WEBVTT 00:00:00.240 --> 00:00:08.820 Well, good morning, everyone. It's wonderful to see you. If you have your Bibles in, please grab them and turn back to Luke chapter 1. 00:00:09.519 --> 00:00:16.859 And this is where we're going to be this morning, looking at Mary's song. So as you turn there, let's pray. 00:00:18.199 --> 00:00:19.120 I'll stay very still. 00:00:24.300 --> 00:00:29.640 So, Father, we ask that you would help us by your Spirit this morning, as we turn to your Word. 00:00:30.460 --> 00:00:37.719 And as we take in these quite familiar words that we think about this time of year, about what you've done in our lives, 00:00:37.780 --> 00:00:44.759 and we pray, Father, that your Spirit would take those familiar words and that he would bring them to our hearts with a real freshness this morning. 00:00:45.420 --> 00:00:50.299 Father, thank you that you hear us because we pray in Jesus' precious name. Amen. 00:00:51.379 --> 00:00:55.879 Well, as we build up to Christmas as a church over the next few weeks, 00:00:55.880 --> 00:01:01.940 we're going to be thinking about some songs that we find in the Bible from the very first Christmas. 00:01:02.900 --> 00:01:05.079 Because, and let's be honest, we're all friends here, okay? 00:01:05.140 --> 00:01:07.420 Everybody loves a Christmas song, don't we? 00:01:07.659 --> 00:01:08.579 We love a Christmas song. 00:01:08.680 --> 00:01:10.700 So, to kick us off this morning to get us thinking, 00:01:11.400 --> 00:01:14.320 I want you to turn to your neighbour for 30 seconds, 00:01:14.420 --> 00:01:18.180 and I want you to ask them what is their favourite Christmas song, okay? 00:01:18.439 --> 00:01:19.879 What is their favourite Christmas song? 00:01:19.920 --> 00:01:21.760 And you've got the time, you can ask them why as well. 00:01:21.760 --> 00:01:22.320 Go for it. 00:01:24.260 --> 00:01:26.680 Okay, let's bring it to a close there. 00:01:28.780 --> 00:01:29.939 Oh, you're good fun with that. 00:01:30.240 --> 00:01:32.020 I wonder if anybody said the following. 00:01:32.219 --> 00:01:34.480 Who said Bing Crosby? 00:01:35.920 --> 00:01:36.280 Anybody? 00:01:37.080 --> 00:01:37.439 Classic. 00:01:37.540 --> 00:01:38.400 We love Bing, do we not? 00:01:38.480 --> 00:01:39.780 Dreaming of a white Christmas, somebody? 00:01:40.020 --> 00:01:40.520 There we go. 00:01:40.920 --> 00:01:42.740 How about, and maybe this is a bit more modern, 00:01:43.400 --> 00:01:44.560 what about Michael Bublé? 00:01:45.640 --> 00:01:48.000 Let's not act like we've not had that album on on Spotify, 00:01:48.200 --> 00:01:48.980 his Christmas album. 00:01:49.080 --> 00:01:49.740 There's Michael Bublé. 00:01:49.739 --> 00:01:51.839 What about the Jackson 5? 00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:54.719 Yeah, Santa Claus is coming to town. 00:01:55.359 --> 00:01:56.000 Classic there. 00:01:56.140 --> 00:01:57.819 Well, I'm getting lots of shakes. 00:01:57.959 --> 00:01:59.459 Nobody actually listened to these things, no? 00:02:00.159 --> 00:02:01.319 You can go home and check them out. 00:02:01.679 --> 00:02:03.699 Here is my favourite, 00:02:04.459 --> 00:02:06.899 and I'll admit to having a blast of it in the office this week 00:02:06.899 --> 00:02:07.780 when no one was around. 00:02:07.939 --> 00:02:10.819 My favourite is Last Christmas by Wham. 00:02:10.919 --> 00:02:11.780 Anyone else say that one? 00:02:12.799 --> 00:02:13.159 Yeah? 00:02:13.599 --> 00:02:15.199 A few of us said Last Christmas by Wham. 00:02:16.379 --> 00:02:17.719 Last Christmas, here's the lyrics. 00:02:17.719 --> 00:02:19.400 Last Christmas, I gave you my heart. 00:02:20.340 --> 00:02:22.280 But the very next day, you gave it away. 00:02:23.200 --> 00:02:25.439 This year, to save me from tears, 00:02:25.640 --> 00:02:28.719 I'll give it to somebody special. 00:02:29.180 --> 00:02:31.219 Now, it's very funny when you think about it, 00:02:31.260 --> 00:02:33.760 because apart from that one line in the song, 00:02:33.840 --> 00:02:34.620 that one word, 00:02:35.159 --> 00:02:37.060 that song has got nothing to do with Christmas. 00:02:37.980 --> 00:02:38.939 If you think about it, 00:02:39.219 --> 00:02:41.680 because, and it's consistently voted 00:02:41.680 --> 00:02:43.500 in the top ten Christmas songs of all time, 00:02:43.600 --> 00:02:44.840 but if you think about it, 00:02:44.900 --> 00:02:45.760 nothing to do with Christmas. 00:02:46.579 --> 00:02:48.719 And the reason George Michael wrote the song 00:02:48.719 --> 00:02:50.679 was nothing to do with Christmas. 00:02:51.479 --> 00:02:54.120 It was to do with the fact that somebody came into his life 00:02:54.120 --> 00:02:56.599 who broke their promises to him. 00:02:56.639 --> 00:02:57.479 That's why he wrote the song. 00:02:58.079 --> 00:03:02.259 Somebody came into his life who broke their promises to him. 00:03:02.359 --> 00:03:03.560 And to some extent, 00:03:03.639 --> 00:03:04.799 we can identify, can't we, 00:03:04.819 --> 00:03:06.039 with George Michael at that point, 00:03:06.039 --> 00:03:07.239 because we hate it in life 00:03:07.239 --> 00:03:09.079 when people break their promises to us. 00:03:09.840 --> 00:03:10.640 Think about it. 00:03:11.600 --> 00:03:13.840 The politician who promised you the world, 00:03:14.160 --> 00:03:15.020 who got your vote, 00:03:15.460 --> 00:03:17.820 and didn't deliver on what he or she said. 00:03:18.760 --> 00:03:21.120 The car mechanic who promised you a price, 00:03:21.620 --> 00:03:24.720 only for it to rise, and to rise, and to rise. 00:03:24.800 --> 00:03:27.800 The friend who you arranged to meet at that time on that day, 00:03:28.200 --> 00:03:30.780 who pulled out with one minute to go. 00:03:30.840 --> 00:03:32.000 We hate it, don't we, in life, 00:03:32.020 --> 00:03:34.300 when people break their promises to us. 00:03:34.400 --> 00:03:35.939 It's the little promises of life, 00:03:36.000 --> 00:03:37.020 but it's also true, isn't it, 00:03:37.020 --> 00:03:38.380 of the big promises of life. 00:03:39.080 --> 00:03:43.440 And I think that's why this message this morning 00:03:43.440 --> 00:03:46.400 from Mary's song is such good news 00:03:46.400 --> 00:03:47.420 for all of us this morning. 00:03:48.960 --> 00:03:51.880 For let me take you from a man singing a Christmas song 00:03:51.880 --> 00:03:53.800 about a person who broke their promises 00:03:53.800 --> 00:03:57.180 to a young woman singing a Christmas song 00:03:57.180 --> 00:03:59.980 about the God who's kept his promises. 00:04:01.220 --> 00:04:03.480 Here is Mary in chapter one of Luke's gospel 00:04:03.480 --> 00:04:06.780 singing about and celebrating the God 00:04:06.780 --> 00:04:08.800 who keeps his promises. 00:04:08.800 --> 00:04:10.580 If you get one thing from this morning, 00:04:10.820 --> 00:04:13.300 and encourage me by taking more than one thing 00:04:13.300 --> 00:04:15.280 from this morning, but take that from this morning. 00:04:15.439 --> 00:04:18.319 This God keeps his promises. 00:04:18.520 --> 00:04:19.480 If you've got your Bibles there, 00:04:19.560 --> 00:04:22.000 look at verse 55 of chapter one. 00:04:24.699 --> 00:04:27.800 Mary declares, the end of her song, 00:04:27.800 --> 00:04:31.379 He has helped his servant Israel, 00:04:32.160 --> 00:04:34.020 remembering to be merciful to Abraham 00:04:34.020 --> 00:04:35.500 and his descendants forever, 00:04:35.500 --> 00:04:40.460 just as he promised our ancestors. 00:04:41.100 --> 00:04:42.720 You see, right at the heart of Mary's song, 00:04:42.819 --> 00:04:44.840 right at the heart of what Luke wants us to know, 00:04:45.160 --> 00:04:48.360 is that this God keeps his promises. 00:04:49.220 --> 00:04:50.620 Now, with any good song, 00:04:51.460 --> 00:04:53.139 before we go inside the song, 00:04:53.139 --> 00:04:55.500 let's go outside the song. 00:04:56.419 --> 00:04:58.459 Let's get under the skin of what's going on here 00:04:58.459 --> 00:04:59.479 behind Mary's song. 00:04:59.680 --> 00:05:02.680 So we pick up the story at verse 26 of chapter one, 00:05:03.560 --> 00:05:06.159 with the angel Gabriel sent by God 00:05:06.159 --> 00:05:08.759 to go and deliver a message to Mary. 00:05:08.879 --> 00:05:10.639 Now, notice where she is. 00:05:12.039 --> 00:05:12.699 Where is she? 00:05:13.399 --> 00:05:16.139 She's in this little backwater town of Nazareth. 00:05:16.139 --> 00:05:16.740 Nazareth. 00:05:16.959 --> 00:05:19.399 Now, what do you need to know about Nazareth? 00:05:19.620 --> 00:05:21.259 What you need to know about Nazareth 00:05:21.259 --> 00:05:23.319 is not a lot goes on in Nazareth. 00:05:24.079 --> 00:05:24.319 Okay? 00:05:24.800 --> 00:05:27.719 Nobody's booking their summer holiday to Nazareth. 00:05:28.399 --> 00:05:32.860 Hashtag Nazareth is not trending on Twitter. 00:05:33.000 --> 00:05:34.240 In fact, the opposite is true. 00:05:34.699 --> 00:05:36.560 Sometimes as you read people in the Gospels, 00:05:36.839 --> 00:05:38.539 they're making jokes about Nazareth. 00:05:39.180 --> 00:05:41.180 Who would come from Nazareth? 00:05:41.300 --> 00:05:44.379 What good could come out of that place? 00:05:44.939 --> 00:05:45.759 This is Nazareth. 00:05:47.039 --> 00:05:51.300 But it's to this place that God sends Gabriel 00:05:51.300 --> 00:05:55.039 to announce the dawning of the greatest promise 00:05:55.039 --> 00:05:56.819 that the world will ever know. 00:05:57.719 --> 00:05:59.519 Not to a palace and a princess, 00:06:00.399 --> 00:06:02.259 but to a young teenage girl 00:06:02.259 --> 00:06:05.099 who's living in a backwater town. 00:06:05.939 --> 00:06:07.139 That's where she is. 00:06:07.219 --> 00:06:08.719 And notice who she is. 00:06:09.919 --> 00:06:10.959 Mary's a young woman. 00:06:11.519 --> 00:06:12.279 Do you see it in the text? 00:06:12.319 --> 00:06:13.879 She's pledged to be married. 00:06:14.219 --> 00:06:15.979 Not to the village celebrity, 00:06:16.139 --> 00:06:18.439 but to the village carpenter. 