WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.620 Well, now we turn to the preaching of God's Word. 00:00:07.700 --> 00:00:13.179 Tonight we'll be looking in the epistle of 1 John, chapter 5, verses 6 through 13. 00:00:14.060 --> 00:00:16.000 If you have a Bible, you can turn there with me. 00:00:16.039 --> 00:00:19.219 And as you do, I wonder if you've heard this question yet this year. 00:00:19.280 --> 00:00:21.019 Someone asked you, what do you want for Christmas? 00:00:22.120 --> 00:00:26.539 If you're a child or a youth, this is maybe one of the greatest questions to be asked in a year 00:00:26.539 --> 00:00:29.800 because you know you have free reign to say whatever you want. 00:00:30.320 --> 00:00:33.299 A gift that you don't have to pay for, that you don't have to earn. 00:00:33.399 --> 00:00:36.320 It's a question that's being asked and you can say whatever you want. 00:00:37.119 --> 00:00:39.159 Big things, small things, expensive things. 00:00:39.240 --> 00:00:40.780 You may not get them, but you can ask, right? 00:00:42.299 --> 00:00:47.320 I think as we grow older, those expectations are lowered a little bit, right? 00:00:47.320 --> 00:00:50.280 We don't ask for the exciting things that we might have as a child. 00:00:51.100 --> 00:00:53.379 You know, if I got some socks, I think I'd be pretty content. 00:00:54.379 --> 00:00:58.060 I've had a lot of jumpers be eaten by moths this year. 00:00:58.060 --> 00:01:00.480 I think just a jump or two would do fine for me this year. 00:01:01.340 --> 00:01:04.640 But oftentimes as we think about what we want as adults especially, 00:01:04.780 --> 00:01:07.439 we're not just thinking about what someone else may give to us, 00:01:07.460 --> 00:01:11.079 but what kind of we expect this season to give to us. 00:01:11.320 --> 00:01:13.340 What do we want out of this season? 00:01:13.460 --> 00:01:18.579 And oftentimes when you ask people, it's nothing more than nostalgia, right? 00:01:18.579 --> 00:01:22.759 They want to spend time with family and friends and we want to eat good food 00:01:22.759 --> 00:01:25.840 and we want to do some parties and we want to do some shopping. 00:01:26.679 --> 00:01:31.340 We want some of the sentimentality of the Christmas music and the Christmas movies. 00:01:32.420 --> 00:01:38.799 And I think even as Christians, we can fall into this pattern of feeling without really thinking much. 00:01:39.819 --> 00:01:42.579 Thinking about what this holiday really means. 00:01:42.680 --> 00:01:46.120 Why do we really celebrate this baby born in a manger? 00:01:46.120 --> 00:01:54.079 And so this evening I want us to answer this question not by turning to a typical Christmas passage 00:01:54.079 --> 00:01:59.160 that describes Jesus' birth, but really a passage that helps interpret that. 00:01:59.939 --> 00:02:03.960 That helps us understand what the meaning of Christmas is all about. 00:02:04.100 --> 00:02:07.420 A passage that tells us what this ultimate gift is. 00:02:07.460 --> 00:02:12.259 Much greater than any gift we'll find under the Christmas tree or what we can ask for. 00:02:12.259 --> 00:02:16.159 A gift of life that God provides for us. 00:02:17.139 --> 00:02:18.379 So let's look at our passage. 00:02:18.519 --> 00:02:21.639 1 John chapter 5 starting in verse 6. 00:02:23.219 --> 00:02:26.560 This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ. 00:02:27.539 --> 00:02:30.599 He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. 00:02:31.419 --> 00:02:35.840 And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 00:02:35.840 --> 00:02:40.740 For there are three that testify, the Spirit, the water, and the blood. 00:02:41.520 --> 00:02:42.680 And the three are in agreement. 00:02:43.819 --> 00:02:50.800 We accept human testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, 00:02:51.219 --> 00:02:52.699 which he has given about his Son. 00:02:53.840 --> 00:02:56.960 Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. 00:02:57.980 --> 00:03:01.039 Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, 00:03:01.039 --> 00:03:05.000 because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. 00:03:05.959 --> 00:03:07.280 And this is the testimony. 00:03:08.419 --> 00:03:12.620 God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 00:03:13.659 --> 00:03:15.579 Whoever has the Son has life. 00:03:16.399 --> 00:03:19.399 Whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 00:03:20.459 --> 00:03:24.120 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, 00:03:24.459 --> 00:03:27.680 so that you may know that you have eternal life. 00:03:28.479 --> 00:03:29.539 This is the Word of God. 00:03:29.539 --> 00:03:29.579 Amen. 00:03:30.479 --> 00:03:31.259 Pray with me again. 00:03:32.539 --> 00:03:38.000 Lord, as we turn to your Word, we ask that you soften our hearts, that you open our eyes. 00:03:39.659 --> 00:03:43.819 May we recognize your Word as a lamp to our feet and a light into our paths. 00:03:43.899 --> 00:03:46.639 And so, Lord, we ask that you transform our hearts, 00:03:47.379 --> 00:03:51.459 that you encourage us and correct us, and give us a desire to follow you. 00:03:52.579 --> 00:03:54.000 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:03:54.519 --> 00:03:54.799 Amen. 00:03:54.800 --> 00:03:54.880 Amen. 00:03:57.800 --> 00:03:59.580 Well, when I practiced law back in the States, 00:03:59.900 --> 00:04:05.820 one of the greatest aspects of my practice was when I actually got to go and try a case. 00:04:06.540 --> 00:04:09.240 In my line of work, I represented doctors a lot, 00:04:09.240 --> 00:04:15.460 and from the time that a case was filed to if it ever went to trial would usually be at least a two- or three-year period. 00:04:16.420 --> 00:04:18.439 And so it wasn't just a lot of waiting during that time. 00:04:18.500 --> 00:04:21.040 There was a lot of work to be done, something called discovery. 00:04:21.600 --> 00:04:22.819 You're subpoenaing records. 00:04:23.519 --> 00:04:24.800 You're talking with witnesses. 00:04:25.240 --> 00:04:26.579 You're reviewing these records. 00:04:26.960 --> 00:04:28.720 You're trying to line up expert witnesses. 