WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.919 Let's pray together. 00:00:06.259 --> 00:00:09.439 Our great triune God, we come to you this morning as your people, 00:00:09.679 --> 00:00:11.859 and we come to you at this time of the year. 00:00:13.019 --> 00:00:15.880 And we would ask this morning that you, God, through your word, 00:00:16.500 --> 00:00:18.059 as a ministry of your spirit, 00:00:19.400 --> 00:00:24.420 God, would you do a work of wonder in our hearts? 00:00:24.420 --> 00:00:32.000 Would you bring to our minds the wonder of Christmas? 00:00:33.880 --> 00:00:37.900 God, we pray that you would meet us, continue to meet us, 00:00:38.359 --> 00:00:42.900 and that we would leave here poised to walk through this season, 00:00:43.760 --> 00:00:47.280 not just to close out on the 26th, 00:00:48.299 --> 00:00:52.020 but to be wondrous into the new year. 00:00:52.020 --> 00:00:56.040 God, meet us, we ask in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:56.540 --> 00:00:57.380 You may be seated. 00:00:57.540 --> 00:01:01.320 Children, you are excused to your Sunday school classes. 00:01:02.600 --> 00:01:04.280 And I just want to take a minute here. 00:01:05.079 --> 00:01:11.180 This morning is David Ulrich's last time serving us as our worship leader. 00:01:11.620 --> 00:01:14.340 And he has stepped in about a year and a half ago 00:01:14.340 --> 00:01:16.859 when we were going through some hard times as a church. 00:01:16.859 --> 00:01:22.439 And David, Lexi, thank you so much for faithfully serving us as a congregation. 00:01:23.219 --> 00:01:24.959 We are so grateful for you. 00:01:25.280 --> 00:01:25.819 Thank you. 00:01:28.840 --> 00:01:32.579 And just personally, I'm extremely grateful for you, David. 00:01:33.120 --> 00:01:34.000 Thank you so much. 00:01:36.280 --> 00:01:37.859 Well, it is upon us. 00:01:38.019 --> 00:01:39.599 Christmas time has come. 00:01:39.599 --> 00:01:42.899 I'm not sure if you noticed this, 00:01:43.099 --> 00:01:49.060 but the 24-hour Christmas music cycle began a little early this year. 00:01:50.359 --> 00:01:53.439 In fact, my wife, in principle, said, 00:01:53.579 --> 00:01:58.699 I will not listen to the Christmas music until Thanksgiving is done. 00:01:59.719 --> 00:02:03.379 I, on the other hand, started sneakily listening to the Christmas music. 00:02:03.379 --> 00:02:06.819 It was not a point of divisiveness between us. 00:02:08.340 --> 00:02:09.840 But it started early. 00:02:10.000 --> 00:02:12.680 So Christmas music, 24 hours. 00:02:13.479 --> 00:02:15.680 Christmas catalogs coming in. 00:02:16.560 --> 00:02:20.180 Christmas decorations being hung, lit up. 00:02:20.319 --> 00:02:23.079 Christmas food being prepared and thought of. 00:02:23.479 --> 00:02:26.579 Christmas TV, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. 00:02:27.539 --> 00:02:29.719 Elf, Miracle on 34th Street. 00:02:30.039 --> 00:02:31.019 It's a Wonderful Life. 00:02:31.019 --> 00:02:32.219 It's all lining up. 00:02:33.379 --> 00:02:37.539 Our culture, the culture that we're living in, 00:02:38.180 --> 00:02:43.159 is creating an atmosphere of wonder around this season. 00:02:45.740 --> 00:02:46.719 Here's the deal. 00:02:49.280 --> 00:02:51.120 It doesn't revive your soul. 00:02:53.719 --> 00:02:57.439 At best, all these things, and they're good. 00:02:58.419 --> 00:02:59.159 They're temporary. 