00:06:19.699 --> 00:06:22.620 To Nazareth, to Mary, and to Joseph. 00:06:23.519 --> 00:06:24.379 Now let's be honest. 00:06:24.439 --> 00:06:25.259 If we were God, 00:06:25.259 --> 00:06:30.899 and we had a message as big as this to deliver to the world, 00:06:31.699 --> 00:06:33.899 we would have aimed a little bit higher 00:06:33.899 --> 00:06:36.339 than Nazareth and Mary, would we not? 00:06:37.339 --> 00:06:41.560 I mean, no PR expert is signing off on this plan. 00:06:41.800 --> 00:06:45.079 This is not how you deliver a message of cosmic proportions to the world. 00:06:45.219 --> 00:06:47.599 Surely, you can see that God. 00:06:47.600 --> 00:06:52.700 But, God chose Nazareth, 00:06:53.379 --> 00:06:54.760 and God chose Mary. 00:06:55.879 --> 00:06:56.900 And friends, even with that, 00:06:56.960 --> 00:06:58.160 I hope you're seeing today, 00:06:58.260 --> 00:06:59.920 whoever you are here this morning, 00:07:00.320 --> 00:07:02.620 what kind of God that we're dealing with here. 00:07:03.020 --> 00:07:04.260 This is the God of the Bible. 00:07:04.980 --> 00:07:06.980 The God not of pomp and pride, 00:07:07.320 --> 00:07:10.439 but the God who looks upon and remembers the unimportant 00:07:10.439 --> 00:07:12.620 and the seemingly insignificant. 00:07:12.920 --> 00:07:13.900 Do you not praise him this morning, 00:07:13.899 --> 00:07:15.539 that he does not operate on our wavelength? 00:07:16.219 --> 00:07:17.939 He does not think like we think. 00:07:18.060 --> 00:07:19.279 This is our God this morning, 00:07:19.339 --> 00:07:20.239 as we meet him in Luke 1. 00:07:21.479 --> 00:07:23.139 That's the kind of God that we're dealing with here, 00:07:23.199 --> 00:07:23.899 the God of the Bible. 00:07:25.239 --> 00:07:26.359 And so, verse 28, 00:07:26.799 --> 00:07:29.299 Gabriel delivers God's message to Mary, 00:07:29.519 --> 00:07:31.459 to see it, that she is greatly favoured. 00:07:32.219 --> 00:07:33.859 And notice how she is. 00:07:34.379 --> 00:07:35.039 How is she? 00:07:36.259 --> 00:07:37.479 She's greatly troubled. 00:07:38.879 --> 00:07:39.639 Interesting, isn't it, 00:07:39.659 --> 00:07:42.599 that our society thinks of angels as being all cute and cuddly? 00:07:42.600 --> 00:07:45.800 Personally, I blame Casper the ghost for that. 00:07:46.480 --> 00:07:48.640 But that is never the reaction of people in the Bible 00:07:48.640 --> 00:07:50.620 when they encounter angels. 00:07:50.900 --> 00:07:51.879 Mary's petrified. 00:07:53.120 --> 00:07:54.680 But, interestingly, 00:07:54.900 --> 00:07:56.360 if you look closely at the text, 00:07:57.200 --> 00:07:59.240 not so much at the messenger, 00:08:00.240 --> 00:08:02.000 she's petrified at the message. 00:08:03.379 --> 00:08:04.640 And so Gabriel says to her, 00:08:04.720 --> 00:08:05.580 to quote Band-Aid, 00:08:05.680 --> 00:08:07.620 it's Christmas time and there's no need to be afraid. 00:08:08.439 --> 00:08:08.820 Why? 00:08:08.819 --> 00:08:12.759 Because God has looked upon Mary in his grace. 00:08:14.639 --> 00:08:15.579 In his grace, 00:08:15.659 --> 00:08:17.740 which means it's not because of who she is 00:08:17.740 --> 00:08:20.180 or what she's done that God is being kind to her. 00:08:20.459 --> 00:08:23.339 She's not come top in the Galilean X factor here. 00:08:23.420 --> 00:08:24.740 This is not what we're dealing with. 00:08:24.860 --> 00:08:25.839 God has looked on her, 00:08:25.920 --> 00:08:26.980 the text suggests, 00:08:27.480 --> 00:08:30.079 for no other reason than he is gracious 00:08:30.079 --> 00:08:31.680 and he is kind. 00:08:31.819 --> 00:08:33.000 This is the God of the Bible. 00:08:34.100 --> 00:08:35.000 Right off the bat, 00:08:35.059 --> 00:08:35.439 you see it, 00:08:35.480 --> 00:08:36.480 Luke wants us to know this, 00:08:36.480 --> 00:08:38.500 this doctor turned historian, 00:08:38.940 --> 00:08:39.920 research this carefully. 00:08:40.019 --> 00:08:41.560 He wants us to know straight off the bat 00:08:41.560 --> 00:08:42.500 that this is the kind of God 00:08:42.500 --> 00:08:43.440 that we're dealing with here. 00:08:44.480 --> 00:08:45.519 Looking on the lowly, 00:08:45.759 --> 00:08:48.000 the God who reaches down to the humble. 00:08:49.240 --> 00:08:51.039 Mary is favoured. 00:08:52.820 --> 00:08:53.680 And Gabriel says, 00:08:53.840 --> 00:08:55.460 Mary, you will be with child. 00:08:57.139 --> 00:08:58.279 And she's not going to have to wait 00:08:58.279 --> 00:09:00.060 for the 20 week scan to learn the gender. 00:09:00.159 --> 00:09:00.480 Do you see? 00:09:00.539 --> 00:09:01.000 It's a boy. 00:09:02.080 --> 00:09:03.420 And she's not going to have to go through 00:09:03.420 --> 00:09:04.639 that painstaking process 00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:05.659 of trying to pick a name 00:09:05.659 --> 00:09:06.480 and hedge your bets. 00:09:07.100 --> 00:09:07.799 He will be called, 00:09:07.919 --> 00:09:08.519 verse 31, 00:09:08.779 --> 00:09:09.100 Jesus. 00:09:10.699 --> 00:09:11.819 And instantly do you see 00:09:11.819 --> 00:09:13.000 that there's a purpose 00:09:13.000 --> 00:09:14.719 and there's a plan for this boy 00:09:14.719 --> 00:09:16.919 and the clues in his name, 00:09:17.919 --> 00:09:18.279 Jesus. 00:09:19.159 --> 00:09:21.480 Meaning the Lord is salvation. 00:09:21.639 --> 00:09:22.600 That's what his name means. 00:09:22.759 --> 00:09:24.459 God saves. 00:09:25.740 --> 00:09:27.659 Named not in hopeful expectation 00:09:27.659 --> 00:09:28.919 about what he might become. 00:09:29.379 --> 00:09:30.860 Named precisely in keeping 00:09:30.860 --> 00:09:31.399 in all, 00:09:31.799 --> 00:09:33.539 after all that he has come to do 00:09:33.539 --> 00:09:34.539 and accomplish. 00:09:34.539 --> 00:09:35.360 This is Jesus. 00:09:37.259 --> 00:09:38.399 And Gabriel declares, 00:09:38.559 --> 00:09:39.339 he will be great. 00:09:39.459 --> 00:09:40.099 Do you see it there? 00:09:41.179 --> 00:09:42.919 He will be the son of the Most High 00:09:42.919 --> 00:09:43.959 who will have the throne 00:09:43.959 --> 00:09:44.799 of his father, 00:09:44.980 --> 00:09:45.299 David. 00:09:45.759 --> 00:09:46.459 In other words, 00:09:46.579 --> 00:09:47.179 God is saying, 00:09:47.299 --> 00:09:48.620 this is my king, 00:09:49.179 --> 00:09:50.500 my king who I promised 00:09:50.500 --> 00:09:51.419 that I would send, 00:09:51.699 --> 00:09:53.919 my king who you've been waiting for 00:09:53.919 --> 00:09:55.959 and the king who you desperately, 00:09:56.639 --> 00:09:57.659 desperately need. 00:09:59.019 --> 00:09:59.959 And look at the length 00:09:59.959 --> 00:10:00.599 of his tenure, 00:10:00.779 --> 00:10:01.539 verse 33. 00:10:01.539 --> 00:10:04.419 It will have no end. 00:10:05.860 --> 00:10:06.639 No end. 00:10:06.740 --> 00:10:07.759 Get your head around that. 00:10:07.899 --> 00:10:09.419 No end. 00:10:11.879 --> 00:10:13.159 Remember I used to love playing 00:10:13.159 --> 00:10:13.799 when I was young. 00:10:14.240 --> 00:10:14.799 I still do. 00:10:14.919 --> 00:10:16.039 I don't really play it that often. 00:10:16.139 --> 00:10:16.939 The board game Risk. 00:10:18.620 --> 00:10:20.139 One of you have ever played Risk before? 00:10:20.419 --> 00:10:20.679 That the, 00:10:21.099 --> 00:10:22.500 it's a game that's great for your ego, 00:10:22.699 --> 00:10:22.860 okay, 00:10:22.919 --> 00:10:24.419 because the strapline of that game 00:10:24.419 --> 00:10:25.399 is all about 00:10:25.399 --> 00:10:26.819 build your empire, 00:10:27.059 --> 00:10:27.799 conquer the world. 00:10:27.879 --> 00:10:28.799 The strapline is 00:10:28.799 --> 00:10:29.980 world domination. 00:10:29.980 --> 00:10:31.240 That's what Risk is all about. 00:10:32.980 --> 00:10:33.899 Played with my friends 00:10:33.899 --> 00:10:34.500 when I was young. 00:10:34.539 --> 00:10:35.240 I even managed to win 00:10:35.240 --> 00:10:36.000 on a few occasions, 00:10:36.180 --> 00:10:37.000 conquer the world. 00:10:38.399 --> 00:10:39.560 And every time I conquered the world, 00:10:39.659 --> 00:10:40.519 I had about one minute 00:10:40.519 --> 00:10:42.200 to look at the boards 00:10:42.200 --> 00:10:43.440 and to bask 00:10:43.440 --> 00:10:44.980 in the fact that my pieces 00:10:44.980 --> 00:10:46.340 were all over that board. 00:10:46.500 --> 00:10:48.279 And this was before camera phones, 00:10:48.620 --> 00:10:50.360 so I had to mentally store it. 00:10:50.580 --> 00:10:51.580 Couldn't store it anywhere else. 00:10:51.680 --> 00:10:52.519 Mentally store it. 00:10:52.539 --> 00:10:53.279 And I had one minute 00:10:53.279 --> 00:10:55.159 to bask in that victory 00:10:55.159 --> 00:10:58.300 until somebody flipped the pieces over 00:10:58.299 --> 00:10:59.419 and they went back in the box. 00:11:00.219 --> 00:11:01.219 And it's time for bed 00:11:01.219 --> 00:11:02.419 because it's five in the morning. 00:11:05.099 --> 00:11:05.479 Friends, 00:11:05.539 --> 00:11:05.919 down the ages, 00:11:06.039 --> 00:11:07.219 many people have had their goal 00:11:07.219 --> 00:11:08.879 at building their own little empires, 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:09.359 haven't they? 00:11:10.519 --> 00:11:11.199 Think about it. 00:11:11.219 --> 00:11:12.799 The Babylonians had theirs 00:11:12.799 --> 00:11:14.240 and it ended. 00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:16.840 The Persians had theirs 00:11:16.840 --> 00:11:17.460 and it ended. 00:11:18.120 --> 00:11:19.759 The Egyptians had theirs 00:11:19.759 --> 00:11:20.899 and it ended. 