00:04:28.939 --> 00:04:29.920 You're taking depositions. 00:04:30.040 --> 00:04:31.340 You have hearings to attend to. 00:04:31.339 --> 00:04:35.560 But the ultimate is when you get to take this case all the way to trial. 00:04:36.519 --> 00:04:41.239 Because when that happens, it's basically I'm bringing my body of work, 00:04:41.500 --> 00:04:48.299 and I'm presenting it to a jury in hopes that they will see my theme and my theory, 00:04:48.919 --> 00:04:53.159 agree with me, and ultimately find my doctor not liable. 00:04:54.319 --> 00:04:56.139 And so in this passage, we see something similar. 00:04:56.239 --> 00:04:58.239 We see something like a courtroom scene here. 00:04:58.240 --> 00:05:02.199 There's a case that's kind of being presented by God. 00:05:03.379 --> 00:05:07.060 We have these witnesses that he speaks of, and these witnesses have a testimony. 00:05:07.600 --> 00:05:12.300 And so we're kind of invited to weigh the evidence and to come up with a decision. 00:05:13.560 --> 00:05:17.759 And so really three questions I want us to consider as we look in our passage this evening is, 00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:19.620 who is giving this testimony? 00:05:20.920 --> 00:05:22.180 What is the testimony? 00:05:22.960 --> 00:05:24.780 And what do we do with this testimony? 00:05:24.780 --> 00:05:28.180 And so let's think about that first question. 00:05:28.240 --> 00:05:29.579 Who is giving this testimony? 00:05:30.780 --> 00:05:34.800 Now, when I would prepare for a trial, there would be a couple questions that I always want to ask myself. 00:05:35.280 --> 00:05:37.220 What do I want the jury to know? 00:05:38.199 --> 00:05:40.220 And how am I going to tell them this? 00:05:41.379 --> 00:05:46.120 Of course, when I was representing a doctor, it would be his case that I was working on, right? 00:05:46.139 --> 00:05:48.480 But I would often think of it as my own case. 00:05:49.699 --> 00:05:51.240 It was my body of work. 00:05:51.240 --> 00:05:52.900 I was the one meeting with the witnesses. 00:05:53.139 --> 00:05:55.060 I was the one reviewing the records. 00:05:55.180 --> 00:05:56.519 I was the one learning the medicine. 00:05:56.939 --> 00:05:59.079 I was the one communicating with expert witnesses. 00:05:59.639 --> 00:06:02.759 I was the one who was forming this theme and theory of the case. 00:06:03.819 --> 00:06:07.819 And so when you put it all together, it kind of becomes my own testimony. 00:06:08.000 --> 00:06:13.500 But the thing is, as a lawyer, I don't get to take the witness stand to testify to a jury. 00:06:13.500 --> 00:06:18.639 I have to have others that serve as witnesses for me. 00:06:19.860 --> 00:06:22.019 Now, I would decide who my witnesses were. 00:06:22.819 --> 00:06:24.920 I would decide what order I'd call them in. 00:06:25.040 --> 00:06:28.699 I'd decide what questions I would ask them, what records we would go through. 00:06:30.160 --> 00:06:33.600 Ultimately, it was them that were delivering my message to the jury. 00:06:34.620 --> 00:06:36.600 And so we see something similar happening here. 00:06:36.660 --> 00:06:40.959 Because in verse 9, we see that it is God who is giving testimony about his son. 00:06:40.959 --> 00:06:45.879 But he says in verse 7, it says that there are three that testify. 00:06:47.039 --> 00:06:48.939 The spirit, water, and blood. 00:06:50.000 --> 00:06:53.060 So we know here that God is ultimately revealing his truth. 00:06:53.180 --> 00:06:56.139 But he does so by different means, by these witnesses. 00:06:57.379 --> 00:07:01.039 And so what does he mean when he talks about the spirit, water, and blood giving testimony? 00:07:02.219 --> 00:07:07.500 Well, if we think about the water and the blood, a lot of ink has been spilled over what this exactly means. 00:07:07.500 --> 00:07:12.660 You've had many in the past, the reformers, they kind of looked at this and saying, well, they're talking about the sacraments. 00:07:13.500 --> 00:07:14.660 Baptism and the Lord's Supper. 00:07:15.680 --> 00:07:18.399 You have others say, well, water and blood, that sounds like childbirth. 00:07:18.480 --> 00:07:20.360 There's talking about the birth of Jesus. 00:07:20.899 --> 00:07:24.300 Or water and blood, it sounds like when Jesus was on the cross and pierced in the side. 00:07:24.339 --> 00:07:25.480 And water and blood came out. 00:07:25.519 --> 00:07:26.439 It's talking about his death. 00:07:26.439 --> 00:07:34.500 Actually, I think the best way to look at this is by thinking about both the beginning of Jesus' ministry at his baptism. 00:07:35.480 --> 00:07:39.040 And the end of Jesus' earthly ministry on the cross. 00:07:40.680 --> 00:07:45.519 And so when we think about this birth narrative of Jesus, we see, we can go to the Gospel of Matthew. 00:07:45.620 --> 00:07:46.600 We can go to the Gospel of Luke. 00:07:46.639 --> 00:07:50.259 And we learn a lot about how Jesus came into the world. 00:07:50.259 --> 00:07:55.099 In Matthew, it talks about even as he's a little bit older, the wise men come to visit him. 00:07:55.740 --> 00:07:58.259 Herod is tipped off that there's this Messiah that's been born. 00:07:58.360 --> 00:08:00.420 He wants to kill all the young baby boys. 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:03.560 And so Joseph escapes with his family down to Egypt. 00:08:03.680 --> 00:08:06.539 And that's where they live for a few years until they return to Nazareth. 00:08:06.879 --> 00:08:11.480 Beyond that, we have very little facts about Jesus' upbringing or his life or his youth. 00:08:12.899 --> 00:08:18.079 And so it's really not until he's about 30 years old that we start to learn about his earthly ministry. 00:08:18.079 --> 00:08:23.099 And so while the Gospel of John, it doesn't talk about how Jesus was born as a baby, 00:08:23.219 --> 00:08:27.740 very early on in this Gospel, it talks about Jesus' earthly ministry beginning. 00:08:28.560 --> 00:08:31.419 And it talks about this baptism of Jesus. 00:08:32.519 --> 00:08:34.199 John the Baptist had been baptizing. 