00:05:58.319 --> 00:06:00.560 The first, point number one, his character. 00:06:01.259 --> 00:06:01.900 His character. 00:06:02.980 --> 00:06:04.540 Look at how he's described, verse 4. 00:06:04.540 --> 00:06:22.379 There will be nothing tentative or unsteady about this king's rule. 00:06:22.640 --> 00:06:27.900 Unlike the corrupt leaders of Micah's day who oppressed the people, who used their power to exploit. 00:06:28.379 --> 00:06:30.340 Again, sounds very familiar, doesn't it? 00:06:30.339 --> 00:06:34.359 Listen, this prophecy is not that far removed from our experience this morning. 00:06:35.659 --> 00:06:42.060 Those leaders that were corrupt, against that backdrop, God has promised a king who will tend his flock in the name of the Lord. 00:06:44.379 --> 00:06:48.599 This gives us a wonderful picture of the security that he will bring to his people. 00:06:48.599 --> 00:06:50.459 Verse 5, he shall be their peace. 00:06:51.219 --> 00:06:54.339 When the Assyrian comes into our land and treads in our palaces, 00:06:54.919 --> 00:07:00.199 then we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight princes of men. 00:07:00.339 --> 00:07:02.099 He will hold his people fast. 00:07:02.919 --> 00:07:10.000 So much so that Micah can use the words peace and Assyria and even, verse 6, Nimrod, that is Babylon. 00:07:10.339 --> 00:07:12.060 He can do that all in the same breath. 00:07:12.719 --> 00:07:19.219 Peace alongside these great oppressors, these war machines, these systems of violence. 00:07:19.219 --> 00:07:23.339 He can put the word together because this Messiah's reign is unshakable. 00:07:23.679 --> 00:07:25.979 He will be the peace of his people. 00:07:25.980 --> 00:07:30.540 Now, this is one of the best-known parts of Micah's prophecy, 00:07:31.480 --> 00:07:35.500 mainly because it takes us straight to the coming of the Lord Jesus. 00:07:36.700 --> 00:07:39.980 In Matthew chapter 2, when the wise men come in search of the newborn Jesus, 00:07:40.100 --> 00:07:45.819 they quote in Matthew 2, verse 2, they quote this verse, verse 2 here, directly. 00:07:45.819 --> 00:07:51.540 So the king who will shepherd and care for his flock in this way is the one born at Christmas, 00:07:51.680 --> 00:07:52.959 the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:07:55.339 --> 00:07:58.560 Jesus is the good shepherd, John 10. 00:07:59.680 --> 00:08:01.680 The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 00:08:02.159 --> 00:08:06.839 I know my own, and my own know me, and I lay down my life for the sheep. 00:08:08.740 --> 00:08:12.420 Jesus came to bring the greatest security of all. 00:08:12.420 --> 00:08:16.540 In his coming at Christmas, he had Good Friday and Easter in view, 00:08:16.640 --> 00:08:18.319 and in submitting himself to the cross, 00:08:18.640 --> 00:08:22.580 in embracing the judgment of God in all of its unfettered fury, 00:08:23.340 --> 00:08:26.040 taking it to himself in our place, 00:08:26.819 --> 00:08:30.259 he bore the curse that we deserved so that we don't have to. 00:08:30.259 --> 00:08:35.419 And this means that for all who put their faith in him, 00:08:35.980 --> 00:08:42.639 we have a deep assurance of God's favor through the forgiveness of our sins. 00:08:45.939 --> 00:08:49.179 There is no greater security in an insecure world 00:08:49.179 --> 00:08:52.960 than knowing that we are safe in the hand of our shepherd king, the Lord Jesus. 00:08:52.960 --> 00:08:59.180 There is no greater security in our day than knowing that Jesus holds us. 00:08:59.240 --> 00:09:00.220 John 10, 28, 00:09:00.340 --> 00:09:03.620 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 00:09:03.800 --> 00:09:06.639 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, 00:09:06.879 --> 00:09:09.700 and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 00:09:10.860 --> 00:09:13.480 My Father who has given them to me is greater than all, 00:09:13.560 --> 00:09:16.360 and no one is able to snatch them out of my Father's hand. 00:09:16.360 --> 00:09:22.919 In Jesus Christ, we have a shepherd who has come in the strength of the Lord, 00:09:23.120 --> 00:09:24.680 and who will care for his people. 00:09:25.519 --> 00:09:27.879 Because of who he is, Jesus brings security. 00:09:28.740 --> 00:09:31.759 Because he is the one promised from of old, 00:09:32.039 --> 00:09:35.399 because he is the one who is fully divine, 00:09:35.720 --> 00:09:39.019 and when he sets his hand on us, he holds us fast, 00:09:40.340 --> 00:09:44.820 that there is a security that transcends even times of darkness and distress. 00:09:46.360 --> 00:09:48.740 What's your biggest fear? 00:09:50.740 --> 00:09:52.100 It could be anything. 