WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.839 Well let me add my word of welcome to Rubens. It's great to have you with us today. 00:00:10.720 --> 00:00:17.120 ! Children it's a great day isn't it? And parents you have made it. You have made it. Not long to go. Keep going. 00:00:18.320 --> 00:00:28.679 Today is a day for being thankful isn't it? And we need to say thank you to different people in the church. Thank you very much to the musicians who've served us so well over the last weeks. 00:00:28.679 --> 00:00:34.979 They've worked really hard. Thank you to those who've served in the kitchen. Endless mince pies and mulled wine. 00:00:35.719 --> 00:00:41.060 Greeters who've got the difficult job of kind of ordering you about when you don't want to be ordered about. 00:00:41.560 --> 00:00:47.000 And to the PA team and the audio visual guys we want to say thank you. We only have a no duty when things go wrong. 00:00:47.620 --> 00:00:50.739 So thank you very very much. 00:00:50.740 --> 00:01:04.500 I don't know whether you saw there was an article in the Telegraph on the weekend that priests have been told to edit popular carols this Christmas in order to avoid causing unnecessary offence. 00:01:05.780 --> 00:01:11.760 The article said quite why you would be in church to begin with if you found Christianity so offensive has not been made clear. 00:01:11.760 --> 00:01:16.280 Do you see many vegans in butchers demanding to talk to the managers? 00:01:17.780 --> 00:01:23.480 Last time you were down the pub did you notice any teetotallers raging at the landlord about his disgusting wall of booze? 00:01:24.820 --> 00:01:33.740 Yet according to a whistleblower vicar in the Church of England, clergy across the country have been contacted and urged to alter various Advent hymns to avoid upset. 00:01:33.739 --> 00:01:41.739 Those singled out as particularly concerning are O Come, O Come Emmanuel for depicting other faiths as being outside of God's grace. 00:01:42.599 --> 00:01:44.539 And lo he comes with clouds descending. 00:01:45.399 --> 00:01:52.819 The clergy have been sent a link to research suggesting the second verse contains problematic words by stating Jesus is the true Messiah. 00:01:52.819 --> 00:02:06.839 In a further email sent to the Birmingham Diocese, clergy were advised to try to use language that won't add further confusion or tension or take away from anything, anything from the good news of the Nativity. 00:02:09.219 --> 00:02:15.139 One of the things I love about the Bible is its simplicity and its beautiful clarity. 00:02:15.139 --> 00:02:24.959 I want to speak to you from one verse that every single one of you will be able to understand that won't add further confusion. 00:02:25.319 --> 00:02:30.959 It might well add tension, but it certainly won't take anything away from the good news. 00:02:31.179 --> 00:02:32.639 The verse is John 1 verse 12. 00:02:33.299 --> 00:02:35.359 John 1 verse 12, let me read it to you. 00:02:35.360 --> 00:02:52.020 Little words, aren't they? 00:02:52.020 --> 00:03:00.640 As many as received him, to them he gave the right to become the children of God, even to them who believe on his name. 00:03:00.639 --> 00:03:05.500 I want to give you three brief things, all beginning with P. 00:03:06.119 --> 00:03:10.439 I want to give you a picture, a person, and a promise. 00:03:10.819 --> 00:03:12.079 That's easy to remember, isn't it? 00:03:12.599 --> 00:03:14.699 Somebody says, and what did you learn in church this morning? 00:03:15.099 --> 00:03:18.739 A picture, a person, and a promise. 00:03:18.740 --> 00:03:23.700 And the verse, as I read it, do you see it? 00:03:23.800 --> 00:03:35.480 It is about receiving, and about entrusting, and about being given the right to become the children of God. 00:03:36.260 --> 00:03:38.620 It's about a change of name. 00:03:40.000 --> 00:03:43.740 And so the picture I want to give you is a picture of a young couple getting married. 