00:08:34.319 --> 00:08:37.220 He had been preaching repentance, preparing the way of the Lord. 00:08:37.740 --> 00:08:41.159 And it says that John sees Jesus coming toward him. 00:08:42.259 --> 00:08:43.179 And he declares, 00:08:43.179 --> 00:08:46.220 Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. 00:08:46.220 --> 00:08:48.860 And it records for us, 00:08:49.580 --> 00:08:51.560 Jesus going down into the Jordan River. 00:08:51.680 --> 00:08:53.040 John baptizing Jesus. 00:08:53.259 --> 00:08:53.680 And then it says, 00:08:53.879 --> 00:08:57.600 The Spirit descended from heaven like a dove and remained on him. 00:08:58.580 --> 00:08:59.820 And a voice came from heaven, 00:08:59.980 --> 00:09:01.580 You are my beloved Son. 00:09:02.340 --> 00:09:03.820 With you I am well pleased. 00:09:05.519 --> 00:09:07.779 And so when we say that Jesus came through water, 00:09:07.899 --> 00:09:09.420 it highlights the fact that Jesus, 00:09:09.680 --> 00:09:11.040 in beginning his earthly ministry, 00:09:11.139 --> 00:09:12.480 was endowed by the Spirit. 00:09:12.800 --> 00:09:15.740 He's identified right off the bat as the Son of God. 00:09:17.180 --> 00:09:21.180 But John says that's not enough that Jesus just came by water, 00:09:21.300 --> 00:09:22.899 but that he also came by blood. 00:09:23.019 --> 00:09:25.740 This blood points to his sacrificial death on the cross. 00:09:26.060 --> 00:09:26.840 This is what John said, 00:09:26.879 --> 00:09:30.600 It's this blood of Jesus that purifies us from our sin. 00:09:32.000 --> 00:09:35.240 And so he's emphasizing both the water and the blood is important, 00:09:35.300 --> 00:09:36.700 because you had some in the church, 00:09:36.759 --> 00:09:38.160 or even outside the church, 00:09:38.259 --> 00:09:41.980 that wanted to distinguish Jesus from the Christ. 00:09:41.980 --> 00:09:47.580 They saw Jesus as a man born of Mary and Joseph, 00:09:48.580 --> 00:09:54.100 but they saw the Christ as someone who came down and embodied Jesus at his baptism, 00:09:54.440 --> 00:09:56.920 but then left him prior to going to the cross. 00:09:57.240 --> 00:09:59.779 And so John is pushing back on this idea and saying, 00:09:59.860 --> 00:10:00.340 No, no, no. 00:10:01.620 --> 00:10:03.139 Jesus is the Christ. 00:10:03.519 --> 00:10:06.960 He is the Christ before and during and after his baptism. 00:10:06.960 --> 00:10:10.639 He is the Christ before, during, and after his crucifixion. 00:10:11.980 --> 00:10:13.860 And so we see this in the Christmas story, 00:10:13.940 --> 00:10:16.280 this announcement from the angels to the shepherds, right? 00:10:16.300 --> 00:10:17.280 What did they announce? 00:10:18.320 --> 00:10:18.639 They said, 00:10:18.920 --> 00:10:22.320 Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy for all the people. 00:10:22.680 --> 00:10:25.040 For unto you is born this day in the city of David, 00:10:25.440 --> 00:10:28.700 a Savior who is Christ the Lord. 00:10:28.700 --> 00:10:33.420 Not someone who will become Christ for a time, 00:10:33.759 --> 00:10:35.820 not someone who will be embodied by Christ, 00:10:35.900 --> 00:10:37.780 but someone who is Christ. 00:10:39.100 --> 00:10:40.620 And so if the Son of God, 00:10:40.800 --> 00:10:43.020 if he did not take on human form, 00:10:43.540 --> 00:10:46.520 if he did not take our sins on the cross, 00:10:46.620 --> 00:10:48.100 then he cannot be a God, 00:10:48.400 --> 00:10:51.000 he cannot be a Savior who reconciles us to God. 00:10:52.500 --> 00:10:55.640 Jesus Christ, our Savior, is one person. 00:10:55.639 --> 00:11:01.059 From his birth, to his death, to his resurrection, and forevermore. 00:11:02.980 --> 00:11:04.019 And so John goes on to say, 00:11:04.139 --> 00:11:06.100 It's not only that we have this water, 00:11:06.240 --> 00:11:09.600 and we have this blood that testify to this gift of life, 00:11:09.899 --> 00:11:12.120 but we also have the Spirit that testifies. 00:11:13.019 --> 00:11:13.720 And it's interesting, 00:11:13.879 --> 00:11:15.860 it's mentioned the Spirit in the present tense, 00:11:15.939 --> 00:11:17.120 the one bearing witness. 00:11:17.439 --> 00:11:19.759 We see the Spirit was present at his baptism, right? 00:11:19.799 --> 00:11:21.740 The Spirit comes down like a dove, 00:11:21.740 --> 00:11:25.820 identifying Jesus as the Son of God. 00:11:26.500 --> 00:11:29.159 We know that the Spirit is with him at his crucifixion. 00:11:29.759 --> 00:11:30.820 What happens to the temple? 00:11:30.940 --> 00:11:34.240 This temple veil is torn from top to bottom, 00:11:36.180 --> 00:11:38.580 paving the way for us to have direct access to God. 00:11:39.899 --> 00:11:42.120 And the Spirit, he continues to work. 00:11:42.879 --> 00:11:45.659 He continues to work in the hearts and lives of man, 00:11:45.759 --> 00:11:49.779 drawing us to belief that Jesus Christ is our only Savior. 00:11:49.779 --> 00:11:52.179 And so we can read the Scriptures for ourselves, 00:11:52.279 --> 00:11:54.379 we can learn and study about the life of Jesus, 00:11:54.539 --> 00:11:57.079 but we need the Spirit to open our eyes, 00:11:57.179 --> 00:11:58.339 to soften our hearts, 00:11:58.759 --> 00:12:00.720 to grant us faith that we may believe. 00:12:02.159 --> 00:12:05.539 And so these are the three witnesses that are talked about here, 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:07.819 that they unite to form God's testimony. 00:12:09.379 --> 00:12:13.799 And it says that God's testimony is far greater than that of a man. 00:12:15.299 --> 00:12:16.519 Now when I would try a case, 00:12:16.579 --> 00:12:17.620 when I would defend these doctors, 00:12:17.620 --> 00:12:19.639 I always needed an expert witness. 00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:21.720 And an expert witness was needed. 00:12:21.980 --> 00:12:22.939 I'd bring them in, 00:12:22.980 --> 00:12:25.079 I'd have them review all the evidence in the case, 00:12:25.159 --> 00:12:26.379 look over the medical records, 00:12:26.779 --> 00:12:27.879 the deposition testimony, 00:12:28.039 --> 00:12:32.659 to decide whether or not they can agree with the care my doctor provided. 00:12:33.600 --> 00:12:35.139 And to say, yes, I agree with you, 00:12:35.179 --> 00:12:37.939 your doctor is not liable for whatever happened in this case. 00:12:37.980 --> 00:12:38.959 He did nothing wrong. 