00:11:22.220 --> 00:11:23.180 And as someone pointed out 00:11:23.180 --> 00:11:23.720 to me recently, 00:11:23.840 --> 00:11:24.500 who would have thought 00:11:24.500 --> 00:11:25.580 in Mary's day 00:11:25.580 --> 00:11:27.779 that 2,000 years later 00:11:27.779 --> 00:11:29.500 we would be sitting here today 00:11:29.500 --> 00:11:30.879 and the first thing 00:11:30.879 --> 00:11:31.940 that you and I would think of 00:11:31.940 --> 00:11:33.120 when we hear the name Caesar 00:11:33.120 --> 00:11:34.320 is dog food. 00:11:36.220 --> 00:11:37.480 And who would have thought 00:11:37.480 --> 00:11:39.200 that 2,000 years later 00:11:39.200 --> 00:11:40.279 after this event 00:11:40.279 --> 00:11:43.000 that literally billions of people 00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:43.779 around this planet 00:11:43.779 --> 00:11:46.320 today and down the ages 00:11:46.320 --> 00:11:48.200 have had their lives transformed 00:11:48.200 --> 00:11:50.019 by the baby boy 00:11:50.019 --> 00:11:51.379 who was born to this girl 00:11:51.379 --> 00:11:53.500 in this backwater town. 00:11:54.639 --> 00:11:55.799 See, the proof's in the pudding, 00:11:55.919 --> 00:11:56.200 isn't it? 00:11:56.259 --> 00:11:59.000 His kingdom will have no end. 00:12:00.019 --> 00:12:00.940 The event 00:12:00.940 --> 00:12:02.200 which the whole 00:12:02.200 --> 00:12:03.559 of redemption history 00:12:03.559 --> 00:12:04.820 has been moving forward to 00:12:04.820 --> 00:12:05.960 is about to kick off 00:12:05.960 --> 00:12:07.539 and it's about to kick off 00:12:07.539 --> 00:12:09.419 in this teenager's womb. 00:12:09.419 --> 00:12:11.939 The virgin 00:12:11.939 --> 00:12:13.259 will give birth 00:12:13.259 --> 00:12:13.639 to a son. 00:12:13.699 --> 00:12:13.939 Do you see, 00:12:14.019 --> 00:12:15.319 it's not man's doing 00:12:15.319 --> 00:12:15.839 this birth, 00:12:15.899 --> 00:12:17.059 it's going to be God's doing. 00:12:17.159 --> 00:12:18.120 Something spoken about 00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:19.620 long before this moment 00:12:19.620 --> 00:12:20.719 by the prophet Isaiah. 00:12:22.319 --> 00:12:23.000 Speaking about 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:23.839 a future time 00:12:23.839 --> 00:12:24.919 to his generation 00:12:24.919 --> 00:12:26.939 when God would come 00:12:26.939 --> 00:12:28.079 to deliver his people. 00:12:29.579 --> 00:12:30.360 And what will be 00:12:30.360 --> 00:12:31.399 the sign of that happening? 00:12:31.579 --> 00:12:31.799 Therefore, 00:12:32.019 --> 00:12:32.699 the Lord himself 00:12:32.699 --> 00:12:33.740 will give you a sign. 00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:35.860 The virgin will conceive 00:12:35.860 --> 00:12:36.500 and give birth 00:12:36.500 --> 00:12:37.240 to a son 00:12:37.240 --> 00:12:39.279 and will call him 00:12:39.279 --> 00:12:40.340 Emmanuel. 00:12:42.740 --> 00:12:43.320 But maybe you hear 00:12:43.320 --> 00:12:43.779 this morning, 00:12:43.860 --> 00:12:44.180 you're thinking, 00:12:44.299 --> 00:12:44.799 virgin birth, 00:12:44.899 --> 00:12:45.279 seriously? 00:12:46.539 --> 00:12:47.379 Sounds a bit like 00:12:47.379 --> 00:12:48.180 Loch Ness Monster 00:12:48.180 --> 00:12:49.060 and the Leprechauns 00:12:49.060 --> 00:12:49.720 if you ask me. 00:12:49.799 --> 00:12:49.960 I mean, 00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:51.460 is this Christianity's 00:12:51.460 --> 00:12:52.700 fairy tale feature? 00:12:54.019 --> 00:12:55.360 Does it matter? 00:12:56.360 --> 00:12:57.220 Does it matter? 00:12:59.080 --> 00:12:59.519 Well, 00:12:59.539 --> 00:13:00.259 let me just say to you 00:13:00.259 --> 00:13:00.700 today 00:13:00.700 --> 00:13:02.379 that the virgin birth 00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:04.220 really matters. 00:13:04.940 --> 00:13:06.560 It really matters. 00:13:07.240 --> 00:13:08.480 For the saviour 00:13:08.480 --> 00:13:09.720 that you and I need 00:13:09.720 --> 00:13:11.200 needs to be 00:13:11.200 --> 00:13:12.360 one of us 00:13:12.360 --> 00:13:14.240 so that he can stand 00:13:14.240 --> 00:13:15.620 as our representative. 00:13:16.960 --> 00:13:18.519 And the saviour 00:13:18.519 --> 00:13:19.240 that we need 00:13:19.240 --> 00:13:20.320 needs to be 00:13:20.320 --> 00:13:21.460 above us 00:13:21.460 --> 00:13:22.940 so that 00:13:22.940 --> 00:13:24.980 he is unstained 00:13:24.980 --> 00:13:26.220 by the sin 00:13:26.220 --> 00:13:26.980 that plagues 00:13:26.980 --> 00:13:28.460 each one of us, 00:13:28.899 --> 00:13:30.259 meaning that he can live 00:13:30.259 --> 00:13:31.000 the perfect 00:13:31.000 --> 00:13:32.039 and sinless life 00:13:32.039 --> 00:13:32.940 before God, 00:13:33.259 --> 00:13:34.320 the one that he gives 00:13:34.320 --> 00:13:35.019 to his people 00:13:35.019 --> 00:13:36.319 and makes them 00:13:36.319 --> 00:13:37.639 right with God. 00:13:38.779 --> 00:13:39.220 Friends, 00:13:39.259 --> 00:13:39.980 the virgin birth 00:13:39.980 --> 00:13:41.860 really matters. 00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:43.179 And if it really matters, 00:13:43.299 --> 00:13:43.919 let me tell you 00:13:43.919 --> 00:13:44.819 what it means. 00:13:46.079 --> 00:13:46.559 Firstly, 00:13:46.720 --> 00:13:47.639 it means that you 00:13:47.639 --> 00:13:48.699 and I are lost. 00:13:50.439 --> 00:13:51.340 We are lost. 00:13:51.939 --> 00:13:53.019 This is one almighty 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:54.659 custard pie in the face 00:13:54.659 --> 00:13:56.340 to mankind's thinking 00:13:56.340 --> 00:13:57.360 that you and I 00:13:57.360 --> 00:13:58.240 can save ourselves. 00:13:58.240 --> 00:14:00.519 the human gene pool 00:14:00.519 --> 00:14:01.899 is no place 00:14:01.899 --> 00:14:02.600 to go fishing 00:14:02.600 --> 00:14:03.820 for a saviour. 00:14:04.539 --> 00:14:05.320 And the answer 00:14:05.320 --> 00:14:06.000 to the problem 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:06.980 of the brokenness 00:14:06.980 --> 00:14:07.779 and rebellion 00:14:07.779 --> 00:14:09.419 needs to come from 00:14:09.419 --> 00:14:10.759 outside of us, 00:14:10.879 --> 00:14:11.879 not inside of us. 00:14:13.320 --> 00:14:14.139 It means that we are 00:14:14.139 --> 00:14:14.860 lost 00:14:14.860 --> 00:14:15.740 without 00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:17.240 God's intervention 00:14:17.240 --> 00:14:17.840 in our lives. 00:14:17.919 --> 00:14:18.700 It means we are lost 00:14:18.700 --> 00:14:20.000 outside of Jesus Christ. 00:14:20.560 --> 00:14:21.480 And secondly, 00:14:21.620 --> 00:14:22.659 it means that we are 00:14:22.659 --> 00:14:23.299 loved. 00:14:24.379 --> 00:14:25.500 Because God could 00:14:25.500 --> 00:14:26.240 quite justifiably 00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:28.759 have passed over us 00:14:28.759 --> 00:14:29.340 and left us 00:14:29.340 --> 00:14:30.500 to our own devices. 00:14:31.320 --> 00:14:32.139 Passed over us 00:14:32.139 --> 00:14:32.820 and had nothing 00:14:32.820 --> 00:14:33.680 to do with us. 00:14:34.740 --> 00:14:35.419 But he acted. 00:14:36.460 --> 00:14:37.259 This is what we celebrate, 00:14:37.340 --> 00:14:37.519 isn't it, 00:14:37.539 --> 00:14:38.139 at Christmas time, 00:14:38.200 --> 00:14:40.299 that love came down. 00:14:42.580 --> 00:14:43.000 I remember 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:44.399 growing up at school 00:14:44.399 --> 00:14:45.279 and there was a song 00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:46.080 that was popular 00:14:46.080 --> 00:14:46.580 written by, 00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:47.000 I think it was 00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:47.799 Joan Osborne, 00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:48.799 I googled it this morning 00:14:48.799 --> 00:14:49.580 that we used to sing 00:14:49.580 --> 00:14:50.120 in the playground. 00:14:50.460 --> 00:14:51.740 And the chorus went, 00:14:52.220 --> 00:14:53.620 what if God was one of us? 00:14:53.779 --> 00:14:54.500 Do you remember that song? 00:14:54.500 --> 00:14:57.059 What if God was one of us? 00:14:58.019 --> 00:14:58.940 Just a slob 00:14:58.940 --> 00:14:59.840 like one of us? 00:15:00.580 --> 00:15:01.559 Just a stranger 00:15:01.559 --> 00:15:02.240 on the bus 00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:03.379 trying to make 00:15:03.379 --> 00:15:04.100 his way home? 00:15:04.179 --> 00:15:05.100 Now whatever Joan Osborne 00:15:05.100 --> 00:15:05.759 was trying to say 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:06.320 in that song, 00:15:06.419 --> 00:15:06.960 let me tell you 00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:07.679 that what we celebrate 00:15:07.679 --> 00:15:08.240 at Christmas 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:09.720 is God 00:15:09.720 --> 00:15:10.799 coming down. 00:15:11.919 --> 00:15:12.980 The truth of Christmas 00:15:12.980 --> 00:15:13.879 is that God 00:15:13.879 --> 00:15:14.679 in the person 00:15:14.679 --> 00:15:15.740 of his son 00:15:15.740 --> 00:15:17.340 came down 00:15:17.340 --> 00:15:18.700 into humanity's 00:15:18.700 --> 00:15:19.159 broken, 00:15:19.659 --> 00:15:20.200 complicated 00:15:20.200 --> 00:15:21.220 and messy 00:15:21.220 --> 00:15:22.059 equation. 00:15:22.059 --> 00:15:23.939 that God 00:15:23.939 --> 00:15:24.539 in the form 00:15:24.539 --> 00:15:25.539 of Jesus Christ 00:15:25.539 --> 00:15:26.939 took on flesh. 00:15:27.039 --> 00:15:27.959 He came to live 00:15:27.959 --> 00:15:28.959 where we live 00:15:28.959 --> 00:15:30.039 and the words 00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:31.159 of John chapter 1 00:15:31.159 --> 00:15:31.579 and if you want 00:15:31.579 --> 00:15:32.239 your minds blown 00:15:32.239 --> 00:15:33.059 hang out in John 00:15:33.059 --> 00:15:34.019 chapter 1 this week, 00:15:34.119 --> 00:15:35.359 he tabernacled, 00:15:35.459 --> 00:15:36.619 he came to be 00:15:36.619 --> 00:15:37.479 with us 00:15:37.479 --> 00:15:39.500 in order 00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:40.899 that reconciliation 00:15:40.899 --> 00:15:42.039 to the God 00:15:42.039 --> 00:15:42.739 who made us 00:15:42.739 --> 00:15:43.139 would become 00:15:43.139 --> 00:15:44.679 a distinct possibility. 