00:09:52.879 --> 00:09:54.519 It could be something very personal. 00:09:55.440 --> 00:10:00.800 Health, family, job, a relationship. 00:10:02.800 --> 00:10:04.779 Teenagers, it could be exams. 00:10:06.539 --> 00:10:10.480 It could be the fear of being rejected by others. 00:10:12.480 --> 00:10:15.740 It could be the fear of just not being included. 00:10:16.740 --> 00:10:18.240 Not being picked for the team. 00:10:20.800 --> 00:10:21.680 Very personal. 00:10:22.460 --> 00:10:23.680 Or it could be political. 00:10:25.519 --> 00:10:29.379 The economy, state control, war, 00:10:29.899 --> 00:10:33.139 the war on humanity that it seems that we're living through at the minute. 00:10:33.139 --> 00:10:38.199 I saw a friend this week, and we talked about the current political, cultural moment, 00:10:38.259 --> 00:10:40.100 and covered a lot of depressing ground. 00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:44.220 And he shared his theories with me about various things, 00:10:44.299 --> 00:10:46.240 about why things are the way they are, and so on. 00:10:46.480 --> 00:10:49.720 And I listened, and we got to a point in the conversation, 00:10:49.799 --> 00:10:52.460 and I said, well, look, he's a Christian friend of mine. 00:10:52.460 --> 00:10:54.139 I said, how do we face the future? 00:10:54.139 --> 00:11:00.559 And he said, he looked at me strangely and said, 00:11:01.360 --> 00:11:02.319 Jesus? 00:11:04.259 --> 00:11:06.879 Of course, I said something like, yeah, well, obviously Jesus, 00:11:07.019 --> 00:11:08.639 but you know, how do we face the future? 00:11:09.600 --> 00:11:11.039 And he said, Jesus? 00:11:11.039 --> 00:11:13.919 Without Jesus, we're stuffed. 00:11:15.740 --> 00:11:17.360 And yet Jesus is the king 00:11:17.360 --> 00:11:22.559 who will protect us in and through all of those fears. 00:11:24.659 --> 00:11:28.860 He will keep you in and through whatever you fear. 00:11:28.860 --> 00:11:32.960 And then one day at his second advent, 00:11:33.120 --> 00:11:34.460 he will bring peace in its fullness 00:11:34.460 --> 00:11:37.240 as he wipes away his enemies. 00:11:39.820 --> 00:11:41.440 Whatever you want for Christmas, 00:11:42.139 --> 00:11:43.180 this is what you need. 00:11:44.320 --> 00:11:46.300 You need the security that Jesus brings, 00:11:47.019 --> 00:11:49.399 and he gives it to all of us through faith in him. 00:11:51.320 --> 00:11:53.019 So can I ask you, do you know this, king? 00:11:55.379 --> 00:11:57.120 Have you brought your fears and your doubts 00:11:57.120 --> 00:11:58.320 and your concerns to him? 00:11:58.860 --> 00:12:00.279 Put your faith in him, 00:12:00.500 --> 00:12:02.620 and you will discover that unlike the leaders 00:12:02.620 --> 00:12:04.200 and the power brokers in our culture, 00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:06.539 this king, born at Christmas, 00:12:06.960 --> 00:12:09.139 will shepherd and care for you. 00:12:12.360 --> 00:12:14.980 Last week in the evening, Paul preached Isaiah 11, 00:12:15.460 --> 00:12:17.300 showing us that this king would be marked 00:12:17.300 --> 00:12:18.360 with wisdom and justice. 00:12:18.560 --> 00:12:22.279 Here we see it as the care and strength of the shepherd. 00:12:22.279 --> 00:12:29.579 One of Micah's concerns is to surprise us 00:12:29.579 --> 00:12:32.159 with the character of the coming king. 00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:33.740 But another detail that he includes 00:12:33.740 --> 00:12:35.019 is one that we can easily miss. 00:12:35.079 --> 00:12:37.039 So if the first thing he wants to surprise us with 00:12:37.039 --> 00:12:38.379 is this king's character, 00:12:38.500 --> 00:12:40.259 the second, point number two, 00:12:40.339 --> 00:12:41.100 is his origin. 00:12:41.939 --> 00:12:42.559 His origin. 00:12:45.059 --> 00:12:47.159 Singing Christmas carols year on year, 00:12:47.159 --> 00:12:49.059 can we miss the shock, 00:12:49.139 --> 00:12:51.500 the surprise of what is being sung. 00:12:51.919 --> 00:12:52.980 Centuries of singing, 00:12:53.360 --> 00:12:54.879 O little town of Bethlehem, 00:12:55.659 --> 00:12:57.980 has meant it seems more normal 00:12:57.980 --> 00:12:59.839 and more familiar than it should. 00:13:01.839 --> 00:13:03.419 But when Micah says, verse 2, 00:13:03.419 --> 00:13:16.019 That is a surprise. 00:13:16.879 --> 00:13:18.500 It's shocking in actual fact. 00:13:20.219 --> 00:13:22.279 Kings are born in palaces, 00:13:23.120 --> 00:13:26.439 or nowadays in elite private health care units 00:13:26.439 --> 00:13:28.719 in the capital city. 00:13:30.059 --> 00:13:31.980 They're born in places of influence. 