00:12:40.500 --> 00:12:43.659 And so when I would bring an expert witness to the stand, 00:12:44.100 --> 00:12:47.220 before I could just ask them their medical or professional opinion, 00:12:47.220 --> 00:12:48.960 I had to lay a foundation. 00:12:49.960 --> 00:12:51.740 I had to establish their credentials. 00:12:51.740 --> 00:12:57.740 I had to go through their education and training and experience in order for their testimony to be accepted by the court. 00:12:57.740 --> 00:13:00.720 And because of who they were, 00:13:00.899 --> 00:13:04.460 their testimony was more valuable to my case. 00:13:04.720 --> 00:13:08.080 Because if I didn't have an expert to say my doctor did nothing wrong, 00:13:08.139 --> 00:13:09.940 then I was sure to lose the case. 00:13:11.279 --> 00:13:11.899 Well, likewise, 00:13:12.120 --> 00:13:14.759 we know and have the credentials of God. 00:13:14.899 --> 00:13:17.799 He is the all-powerful creator. 00:13:18.519 --> 00:13:19.899 He is sovereign over all. 00:13:19.899 --> 00:13:20.579 He is infinite, 00:13:20.819 --> 00:13:21.139 eternal, 00:13:21.340 --> 00:13:22.319 and unchangeable. 00:13:22.600 --> 00:13:23.579 He cannot lie. 00:13:24.639 --> 00:13:26.000 His word is always true. 00:13:27.919 --> 00:13:28.459 And so therefore, 00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:30.759 his testimony is most valuable. 00:13:32.019 --> 00:13:33.959 Far more reliable than that of man. 00:13:35.220 --> 00:13:38.439 And so this is the first step into accepting this testimony of God, 00:13:38.539 --> 00:13:41.379 is recognizing that we have a trustworthy witness. 00:13:43.480 --> 00:13:46.159 And so that moves us then to this second question. 00:13:46.279 --> 00:13:47.799 If it's trustworthy witness of God, 00:13:47.799 --> 00:13:49.620 what is his testimony? 00:13:50.979 --> 00:13:52.079 Verse 11 and 12. 00:13:53.479 --> 00:13:54.539 And this is the testimony. 00:13:54.759 --> 00:13:56.639 God has given us eternal life, 00:13:56.839 --> 00:13:58.419 and this life is in his son. 00:13:59.359 --> 00:14:01.099 Whoever has the son has life. 00:14:01.219 --> 00:14:02.819 Whoever does not have the son of God, 00:14:03.179 --> 00:14:04.279 does not have life. 00:14:06.259 --> 00:14:09.299 God's testimony is the gospel message. 00:14:10.159 --> 00:14:13.559 God gives eternal life through his son, 00:14:13.719 --> 00:14:13.939 Jesus. 00:14:15.500 --> 00:14:17.659 And so this is a very simple explanation. 00:14:17.659 --> 00:14:19.980 As to why Jesus came as a baby. 00:14:20.100 --> 00:14:22.379 Why he began this human life. 00:14:23.740 --> 00:14:26.000 So that we may have eternal life. 00:14:27.379 --> 00:14:29.199 His life on earth. 00:14:30.100 --> 00:14:34.100 His ministry in this earth guarantees life for us in heaven. 00:14:35.100 --> 00:14:36.500 All of us who believe. 00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:38.980 This is the ultimate Christmas gift. 00:14:38.980 --> 00:14:43.100 And so we can sense John's excitement, 00:14:43.100 --> 00:14:44.139 even in this passage, 00:14:44.139 --> 00:14:45.879 about talking about eternal life. 00:14:45.940 --> 00:14:47.899 Particularly when we look in the Greek text. 00:14:48.320 --> 00:14:50.240 Maybe you're someone on Christmas morning. 00:14:50.340 --> 00:14:52.039 Maybe you're rather subdued when you open presents. 00:14:52.180 --> 00:14:54.279 But certainly you've seen some, 00:14:54.360 --> 00:14:57.080 or you've either in person or a recording of someone 00:14:57.080 --> 00:14:58.700 who's very excited about presents. 00:14:59.279 --> 00:14:59.480 Right? 00:14:59.500 --> 00:15:00.759 They just rip them open. 00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:01.840 And they're so excited. 00:15:01.920 --> 00:15:02.500 They hold it up. 00:15:02.539 --> 00:15:03.159 This is what I got. 00:15:03.240 --> 00:15:03.820 See what I got. 00:15:03.820 --> 00:15:07.220 This is kind of what John is doing here in this passage. 00:15:07.360 --> 00:15:10.020 He's showing us this emphasis and this excitement 00:15:10.020 --> 00:15:12.280 for this gift of life. 00:15:12.320 --> 00:15:13.200 Because in the Greek, 00:15:13.340 --> 00:15:16.040 you have a lot of flexibility in your word order. 00:15:16.680 --> 00:15:17.320 Where in English, 00:15:17.460 --> 00:15:17.920 it always kind of, 00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:18.960 your sentence is always structured, 00:15:19.100 --> 00:15:19.780 your subject, 00:15:19.960 --> 00:15:20.560 your verb, 00:15:20.920 --> 00:15:21.660 your direct object. 00:15:22.560 --> 00:15:23.879 If there's an important word 00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:25.320 or important phrase in the Greek, 00:15:25.420 --> 00:15:27.480 oftentimes you'll push it to the beginning of the sentence 00:15:27.480 --> 00:15:30.260 to highlight what you want to show your reader. 00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:33.019 And so this is what is done in verse 11 here. 00:15:33.899 --> 00:15:35.879 Verse 11 literally reads from the Greek, 00:15:36.299 --> 00:15:37.519 and this is the witness. 00:15:38.399 --> 00:15:42.100 Life eternal gave God to us. 00:15:44.019 --> 00:15:47.879 John is pointing out for us just how awesome this gift is. 00:15:47.899 --> 00:15:50.460 Like a kid holding up their present on a Christmas morning. 00:15:50.659 --> 00:15:52.720 This is the ultimate gift. 00:15:52.840 --> 00:15:55.000 A gift of life from God. 00:15:57.200 --> 00:15:58.679 And so it's worth thinking about, 00:15:58.679 --> 00:16:00.739 well, how does God give us this gift? 00:16:01.039 --> 00:16:03.079 And John actually answers this question 00:16:03.079 --> 00:16:04.599 by going back to his gospel. 00:16:05.259 --> 00:16:07.439 John records Jesus' own words 00:16:07.439 --> 00:16:11.419 where he explains that life originated with the Father. 00:16:12.339 --> 00:16:14.039 It was given to him, the Son, 00:16:14.099 --> 00:16:15.639 and now he gives it to us. 00:16:16.819 --> 00:16:18.099 And so listen to this progression 00:16:18.099 --> 00:16:20.079 just from a few verses from the gospel of John. 00:16:20.399 --> 00:16:21.519 John 5, 26. 