00:02:59.159 --> 00:03:03.379 And as a pastor, you know what I want to help you get ready for? 00:03:03.579 --> 00:03:07.159 I want you to get ready for December 25th. 00:03:07.460 --> 00:03:11.000 And so on the Christmas Eve, during that service, 00:03:11.099 --> 00:03:13.699 we're singing our souls out to our wonderful God. 00:03:14.219 --> 00:03:17.620 But when December 26th rolls around, 00:03:18.800 --> 00:03:22.039 you guys don't drop off in a depression. 00:03:22.039 --> 00:03:30.359 You know, who is the owner, as of yet, of a real Christmas tree? 00:03:31.439 --> 00:03:32.039 We are. 00:03:32.139 --> 00:03:34.840 We went and got our Christmas tree this past Monday and set it up. 00:03:36.120 --> 00:03:38.359 And what will inevitably happen is, 00:03:38.519 --> 00:03:40.039 no matter how much we water it, 00:03:40.379 --> 00:03:44.000 this tree, which is so fragrant right now with pine in our house, 00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:48.080 it's little needles are soft, the bows are tender. 00:03:48.759 --> 00:03:50.240 You know, you reach in to fill water, 00:03:50.319 --> 00:03:52.060 you don't have needles drop all around you. 00:03:52.120 --> 00:03:54.180 It's still kind of living. 00:03:55.300 --> 00:03:56.879 But what inevitably happens is, 00:03:57.439 --> 00:03:58.740 it slowly dries out. 00:04:00.379 --> 00:04:01.960 The needles start dropping, 00:04:02.099 --> 00:04:03.060 the bows get brittle. 00:04:03.060 --> 00:04:08.080 It's a little metaphor of what many of us experience. 00:04:08.900 --> 00:04:11.099 By the time December 26th around, 00:04:11.560 --> 00:04:14.819 we don't want any of us to be like a discarded Christmas tree 00:04:14.819 --> 00:04:17.079 that's dry and brittle 00:04:17.079 --> 00:04:20.699 and gets to start it in the city pickups. 00:04:22.899 --> 00:04:25.100 Here's what we're looking to do this Christmas time. 00:04:25.860 --> 00:04:28.379 We believe God's word revives us. 00:04:28.379 --> 00:04:34.040 And we want this season for us all to be a time of reviving. 00:04:34.860 --> 00:04:38.319 A time not of needles dropping, but of bearing fruit. 00:04:39.379 --> 00:04:42.199 A time of not growing brittle, 00:04:42.420 --> 00:04:45.219 but of growing tender to the Lord. 00:04:45.779 --> 00:04:47.860 Not of hardening, but of softening. 00:04:48.339 --> 00:04:51.379 And so this month, starting today, 00:04:51.620 --> 00:04:54.300 we're doing a little series called Reclaiming Christmas. 00:04:54.899 --> 00:04:55.699 And so this morning, 00:04:55.699 --> 00:04:58.100 we're going to reclaim the wonder of Christmas 00:04:58.100 --> 00:04:59.080 the true wonder. 00:04:59.660 --> 00:05:02.520 Next Sunday, we're going to reclaim the joy of Christmas, 00:05:03.080 --> 00:05:04.460 the true joy of Christmas. 00:05:04.860 --> 00:05:08.220 Then we're going to reclaim the glory of Christmas. 00:05:08.400 --> 00:05:09.240 On Christmas Eve, 00:05:09.460 --> 00:05:11.860 we're going to reclaim the worship, 00:05:12.200 --> 00:05:13.460 the praise of Christmas. 00:05:13.879 --> 00:05:15.300 And then Christmas isn't done. 00:05:15.700 --> 00:05:18.600 We're going all the way through to New Year's Eve. 00:05:18.780 --> 00:05:19.900 And on that Sunday, 00:05:19.960 --> 00:05:21.660 we're going to reclaim the mission, 00:05:22.400 --> 00:05:24.640 the purpose of Christmas. 