00:03:45.660 --> 00:03:46.879 You may have seen it happen. 00:03:46.879 --> 00:03:49.240 It may have happened to you, getting married. 00:03:49.439 --> 00:03:50.560 You know what it's like, isn't it? 00:03:50.599 --> 00:03:52.079 We've all been to weddings. 00:03:53.479 --> 00:03:58.759 The young couple stand at the front of the church before the minister who's going to conduct the service, 00:03:58.900 --> 00:04:04.879 and the question is asked, will you have this woman to be your wedded wife? 00:04:05.680 --> 00:04:06.400 I will. 00:04:07.759 --> 00:04:10.139 Will you have this man? 00:04:11.159 --> 00:04:11.919 I will. 00:04:11.919 --> 00:04:17.519 And in most weddings, that is followed by the giving of a ring. 00:04:18.639 --> 00:04:21.240 I give you this ring. 00:04:22.539 --> 00:04:26.879 I will is followed by I give. 00:04:26.879 --> 00:04:32.159 I will is followed by I give. 00:04:33.600 --> 00:04:35.740 And becoming a Christian is just like that. 00:04:36.759 --> 00:04:39.819 Except it's not you and the bride and groom. 00:04:39.899 --> 00:04:42.279 It is you and the Lord Jesus. 00:04:44.040 --> 00:04:46.639 Will you have this man? 00:04:48.000 --> 00:04:49.680 Will you trust him? 00:04:50.860 --> 00:04:53.139 Will you receive him? 00:04:54.459 --> 00:04:55.100 I will. 00:04:55.100 --> 00:04:55.180 Will. 00:04:55.980 --> 00:05:03.240 And there's this dual relationship of receiving Jesus and entrusting ourselves back to him. 00:05:04.900 --> 00:05:09.439 Receiving and entrusting ourselves to him. 00:05:09.439 --> 00:05:14.420 If I said to you, I'm after the service, I'm your visitor. 00:05:14.560 --> 00:05:16.660 If I said to him, are you married? 00:05:17.939 --> 00:05:21.600 And you replied, well, I think so. 00:05:22.459 --> 00:05:23.720 Or I hope so. 00:05:24.540 --> 00:05:29.319 And if your wife was within your shot, you'd be in all sorts of trouble, wouldn't you? 00:05:30.480 --> 00:05:31.319 You'd be in dire trouble. 00:05:31.319 --> 00:05:38.540 Have you stood with her and said, I will and I give? 00:05:39.779 --> 00:05:45.399 Have you received from her and entrusted yourself to her? 00:05:45.399 --> 00:05:48.099 Have you been there? 00:05:49.719 --> 00:05:51.699 Well, you know if you have, don't you? 00:05:53.899 --> 00:05:55.699 And so let me ask you the question. 00:05:55.859 --> 00:05:58.199 Have you been to the Lord Jesus? 00:05:58.199 --> 00:06:04.500 Who we've sung about and have read about and we meet in his name? 00:06:04.620 --> 00:06:07.319 And have you received him? 00:06:09.159 --> 00:06:12.939 Accepted him and entrusted yourself back to him? 00:06:12.939 --> 00:06:15.939 That is the picture. 00:06:17.439 --> 00:06:18.699 And he is the person. 00:06:20.860 --> 00:06:23.480 This is what we say Christianity is all about. 00:06:24.899 --> 00:06:28.899 I have a friend who would describe himself as a churchgoer. 00:06:29.319 --> 00:06:34.060 He's a churchgoer who I, in all my friendship with him, I've never known him actually go to church. 00:06:35.680 --> 00:06:39.319 He says this, I don't go as often as I wish, but I do go as often as I can. 00:06:39.420 --> 00:06:41.620 Which, in my friendship with him, has been never. 00:06:42.939 --> 00:06:46.699 He was ill and then I saw him after he'd been ill. 00:06:46.839 --> 00:06:51.620 He told me that his neighbour from three doors down appeared with a lawnmower and cut his grass for him. 00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:55.980 And he said, that's what I call being a real Christian. 00:06:57.420 --> 00:06:59.259 Turns out the man who cut the grass was an atheist. 00:07:00.899 --> 00:07:04.959 And my friend will say if somebody doing a good deed, maybe taking someone to hospital, 00:07:05.339 --> 00:07:08.259 that's what I call a real Christian. 