00:16:22.519 --> 00:16:24.579 For as the Father has life in himself, 00:16:25.399 --> 00:16:28.219 so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 00:16:28.679 --> 00:16:31.459 This allows Jesus to say, 00:16:31.579 --> 00:16:32.239 John 11, 35, 00:16:32.419 --> 00:16:34.339 I am the resurrection and the life. 00:16:35.339 --> 00:16:36.559 John 14, 6, 00:16:36.899 --> 00:16:39.219 I am the way, the truth, and the life. 00:16:41.219 --> 00:16:44.899 This also leads Jesus in his high priestly prayer 00:16:44.899 --> 00:16:45.799 in John 17, 00:16:45.899 --> 00:16:47.859 right before Jesus is to go to the cross, 00:16:47.979 --> 00:16:48.819 praying to the Father. 00:16:48.899 --> 00:16:49.579 What does he say? 00:16:49.579 --> 00:16:53.799 I give eternal life to all those you have given to me. 00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:58.620 And so when God gives eternal life to man, 00:16:58.740 --> 00:17:00.679 he gives it in his Son. 00:17:01.599 --> 00:17:04.000 For the Son is life. 00:17:04.980 --> 00:17:06.480 And so when we think about eternal life, 00:17:06.579 --> 00:17:07.779 we shouldn't just be thinking about 00:17:07.779 --> 00:17:09.399 this impersonal quality of life 00:17:09.399 --> 00:17:11.259 or this experience of long life. 00:17:11.399 --> 00:17:13.000 When he's talking about eternal life, 00:17:13.079 --> 00:17:14.980 he's referring to an actual person, 00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:16.059 Jesus. 00:17:16.059 --> 00:17:19.919 And so this is actually how he concludes this chapter. 00:17:20.039 --> 00:17:21.019 1 John 5, 00:17:21.339 --> 00:17:22.419 verse 20, 00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:22.740 he says, 00:17:22.839 --> 00:17:25.559 Jesus is the true God and eternal life. 00:17:27.539 --> 00:17:29.079 So Jesus has life, 00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:30.839 he brings life, 00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:32.819 and he is life. 00:17:35.379 --> 00:17:36.940 And so that's how we can say 00:17:36.940 --> 00:17:38.679 to have the Son is to have life. 00:17:39.419 --> 00:17:41.639 To not have the Son is to not have life. 00:17:41.640 --> 00:17:45.180 Well, what does it mean then to have the Son? 00:17:46.920 --> 00:17:48.820 We see this connection in this passage, 00:17:48.980 --> 00:17:49.820 just kind of this progression 00:17:49.820 --> 00:17:52.340 from connecting what John is talking about 00:17:52.340 --> 00:17:55.540 in receiving and believing and having. 00:17:56.820 --> 00:17:58.780 If we receive God's testimony, 00:17:59.320 --> 00:18:01.080 we believe in his Son, 00:18:01.180 --> 00:18:02.600 we have eternal life. 00:18:04.280 --> 00:18:04.860 So like I mentioned, 00:18:05.020 --> 00:18:05.740 in the Gospel of John, 00:18:05.780 --> 00:18:07.940 it doesn't talk about Jesus coming as a baby, 00:18:08.040 --> 00:18:10.280 but it does talk about him coming into the world. 00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:12.039 And it says, 00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:13.359 he came to his own people 00:18:13.359 --> 00:18:14.579 and they did not receive him. 00:18:16.160 --> 00:18:18.279 But to all who did receive him, 00:18:18.319 --> 00:18:19.899 who believed in his name, 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:22.480 he gave the right to become children of God. 00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:23.440 So we see this connection 00:18:23.440 --> 00:18:27.059 between receiving and believing and possessing. 00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:29.420 And it all comes through faith. 00:18:31.539 --> 00:18:33.139 Martin Luther described faith as this. 00:18:33.220 --> 00:18:33.420 He said, 00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:35.339 faith is a hand or an instrument 00:18:35.339 --> 00:18:37.579 whereby we grab and take hold 00:18:37.579 --> 00:18:38.960 of the righteousness of Jesus. 00:18:40.279 --> 00:18:42.460 And so it's kind of like a beggar 00:18:42.460 --> 00:18:44.559 who's raising up their hand 00:18:44.559 --> 00:18:45.819 and a rich man walks by 00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:47.420 and puts money in his hand. 00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:50.180 This poor beggar's hand 00:18:50.180 --> 00:18:51.500 doesn't deserve anything, 00:18:51.899 --> 00:18:53.639 but it's the means by which 00:18:53.639 --> 00:18:54.819 he receives this gift. 00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:57.299 This gift of eternal life 00:18:57.299 --> 00:19:00.379 is received by us through faith. 00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:02.920 And we see that faith then, 00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:04.079 it leads to fellowship. 00:19:05.319 --> 00:19:06.579 Again, this is how 1 John, 00:19:06.660 --> 00:19:08.420 he starts this letter. 00:19:08.420 --> 00:19:11.840 He's talking about having seen Jesus. 00:19:12.140 --> 00:19:13.080 We have seen Jesus, 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:14.060 we have touched him, 00:19:14.120 --> 00:19:15.320 we have experienced him, 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:17.720 and now we are testifying about him to you. 00:19:17.840 --> 00:19:18.779 Why are we doing that? 00:19:20.080 --> 00:19:24.039 So that you may receive Christ. 00:19:24.400 --> 00:19:25.920 So that you may have fellowship 00:19:25.920 --> 00:19:27.840 with the Father and the Son. 00:19:29.680 --> 00:19:32.000 Again, thinking about Jesus' high priestly prayer. 00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:33.900 He's praying to the Father 00:19:33.900 --> 00:19:35.560 for those who will believe in him. 00:19:35.559 --> 00:19:35.980 And he's saying, 00:19:36.139 --> 00:19:37.319 just as I am in you 00:19:37.319 --> 00:19:38.139 and you are in me, 00:19:39.139 --> 00:19:41.179 so also are my believers in me 00:19:41.179 --> 00:19:42.220 and I am in them. 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:45.639 And so to have the Son, 00:19:46.919 --> 00:19:49.119 it means not only to have faith, 00:19:49.220 --> 00:19:51.359 but to have relationship with God. 