00:15:46.459 --> 00:15:46.699 Do you see 00:15:46.699 --> 00:15:47.379 how the virgin birth 00:15:47.379 --> 00:15:48.119 tells his friends 00:15:48.119 --> 00:15:48.919 that when we weren't 00:15:48.919 --> 00:15:49.699 looking for God, 00:15:49.700 --> 00:15:51.220 God came 00:15:51.220 --> 00:15:52.879 looking for us. 00:15:53.720 --> 00:15:54.460 He came looking 00:15:54.460 --> 00:15:55.140 for us. 00:15:55.220 --> 00:15:55.879 He came down 00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:56.720 to find us, 00:15:56.800 --> 00:15:57.340 to lead us 00:15:57.340 --> 00:15:57.900 out of death. 00:15:58.280 --> 00:15:59.660 This is the extent 00:15:59.660 --> 00:16:01.100 that God went to 00:16:01.100 --> 00:16:02.240 to rescue us. 00:16:04.720 --> 00:16:05.120 And maybe you're 00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:05.500 here today 00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:05.920 and you're asking 00:16:05.920 --> 00:16:06.300 yourself, 00:16:06.379 --> 00:16:07.160 does God really 00:16:07.160 --> 00:16:08.379 care about my life? 00:16:09.720 --> 00:16:10.960 If that's you, 00:16:11.640 --> 00:16:12.160 then I would 00:16:12.160 --> 00:16:12.980 invite you to see 00:16:12.980 --> 00:16:14.220 the baby in the manger 00:16:14.220 --> 00:16:14.940 that's promised 00:16:14.940 --> 00:16:15.560 about here, 00:16:15.720 --> 00:16:16.280 Emmanuel, 00:16:16.920 --> 00:16:17.800 God with us, 00:16:17.799 --> 00:16:19.159 as a resounding 00:16:19.159 --> 00:16:20.159 yes. 00:16:21.339 --> 00:16:22.539 Does God care? 00:16:23.019 --> 00:16:23.519 Yes, 00:16:23.559 --> 00:16:24.099 he does. 00:16:25.120 --> 00:16:26.159 He cares enough 00:16:26.159 --> 00:16:27.240 that he sent 00:16:27.240 --> 00:16:27.759 his son 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:29.179 to come and seek 00:16:29.179 --> 00:16:30.079 and to save 00:16:30.079 --> 00:16:31.000 the lost. 00:16:31.079 --> 00:16:31.699 He cares, 00:16:31.839 --> 00:16:32.079 friends, 00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:32.899 he cares. 00:16:34.899 --> 00:16:35.819 Christ by 00:16:35.819 --> 00:16:36.719 highest heaven 00:16:36.719 --> 00:16:37.179 adored, 00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:38.120 Christ the 00:16:38.120 --> 00:16:39.359 everlasting Lord, 00:16:39.799 --> 00:16:40.719 late in time 00:16:40.719 --> 00:16:41.939 behold him come, 00:16:42.159 --> 00:16:42.620 offspring 00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:44.539 of a virgin's womb, 00:16:45.019 --> 00:16:46.359 veiled in flesh, 00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:48.060 the Godhead sea, 00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:50.060 hail the incarnate 00:16:50.060 --> 00:16:50.680 deity, 00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:52.419 pleased as man 00:16:52.419 --> 00:16:53.580 with man to dwell, 00:16:53.800 --> 00:16:54.919 Jesus our 00:16:54.919 --> 00:16:56.000 Emmanuel. 00:16:56.960 --> 00:16:57.700 I'd encourage you 00:16:57.700 --> 00:16:58.539 to stop and to think 00:16:58.539 --> 00:16:59.100 about the lyrics 00:16:59.100 --> 00:16:59.580 of some of the 00:16:59.580 --> 00:17:00.139 Christmas songs 00:17:00.139 --> 00:17:00.639 that we sing 00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:01.039 because they are 00:17:01.039 --> 00:17:02.080 packed full 00:17:02.080 --> 00:17:03.440 of tremendous 00:17:03.440 --> 00:17:04.000 theology, 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:04.519 friends. 00:17:07.339 --> 00:17:08.059 And if that's 00:17:08.059 --> 00:17:08.779 hard for you 00:17:08.779 --> 00:17:09.259 and I to get 00:17:09.259 --> 00:17:09.920 our heads around, 00:17:10.120 --> 00:17:10.860 and it is at times, 00:17:10.920 --> 00:17:11.299 isn't it? 00:17:12.019 --> 00:17:12.740 Just think how 00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:13.360 Mary's feeling 00:17:13.360 --> 00:17:13.860 at this point 00:17:13.860 --> 00:17:14.420 in the story. 00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:15.220 Gabriel's just 00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:15.900 dropped that one 00:17:15.900 --> 00:17:16.240 on her. 00:17:17.060 --> 00:17:17.560 How is she 00:17:17.560 --> 00:17:17.920 feeling? 00:17:19.140 --> 00:17:19.820 Well lastly, 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:21.280 notice what she 00:17:21.280 --> 00:17:21.580 is. 00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:23.560 What does she 00:17:23.560 --> 00:17:23.880 say? 00:17:23.960 --> 00:17:24.340 I'm sorry 00:17:24.340 --> 00:17:24.700 Gabriel, 00:17:24.780 --> 00:17:25.200 you've got the 00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:25.700 wrong girl. 00:17:25.780 --> 00:17:26.060 If you head 00:17:26.060 --> 00:17:26.519 on down the 00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:26.680 road, 00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:26.960 I'm sure 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:27.280 you'll find 00:17:27.280 --> 00:17:27.860 somebody else 00:17:27.860 --> 00:17:28.660 who's better 00:17:28.660 --> 00:17:29.140 equipped from 00:17:29.140 --> 00:17:29.540 the job. 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:30.160 She doesn't 00:17:30.160 --> 00:17:30.759 say that. 00:17:31.420 --> 00:17:31.740 Do you see 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:32.519 how what began 00:17:32.519 --> 00:17:33.200 with fear in 00:17:33.200 --> 00:17:33.840 her mind 00:17:33.840 --> 00:17:34.620 ends in 00:17:34.620 --> 00:17:35.040 faith? 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:37.880 Mary responds 00:17:37.880 --> 00:17:38.640 by declaring 00:17:38.640 --> 00:17:39.380 and let's have 00:17:39.380 --> 00:17:39.940 another song 00:17:39.940 --> 00:17:40.620 cue the Beatles, 00:17:40.780 --> 00:17:41.440 let it be, 00:17:41.640 --> 00:17:42.180 may it be, 00:17:42.280 --> 00:17:42.580 is this what 00:17:42.580 --> 00:17:43.220 she says? 00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:45.059 And so 00:17:45.059 --> 00:17:45.860 having visited 00:17:45.860 --> 00:17:46.319 and being 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:47.160 affirmed by 00:17:47.160 --> 00:17:47.700 Elizabeth, 00:17:48.059 --> 00:17:51.039 who the boy 00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:51.559 in her womb 00:17:51.559 --> 00:17:52.680 jumps for joy 00:17:52.680 --> 00:17:53.680 at the very 00:17:53.680 --> 00:17:54.460 presence of 00:17:54.460 --> 00:17:55.259 his Lord, 00:17:55.640 --> 00:17:55.880 do you see 00:17:55.880 --> 00:17:56.180 how Mary 00:17:56.180 --> 00:17:57.039 can't contain 00:17:57.039 --> 00:17:57.640 her praise 00:17:57.640 --> 00:17:58.000 about the 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:58.480 truth of 00:17:58.480 --> 00:17:59.000 everything that 00:17:59.000 --> 00:17:59.339 the Lord 00:17:59.339 --> 00:17:59.799 is doing? 00:18:00.059 --> 00:18:01.019 Verse 46, 00:18:01.100 --> 00:18:01.539 and here we 00:18:01.539 --> 00:18:02.240 hit the song, 00:18:02.620 --> 00:18:03.440 Mary exclaims, 00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:03.799 God, 00:18:03.900 --> 00:18:04.400 my soul, 00:18:04.500 --> 00:18:05.460 what glorifies 00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:05.799 you? 00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:06.980 God, 00:18:07.079 --> 00:18:07.600 my heart, 00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:08.120 what does it 00:18:08.120 --> 00:18:08.240 do? 00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:09.180 It magnifies 00:18:09.180 --> 00:18:09.579 you. 00:18:09.579 --> 00:18:10.119 Notice all 00:18:10.119 --> 00:18:10.679 the personal 00:18:10.679 --> 00:18:11.379 pronouns in 00:18:11.379 --> 00:18:12.039 this section. 00:18:12.679 --> 00:18:12.980 Do you see 00:18:12.980 --> 00:18:13.220 it? 00:18:13.819 --> 00:18:14.659 My spirit, 00:18:15.199 --> 00:18:15.740 the mighty 00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:16.359 one has done 00:18:16.359 --> 00:18:16.960 great things 00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:18.480 for me. 00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:19.919 She is no 00:18:19.919 --> 00:18:20.720 passive actor 00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:21.519 in this drama. 00:18:21.699 --> 00:18:22.259 She is in 00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:22.899 this heart 00:18:22.899 --> 00:18:23.699 and soul 00:18:23.699 --> 00:18:24.480 and her 00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:25.319 whole being 00:18:25.319 --> 00:18:26.220 rejoices 00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:27.199 at this 00:18:27.199 --> 00:18:27.759 news. 00:18:29.159 --> 00:18:29.720 Fascinating 00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:31.419 again that 00:18:31.419 --> 00:18:31.839 this song 00:18:31.839 --> 00:18:32.500 says nothing 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:33.359 about a 00:18:33.359 --> 00:18:33.639 baby. 00:18:34.359 --> 00:18:34.960 This song 00:18:34.960 --> 00:18:35.519 says everything 00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:35.960 about the 00:18:35.960 --> 00:18:36.619 significance 00:18:36.619 --> 00:18:37.379 of the baby 00:18:37.379 --> 00:18:37.899 boy who's 00:18:37.899 --> 00:18:38.519 in her womb 00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:38.940 because she 00:18:38.940 --> 00:18:39.440 knows what 00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:40.139 it means. 