00:13:31.980 --> 00:13:33.539 Not this king. 00:13:34.440 --> 00:13:35.720 He's born in Bethlehem. 00:13:37.379 --> 00:13:40.639 I said a moment ago that Bethlehem is mentioned 00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:43.340 because of the significance of where King David came from. 00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:46.180 But it is an unexpected place 00:13:46.180 --> 00:13:49.240 for God to be at work. 00:13:50.080 --> 00:13:52.180 Even make sure that we don't miss it. 00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:52.899 It's so shocking. 00:13:53.080 --> 00:13:54.580 O Bethlehem, Ephrathah. 00:13:55.420 --> 00:13:56.019 Specific. 00:13:57.680 --> 00:14:00.740 It is an unexpected place for God to be at work, 00:14:00.740 --> 00:14:03.080 for royal leaders to be born. 00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:07.399 It is a place of no importance, 00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:08.980 not politically, not military. 00:14:09.379 --> 00:14:11.139 It is a backwater of backwaters, 00:14:11.200 --> 00:14:12.139 if ever there was one. 00:14:12.259 --> 00:14:15.680 But it is the place where God's Messiah would come from. 00:14:17.600 --> 00:14:18.879 Now, why highlight this? 00:14:19.399 --> 00:14:22.399 Why draw your attention to this surprise? 00:14:22.519 --> 00:14:23.259 Well, two reasons. 00:14:23.259 --> 00:14:24.220 The first is this. 00:14:24.799 --> 00:14:28.480 God doesn't work according to our expectations. 00:14:30.980 --> 00:14:33.439 God doesn't work according to our expectations. 00:14:33.639 --> 00:14:37.379 Think about when the big company launches its new thing. 00:14:38.419 --> 00:14:39.340 Their new product, 00:14:40.299 --> 00:14:41.799 or their new hire, 00:14:41.899 --> 00:14:42.539 a new CEO, 00:14:42.679 --> 00:14:43.419 or something like that. 00:14:43.679 --> 00:14:46.360 They'll often go to an influential or significant place 00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:47.580 to make the big reveal. 00:14:47.899 --> 00:14:49.019 It'll be a big old show 00:14:49.019 --> 00:14:51.159 in a really significant location. 00:14:51.159 --> 00:14:54.679 God announces His rescuing King. 00:14:55.059 --> 00:14:58.519 God launches His salvation project for the world, 00:14:58.959 --> 00:15:00.219 a salvation that will bring about 00:15:00.219 --> 00:15:02.259 this great reversal of fortune for His people. 00:15:02.459 --> 00:15:05.620 He launches it from an unremarkable and insignificant village. 00:15:05.620 --> 00:15:13.379 And when we read of the account of the birth of Jesus in Luke chapter 2, 00:15:14.519 --> 00:15:18.340 the way that He has orchestrated everything only confirms this further. 00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:19.379 Luke 2 verse 1, 00:15:19.379 --> 00:15:22.500 And in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus 00:15:22.500 --> 00:15:24.039 that all the world should be registered. 00:15:24.799 --> 00:15:27.980 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria, 00:15:28.600 --> 00:15:31.039 and all went to be registered, each to his own town. 00:15:31.960 --> 00:15:35.220 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, the town of Nazareth, 00:15:35.320 --> 00:15:38.659 to Judea, the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, 00:15:39.240 --> 00:15:41.960 because he was of the house and lineage of David, 00:15:42.080 --> 00:15:45.000 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 00:15:45.000 --> 00:15:48.639 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth, 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:50.700 and she gave birth to her firstborn son 00:15:50.700 --> 00:15:53.000 and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, 00:15:53.379 --> 00:15:56.000 because there was no place for them in the inn. 00:15:58.779 --> 00:16:01.100 The Christ, the promised King, 00:16:01.179 --> 00:16:04.679 would be born to a virgin teenage girl and a carpenter. 00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:07.659 This couple were only in Bethlehem 00:16:07.659 --> 00:16:10.899 because Caesar decreed that a census needed to be taken place 00:16:10.899 --> 00:16:13.639 and that they had to go back to their hometown to register. 00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:18.980 And as luck would have it, as it happened, 00:16:19.199 --> 00:16:21.980 oh, by chance, when they were there, 00:16:22.059 --> 00:16:24.500 Mary went into labor and the baby was born. 00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:26.899 God was orchestrating all of the steps 00:16:26.899 --> 00:16:29.580 so that this prophecy would be fulfilled. 