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:53.399 To abide in him. 00:19:54.159 --> 00:19:57.200 That he may be indwelling us. 00:19:58.200 --> 00:19:59.000 And through this, 00:19:59.099 --> 00:20:00.359 we experience life. 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:02.679 We escape death. 00:20:02.680 --> 00:20:04.779 We escape the judgment of God. 00:20:04.860 --> 00:20:06.759 We look forward to our eternal home 00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:08.680 when we will live forever 00:20:08.680 --> 00:20:10.120 in perfect harmony with God. 00:20:11.940 --> 00:20:14.420 And so this is the testimony of God. 00:20:14.580 --> 00:20:17.140 God gives us life in his Son 00:20:17.140 --> 00:20:19.160 that is received through faith. 00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:23.539 What then is our response? 00:20:24.080 --> 00:20:25.440 What are we going to do 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:26.779 with this testimony? 00:20:26.779 --> 00:20:30.299 One of my greatest memories 00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:31.059 from practicing law 00:20:31.059 --> 00:20:33.660 was after a week-long case 00:20:33.660 --> 00:20:35.559 of defending this OBGYN. 00:20:37.139 --> 00:20:38.240 The case was over. 00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:41.619 All the evidence had been presented. 00:20:41.940 --> 00:20:43.220 Closing arguments had made. 00:20:43.359 --> 00:20:44.539 The jury had received their charge. 00:20:44.619 --> 00:20:45.680 Had gone back to the jury room 00:20:45.680 --> 00:20:46.139 to deliberate. 00:20:46.399 --> 00:20:47.279 And they'd probably been back there 00:20:47.279 --> 00:20:47.920 about an hour. 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:49.680 When they pass a note, 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:51.480 a note comes from the jury room 00:20:51.480 --> 00:20:53.299 to the judge asking a question. 00:20:54.039 --> 00:20:54.419 And they say, 00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:55.539 can we re-listen 00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:57.119 to the cross-examination 00:20:57.119 --> 00:20:59.279 of one of the plaintiff's witnesses? 00:20:59.720 --> 00:21:00.740 It was a cross-examination 00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:01.599 that I had done 00:21:01.599 --> 00:21:02.899 of the plaintiff's witness. 00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:04.319 And it's really rare 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:05.799 for a jury to ever ask a judge 00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:06.599 a question like this. 00:21:06.659 --> 00:21:07.359 It's even more rare 00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:09.379 for a judge to grant this request. 00:21:09.419 --> 00:21:10.039 But he did. 00:21:10.960 --> 00:21:12.000 And so he brought the jury 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:13.059 back into the courtroom. 00:21:13.619 --> 00:21:14.879 And we had a recording 00:21:14.879 --> 00:21:16.339 of my cross-examination 00:21:16.339 --> 00:21:17.220 played to the jury 00:21:17.220 --> 00:21:18.000 a second time. 00:21:19.559 --> 00:21:20.599 And I know as they were, 00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:22.039 I thought as they were listening 00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:23.659 to this recording 00:21:23.659 --> 00:21:24.700 of my cross-examination, 00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:25.480 it was very likely 00:21:25.480 --> 00:21:26.059 that we were going 00:21:26.059 --> 00:21:27.119 to win this case 00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:28.839 because I got the witness 00:21:28.839 --> 00:21:30.319 to admit something 00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:31.220 that was actually 00:21:31.220 --> 00:21:32.720 in support of our theory 00:21:32.720 --> 00:21:33.279 of the case. 00:21:34.859 --> 00:21:35.879 And so after the recording 00:21:35.879 --> 00:21:36.319 was done, 00:21:36.379 --> 00:21:36.859 they went back 00:21:36.859 --> 00:21:37.559 into the jury room. 00:21:37.680 --> 00:21:38.379 Fifteen minutes later, 00:21:38.420 --> 00:21:39.279 they come back with a verdict 00:21:39.279 --> 00:21:40.940 and find my doctor not liable. 00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:44.619 They did their due diligence. 00:21:45.139 --> 00:21:46.720 They made a proper examination 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:47.759 of the evidence. 00:21:48.059 --> 00:21:48.839 And that led them 00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:49.420 to the truth. 00:21:49.420 --> 00:21:52.100 And so the same 00:21:52.100 --> 00:21:53.800 is our responsibility here. 00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:56.200 It says in verse 10, 00:21:57.480 --> 00:21:58.240 whoever believes 00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:59.080 in the Son of God 00:21:59.080 --> 00:22:00.180 accepts this testimony. 00:22:01.200 --> 00:22:02.820 Whoever does not believe God 00:22:02.820 --> 00:22:04.140 has made him out 00:22:04.140 --> 00:22:04.759 to be a liar 00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:06.740 because they have not believed 00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:07.300 the testimony 00:22:07.300 --> 00:22:08.620 God has given about his Son. 00:22:10.680 --> 00:22:12.100 And so this is the question 00:22:12.100 --> 00:22:13.060 for each one of us. 00:22:14.039 --> 00:22:15.039 Do we accept 00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:16.360 God's testimony? 00:22:16.359 --> 00:22:19.000 Do we believe 00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:20.679 that the Son of God 00:22:20.679 --> 00:22:21.939 actually brings us life? 00:22:23.959 --> 00:22:24.479 You see, 00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:25.219 Christmas time, 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:25.959 though it brings with it 00:22:25.959 --> 00:22:26.859 lots of nostalgia 00:22:26.859 --> 00:22:28.099 that we like to cling to, 00:22:28.159 --> 00:22:29.459 it also brings with it 00:22:29.459 --> 00:22:30.179 a challenge. 