00:05:24.639 --> 00:05:28.740 And this morning, we're talking about wonder. 00:05:29.740 --> 00:05:35.319 And wonder is simply that experience of awe and amazement 00:05:35.319 --> 00:05:39.779 every one of us in this room have experienced in some measure. 00:05:39.779 --> 00:05:47.459 Who hasn't walked out of their homes on a crisp January Wisconsin morning 00:05:47.459 --> 00:05:50.479 to a fresh fall of four inches of snow? 00:05:50.939 --> 00:05:51.939 And you walk out, 00:05:52.059 --> 00:05:55.599 and instantly your lungs are filled with that cold, chilly air. 00:05:55.959 --> 00:05:58.319 And it is something good about it. 00:05:58.579 --> 00:06:02.539 You hear your boots crunching on that four inches of virgin snow. 00:06:02.540 --> 00:06:09.640 Your eyes alight on all the winter wonderland of white spread apart. 00:06:09.740 --> 00:06:10.780 It's a blanket. 00:06:11.280 --> 00:06:12.379 It's bright. 00:06:12.640 --> 00:06:14.580 It's sparkling in the sunlight. 00:06:15.360 --> 00:06:17.560 And as you tune your ears to it, 00:06:17.820 --> 00:06:19.960 there is a muffled silence. 00:06:21.360 --> 00:06:22.320 It's wonderful. 00:06:22.319 --> 00:06:28.779 You've experienced wonder too when you've held a little infant in your hands. 00:06:29.879 --> 00:06:30.819 Newly born. 00:06:31.839 --> 00:06:32.599 And you're thinking, 00:06:33.199 --> 00:06:36.219 wow, this child, 00:06:37.199 --> 00:06:38.000 fully human. 00:06:38.839 --> 00:06:41.600 It's got his life in front of him. 00:06:41.800 --> 00:06:43.379 And if you're a parent of this child, 00:06:43.620 --> 00:06:45.219 you have this sense of wonder. 00:06:45.420 --> 00:06:48.379 It's like, this baby is dependent on me. 00:06:48.379 --> 00:06:53.079 We've all experienced wonder to some degree. 00:06:54.920 --> 00:06:57.000 This culture that we live in 00:06:57.000 --> 00:07:01.439 tends to try to fabricate a wonder around this time. 00:07:01.879 --> 00:07:03.319 It doesn't last. 00:07:04.879 --> 00:07:07.399 You know what happens on December 26th 00:07:07.399 --> 00:07:09.560 with your 24-hour Christmas music station? 00:07:10.779 --> 00:07:12.879 They go back to what they were playing before. 00:07:16.000 --> 00:07:17.279 By December 26th, 00:07:17.279 --> 00:07:18.039 you're thinking about, 00:07:18.199 --> 00:07:19.859 how do I work off all this weight I gain 00:07:19.859 --> 00:07:20.819 with all this Christmas food? 00:07:23.159 --> 00:07:24.699 December 26th rolls around, 00:07:24.779 --> 00:07:25.179 and you're thinking, 00:07:25.359 --> 00:07:26.739 how long do we have the lights up? 00:07:28.159 --> 00:07:29.539 December 26th rolls around, 00:07:29.619 --> 00:07:30.019 and you're thinking, 00:07:30.500 --> 00:07:31.599 when do we take the tree down, 00:07:31.659 --> 00:07:32.699 and when do we bring it to the dump? 00:07:35.339 --> 00:07:36.819 December 26th 00:07:37.819 --> 00:07:38.939 will come, 00:07:39.659 --> 00:07:42.019 and the wonder of this world 00:07:42.019 --> 00:07:43.419 will suddenly stop. 00:07:43.420 --> 00:07:47.640 But the wonder of God's word 00:07:47.640 --> 00:07:49.140 never stops. 