00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:33.379 And if the fact that the Christ was going to be born 00:16:33.379 --> 00:16:36.539 to a virgin teenage girl in a backwater, 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:39.360 and they were there, as it were, 00:16:39.439 --> 00:16:42.059 because of an administrative issue 00:16:42.059 --> 00:16:45.459 with regards to how the census was needing to be carried out, 00:16:45.899 --> 00:16:47.779 he was born in a stable. 00:16:49.359 --> 00:16:52.099 Because the people who had traveled for the census 00:16:52.099 --> 00:16:54.799 occupied all the available rooms in town. 00:16:55.059 --> 00:16:57.359 The great ruler from of old, 00:16:57.519 --> 00:16:58.719 from ancient of days, 00:16:58.839 --> 00:17:01.399 born in the back room of a building at the back end of nowhere. 00:17:01.399 --> 00:17:04.379 That should surprise us. 00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:06.740 If we were going to plan this, 00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:08.240 we would not have done it this way. 00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:11.379 If we were going to make it all happen, 00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:13.160 it would have been much, much more impressive, 00:17:13.359 --> 00:17:15.859 much glitzier, and much more showy. 00:17:16.700 --> 00:17:18.059 A bigger fuss would have been made. 00:17:18.639 --> 00:17:21.240 Now, you could argue what the angels light up the sky and stuff, 00:17:21.299 --> 00:17:22.400 that's pretty big and significant, 00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:23.759 but you get my point. 00:17:24.619 --> 00:17:26.879 When the prince and princess of Wales have a baby, 00:17:28.079 --> 00:17:29.599 they put their Christmas card out. 00:17:30.359 --> 00:17:32.839 It's on the photograph of all the papers today. 00:17:35.079 --> 00:17:36.099 When that happens, 00:17:36.299 --> 00:17:38.940 that baby is going to be the somethingth in line to the British throne. 00:17:39.180 --> 00:17:41.660 Each time when each of those three children have been born, 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:42.759 we've been told what it is. 00:17:43.160 --> 00:17:45.519 They're delivered in an exclusive maternity department 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:48.119 by a highly trained staff under expert supervision. 00:17:49.079 --> 00:17:49.640 And the birth, 00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:51.420 after it happens, 00:17:51.420 --> 00:17:54.440 an army of specialists will meet the mother and child's every need. 00:17:55.160 --> 00:17:55.980 They won't get, 00:17:56.279 --> 00:17:57.460 they won't get 00:17:57.460 --> 00:18:00.740 on public transport 00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:02.340 to Nowheresville 00:18:02.340 --> 00:18:04.140 to have the baby in a lay-by. 00:18:06.920 --> 00:18:08.580 But God works in a different way. 00:18:11.840 --> 00:18:13.440 And we need to reckon with this 00:18:13.440 --> 00:18:15.279 when it comes to how we live the Christian life. 00:18:17.740 --> 00:18:18.980 So on the one hand, 00:18:19.080 --> 00:18:20.779 when things don't go the way 00:18:20.779 --> 00:18:23.139 we expect them to, 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:25.220 that is not necessarily a problem. 00:18:27.220 --> 00:18:29.000 When God doesn't do things 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:30.899 the way we would like Him to, 00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:33.139 it doesn't mean that He's forgotten us. 00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:38.279 It doesn't mean that He isn't at work. 00:18:40.200 --> 00:18:43.299 The life of faith is about trusting the promises of God 00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:45.279 even when we cannot see 00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:47.220 how they are going to come to pass 00:18:47.220 --> 00:18:50.000 because God doesn't work according to our expectations. 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:53.100 On the other hand, 00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:55.000 we don't need to fear 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:57.420 when we feel like we're out of touch 00:18:57.420 --> 00:18:58.880 in some way with the cool crew. 00:19:00.360 --> 00:19:02.460 The church gets into all sorts of trouble 00:19:02.460 --> 00:19:03.519 when we start to worry 00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:05.579 what the culture will think about us. 