00:07:08.459 --> 00:07:09.120 Drives me nuts. 00:07:10.680 --> 00:07:11.839 But we get there, don't we? 00:07:11.839 --> 00:07:12.959 Maybe you get there. 00:07:13.099 --> 00:07:16.819 You confuse being a Christian with doing good. 00:07:18.019 --> 00:07:19.379 Or being good. 00:07:20.819 --> 00:07:22.659 Or trying hard. 00:07:24.060 --> 00:07:25.759 Or not hurting anybody. 00:07:27.259 --> 00:07:31.239 And that awful one where people say, well, I've done my best. 00:07:31.399 --> 00:07:34.139 Which we only ever say when we've not done our best, don't we? 00:07:34.139 --> 00:07:41.459 Can you see from our verse, being a Christian is receiving Jesus. 00:07:43.459 --> 00:07:47.060 It is a person-to-person relationship. 00:07:47.060 --> 00:07:58.600 Christmas is about God in the person of his son, the Lord Jesus, entering into his creation so that you and I can have a relationship with him. 00:07:58.600 --> 00:08:00.399 So that you and I can be forgiven. 00:08:00.800 --> 00:08:03.319 So that you and I can be brought into his family. 00:08:03.319 --> 00:08:09.040 There is a baby in the manger who is Christ the Lord. 00:08:09.040 --> 00:08:11.439 And it is good news of great joy. 00:08:12.379 --> 00:08:15.399 God contracted to a span. 00:08:16.740 --> 00:08:18.120 Incomprehensibly made man. 00:08:18.120 --> 00:08:25.139 The word who spoke creation into being, that word has become flesh. 00:08:28.220 --> 00:08:31.459 He was poor that he might make us rich. 00:08:31.660 --> 00:08:34.580 He was born of a virgin that we might be born of God. 00:08:35.299 --> 00:08:38.060 He took our flesh that he might give us his spirit. 00:08:38.480 --> 00:08:41.159 He lay in the manger that you may lie in paradise. 00:08:41.659 --> 00:08:45.220 He came down from heaven that he might bring you to heaven. 00:08:45.220 --> 00:08:48.759 That the ancient of days should be born. 00:08:49.720 --> 00:08:52.759 That he who thunders in the heavens should cry in the cradle. 00:08:53.080 --> 00:08:57.080 That he who rules the stars should suck the breast. 00:08:57.240 --> 00:08:58.960 That a virgin should conceive. 00:09:00.000 --> 00:09:02.259 That Christ should be made of a woman. 00:09:02.820 --> 00:09:05.519 And of that woman which himself had made. 00:09:06.080 --> 00:09:07.940 That the branch should bear the vine. 00:09:08.160 --> 00:09:10.720 That the mother should be younger than the child she bare. 00:09:10.940 --> 00:09:13.180 And the child in the womb bigger than the mother. 00:09:13.179 --> 00:09:16.599 And the human nature should not be God. 00:09:17.059 --> 00:09:18.099 Yet one with God. 00:09:19.559 --> 00:09:22.139 The mystery of the incarnation. 00:09:22.959 --> 00:09:25.599 Christianity is Christ. 00:09:27.120 --> 00:09:29.459 There's a beautiful picture of accepting him. 00:09:29.819 --> 00:09:31.539 Christianity is about a person. 00:09:32.079 --> 00:09:34.919 And thirdly, the promise. 00:09:36.120 --> 00:09:37.240 Let me read you the verse again. 00:09:37.240 --> 00:09:39.700 As many as received him. 00:09:40.480 --> 00:09:43.320 To them he gave the rights to become the children of God. 00:09:43.759 --> 00:09:47.100 Even to them who believe on his name. 00:09:48.220 --> 00:09:48.940 What a promise. 00:09:50.899 --> 00:09:51.379 Children. 00:09:53.139 --> 00:09:53.740 Connected. 00:09:54.779 --> 00:09:56.120 By parentage. 00:09:57.860 --> 00:09:59.360 Parents and children. 00:10:00.019 --> 00:10:02.379 There's an unbreakable relationship. 00:10:02.379 --> 00:10:03.080 Isn't there? 00:10:03.259 --> 00:10:04.720 That can never be undone. 00:10:04.720 --> 00:10:07.279 And so. 00:10:07.580 --> 00:10:08.500 Think about it with me. 00:10:08.620 --> 00:10:09.320 A parent. 00:10:09.920 --> 00:10:10.800 A parent. 00:10:11.019 --> 00:10:12.019 Might become. 00:10:12.560 --> 00:10:13.920 A shame of a child. 00:10:15.080 --> 00:10:15.740 A child. 