00:18:41.599 --> 00:18:41.940 And so having 00:18:41.940 --> 00:18:42.420 seen what's 00:18:42.420 --> 00:18:42.759 going on 00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:43.359 outside the 00:18:43.359 --> 00:18:43.579 song, 00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:44.220 let's quickly 00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:44.619 have a look 00:18:44.619 --> 00:18:44.900 at what's 00:18:44.900 --> 00:18:45.379 going on 00:18:45.379 --> 00:18:46.700 inside the 00:18:46.700 --> 00:18:47.339 song because 00:18:47.339 --> 00:18:48.639 as we think 00:18:48.639 --> 00:18:48.980 about what 00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:50.819 Mary's singing 00:18:50.819 --> 00:18:51.139 here, 00:18:51.220 --> 00:18:51.759 declaring, 00:18:51.879 --> 00:18:52.299 it tells us 00:18:52.299 --> 00:18:53.099 two great 00:18:53.099 --> 00:18:53.900 things about 00:18:53.900 --> 00:18:54.400 the things 00:18:54.400 --> 00:18:54.839 that Mary 00:18:54.839 --> 00:18:55.480 knows in 00:18:55.480 --> 00:18:56.019 her life. 00:18:56.859 --> 00:18:57.119 And it 00:18:57.119 --> 00:18:57.700 encourages us 00:18:57.700 --> 00:18:58.000 this morning 00:18:58.000 --> 00:18:58.539 to think 00:18:58.539 --> 00:18:59.039 about these 00:18:59.039 --> 00:18:59.460 things in 00:18:59.460 --> 00:18:59.799 our own 00:18:59.799 --> 00:19:00.259 lives as 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:00.599 well. 00:19:01.379 --> 00:19:01.859 They reveal 00:19:01.859 --> 00:19:02.519 to us two 00:19:02.519 --> 00:19:03.139 great things. 00:19:03.299 --> 00:19:03.599 Firstly, 00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:04.279 who she knows 00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:04.920 her God 00:19:04.920 --> 00:19:05.359 to be. 00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:07.259 He is the 00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:08.500 promise-keeping 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:09.000 God. 00:19:09.099 --> 00:19:09.480 This is who 00:19:09.480 --> 00:19:09.900 he is. 00:19:10.920 --> 00:19:11.519 Mary looks 00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:11.900 down the 00:19:11.900 --> 00:19:12.500 corridors of 00:19:12.500 --> 00:19:13.799 time and 00:19:13.799 --> 00:19:14.799 she recalls 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:15.480 the promises 00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:16.079 that God 00:19:16.079 --> 00:19:16.480 made to 00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:16.920 Abraham, 00:19:17.059 --> 00:19:17.559 the promises 00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:18.079 that she's 00:19:18.079 --> 00:19:18.559 grown up 00:19:18.559 --> 00:19:18.839 on, 00:19:19.140 --> 00:19:19.579 the promises 00:19:19.579 --> 00:19:20.099 that she's 00:19:20.099 --> 00:19:20.480 heard, 00:19:20.579 --> 00:19:20.859 no doubt 00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:21.259 from her 00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:21.720 family. 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:23.359 And she 00:19:23.359 --> 00:19:24.359 recalls God's 00:19:24.359 --> 00:19:25.339 promise to 00:19:25.339 --> 00:19:26.119 rescue and 00:19:26.119 --> 00:19:26.920 to bless. 00:19:27.819 --> 00:19:28.660 And all the 00:19:28.660 --> 00:19:29.359 times that God 00:19:29.359 --> 00:19:29.900 delivered his 00:19:29.900 --> 00:19:30.420 people in the 00:19:30.420 --> 00:19:31.000 past with his 00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:31.900 mighty arm. 00:19:33.180 --> 00:19:33.799 And Mary's 00:19:33.799 --> 00:19:34.220 declaring, 00:19:34.960 --> 00:19:35.299 world, 00:19:35.839 --> 00:19:36.559 my God's at 00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:37.019 it again. 00:19:37.920 --> 00:19:38.720 My God is 00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:39.319 at it again 00:19:39.319 --> 00:19:39.700 and this 00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:40.180 time he's 00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:40.779 at it again 00:19:40.779 --> 00:19:41.119 in the 00:19:41.119 --> 00:19:42.200 greatest way 00:19:42.200 --> 00:19:43.180 possible. 00:19:44.099 --> 00:19:44.680 And so she 00:19:44.680 --> 00:19:45.019 says, 00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:45.440 doesn't she, 00:19:45.500 --> 00:19:46.019 my God is 00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:46.240 what? 00:19:46.299 --> 00:19:46.579 Mighty? 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:48.420 She's 00:19:48.420 --> 00:19:48.940 reveling in 00:19:48.940 --> 00:19:49.299 the truth 00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:49.619 that her 00:19:49.619 --> 00:19:50.000 God, 00:19:50.119 --> 00:19:50.379 do you see, 00:19:50.440 --> 00:19:50.900 doesn't work 00:19:50.900 --> 00:19:51.139 on the 00:19:51.139 --> 00:19:51.639 basis of 00:19:51.639 --> 00:19:51.980 human 00:19:51.980 --> 00:19:52.599 limitations. 00:19:53.539 --> 00:19:54.059 Her God 00:19:54.059 --> 00:19:54.639 is the 00:19:54.639 --> 00:19:54.900 one who 00:19:54.900 --> 00:19:55.660 defines the 00:19:55.660 --> 00:19:56.019 realm of 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:56.619 possibility. 00:19:58.000 --> 00:19:58.500 He is the 00:19:58.500 --> 00:19:59.539 God who 00:19:59.539 --> 00:20:00.160 formed the 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:00.639 world out of 00:20:00.639 --> 00:20:00.900 nothing. 00:20:01.299 --> 00:20:01.799 He is the 00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:02.259 God who 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:02.900 parted the 00:20:02.900 --> 00:20:03.400 Red Sea. 00:20:03.400 --> 00:20:04.220 He is the 00:20:04.220 --> 00:20:04.560 God of 00:20:04.560 --> 00:20:05.920 angel armies 00:20:05.920 --> 00:20:06.380 and for 00:20:06.380 --> 00:20:06.800 him, 00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:09.360 nothing is 00:20:09.360 --> 00:20:10.540 impossible. 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:13.519 And maybe 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:13.900 some of us 00:20:13.900 --> 00:20:14.240 here today, 00:20:14.320 --> 00:20:14.700 we need to 00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:15.560 recapture the 00:20:15.560 --> 00:20:16.380 wonderful truth 00:20:16.380 --> 00:20:16.820 about this 00:20:16.820 --> 00:20:17.060 God, 00:20:17.120 --> 00:20:17.519 that nothing 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:17.880 is too 00:20:17.880 --> 00:20:18.259 great for 00:20:18.259 --> 00:20:18.460 him. 00:20:19.620 --> 00:20:20.360 He doesn't 00:20:20.360 --> 00:20:20.900 work according 00:20:20.900 --> 00:20:21.259 to our 00:20:21.259 --> 00:20:21.580 agenda. 00:20:21.700 --> 00:20:22.100 He doesn't 00:20:22.100 --> 00:20:22.580 work according 00:20:22.580 --> 00:20:23.000 to our 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:23.400 plans. 00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:24.120 He isn't 00:20:24.120 --> 00:20:24.680 limited to 00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:25.220 working within 00:20:25.220 --> 00:20:26.400 our contours 00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:27.320 or being able 00:20:27.320 --> 00:20:27.860 to fathom 00:20:27.860 --> 00:20:28.440 things. 00:20:29.400 --> 00:20:29.780 Our God 00:20:29.780 --> 00:20:30.220 makes the 00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:30.900 impossible 00:20:30.900 --> 00:20:31.600 possible. 00:20:31.599 --> 00:20:32.719 He is the 00:20:32.719 --> 00:20:33.399 mighty one 00:20:33.399 --> 00:20:34.759 and He is 00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:35.419 the merciful 00:20:35.419 --> 00:20:35.899 one. 00:20:37.359 --> 00:20:37.959 Verse 50, 00:20:38.059 --> 00:20:38.740 His mercy 00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:39.539 extends to 00:20:39.539 --> 00:20:40.039 those who 00:20:40.039 --> 00:20:40.459 fear Him. 00:20:40.539 --> 00:20:40.819 Feel the 00:20:40.819 --> 00:20:41.480 invitation in 00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:42.039 those words. 00:20:43.219 --> 00:20:43.899 Verse 54, 00:20:44.039 --> 00:20:44.240 He is 00:20:44.240 --> 00:20:44.839 remembered to 00:20:44.839 --> 00:20:46.259 be merciful 00:20:46.259 --> 00:20:47.039 to Israel. 00:20:48.799 --> 00:20:49.240 Our God 00:20:49.240 --> 00:20:49.679 doesn't treat 00:20:49.679 --> 00:20:50.099 us as we 00:20:50.099 --> 00:20:50.439 deserve. 00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:51.159 That's what 00:20:51.159 --> 00:20:51.539 she's saying. 00:20:51.579 --> 00:20:51.899 He doesn't 00:20:51.899 --> 00:20:52.319 treat us as 00:20:52.319 --> 00:20:52.659 we deserve. 00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:53.000 He treats 00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:53.500 us so much 00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:54.939 better than 00:20:54.939 --> 00:20:55.719 we deserve. 00:20:57.279 --> 00:20:57.619 And our 00:20:57.619 --> 00:20:58.039 God, He's 00:20:58.039 --> 00:20:58.519 got a track 00:20:58.519 --> 00:20:59.119 record of 00:20:59.119 --> 00:20:59.740 overthrowing the 00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:00.419 proud and 00:21:00.419 --> 00:21:01.179 lifting up the 00:21:01.179 --> 00:21:01.459 humble. 00:21:01.599 --> 00:21:01.959 That's the 00:21:01.959 --> 00:21:02.299 shape of 00:21:02.299 --> 00:21:02.419 His 00:21:02.419 --> 00:21:02.740 kingdom. 00:21:03.939 --> 00:21:04.319 Overthrown 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:04.859 the proud, 00:21:05.439 --> 00:21:05.939 lifting up 00:21:05.939 --> 00:21:06.500 this humble. 