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:07.880 What if the culture thinks we're a bit weird 00:19:07.880 --> 00:19:09.380 because we live and work in a way 00:19:09.380 --> 00:19:10.380 that's different from them? 00:19:11.380 --> 00:19:12.620 I'm not obviously suggesting 00:19:12.620 --> 00:19:14.440 that we pursue weirdness as a virtue. 00:19:14.780 --> 00:19:16.140 Some Christians definitely do that. 00:19:16.180 --> 00:19:17.300 I'm not suggesting that. 00:19:17.640 --> 00:19:18.800 But I am suggesting 00:19:18.800 --> 00:19:20.040 that we don't pursue 00:19:20.040 --> 00:19:21.680 the acceptance of the culture 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:22.920 thinking that if we can become 00:19:22.920 --> 00:19:24.880 as much like them as possible, 00:19:24.880 --> 00:19:26.540 it will enable God's work then 00:19:26.540 --> 00:19:27.780 to really take off. 00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:31.480 God has given us the means 00:19:31.480 --> 00:19:32.819 by which He will build His church, 00:19:33.339 --> 00:19:34.359 His Word, 00:19:35.220 --> 00:19:35.920 His sacraments, 00:19:36.339 --> 00:19:36.680 prayer, 00:19:37.139 --> 00:19:38.619 and the distinctive witness of His people 00:19:38.619 --> 00:19:39.440 as they love Him 00:19:39.440 --> 00:19:40.700 and love their neighbor. 00:19:43.700 --> 00:19:45.119 It doesn't sound exciting. 00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:49.399 And we know it often looks very unimpressive. 00:19:50.019 --> 00:19:51.779 By all kinds of different standards, 00:19:51.899 --> 00:19:52.720 it looks unimpressive. 00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:54.619 But it's what God has promised to use. 00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:57.319 He doesn't work according to our expectations. 00:19:57.779 --> 00:20:01.460 And second, 00:20:01.859 --> 00:20:04.059 second implication of this, 00:20:04.139 --> 00:20:05.359 it's a related reason 00:20:05.359 --> 00:20:07.599 why we shouldn't just brush over Bethlehem 00:20:07.599 --> 00:20:09.299 in the story 00:20:09.299 --> 00:20:11.759 is because it reminds us 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:13.920 that God delights 00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:15.819 in the seemingly insignificant. 00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:18.180 God delights 00:20:18.180 --> 00:20:20.079 in the seemingly insignificant. 00:20:22.180 --> 00:20:24.500 The world would have written off Bethlehem 00:20:24.500 --> 00:20:25.779 and the people who lived there. 00:20:26.819 --> 00:20:27.379 Nowheresville. 00:20:28.319 --> 00:20:29.319 When the Beatles sang, 00:20:29.720 --> 00:20:31.079 He's a real nowhere man 00:20:31.079 --> 00:20:32.700 sitting in his nowhere land 00:20:32.700 --> 00:20:34.660 making all his nowhere plans for nobody. 00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:36.200 They could have been singing 00:20:36.200 --> 00:20:37.440 about a guy 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:39.680 before the first Christmas Bethlehem. 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:44.779 But it's the place that God has chosen 00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:46.539 to bring about greatness. 00:20:48.539 --> 00:20:50.060 It's the place from which 00:20:50.060 --> 00:20:51.480 God has changed 00:20:51.480 --> 00:20:52.980 the whole course of history. 00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:56.519 And it seems 00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:59.360 that that is how God does things. 00:20:59.360 --> 00:21:02.200 Before His Son came into the world 00:21:02.200 --> 00:21:03.940 and choosing to set His love on Israel, 00:21:04.339 --> 00:21:06.299 He chose a small and weak nation 00:21:06.299 --> 00:21:07.160 to be His people. 00:21:07.660 --> 00:21:09.079 When His Son came into the world, 00:21:09.160 --> 00:21:10.039 He came in humility, 00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:10.880 not in power. 00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:12.339 He came in poverty, 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:13.079 not in wealth. 00:21:13.420 --> 00:21:15.000 He came to a place of obscurity, 00:21:15.160 --> 00:21:16.860 not a place of prominence. 