00:07:50.640 --> 00:07:51.620 And so this morning, 00:07:52.379 --> 00:07:53.540 this Christmas, 00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:55.400 I want to help you 00:07:55.400 --> 00:07:57.500 get your wonder on. 00:07:58.379 --> 00:07:59.379 To wonder 00:07:59.379 --> 00:08:01.160 at God's word 00:08:01.160 --> 00:08:02.439 and what God has to say 00:08:02.439 --> 00:08:03.500 about Christmas. 00:08:05.379 --> 00:08:06.580 And so this morning, 00:08:06.680 --> 00:08:08.040 I'm going to try to 00:08:08.040 --> 00:08:09.460 fill your heart 00:08:09.460 --> 00:08:10.400 with wonder 00:08:10.400 --> 00:08:12.080 from God's word. 00:08:12.079 --> 00:08:13.219 So we're going to look at 00:08:13.219 --> 00:08:14.479 three wonders this morning. 00:08:15.019 --> 00:08:16.039 The wonder of the plan, 00:08:16.180 --> 00:08:17.180 the wonder of the person, 00:08:17.359 --> 00:08:19.000 and the wonder of the purpose. 00:08:20.300 --> 00:08:20.859 And typically, 00:08:21.060 --> 00:08:21.839 I just preach through 00:08:21.839 --> 00:08:22.959 a section of the Bible. 00:08:23.199 --> 00:08:24.300 This morning's a little different. 00:08:24.839 --> 00:08:25.360 I'm going to be 00:08:25.360 --> 00:08:26.459 kind of preaching 00:08:26.459 --> 00:08:27.360 kind of more of a 00:08:27.360 --> 00:08:28.079 theological meditation, 00:08:28.879 --> 00:08:29.419 reflections 00:08:29.419 --> 00:08:31.799 on the wonder of the plan, 00:08:32.340 --> 00:08:33.600 the wonder of the person, 00:08:34.220 --> 00:08:36.059 and the wonder of the purpose. 00:08:36.720 --> 00:08:37.720 So you guys ready 00:08:37.720 --> 00:08:38.819 to get your wonder on? 00:08:38.820 --> 00:08:42.280 Let's talk about 00:08:42.280 --> 00:08:44.340 the wonder of his plan. 00:08:45.379 --> 00:08:46.300 Have you ever been 00:08:46.300 --> 00:08:47.420 leaving on a road trip 00:08:47.420 --> 00:08:48.120 from your home 00:08:48.120 --> 00:08:49.320 and you're out the door, 00:08:49.440 --> 00:08:50.220 you're in the car, 00:08:50.480 --> 00:08:51.140 who knows who's 00:08:51.140 --> 00:08:51.879 in the car with you, 00:08:52.120 --> 00:08:53.260 but you're going down, 00:08:53.379 --> 00:08:54.540 you're a minute in, 00:08:54.620 --> 00:08:55.420 and then all of a sudden 00:08:55.420 --> 00:08:56.120 someone says, 00:08:56.980 --> 00:08:57.640 I forgot, 00:08:58.300 --> 00:08:59.860 I forgot to go to the bathroom, 00:09:00.780 --> 00:09:03.300 I forgot to turn off the stove, 00:09:03.740 --> 00:09:04.800 I forgot to close 00:09:04.800 --> 00:09:05.600 the garage door, 00:09:05.860 --> 00:09:07.500 I forgot to lock the door, 00:09:07.500 --> 00:09:09.059 I forgot to pack, 00:09:09.259 --> 00:09:09.879 I forgot, 00:09:10.059 --> 00:09:10.960 and so what do you have to do? 00:09:11.039 --> 00:09:11.960 You got to go back. 00:09:14.120 --> 00:09:15.139 You got to go back, 00:09:15.179 --> 00:09:16.039 you get it all done, 00:09:16.100 --> 00:09:17.139 and then you leave again. 00:09:18.559 --> 00:09:20.100 As followers of Jesus 00:09:20.100 --> 00:09:21.299 living in this culture 00:09:21.299 --> 00:09:22.559 and living in this time, 00:09:22.639 --> 00:09:23.480 do you know what can happen? 