00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:33.119 It challenges us 00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:34.679 to question our beliefs. 00:22:34.839 --> 00:22:36.459 Do we really believe this? 00:22:37.079 --> 00:22:38.539 Do I really believe 00:22:38.539 --> 00:22:40.159 that a little baby boy 00:22:40.159 --> 00:22:42.019 was born of a virgin? 00:22:42.019 --> 00:22:44.660 And this little baby boy 00:22:44.660 --> 00:22:46.299 was actually our Savior. 00:22:47.059 --> 00:22:48.579 He was actually God 00:22:48.579 --> 00:22:49.539 in human form 00:22:49.539 --> 00:22:50.359 who came and lived 00:22:50.359 --> 00:22:51.019 a perfect life 00:22:51.019 --> 00:22:52.259 and died on the cross 00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:53.059 taking the penalty 00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:54.160 for our sins 00:22:54.160 --> 00:22:56.039 and giving me 00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:56.819 a gift of life. 00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:01.160 See, the thing is, 00:23:01.180 --> 00:23:01.779 this is really 00:23:01.779 --> 00:23:04.279 difficult to even think through. 00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:04.940 As a Christian, 00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:06.500 even when we say this out loud, 00:23:06.619 --> 00:23:08.200 it sounds a little bit crazy. 00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:09.400 And quite honestly, 00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.279 there may be some of us 00:23:10.279 --> 00:23:11.500 who would rather stick 00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:12.299 with the nostalgia 00:23:12.299 --> 00:23:15.879 because it seems much safer 00:23:15.879 --> 00:23:17.940 and much simpler 00:23:17.940 --> 00:23:19.619 than having to wrestle 00:23:19.619 --> 00:23:21.379 with a truth like this. 00:23:23.680 --> 00:23:24.680 But the reality is 00:23:24.680 --> 00:23:25.559 that we simply can't 00:23:26.339 --> 00:23:27.440 observe this holiday 00:23:27.440 --> 00:23:29.480 without picking a side 00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:32.079 because there's really 00:23:32.079 --> 00:23:33.819 no safe middle ground. 00:23:35.079 --> 00:23:36.639 If we want our celebration 00:23:36.639 --> 00:23:37.200 of Christmas 00:23:37.200 --> 00:23:38.420 just to be a focus 00:23:38.420 --> 00:23:39.160 on the warmth 00:23:39.160 --> 00:23:40.779 and cheer of this season, 00:23:41.420 --> 00:23:43.940 we are calling God a liar. 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:47.620 If we want our celebration 00:23:47.620 --> 00:23:49.360 to simply be the giving 00:23:49.360 --> 00:23:50.660 and receiving of gifts 00:23:50.660 --> 00:23:52.320 with friends and family, 00:23:52.440 --> 00:23:54.880 we are calling God a liar. 00:23:57.320 --> 00:23:58.580 If we simply view 00:23:58.580 --> 00:23:59.519 this Christmas story 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:01.880 as some heartwarming allegory 00:24:01.880 --> 00:24:03.240 that we want to bring us 00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:04.259 hope and joy, 00:24:04.660 --> 00:24:06.340 we are calling God a liar. 00:24:06.339 --> 00:24:11.059 thinking of this courtroom scene 00:24:11.059 --> 00:24:11.699 one more time, 00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:14.799 when a jury issues their verdict, 00:24:14.879 --> 00:24:15.799 the trial is over, 00:24:16.699 --> 00:24:17.740 the jury can go home. 00:24:18.459 --> 00:24:19.679 They've done their civic duty, 00:24:20.159 --> 00:24:21.439 they can return to their work, 00:24:21.559 --> 00:24:22.859 and the decision that they made 00:24:22.859 --> 00:24:23.759 is not going to have any bearing 00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:24.599 on the rest of their life. 00:24:26.699 --> 00:24:28.299 The same is not true for us 00:24:28.299 --> 00:24:29.679 because if we refuse 00:24:29.679 --> 00:24:30.859 to see the significance 00:24:30.859 --> 00:24:32.899 of Christ coming to the earth, 00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:34.439 that he was truly born 00:24:34.440 --> 00:24:35.940 and we're trying to set his people free, 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:36.840 like we sang this morning, 00:24:37.380 --> 00:24:39.120 then there will be 00:24:39.120 --> 00:24:40.180 eternal consequences. 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:43.860 Because our unbelief 00:24:43.860 --> 00:24:45.420 is the worst of sins 00:24:45.420 --> 00:24:46.600 because we are rejecting 00:24:46.600 --> 00:24:47.900 the testimony of God. 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:50.640 We are refusing 00:24:50.640 --> 00:24:52.140 the gift of the Son. 00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:53.019 We are ignoring 00:24:53.019 --> 00:24:54.600 the witness of the Spirit. 00:24:54.599 --> 00:24:57.759 And so as though 00:24:57.759 --> 00:24:58.219 we are looking 00:24:58.219 --> 00:24:59.679 into the face of God 00:24:59.679 --> 00:25:00.619 who offers us 00:25:00.619 --> 00:25:01.439 his love 00:25:01.439 --> 00:25:02.779 and his life, 00:25:03.139 --> 00:25:04.659 and we're saying, 00:25:04.879 --> 00:25:06.119 you are a liar. 00:25:09.619 --> 00:25:10.740 And so rather than 00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:12.519 receiving eternal life, 00:25:13.319 --> 00:25:15.139 we will receive 00:25:15.139 --> 00:25:15.859 eternal judgment. 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:16.699 Rather than receiving 00:25:16.699 --> 00:25:18.379 fellowship with the triune God, 00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:19.599 we will receive 00:25:19.599 --> 00:25:20.699 eternal separation 00:25:20.699 --> 00:25:21.359 from him. 00:25:21.359 --> 00:25:24.939 And so John concludes 00:25:24.939 --> 00:25:26.259 this passage in verse 13 00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:27.219 in a very similar way 00:25:27.219 --> 00:25:27.919 that he concludes 00:25:27.919 --> 00:25:29.139 his gospel. 