00:21:16.859 --> 00:21:19.579 What this means is, 00:21:20.399 --> 00:21:21.799 amongst many other things, 00:21:21.879 --> 00:21:24.740 it means that you are never too insignificant 00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:26.319 for God to see you 00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:27.639 or to use you. 00:21:27.640 --> 00:21:30.620 You know that, don't you? 00:21:31.820 --> 00:21:33.780 You, in Christ, 00:21:34.360 --> 00:21:35.660 are never too insignificant 00:21:35.660 --> 00:21:36.780 for God to see you 00:21:36.780 --> 00:21:37.600 or to use you. 00:21:40.120 --> 00:21:41.480 Do you ever find yourself wondering 00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:42.100 whether God, 00:21:42.180 --> 00:21:43.580 in all His majestic glory, 00:21:44.680 --> 00:21:47.500 far removed from all of the circumstances 00:21:47.500 --> 00:21:49.020 of your mundane life, 00:21:49.140 --> 00:21:50.840 even knows that you exist? 00:21:52.780 --> 00:21:54.680 I know some of you never think like this. 00:21:54.740 --> 00:21:55.380 You're more convinced 00:21:55.380 --> 00:21:56.700 that God's positively delighted 00:21:56.700 --> 00:21:57.560 to have you around. 00:21:58.060 --> 00:21:59.440 But some of you will think, 00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:01.400 especially in a city like London 00:22:01.400 --> 00:22:03.220 where there are so many people, 00:22:03.500 --> 00:22:04.720 so much going on, 00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:05.940 so much noise, 00:22:06.120 --> 00:22:07.220 that you're insignificant 00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:08.200 and small 00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:09.440 and unimportant 00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:10.500 and unimpressive 00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:11.540 because you're just you. 00:22:12.020 --> 00:22:12.900 You're just you 00:22:12.900 --> 00:22:13.960 going about your business. 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:16.280 And you wonder whether God knows 00:22:16.280 --> 00:22:17.000 where to find you. 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:19.880 He knew where to find Bethlehem. 00:22:22.940 --> 00:22:24.020 And this applies 00:22:24.020 --> 00:22:25.780 when it comes to using you 00:22:25.780 --> 00:22:27.259 to accomplish His plan as well. 00:22:27.640 --> 00:22:31.060 Isn't this a principle 00:22:31.060 --> 00:22:32.759 that the Apostle Paul explains 00:22:32.759 --> 00:22:34.480 when he writes to the Corinthians? 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:37.339 1 Corinthians chapter 1, 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:38.660 Not many of you were wise 00:22:38.660 --> 00:22:39.980 according to worldly standards. 00:22:40.099 --> 00:22:41.000 Not many were powerful. 00:22:41.120 --> 00:22:42.440 Not many were of noble birth. 00:22:42.559 --> 00:22:45.599 But God chose what is foolish 00:22:45.599 --> 00:22:46.779 in the world 00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:48.000 to shame the wise. 00:22:48.660 --> 00:22:50.900 God chose what is weak 00:22:50.900 --> 00:22:51.960 in the world 00:22:51.960 --> 00:22:53.599 to shame the strong. 00:22:53.720 --> 00:22:55.360 God chose what is low 00:22:55.360 --> 00:22:56.880 and despised in the world. 00:22:56.880 --> 00:22:58.180 even things that are not 00:22:58.180 --> 00:22:59.680 to bring to nothing 00:22:59.680 --> 00:23:00.360 things that are. 00:23:02.580 --> 00:23:05.600 Not many were impressive people. 00:23:06.300 --> 00:23:06.960 Some were, 00:23:07.360 --> 00:23:08.340 but not many. 00:23:09.100 --> 00:23:10.700 Because God delights to choose 00:23:10.700 --> 00:23:11.280 the lowly, 00:23:11.380 --> 00:23:11.980 the ordinary, 00:23:12.220 --> 00:23:13.180 the unnoticed, 00:23:13.580 --> 00:23:15.800 and to make them 00:23:15.800 --> 00:23:17.320 the instruments through which 00:23:17.320 --> 00:23:18.540 He will do His remarkable work. 00:23:18.539 --> 00:23:21.859 And why is that the case? 00:23:23.059 --> 00:23:23.759 Well, Paul says 00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:24.639 in the very next verse 00:23:24.639 --> 00:23:25.799 in 1 Corinthians chapter 1, 00:23:25.879 --> 00:23:26.940 So that no human being 00:23:26.940 --> 00:23:28.519 might boast in the presence of God. 00:23:29.940 --> 00:23:31.319 God chooses the humble 00:23:31.319 --> 00:23:32.440 and the weak 00:23:32.440 --> 00:23:34.119 so that no one might think 00:23:34.119 --> 00:23:35.000 that they are the ones 00:23:35.000 --> 00:23:36.220 who are making things happen. 00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:38.359 So that you don't think 00:23:38.359 --> 00:23:39.200 it's down to you. 00:23:39.319 --> 00:23:40.119 So that I don't think 00:23:40.119 --> 00:23:41.099 it's down to me. 00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:43.119 We couldn't do it. 00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:44.159 We're not impressive. 