00:09:24.559 --> 00:09:26.440 The culture Christmas bus 00:09:26.440 --> 00:09:27.360 can leave 00:09:27.360 --> 00:09:29.980 and can start heading down 00:09:29.980 --> 00:09:32.559 that road of Christmas 2017 00:09:32.559 --> 00:09:34.360 and we find ourselves on it 00:09:34.360 --> 00:09:35.960 and then we have to ask, 00:09:35.960 --> 00:09:37.460 did I forget something? 00:09:38.920 --> 00:09:40.180 And many of us 00:09:40.180 --> 00:09:41.379 forget 00:09:41.379 --> 00:09:44.180 the wonder 00:09:44.180 --> 00:09:46.540 of Christmas. 00:09:47.920 --> 00:09:48.379 So, 00:09:48.560 --> 00:09:49.420 let me help you 00:09:49.420 --> 00:09:50.240 get your wonder on. 00:09:55.900 --> 00:09:56.700 One of the things 00:09:56.700 --> 00:09:57.720 that can happen to us 00:09:57.720 --> 00:09:59.100 as we celebrate Christmas 00:09:59.100 --> 00:10:00.060 is that we can just 00:10:00.060 --> 00:10:01.019 kind of focus us 00:10:01.019 --> 00:10:02.480 on the here and now 00:10:02.480 --> 00:10:03.480 of a particular Christmas. 00:10:03.480 --> 00:10:04.200 Christmas, 00:10:04.399 --> 00:10:06.720 December 2017 00:10:06.720 --> 00:10:08.480 and it occupies 00:10:08.480 --> 00:10:09.039 our thinking 00:10:09.039 --> 00:10:10.060 and it occupies 00:10:10.060 --> 00:10:10.759 our planning. 00:10:11.379 --> 00:10:12.480 But just like 00:10:12.480 --> 00:10:14.000 leaving down a road 00:10:14.000 --> 00:10:14.940 and realizing 00:10:14.940 --> 00:10:16.060 you've forgotten something, 00:10:16.379 --> 00:10:17.480 I want to bring you back 00:10:18.080 --> 00:10:19.700 this Christmas time. 00:10:20.420 --> 00:10:22.139 I want to bring you back 00:10:22.139 --> 00:10:23.700 so you don't forget 00:10:23.700 --> 00:10:25.340 what is central 00:10:25.340 --> 00:10:26.360 to Christmas, 00:10:27.100 --> 00:10:27.480 the wonder. 00:10:28.920 --> 00:10:29.180 And so, 00:10:29.259 --> 00:10:30.420 let's go back first 00:10:30.419 --> 00:10:31.699 by going back 00:10:31.699 --> 00:10:33.079 to the first century 00:10:33.079 --> 00:10:34.459 in Bethlehem 00:10:34.459 --> 00:10:36.459 2,000 years ago. 00:10:36.899 --> 00:10:37.740 And I'm just going to 00:10:37.740 --> 00:10:38.899 kind of move quickly 00:10:38.899 --> 00:10:39.360 through this. 00:10:39.439 --> 00:10:40.079 I just want to start 00:10:40.079 --> 00:10:40.799 getting some things 00:10:40.799 --> 00:10:41.360 in your mind. 00:10:42.139 --> 00:10:43.219 That there is a plan 00:10:43.219 --> 00:10:43.839 in place 00:10:43.839 --> 00:10:46.379 and it's a wonderful plan. 00:10:48.139 --> 00:10:49.539 In Matthew 118, 00:10:49.759 --> 00:10:51.419 118 through 23, 00:10:52.299 --> 00:10:53.299 an angel appears 00:10:53.299 --> 00:10:53.860 to Joseph 00:10:53.860 --> 00:10:55.240 and he tells him 00:10:55.240 --> 00:10:57.439 that his fiancee 00:10:57.439 --> 00:10:58.139 who's pregnant, 00:10:58.139 --> 00:10:59.740 he shouldn't divorce her, 00:10:59.819 --> 00:11:00.639 he shouldn't put her away 00:11:00.639 --> 00:11:02.179 because she's been conceived 00:11:02.179 --> 00:11:03.139 by the Holy Spirit 00:11:03.139 --> 00:11:05.100 with a child from God. 00:11:07.519 --> 00:11:07.899 And so, 00:11:08.039 --> 00:11:09.480 of all the little baby boys 00:11:09.480 --> 00:11:11.340 born 2,000 years ago, 00:11:11.679 --> 00:11:13.259 there was one of them 00:11:13.259 --> 00:11:15.139 who an angel is saying, 00:11:15.539 --> 00:11:17.460 this one is unique. 