00:25:29.659 --> 00:25:30.359 He gives us, 00:25:30.419 --> 00:25:31.379 he tells us the reason 00:25:31.379 --> 00:25:32.099 for his writing. 00:25:33.439 --> 00:25:34.219 In the gospel, 00:25:34.319 --> 00:25:35.059 he says he writes 00:25:35.059 --> 00:25:35.719 his gospel 00:25:35.719 --> 00:25:37.079 to move readers 00:25:37.079 --> 00:25:38.559 to faith in Jesus. 00:25:40.419 --> 00:25:41.000 Here he says 00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:41.859 in verse 13 00:25:41.859 --> 00:25:42.399 that he wants 00:25:42.399 --> 00:25:43.519 to assure believers 00:25:43.519 --> 00:25:45.159 that they actually 00:25:45.159 --> 00:25:46.279 possess eternal life. 00:25:48.639 --> 00:25:49.699 And so here, 00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:51.559 even tonight, 00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:52.240 we may have 00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:53.960 both audiences present. 00:25:55.660 --> 00:25:56.460 If you're here 00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:57.160 and you're still trying 00:25:57.160 --> 00:25:57.740 to figure out 00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:58.960 this true meaning 00:25:58.960 --> 00:25:59.640 of Christmas, 00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:00.620 know that God 00:26:00.620 --> 00:26:02.319 has taken the initiative 00:26:02.319 --> 00:26:03.559 to reveal his truth 00:26:03.559 --> 00:26:03.920 to you. 00:26:05.160 --> 00:26:06.220 His testimony 00:26:06.220 --> 00:26:07.039 is true. 00:26:08.120 --> 00:26:09.000 His witnesses 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:10.220 are trustworthy. 00:26:10.880 --> 00:26:11.860 And his gift 00:26:11.860 --> 00:26:12.539 is life 00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:13.960 through his Son. 00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:16.640 And so the offer 00:26:16.640 --> 00:26:17.100 for you then 00:26:17.100 --> 00:26:18.000 is to receive 00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:19.539 and rest upon Christ 00:26:19.539 --> 00:26:19.980 alone 00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:21.180 for your salvation. 00:26:24.380 --> 00:26:25.319 For those who 00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:25.920 have already 00:26:25.920 --> 00:26:26.539 been granted 00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:27.319 this faith, 00:26:28.119 --> 00:26:28.920 John is encouraging 00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:30.119 us to have assurance 00:26:30.119 --> 00:26:30.940 in our faith, 00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:31.980 assurance of this 00:26:31.980 --> 00:26:32.920 gift of life. 00:26:34.599 --> 00:26:35.619 I think oftentimes 00:26:35.619 --> 00:26:36.599 we can feel like 00:26:36.599 --> 00:26:37.700 someone who gets 00:26:37.700 --> 00:26:38.240 a present 00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:39.759 that is much more 00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:40.539 valuable than they 00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:41.119 anticipated. 00:26:41.859 --> 00:26:42.119 And they say, 00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:43.119 oh, that's too nice. 00:26:43.220 --> 00:26:44.299 I don't deserve it. 00:26:44.460 --> 00:26:45.200 I can't possibly 00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:45.960 accept this. 00:26:48.220 --> 00:26:48.960 Because oftentimes 00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:49.819 we can feel like 00:26:49.819 --> 00:26:50.880 we're far from God 00:26:50.880 --> 00:26:53.559 or undeserving 00:26:53.559 --> 00:26:54.519 of this gift 00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.100 of life 00:26:55.100 --> 00:26:57.140 when the reality 00:26:57.140 --> 00:26:58.680 is that's true. 00:26:59.840 --> 00:27:01.140 We are undeserving 00:27:01.140 --> 00:27:01.940 of this gift 00:27:01.940 --> 00:27:02.340 of life 00:27:02.340 --> 00:27:02.880 and that's why 00:27:02.880 --> 00:27:04.000 it's called grace. 00:27:05.580 --> 00:27:06.740 And so the encouragement 00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:07.420 from John 00:27:07.420 --> 00:27:08.539 is to take comfort 00:27:08.539 --> 00:27:09.519 in this truth 00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:10.700 that we may long 00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:11.660 for deeper fellowship 00:27:11.660 --> 00:27:12.240 with Christ, 00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:13.200 that we may experience 00:27:13.200 --> 00:27:13.779 the blessing 00:27:13.779 --> 00:27:14.620 of eternal life 00:27:14.620 --> 00:27:15.940 not only in the age 00:27:15.940 --> 00:27:16.299 to come 00:27:16.299 --> 00:27:17.600 but even starting now. 00:27:20.819 --> 00:27:21.740 And so as we think 00:27:21.740 --> 00:27:22.420 about celebrating 00:27:22.420 --> 00:27:23.380 this Christmas season, 00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:24.240 may it not be 00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:24.779 disconnected 00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:26.019 from the true 00:27:26.019 --> 00:27:26.940 Christmas story. 00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:28.340 And may this 00:27:28.340 --> 00:27:29.480 true Christmas story 00:27:29.480 --> 00:27:30.019 may not be 00:27:30.019 --> 00:27:30.380 disconnected 00:27:30.380 --> 00:27:32.059 from the rest 00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:32.620 of scripture 00:27:32.620 --> 00:27:35.660 that tells us 00:27:35.660 --> 00:27:37.200 of Christ's sacrifice, 00:27:37.920 --> 00:27:39.059 his work on the cross 00:27:39.059 --> 00:27:40.759 that gives us life. 00:27:40.759 --> 00:27:42.960 he was born 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:45.079 that we may have life. 00:27:46.279 --> 00:27:47.059 Let's pray.