00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:48.620 He wants us to recognize 00:23:48.620 --> 00:23:49.840 that His work depends 00:23:49.840 --> 00:23:50.900 entirely on His 00:23:50.900 --> 00:23:52.279 sovereign grace. 00:23:52.660 --> 00:23:53.779 God works like this 00:23:53.779 --> 00:23:54.980 so that the glory 00:23:54.980 --> 00:23:56.240 goes where it should go. 00:23:56.940 --> 00:23:57.740 Directly to Him. 00:24:00.620 --> 00:24:01.940 When we pause to think 00:24:01.940 --> 00:24:03.200 about the origin of this King, 00:24:03.259 --> 00:24:04.120 the earthly origin 00:24:04.120 --> 00:24:04.840 of this King, 00:24:04.900 --> 00:24:05.960 it is a wonderful 00:24:05.960 --> 00:24:08.240 Christmas surprise 00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:10.700 that should encourage us. 00:24:10.700 --> 00:24:14.420 It should encourage us. 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:15.180 It should put a smile 00:24:15.180 --> 00:24:15.779 on our faces. 00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:18.200 It should make us rejoice. 00:24:19.900 --> 00:24:21.360 And it should give us confidence. 00:24:22.279 --> 00:24:23.420 If God can bring salvation 00:24:23.420 --> 00:24:24.160 out of Bethlehem, 00:24:24.200 --> 00:24:25.140 He can bring it out of anywhere. 00:24:27.600 --> 00:24:28.940 If God can use 00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:29.700 the raw materials 00:24:29.700 --> 00:24:30.700 from that first Christmas, 00:24:30.779 --> 00:24:31.700 He can use any of the 00:24:31.700 --> 00:24:32.240 raw materials 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:33.420 that we offer to Him today. 00:24:35.059 --> 00:24:35.840 When we look at 00:24:35.840 --> 00:24:36.860 where we are as a church, 00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:38.019 there's been lots of growth 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:38.720 recently. 00:24:38.860 --> 00:24:39.600 Lots of evidence 00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:40.779 of God's blessing us 00:24:40.779 --> 00:24:42.679 and His work amongst us 00:24:42.679 --> 00:24:43.179 in our midst. 00:24:43.299 --> 00:24:44.559 But compared to the strength 00:24:44.559 --> 00:24:45.119 of the opposition 00:24:45.119 --> 00:24:46.719 that we face in the culture 00:24:46.719 --> 00:24:48.500 and our impact 00:24:48.500 --> 00:24:49.319 at reaching the lost, 00:24:49.399 --> 00:24:50.579 we feel our insignificance. 00:24:50.599 --> 00:24:51.539 If we're honest with ourselves, 00:24:51.619 --> 00:24:52.879 we feel our insignificance. 00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:55.079 Well, when we feel that way, 00:24:55.699 --> 00:24:56.959 we must remember 00:24:56.959 --> 00:24:58.459 that God doesn't work 00:24:58.459 --> 00:24:59.839 according to our expectations. 00:25:00.159 --> 00:25:01.099 And we trust Him. 00:25:02.299 --> 00:25:03.500 We cast ourselves 00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:04.359 onto Him again. 00:25:04.459 --> 00:25:04.980 We trust Him. 00:25:05.039 --> 00:25:06.019 He knows we're here. 00:25:06.679 --> 00:25:07.459 And because His work 00:25:07.459 --> 00:25:08.240 depends solely 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:09.559 on His sovereign grace 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:10.559 and not the brilliance 00:25:10.559 --> 00:25:11.200 of the church 00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:12.279 or her leaders, 00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:13.359 we can trust Him. 00:25:14.400 --> 00:25:15.059 When you're tempted 00:25:15.059 --> 00:25:15.779 to think, you know, 00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:16.859 if only we had better 00:25:16.859 --> 00:25:17.920 leadership in the church 00:25:17.920 --> 00:25:19.220 or if only we did this 00:25:19.220 --> 00:25:20.120 or that cool thing, 00:25:20.200 --> 00:25:21.000 then the church 00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:22.000 would really explode. 00:25:22.460 --> 00:25:23.620 Remember that Bethlehem 00:25:23.620 --> 00:25:24.180 shows us 00:25:24.180 --> 00:25:25.359 that God delights 00:25:25.359 --> 00:25:26.339 to use the simple 00:25:26.339 --> 00:25:28.039 and the seemingly unimpressive 00:25:28.039 --> 00:25:29.420 to accomplish 00:25:29.420 --> 00:25:30.200 His purposes. 00:25:31.900 --> 00:25:33.319 So, we keep doing 00:25:33.319 --> 00:25:34.160 what He's told us. 00:25:34.160 --> 00:25:36.240 Bible, 00:25:37.019 --> 00:25:37.580 sacraments, 00:25:37.860 --> 00:25:38.160 prayer, 00:25:38.660 --> 00:25:39.340 holy lives, 00:25:39.880 --> 00:25:41.700 and repeat. 