00:11:19.299 --> 00:11:20.740 In Matthew 2, 00:11:20.919 --> 00:11:22.080 verses 1 through 6, 00:11:22.460 --> 00:11:24.059 Herod is approached 00:11:24.059 --> 00:11:25.000 by some wise men 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:25.819 who have seen 00:11:25.820 --> 00:11:27.840 this child's star 00:11:27.840 --> 00:11:28.700 in the sky 00:11:28.700 --> 00:11:30.400 and they ask Herod 00:11:30.400 --> 00:11:31.840 where the king 00:11:31.840 --> 00:11:32.720 of the Jews is. 00:11:33.560 --> 00:11:34.620 The king of the Jews 00:11:34.620 --> 00:11:35.960 appears at the beginning 00:11:35.960 --> 00:11:36.580 of Matthew 00:11:36.580 --> 00:11:38.160 and at the end 00:11:38.160 --> 00:11:38.760 of the Matthew. 00:11:39.379 --> 00:11:40.360 At the end of Matthew, 00:11:40.820 --> 00:11:41.860 it's on the plaque 00:11:41.860 --> 00:11:43.260 above Jesus' head 00:11:43.260 --> 00:11:44.160 on the cross. 00:11:46.700 --> 00:11:47.780 But they ask Herod, 00:11:47.860 --> 00:11:48.340 where is the king 00:11:48.340 --> 00:11:48.740 of the Jews? 00:11:49.120 --> 00:11:49.480 Herod says, 00:11:49.540 --> 00:11:50.600 let me talk to my guys. 00:11:50.920 --> 00:11:52.040 His guys tell him 00:11:52.040 --> 00:11:52.820 that the Messiah, 00:11:53.560 --> 00:11:54.080 the Christ, 00:11:54.080 --> 00:11:54.920 is going to be born 00:11:54.920 --> 00:11:56.259 in Bethlehem of Judea. 00:11:57.080 --> 00:11:57.879 So what we learn 00:11:57.879 --> 00:11:59.000 from that first century 00:11:59.000 --> 00:12:00.740 is that this child 00:12:00.740 --> 00:12:02.540 is going to be born. 00:12:02.639 --> 00:12:03.120 It's announced 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:03.980 by an angel. 00:12:04.400 --> 00:12:05.379 He's going to be born 00:12:05.379 --> 00:12:06.960 to Joseph's fiancee 00:12:07.600 --> 00:12:08.879 who has miraculously 00:12:08.879 --> 00:12:09.700 gotten pregnant 00:12:09.700 --> 00:12:11.040 and he's going to be born 00:12:11.040 --> 00:12:11.720 in Bethlehem. 00:12:13.600 --> 00:12:14.720 And in Luke chapter 1, 00:12:14.759 --> 00:12:16.280 verses 26 through 33, 00:12:16.840 --> 00:12:18.040 Gabriel the angel 00:12:18.040 --> 00:12:19.160 goes to Mary 00:12:19.160 --> 00:12:20.440 and tells Mary 00:12:20.440 --> 00:12:22.020 that she's going to be 00:12:22.019 --> 00:12:23.980 pregnant from the Holy Spirit. 00:12:25.439 --> 00:12:27.259 And what's most interesting 00:12:27.259 --> 00:12:29.980 there is that this child 00:12:29.980 --> 00:12:30.960 to be born to her, 00:12:32.139 --> 00:12:32.899 he's going to reign 00:12:32.899 --> 00:12:34.500 on David's throne forever. 00:12:36.379 --> 00:12:37.079 And so not only 00:12:37.079 --> 00:12:38.100 is this child, 00:12:38.419 --> 00:12:39.299 from going back 00:12:39.299 --> 00:12:41.279 to just the first century, 00:12:41.399 --> 00:12:41.960 we learn this is 00:12:41.960 --> 00:12:42.840 a unique child 00:12:42.840 --> 00:12:43.819 born of a virgin, 00:12:44.720 --> 00:12:45.779 born in Bethlehem, 00:12:46.199 --> 00:12:47.399 born to reign forever 00:12:47.399 --> 00:12:48.319 on David's throne. 00:12:48.579 --> 00:12:49.279 We've got to be like, 00:12:49.340 --> 00:12:50.500 well, this is a unique baby. 00:12:50.500 --> 00:12:52.659 But you know what? 00:12:52.820 --> 00:12:53.980 To really understand 00:12:53.980 --> 00:12:56.080 how unique this child is, 00:12:56.299 --> 00:12:57.279 we've got to go back 00:12:57.279 --> 00:12:58.539 beyond 2,000 years. 