00:10:16.060 --> 00:10:16.759 Might become. 00:10:17.019 --> 00:10:17.840 A shame of a parent. 00:10:19.600 --> 00:10:20.480 A child. 00:10:20.600 --> 00:10:21.019 Believe it or not. 00:10:21.080 --> 00:10:22.500 Might be embarrassed by their parents. 00:10:22.620 --> 00:10:23.279 Can you believe that? 00:10:25.840 --> 00:10:26.860 A parent. 00:10:27.320 --> 00:10:27.700 Can become. 00:10:27.700 --> 00:10:29.200 Can become really frustrated. 00:10:29.200 --> 00:10:29.820 With their kids. 00:10:31.360 --> 00:10:32.040 A child. 00:10:32.160 --> 00:10:32.440 Can become. 00:10:33.040 --> 00:10:33.440 Exasperated. 00:10:33.600 --> 00:10:34.399 With their mum and dad. 00:10:34.399 --> 00:10:37.799 But nothing can undo that relationship. 00:10:39.240 --> 00:10:40.740 You are all. 00:10:41.340 --> 00:10:42.319 The child. 00:10:42.500 --> 00:10:42.919 Of someone. 00:10:46.519 --> 00:10:48.519 Nothing can undo that relationship. 00:10:50.199 --> 00:10:51.480 What this verse is telling us. 00:10:51.539 --> 00:10:52.659 Is that when we receive. 00:10:52.860 --> 00:10:53.899 The Lord Jesus Christ. 00:10:54.620 --> 00:10:56.000 When we entrust ourselves. 00:10:56.000 --> 00:10:56.720 Back to him. 00:10:57.459 --> 00:10:58.539 He brings us. 00:10:58.759 --> 00:10:59.179 Into an. 00:10:59.579 --> 00:10:59.980 Unchanging. 00:11:00.539 --> 00:11:01.019 Irreversible. 00:11:01.539 --> 00:11:02.059 Unbreakable. 00:11:02.299 --> 00:11:02.779 Relationship. 00:11:02.779 --> 00:11:03.299 With God. 00:11:05.199 --> 00:11:06.379 And the amazing truth is this. 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:07.839 That not even death. 00:11:08.240 --> 00:11:08.600 Can. 00:11:09.139 --> 00:11:10.179 Undo that relationship. 00:11:11.959 --> 00:11:12.679 The end of his life. 00:11:12.740 --> 00:11:13.480 When Jesus is dying. 00:11:13.480 --> 00:11:14.100 On the cross. 00:11:14.179 --> 00:11:14.559 The man. 00:11:14.699 --> 00:11:15.459 On the next door cross. 00:11:15.539 --> 00:11:15.839 The one. 00:11:16.039 --> 00:11:17.120 That we call the dying thief. 00:11:17.220 --> 00:11:17.799 Turned to Jesus. 00:11:17.919 --> 00:11:18.199 And said. 00:11:18.259 --> 00:11:18.519 Lord. 00:11:18.939 --> 00:11:19.720 Remember me. 00:11:21.919 --> 00:11:22.759 And Jesus replied. 00:11:22.839 --> 00:11:24.100 It's one of the most important things. 00:11:24.100 --> 00:11:24.480 In the Bible. 00:11:24.559 --> 00:11:25.360 He didn't say. 00:11:25.360 --> 00:11:27.800 To that dying thief. 00:11:27.879 --> 00:11:28.279 On the cross. 00:11:28.340 --> 00:11:28.740 He didn't say. 00:11:29.019 --> 00:11:29.320 Actually. 00:11:30.039 --> 00:11:31.200 You've never been to church. 00:11:31.259 --> 00:11:32.180 So you can't get into heaven. 00:11:33.940 --> 00:11:34.779 He didn't say. 00:11:35.159 --> 00:11:35.600 Actually. 00:11:35.840 --> 00:11:37.000 You've not been baptized. 00:11:37.680 --> 00:11:39.159 Or you've not even been confirmed. 00:11:39.800 --> 00:11:40.379 He didn't say. 00:11:40.740 --> 00:11:42.480 You're not religious enough. 00:11:42.480 --> 00:11:43.200 As if. 00:11:43.659 --> 00:11:44.800 They were the entrance. 00:11:45.039 --> 00:11:45.480 Into heaven. 00:11:46.940 --> 00:11:48.180 All the man did. 00:11:48.220 --> 00:11:48.560 Wasn't he? 00:11:48.620 --> 00:11:49.220 All the man did. 00:11:49.279 --> 00:11:49.539 Was say. 00:11:49.680 --> 00:11:50.159 Jesus. 00:11:51.139 --> 00:11:51.899 Remember me. 00:11:51.899 --> 00:11:54.620 And Jesus said. 00:11:55.559 --> 00:11:56.039 Today. 00:11:56.139 --> 00:11:56.699 You will be with me. 00:11:56.740 --> 00:11:57.240 In paradise. 00:12:00.459 --> 00:12:01.419 All the man did. 00:12:01.519 --> 00:12:01.879 Was. 00:12:02.459 --> 00:12:03.100 Receive Jesus. 00:12:04.799 --> 00:12:05.559 And believe. 00:12:05.639 --> 00:12:06.159 In his name. 00:12:08.360 --> 00:12:09.220 And he was brought. 