00:25:42.640 --> 00:25:43.560 That's what He wants 00:25:43.560 --> 00:25:44.000 from us. 00:25:45.600 --> 00:25:46.560 And we do that 00:25:46.560 --> 00:25:47.460 confident 00:25:47.460 --> 00:25:48.980 that in 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:50.660 the cultural foolishness 00:25:50.660 --> 00:25:51.540 of these things, 00:25:52.540 --> 00:25:53.980 Christ will build 00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:54.500 His church. 00:25:55.620 --> 00:25:56.680 As we look ahead 00:25:56.680 --> 00:25:57.320 to Christmas, 00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:58.080 the carol service 00:25:58.080 --> 00:25:58.920 next Sunday evening, 00:25:59.019 --> 00:26:00.100 the talk in the carol service 00:26:00.100 --> 00:26:00.980 will be particularly 00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:01.800 addressing 00:26:01.800 --> 00:26:03.060 non-Christians. 00:26:03.059 --> 00:26:05.960 just invite your friend. 00:26:06.819 --> 00:26:07.500 Would you like to come 00:26:07.500 --> 00:26:08.339 to a carol service? 00:26:10.819 --> 00:26:11.500 Carol service? 00:26:11.599 --> 00:26:12.039 Are they not a bit 00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:12.720 out of touch now? 00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:14.179 You don't know. 00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:15.319 They might say yes. 00:26:15.379 --> 00:26:16.099 They might come along. 00:26:17.319 --> 00:26:17.879 We'll go and have 00:26:17.879 --> 00:26:18.940 something to eat beforehand. 00:26:19.079 --> 00:26:19.419 We'll go and have 00:26:19.419 --> 00:26:20.039 a drink afterwards. 00:26:20.159 --> 00:26:21.299 Whatever it might be. 00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:22.159 Come to our house. 00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:22.519 Whatever. 00:26:23.139 --> 00:26:24.639 All very ordinary things. 00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:27.019 It might just be 00:26:27.019 --> 00:26:27.659 the very thing 00:26:27.659 --> 00:26:29.319 in its ordinariness 00:26:29.319 --> 00:26:30.480 that God uses 00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:31.980 to bring them to Christ. 00:26:33.319 --> 00:26:34.119 After Christmas, 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:34.799 hope explored. 00:26:34.919 --> 00:26:35.359 Three weeks. 00:26:35.700 --> 00:26:36.619 We all are looking 00:26:36.619 --> 00:26:37.720 for hope at the minute. 00:26:38.339 --> 00:26:39.059 Looks like the world 00:26:39.059 --> 00:26:39.940 is kind of crumbling 00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:40.700 around us. 00:26:41.940 --> 00:26:42.819 Asking people about 00:26:42.819 --> 00:26:43.639 where they find hope 00:26:43.639 --> 00:26:44.339 in a time like this. 00:26:44.379 --> 00:26:45.519 A really easy conversation 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:45.839 started. 00:26:45.899 --> 00:26:46.799 Would you like to come along? 00:26:47.339 --> 00:26:48.159 It's three sessions 00:26:48.159 --> 00:26:48.859 at my church. 00:26:49.619 --> 00:26:50.679 Very ordinary thing 00:26:50.679 --> 00:26:51.599 to invite people to. 00:26:51.700 --> 00:26:52.399 And yet it may be 00:26:52.399 --> 00:26:53.559 in that ordinariness 00:26:53.559 --> 00:26:56.139 that God uses 00:26:56.139 --> 00:26:57.359 your words 00:26:57.359 --> 00:26:58.139 to transform 00:26:58.139 --> 00:26:59.819 their life. 00:26:59.819 --> 00:27:02.139 Friends, 00:27:02.220 --> 00:27:03.299 Christmas is surprising. 00:27:04.579 --> 00:27:05.759 Let's never lose 00:27:05.759 --> 00:27:06.899 the wonder 00:27:06.899 --> 00:27:08.279 of that surprise. 00:27:08.359 --> 00:27:09.139 Whether you're embracing 00:27:09.139 --> 00:27:10.059 it for the first time 00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:11.179 or you're rediscovering 00:27:11.179 --> 00:27:12.139 the surprise of God 00:27:12.139 --> 00:27:13.059 coming to earth, 00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:14.819 allow that reality 00:27:14.819 --> 00:27:16.019 to assure you 00:27:16.019 --> 00:27:16.779 of what is coming 00:27:16.779 --> 00:27:18.139 when He comes 00:27:18.139 --> 00:27:19.039 again. 00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:20.619 Let's pray together. 00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:21.199 Let's pray together. 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.199 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:51.180 Thank you.