00:21:06.619 --> 00:21:07.019 Said in the 00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:07.719 present tense 00:21:07.719 --> 00:21:08.099 as if to 00:21:08.099 --> 00:21:08.659 say this is 00:21:08.659 --> 00:21:09.139 already a 00:21:09.139 --> 00:21:09.559 done deal. 00:21:09.659 --> 00:21:09.919 This is 00:21:09.919 --> 00:21:10.199 what He's 00:21:10.199 --> 00:21:10.439 done. 00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:12.359 She knows 00:21:12.359 --> 00:21:12.639 who her 00:21:12.639 --> 00:21:13.439 God is and 00:21:13.439 --> 00:21:14.059 secondly she 00:21:14.059 --> 00:21:14.619 knows who 00:21:14.619 --> 00:21:16.079 herself is. 00:21:16.259 --> 00:21:16.579 She knows 00:21:16.579 --> 00:21:17.679 herself to 00:21:17.679 --> 00:21:18.119 be rather. 00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:19.359 Do you see 00:21:19.359 --> 00:21:19.839 how she's not 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:20.399 simply a 00:21:20.399 --> 00:21:21.099 conduit of 00:21:21.099 --> 00:21:21.679 God's blessing 00:21:21.679 --> 00:21:22.159 and favour? 00:21:23.079 --> 00:21:23.480 She's a 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:24.359 recipient of 00:21:24.359 --> 00:21:24.559 it. 00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:25.539 For this 00:21:25.539 --> 00:21:26.179 great news of 00:21:26.179 --> 00:21:26.839 rescue for 00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:27.480 the world 00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:29.039 is great news 00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:29.619 of rescue for 00:21:29.619 --> 00:21:30.159 the world, 00:21:30.419 --> 00:21:31.179 but it's great 00:21:31.180 --> 00:21:31.900 use of rescue 00:21:31.900 --> 00:21:32.519 for her. 00:21:33.340 --> 00:21:34.320 She knows she 00:21:34.320 --> 00:21:34.920 needs a 00:21:34.920 --> 00:21:35.320 saviour, 00:21:35.400 --> 00:21:35.840 one that she's 00:21:35.840 --> 00:21:36.320 not worthy 00:21:36.320 --> 00:21:37.580 of, and she 00:21:37.580 --> 00:21:38.019 knows she's 00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:38.480 part of a 00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:38.960 people who 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:39.360 need a 00:21:39.360 --> 00:21:40.420 saviour that 00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:40.920 they're not 00:21:40.920 --> 00:21:41.680 worthy of. 00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:43.039 It's the only 00:21:43.039 --> 00:21:43.539 requirement, 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:44.120 isn't it, of 00:21:44.120 --> 00:21:46.000 grace, that we 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:46.759 realise we are 00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:48.720 unworthy of it. 00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:50.840 You see how 00:21:50.840 --> 00:21:51.560 Mary uses two 00:21:51.560 --> 00:21:52.279 words to describe 00:21:52.279 --> 00:21:52.840 herself at 00:21:52.840 --> 00:21:53.940 verse 48, which 00:21:53.940 --> 00:21:55.039 gives us just a 00:21:55.039 --> 00:21:55.920 little window into 00:21:55.920 --> 00:21:56.820 her heart here. 00:21:56.819 --> 00:21:58.079 Do you see her 00:21:58.079 --> 00:21:58.480 talking about 00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:59.059 firstly her 00:21:59.059 --> 00:21:59.939 humble estate? 00:22:01.079 --> 00:22:01.779 In other words, 00:22:01.819 --> 00:22:02.700 she's bowed the 00:22:02.700 --> 00:22:03.379 knee to this 00:22:03.379 --> 00:22:04.339 God, that's the 00:22:04.339 --> 00:22:05.039 stance of her 00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:06.379 heart, her 00:22:06.379 --> 00:22:07.200 humble estate, 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:08.379 and as well 00:22:08.379 --> 00:22:09.139 secondly the 00:22:09.139 --> 00:22:09.679 humble estate 00:22:09.679 --> 00:22:10.939 of his 00:22:10.939 --> 00:22:12.179 servant. 00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:13.980 God, I'm 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:14.659 yours, says 00:22:14.659 --> 00:22:15.399 Mary, I am 00:22:15.399 --> 00:22:16.480 yours. 00:22:17.939 --> 00:22:18.399 And so she 00:22:18.399 --> 00:22:19.000 joins in the 00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:19.500 line of 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:20.079 Christian men 00:22:20.079 --> 00:22:20.379 and women 00:22:20.379 --> 00:22:20.740 down the 00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:21.240 ages who 00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:21.599 would offer 00:22:21.599 --> 00:22:22.139 their lives 00:22:22.139 --> 00:22:22.819 in service 00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:23.480 of this 00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:23.879 God. 00:22:25.399 --> 00:22:25.799 The words 00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:26.099 of Jim 00:22:26.099 --> 00:22:26.839 Elliot, the 00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:27.759 American 00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:28.480 missionary who 00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:28.899 took the 00:22:28.899 --> 00:22:29.679 gospel to 00:22:29.679 --> 00:22:30.559 an unreached 00:22:30.559 --> 00:22:31.079 tribe in 00:22:31.079 --> 00:22:32.480 Ecuador before 00:22:32.480 --> 00:22:33.299 being tragically 00:22:33.299 --> 00:22:33.859 martyred. 00:22:33.960 --> 00:22:34.439 He is no 00:22:34.439 --> 00:22:35.779 fool who 00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:36.159 gives what 00:22:36.159 --> 00:22:36.619 he cannot 00:22:36.619 --> 00:22:38.059 keep to 00:22:38.059 --> 00:22:38.839 gain that 00:22:38.839 --> 00:22:39.619 which he 00:22:39.619 --> 00:22:40.939 cannot lose. 00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:44.539 I'm yours, 00:22:44.679 --> 00:22:45.079 says Mary, 00:22:45.299 --> 00:22:46.000 I'm yours. 00:22:47.460 --> 00:22:47.759 And you've 00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:48.279 got to admire 00:22:48.279 --> 00:22:48.899 Mary for her 00:22:48.899 --> 00:22:49.500 bravery here, 00:22:49.559 --> 00:22:49.899 don't you? 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:52.000 For her to 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:52.339 walk by 00:22:52.339 --> 00:22:53.740 faith here 00:22:53.740 --> 00:22:54.939 is a very 00:22:54.939 --> 00:22:55.759 costly thing 00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:56.039 in her 00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:56.299 life. 00:22:56.419 --> 00:22:56.859 Think about 00:22:56.859 --> 00:22:57.079 it. 00:22:57.359 --> 00:22:57.619 Put it 00:22:57.619 --> 00:22:58.079 yourself in 00:22:58.079 --> 00:22:58.720 her shoes. 00:22:59.659 --> 00:23:00.220 She, at 00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:00.639 this point, 00:23:00.699 --> 00:23:01.099 has got to 00:23:01.099 --> 00:23:01.639 go and tell 00:23:01.639 --> 00:23:02.579 Joseph that 00:23:02.579 --> 00:23:03.199 she's pregnant 00:23:03.199 --> 00:23:03.599 and he's 00:23:03.599 --> 00:23:03.899 not the 00:23:03.899 --> 00:23:04.259 father. 00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:06.159 May well 00:23:06.159 --> 00:23:06.639 cost her 00:23:06.639 --> 00:23:07.319 her marriage, 00:23:07.359 --> 00:23:07.839 all of those 00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:08.379 dreams of 00:23:08.379 --> 00:23:09.079 children and 00:23:09.079 --> 00:23:09.599 of a family 00:23:09.599 --> 00:23:10.179 home and 00:23:10.179 --> 00:23:11.339 of grandchildren 00:23:11.339 --> 00:23:12.279 may well 00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:13.059 disappear in 00:23:13.059 --> 00:23:13.659 an instant. 00:23:16.259 --> 00:23:16.559 And not 00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:16.859 just with 00:23:16.859 --> 00:23:17.439 Joseph, is 00:23:17.439 --> 00:23:17.819 Mary going 00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:18.199 to take a 00:23:18.199 --> 00:23:18.839 massive risk 00:23:18.839 --> 00:23:18.959 here? 00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:19.240 She's 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:19.799 jeopardizing 00:23:19.799 --> 00:23:20.319 her standing 00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:21.299 in society, 00:23:21.299 --> 00:23:22.659 Nazareth, 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:23.119 as we said 00:23:23.119 --> 00:23:23.319 at the 00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:23.500 beginning, 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:23.839 not a 00:23:23.839 --> 00:23:24.419 big place, 00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:24.759 not an 00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:25.519 awful lot 00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:26.119 going on, 00:23:26.279 --> 00:23:26.759 desperate, I'm 00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:27.079 sure, for 00:23:27.079 --> 00:23:27.659 some gossip. 00:23:28.740 --> 00:23:29.139 And people 00:23:29.139 --> 00:23:29.680 being people 00:23:29.680 --> 00:23:30.259 being people, 00:23:30.319 --> 00:23:30.700 as soon as 00:23:30.700 --> 00:23:31.200 one person 00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:31.619 finds out 00:23:31.619 --> 00:23:32.079 that Mary's 00:23:32.079 --> 00:23:32.619 pregnant, it 00:23:32.619 --> 00:23:33.099 won't be long 00:23:33.099 --> 00:23:33.539 before the 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:34.119 whole time 00:23:34.119 --> 00:23:34.819 finds out, 00:23:34.940 --> 00:23:35.859 and Mary's 00:23:35.859 --> 00:23:36.480 reputation 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:36.980 would be in 00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:37.339 tatters, 00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:38.059 probably along 00:23:38.059 --> 00:23:38.399 with her 00:23:38.399 --> 00:23:39.059 parents. 