00:12:09.299 --> 00:12:10.120 Into the family of God. 00:12:12.059 --> 00:12:13.179 And it's that sort of. 00:12:13.579 --> 00:12:14.019 Unbreakable. 00:12:14.539 --> 00:12:15.500 Irreversible relationship. 00:12:16.279 --> 00:12:16.919 That Jesus. 00:12:17.139 --> 00:12:17.860 Sets up something. 00:12:17.980 --> 00:12:18.679 That guarantees. 00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:19.379 Our eternity. 00:12:19.720 --> 00:12:20.659 However long. 00:12:20.740 --> 00:12:21.860 Your life may be. 00:12:22.899 --> 00:12:23.620 Eternity. 00:12:23.779 --> 00:12:24.220 Is forever. 00:12:24.419 --> 00:12:24.679 Isn't it? 00:12:26.019 --> 00:12:26.639 And eternity. 00:12:27.019 --> 00:12:28.500 Is a very long time. 00:12:28.620 --> 00:12:29.759 To spend in the wrong place. 00:12:31.279 --> 00:12:32.100 Whatever problems. 00:12:32.179 --> 00:12:33.319 You might face on earth. 00:12:33.439 --> 00:12:34.439 The great crunch problem. 00:12:34.579 --> 00:12:35.279 Is on its way. 00:12:35.379 --> 00:12:35.539 Isn't it? 00:12:35.539 --> 00:12:36.000 And none of us. 00:12:36.079 --> 00:12:36.919 Can evade it. 00:12:37.620 --> 00:12:38.220 All of us. 00:12:38.299 --> 00:12:39.319 Will one day die. 00:12:40.759 --> 00:12:41.220 And Christianity. 00:12:41.679 --> 00:12:42.799 Is the only religion. 00:12:42.799 --> 00:12:43.779 In the world. 00:12:44.600 --> 00:12:45.639 That will teach you. 00:12:45.720 --> 00:12:46.360 How to die. 00:12:47.379 --> 00:12:48.500 Without being afraid. 00:12:50.559 --> 00:12:51.000 Today. 00:12:51.000 --> 00:12:52.700 You will be with me. 00:12:52.779 --> 00:12:53.320 In paradise. 00:12:53.320 --> 00:12:54.399 Jesus can say to you. 00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:56.919 And of course you will. 00:12:57.000 --> 00:12:57.879 Because if you've. 00:12:58.299 --> 00:12:58.980 Come to Jesus. 00:12:59.220 --> 00:12:59.919 And received him. 00:13:00.059 --> 00:13:00.899 And given yourself. 00:13:01.220 --> 00:13:01.899 Back to him. 00:13:02.259 --> 00:13:03.039 And so to speak. 00:13:03.120 --> 00:13:04.399 You are married to him. 00:13:04.799 --> 00:13:05.799 He belongs to you. 00:13:05.879 --> 00:13:06.659 And you belong to him. 00:13:06.659 --> 00:13:07.659 And we're safe. 00:13:07.659 --> 00:13:09.419 And we're safe for all eternity. 00:13:11.039 --> 00:13:12.159 The great transaction. 00:13:12.319 --> 00:13:12.899 Has taken place. 00:13:13.059 --> 00:13:14.179 And we have been made. 00:13:14.299 --> 00:13:15.139 Children of God. 00:13:15.500 --> 00:13:16.539 In Jesus. 00:13:17.179 --> 00:13:18.719 As we receive him. 00:13:19.100 --> 00:13:20.799 And entrust ourselves to him. 00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:22.500 We become the children of God. 00:13:23.839 --> 00:13:24.980 And so it's very very simple. 00:13:25.059 --> 00:13:25.699 On this Christmas day. 00:13:27.299 --> 00:13:28.459 Can you see the picture? 00:13:28.460 --> 00:13:32.720 Will you take this man? 00:13:34.420 --> 00:13:36.940 Will you take this Lord Jesus? 00:13:37.940 --> 00:13:38.680 This morning? 00:13:39.639 --> 00:13:40.980 Will you receive him? 00:13:41.060 --> 00:13:42.040 And entrust yourself to him? 00:13:42.240 --> 00:13:44.580 Will you ponder the person? 00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:46.660 Will you be amazed at the person? 00:13:46.800 --> 00:13:47.540 This Christmas day. 00:13:48.100 --> 00:13:49.540 Of God made man. 00:13:49.920 --> 00:13:51.960 The creator who enters into creation. 00:13:51.960 --> 00:13:55.540 And will you cling to the promise? 00:13:57.240 --> 00:13:58.920 And rejoice in it. 00:13:59.960 --> 00:14:02.220 As many as received him. 00:14:03.180 --> 00:14:04.519 To them he gave the right. 00:14:04.620 --> 00:14:05.900 To become the children of God. 00:14:07.019 --> 00:14:08.620 Even to them who believe. 00:14:09.280 --> 00:14:10.080 On his name. 00:14:11.400 --> 00:14:12.000 Let's pray.