00:23:40.119 --> 00:23:40.659 Mary's got a 00:23:40.659 --> 00:23:41.200 lot to lose 00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:41.559 here in 00:23:41.559 --> 00:23:42.259 trusting God, 00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:43.819 but she 00:23:43.819 --> 00:23:44.379 declares, 00:23:45.579 --> 00:23:46.759 let it be. 00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:49.660 despite it 00:23:49.660 --> 00:23:50.539 all, she's 00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:51.599 willing to 00:23:51.599 --> 00:23:52.220 surrender her 00:23:52.220 --> 00:23:52.619 life to 00:23:52.619 --> 00:23:53.079 God's will. 00:23:53.160 --> 00:23:53.460 What an 00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:54.200 example that 00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:54.559 is of 00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:55.240 faith, of 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:55.660 fearless 00:23:55.660 --> 00:23:56.220 faith. 00:23:58.920 --> 00:23:59.039 You know, 00:23:59.099 --> 00:23:59.420 as soon as 00:23:59.420 --> 00:24:00.079 we enter the 00:24:00.079 --> 00:24:00.619 season of 00:24:00.619 --> 00:24:01.180 work Christmas 00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:02.039 parties, of 00:24:02.039 --> 00:24:02.740 school nativity 00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:03.519 plays, of 00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:04.259 time with 00:24:04.259 --> 00:24:04.720 friends and 00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:05.259 family, let 00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:05.740 me challenge 00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:06.740 us at the 00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:07.319 outset of 00:24:07.319 --> 00:24:07.660 Advent. 00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:09.000 Are we 00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:09.359 willing to 00:24:09.359 --> 00:24:10.099 be brave for 00:24:10.099 --> 00:24:10.879 our association 00:24:10.879 --> 00:24:11.559 with this 00:24:11.559 --> 00:24:11.839 child? 00:24:11.839 --> 00:24:13.939 Are we 00:24:13.939 --> 00:24:14.740 willing to 00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:15.480 lay our 00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:16.500 reputations on 00:24:16.500 --> 00:24:17.059 the line for 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:17.759 the sake of 00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.500 being obedient 00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:19.259 to God? 00:24:20.339 --> 00:24:21.159 And are we 00:24:21.159 --> 00:24:21.740 willing to 00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:22.579 make Mary's 00:24:22.579 --> 00:24:23.559 declaration, the 00:24:23.559 --> 00:24:24.039 one from her 00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:25.879 heart, our 00:24:25.879 --> 00:24:27.899 declaration, and 00:24:27.899 --> 00:24:29.059 say today that 00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:30.619 God, I am your 00:24:30.619 --> 00:24:31.879 humble servant. 00:24:32.039 --> 00:24:32.539 Let it be. 00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:34.079 Let it be. 00:24:36.459 --> 00:24:37.179 Interesting, if 00:24:37.179 --> 00:24:37.619 you've got a 00:24:37.619 --> 00:24:38.699 KJV there, some 00:24:38.699 --> 00:24:39.139 of the older 00:24:39.139 --> 00:24:39.839 translations of 00:24:39.839 --> 00:24:40.179 the Bible, 00:24:40.359 --> 00:24:41.000 Mary's words are 00:24:41.000 --> 00:24:42.440 recorded as, be 00:24:42.440 --> 00:24:43.400 it unto me 00:24:43.400 --> 00:24:44.680 according to 00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:45.339 thy words. 00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:45.720 That's what it 00:24:45.720 --> 00:24:46.099 says. 00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:47.880 And those 00:24:47.880 --> 00:24:48.420 words are 00:24:48.420 --> 00:24:49.559 extremely close, 00:24:49.579 --> 00:24:50.039 if you think 00:24:50.039 --> 00:24:51.579 about it, to 00:24:51.579 --> 00:24:52.180 the words that 00:24:52.180 --> 00:24:53.640 her boy in 00:24:53.640 --> 00:24:55.000 her womb would 00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:55.779 utter years 00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:57.079 later as he 00:24:57.079 --> 00:24:58.019 found himself 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:59.539 on the eve of 00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:00.940 his death in 00:25:00.940 --> 00:25:01.700 the garden of 00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:02.480 Gethsemane. 00:25:03.380 --> 00:25:04.759 For Jesus, with 00:25:04.759 --> 00:25:05.500 the fear of 00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:06.740 the cross pressing 00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:07.259 in on his 00:25:07.259 --> 00:25:07.839 soul, would 00:25:07.839 --> 00:25:09.980 say, not as 00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:10.559 I will, 00:25:10.559 --> 00:25:11.500 Father, not 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:13.339 as I will, but 00:25:13.339 --> 00:25:14.019 as your will 00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:14.460 be done. 00:25:15.940 --> 00:25:16.579 You see, Mary 00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:17.639 made great 00:25:17.639 --> 00:25:18.679 sacrifices for 00:25:18.679 --> 00:25:19.240 the baby in 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:20.839 her womb, but 00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:22.000 he would make 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.779 an infinitely 00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:23.679 greater one 00:25:23.679 --> 00:25:24.220 for her. 00:25:25.579 --> 00:25:26.299 Mary willingly 00:25:26.299 --> 00:25:27.279 accepted the 00:25:27.279 --> 00:25:28.000 shame that would 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:29.079 come on her for 00:25:29.079 --> 00:25:30.039 bearing this 00:25:30.039 --> 00:25:31.859 child, but 00:25:31.859 --> 00:25:32.519 Jesus would 00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:33.639 bear the shame 00:25:33.639 --> 00:25:34.700 for the sin of 00:25:34.700 --> 00:25:35.379 the world on 00:25:35.379 --> 00:25:36.940 himself as he 00:25:36.940 --> 00:25:37.639 made the 00:25:37.639 --> 00:25:38.659 greatest ever 00:25:38.660 --> 00:25:39.519 sacrifice, 00:25:39.700 --> 00:25:40.460 surrendering his 00:25:40.460 --> 00:25:40.940 life on the 00:25:40.940 --> 00:25:41.759 cross for the 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:43.240 sin of his 00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:43.720 people. 00:25:44.300 --> 00:25:45.060 The sacrifice 00:25:45.060 --> 00:25:45.400 we'll be 00:25:45.400 --> 00:25:46.040 remembering in 00:25:46.040 --> 00:25:46.480 just a few 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:47.060 moments' time 00:25:47.060 --> 00:25:47.480 when we take 00:25:47.480 --> 00:25:48.279 communion together. 00:25:49.779 --> 00:25:50.320 And the 00:25:50.320 --> 00:25:50.759 words of that 00:25:50.759 --> 00:25:51.320 old hymn, 00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:52.580 bearing shame 00:25:52.580 --> 00:25:53.340 and scoffing 00:25:53.340 --> 00:25:55.000 rude, in my 00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:56.100 place condemned 00:25:56.100 --> 00:25:58.160 he stood, sealed 00:25:58.160 --> 00:25:59.279 my pardon with 00:25:59.279 --> 00:25:59.779 his blood. 00:25:59.980 --> 00:26:01.900 Hallelujah, what 00:26:01.900 --> 00:26:03.000 a savior. 00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:03.160 here. 00:26:05.640 --> 00:26:06.299 Friends, just as 00:26:06.299 --> 00:26:07.119 we close, I 00:26:07.119 --> 00:26:07.660 wonder if you've 00:26:07.660 --> 00:26:09.380 had fun maybe 00:26:09.380 --> 00:26:10.059 yesterday opening 00:26:10.059 --> 00:26:10.700 the first day of 00:26:10.700 --> 00:26:11.059 your advent 00:26:11.059 --> 00:26:11.460 calendar. 00:26:11.559 --> 00:26:11.819 Did we have 00:26:11.819 --> 00:26:12.220 fun with that 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:12.599 yesterday? 00:26:13.480 --> 00:26:13.660 Yeah? 00:26:14.079 --> 00:26:14.640 Love a bit of 00:26:14.640 --> 00:26:15.220 chocolate, any 00:26:15.220 --> 00:26:15.920 excuse will do. 00:26:16.180 --> 00:26:16.640 I find it 00:26:16.640 --> 00:26:19.000 fascinating that 00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:19.720 everyone in our 00:26:19.720 --> 00:26:20.480 society does 00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:20.819 advent. 00:26:21.019 --> 00:26:21.180 Do you know 00:26:21.180 --> 00:26:21.660 what I find 00:26:21.660 --> 00:26:22.400 that fascinating? 00:26:23.700 --> 00:26:24.480 Find that really 00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:24.940 interesting. 00:26:25.039 --> 00:26:25.160 Do you know 00:26:25.160 --> 00:26:26.019 what advent means? 00:26:27.180 --> 00:26:27.759 It just means 00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:28.160 coming. 00:26:29.599 --> 00:26:29.980 It just means 00:26:29.980 --> 00:26:30.319 coming. 00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:32.039 We're counting 00:26:32.039 --> 00:26:32.839 down the days 00:26:32.839 --> 00:26:33.839 to Jesus' 00:26:34.419 --> 00:26:35.220 first coming 00:26:35.220 --> 00:26:35.740 into the world. 00:26:35.819 --> 00:26:36.179 That's what we're 00:26:36.179 --> 00:26:36.679 doing as we're 00:26:36.679 --> 00:26:37.099 opening those 00:26:37.099 --> 00:26:38.459 little windows, 00:26:38.599 --> 00:26:38.779 isn't it? 00:26:38.819 --> 00:26:39.319 We're counting 00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:40.000 down the days 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:41.079 to his first 00:26:41.079 --> 00:26:41.859 coming into the 00:26:41.859 --> 00:26:42.059 world. 00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:42.759 Friends, if you're 00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:43.240 looking for a 00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:43.879 wonderful way 00:26:43.879 --> 00:26:44.679 into an evangelistic 00:26:44.679 --> 00:26:45.519 conversation this 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:46.319 week, go with 00:26:46.319 --> 00:26:46.619 advent. 00:26:46.779 --> 00:26:46.939 Do you know 00:26:46.939 --> 00:26:47.240 what advent 00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:47.879 really means? 00:26:48.459 --> 00:26:48.699 Do you know 00:26:48.699 --> 00:26:49.019 what advent 00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.699 really means? 00:26:51.179 --> 00:26:51.859 But as we 00:26:51.859 --> 00:26:52.459 celebrate his 00:26:52.459 --> 00:26:53.000 first coming, 00:26:53.099 --> 00:26:53.839 let's remember, 00:26:53.980 --> 00:26:54.799 like Mary here, 00:26:54.879 --> 00:26:55.399 that we are 00:26:55.399 --> 00:26:56.779 waiting on a 00:26:56.779 --> 00:26:57.079 coming. 00:26:58.379 --> 00:26:58.799 Now, we're not 00:26:58.799 --> 00:26:59.399 waiting on his 00:26:59.399 --> 00:27:00.099 first coming. 00:27:01.159 --> 00:27:02.240 We, on the 00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:02.900 other side, 00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:04.160 awaiting on his 00:27:04.160 --> 00:27:04.980 second coming. 00:27:06.140 --> 00:27:06.859 When he won't 00:27:06.859 --> 00:27:07.559 come as meek and 00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:09.420 mild Jesus, he 00:27:09.420 --> 00:27:10.059 will come as 00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:10.839 judging and 00:27:10.839 --> 00:27:12.039 victorious Jesus, 00:27:12.539 --> 00:27:13.359 and he will make 00:27:13.359 --> 00:27:14.440 right all that is 00:27:14.440 --> 00:27:15.480 wrong with the 00:27:15.480 --> 00:27:15.799 world. 00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:18.019 Now, as we think 00:27:18.019 --> 00:27:18.680 about the promise, 00:27:18.779 --> 00:27:19.299 not of his first 00:27:19.299 --> 00:27:19.839 coming, we think 00:27:19.839 --> 00:27:20.160 about the 00:27:20.160 --> 00:27:20.839 fulfillment of the 00:27:20.839 --> 00:27:21.319 promise of his 00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:21.880 first coming, we 00:27:21.880 --> 00:27:22.440 think about the 00:27:22.440 --> 00:27:23.039 promise of his 00:27:23.039 --> 00:27:23.960 second coming. 00:27:24.279 --> 00:27:24.980 What have we got 00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:25.599 to go on? 00:27:26.380 --> 00:27:26.920 What have we got 00:27:26.920 --> 00:27:27.420 to go on? 00:27:28.640 --> 00:27:29.460 What we've got to 00:27:29.460 --> 00:27:30.339 go on is exactly 00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:31.419 what Mary had 00:27:31.419 --> 00:27:31.899 to go on 00:27:31.899 --> 00:27:32.240 here. 00:27:33.339 --> 00:27:33.939 She's staking 00:27:33.939 --> 00:27:35.299 it all on the 00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:36.319 promise of 00:27:36.319 --> 00:27:36.740 God. 00:27:37.419 --> 00:27:38.179 She's staking 00:27:38.179 --> 00:27:38.980 it all on the 00:27:38.980 --> 00:27:39.799 truth that she 00:27:39.799 --> 00:27:40.399 knows in her 00:27:40.399 --> 00:27:41.379 life, that this 00:27:41.379 --> 00:27:43.579 God keeps his 00:27:43.579 --> 00:27:44.139 promises. 00:27:44.339 --> 00:27:45.119 She's staking it 00:27:45.119 --> 00:27:46.159 all on the 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:47.319 word of the 00:27:47.319 --> 00:27:47.619 Lord. 00:27:48.919 --> 00:27:49.379 And that's 00:27:49.379 --> 00:27:49.839 where we find 00:27:49.839 --> 00:27:50.539 ourselves in the 00:27:50.539 --> 00:27:50.859 story. 00:27:51.679 --> 00:27:52.439 So as we open 00:27:52.439 --> 00:27:52.859 our Advent 00:27:52.859 --> 00:27:53.439 calendars, 00:27:53.519 --> 00:27:53.899 friends, let's 00:27:53.899 --> 00:27:54.480 remember we are 00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:55.299 celebrating the 00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:55.919 first coming, but 00:27:55.919 --> 00:27:56.919 we are awaiting the 00:27:56.919 --> 00:27:57.519 second coming. 00:27:58.919 --> 00:27:59.480 George Michael 00:27:59.480 --> 00:28:00.059 wrote a song 00:28:00.059 --> 00:28:00.380 about the 00:28:00.380 --> 00:28:01.079 person in his 00:28:01.079 --> 00:28:01.779 life who broke 00:28:01.779 --> 00:28:02.400 their promises. 00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:04.759 Mary says, come 00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:05.039 and have a 00:28:05.039 --> 00:28:05.599 listen to my 00:28:05.599 --> 00:28:05.860 song. 00:28:05.920 --> 00:28:06.259 I think that's 00:28:06.259 --> 00:28:06.819 why Luke wrote 00:28:06.819 --> 00:28:07.200 it, wasn't 00:28:07.200 --> 00:28:07.360 it? 00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:07.920 Come and have 00:28:07.920 --> 00:28:08.360 a listen to 00:28:08.360 --> 00:28:08.880 her song. 00:28:10.380 --> 00:28:10.839 And let her 00:28:10.839 --> 00:28:12.500 tell you just 00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:13.140 how good her 00:28:13.140 --> 00:28:13.720 God is. 00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:14.920 And let her 00:28:14.920 --> 00:28:16.019 tell you about 00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:17.039 the God who 00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:17.900 keeps his 00:28:17.900 --> 00:28:18.259 promises. 00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:18.660 And don't 00:28:18.660 --> 00:28:19.480 just admire the 00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:19.740 song. 00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:20.839 Don't just 00:28:20.839 --> 00:28:21.319 admire the 00:28:21.319 --> 00:28:21.519 song. 00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:22.660 Come and be 00:28:22.660 --> 00:28:23.160 part of the 00:28:23.160 --> 00:28:23.420 song. 00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:24.539 And make 00:28:24.539 --> 00:28:25.759 this song your 00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:26.160 song. 00:28:26.680 --> 00:28:27.599 For this God, 00:28:28.180 --> 00:28:28.860 he has done 00:28:28.859 --> 00:28:29.859 great things 00:28:29.859 --> 00:28:30.439 for me, says 00:28:30.439 --> 00:28:30.759 Mary. 00:28:31.299 --> 00:28:31.659 And his 00:28:31.659 --> 00:28:32.579 mercy, and 00:28:32.579 --> 00:28:32.959 here's the 00:28:32.959 --> 00:28:33.639 invitation to 00:28:33.639 --> 00:28:34.179 come to know 00:28:34.179 --> 00:28:34.759 this God this 00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:35.240 morning, his 00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:37.139 mercy extends to 00:28:37.139 --> 00:28:37.859 those who fear 00:28:37.859 --> 00:28:38.979 him from 00:28:38.979 --> 00:28:40.579 generation to 00:28:40.579 --> 00:28:41.199 generation. 00:28:41.719 --> 00:28:42.439 This is the 00:28:42.439 --> 00:28:43.679 God who keeps 00:28:43.679 --> 00:28:44.699 his promises. 00:28:45.519 --> 00:28:46.079 Let's pray. 00:28:49.119 --> 00:28:49.439 And so 00:28:49.439 --> 00:28:49.919 Father, in the 00:28:49.919 --> 00:28:50.539 silence now we 00:28:50.539 --> 00:28:51.019 would just offer 00:28:51.019 --> 00:28:51.679 to you our own 00:28:51.679 --> 00:28:52.199 prayers. 00:28:53.399 --> 00:28:54.559 As we begin to 00:28:54.559 --> 00:28:55.219 think about 00:28:55.219 --> 00:28:56.379 Christmas, as we 00:28:56.379 --> 00:28:57.079 begin to think 00:28:57.079 --> 00:28:57.960 about Advent and 00:28:57.960 --> 00:28:59.179 everything that 00:28:59.179 --> 00:29:00.039 comes with that. 00:29:01.720 --> 00:29:02.339 And Lord, in the 00:29:02.339 --> 00:29:03.079 silence now we 00:29:03.079 --> 00:29:03.480 would want to 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:04.240 make Mary's 00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:04.799 prayer our 00:29:04.799 --> 00:29:07.199 prayer and say 00:29:07.199 --> 00:29:07.919 let it be. 00:29:09.139 --> 00:29:10.019 Let it be. 00:29:15.339 --> 00:29:15.919 And so 00:29:15.919 --> 00:29:16.419 thank you for 00:29:16.419 --> 00:29:16.839 the wonderful 00:29:16.839 --> 00:29:18.240 truth that you 00:29:18.240 --> 00:29:18.759 are the God 00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:19.359 who makes all 00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:20.179 things possible. 00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:22.220 That you are 00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:22.819 the God who 00:29:22.819 --> 00:29:24.259 loves us so 00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:25.259 much that you 00:29:25.259 --> 00:29:25.839 would send 00:29:25.839 --> 00:29:27.259 your Son to 00:29:27.259 --> 00:29:28.359 find us and 00:29:28.359 --> 00:29:29.379 to seek us and 00:29:29.379 --> 00:29:30.200 to save us. 00:29:31.160 --> 00:29:31.539 And Lord, I 00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:32.200 pray that as we 00:29:32.200 --> 00:29:32.700 journey through 00:29:32.700 --> 00:29:33.379 Advent, as we 00:29:33.379 --> 00:29:33.740 journey through 00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:34.539 this little series 00:29:34.539 --> 00:29:35.299 as a church, that 00:29:35.299 --> 00:29:35.799 you would help 00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:37.839 us to savor your 00:29:37.839 --> 00:29:38.839 greatness more. 00:29:39.819 --> 00:29:40.539 And so it's in 00:29:40.539 --> 00:29:41.619 Jesus' precious 00:29:41.619 --> 00:29:42.400 and worthy name 00:29:42.400 --> 00:29:42.900 that we pray. 00:29:43.619 --> 00:29:44.000 Amen.