00:12:58.820 --> 00:12:59.480 We've got to go 00:12:59.480 --> 00:13:00.779 another 800 years 00:13:00.779 --> 00:13:01.960 beyond that. 00:13:02.200 --> 00:13:03.080 We've got to go 00:13:03.080 --> 00:13:05.539 to the prophet Isaiah 00:13:05.539 --> 00:13:07.500 and the prophet Micah. 00:13:07.500 --> 00:13:08.039 Micah. 00:13:10.980 --> 00:13:14.299 In Matthew 1, 18-23, 00:13:15.340 --> 00:13:17.679 when Matthew is sharing 00:13:17.679 --> 00:13:18.639 with us the story 00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:19.340 of this angel 00:13:19.340 --> 00:13:20.799 coming to Joseph 00:13:20.799 --> 00:13:21.799 and talking about 00:13:21.799 --> 00:13:23.899 the conception 00:13:23.899 --> 00:13:24.840 that takes place 00:13:24.840 --> 00:13:26.080 in Mary, 00:13:27.200 --> 00:13:27.840 if you would turn 00:13:27.840 --> 00:13:29.919 to Matthew 1, 23, 00:13:30.679 --> 00:13:31.879 there's a really interesting 00:13:31.879 --> 00:13:32.860 point that's made. 00:13:32.860 --> 00:13:35.680 All this took place 00:13:35.680 --> 00:13:36.340 in 22 00:13:36.340 --> 00:13:37.220 to fulfill 00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:38.320 what the Lord 00:13:38.320 --> 00:13:38.860 had spoken 00:13:38.860 --> 00:13:39.680 by the prophet, 00:13:40.259 --> 00:13:40.720 Behold, 00:13:41.480 --> 00:13:42.560 the virgin shall conceive 00:13:42.560 --> 00:13:43.300 and bear a son 00:13:43.300 --> 00:13:43.919 and they shall call 00:13:43.919 --> 00:13:45.560 his name Emmanuel, 00:13:45.820 --> 00:13:46.340 which means 00:13:46.340 --> 00:13:47.500 God with us. 00:13:48.379 --> 00:13:49.740 So here's what's going on. 00:13:50.639 --> 00:13:51.580 2,000 years ago 00:13:51.580 --> 00:13:52.320 in Bethlehem, 00:13:52.600 --> 00:13:53.680 there's this little baby boy 00:13:53.680 --> 00:13:54.180 that's born 00:13:54.180 --> 00:13:56.100 and he's born miraculously. 00:13:57.139 --> 00:13:58.500 And Matthew says, 00:13:58.899 --> 00:13:59.779 oh, by the way, 00:13:59.779 --> 00:14:01.079 that's the fulfillment 00:14:01.079 --> 00:14:02.199 of a prophecy 00:14:02.199 --> 00:14:03.139 from Isaiah 00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:05.699 750, 800 years beforehand 00:14:05.699 --> 00:14:08.100 that this child 00:14:08.100 --> 00:14:08.899 would be born 00:14:08.899 --> 00:14:09.519 of a virgin 00:14:09.519 --> 00:14:11.299 and his name 00:14:11.299 --> 00:14:12.000 would be Emmanuel, 00:14:12.819 --> 00:14:13.600 God with us. 00:14:15.339 --> 00:14:15.699 Do you know 00:14:15.699 --> 00:14:17.480 what prophecy implies 00:14:17.480 --> 00:14:19.720 in the fulfillment 00:14:19.720 --> 00:14:20.500 of prophecy? 00:14:21.459 --> 00:14:22.659 There's a plan. 00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:26.100 In Matthew 2, 00:14:26.100 --> 00:14:28.560 the fulfillment 00:14:28.560 --> 00:14:30.159 of prophecy. 00:14:31.700 --> 00:14:32.460 2, 5, 00:14:32.540 --> 00:14:33.080 they told him 00:14:33.080 --> 00:14:34.540 in Bethlehem of Judea 00:14:34.540 --> 00:14:35.500 for it is written 00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:36.220 by the prophet 00:14:36.220 --> 00:14:37.259 and you, O Bethlehem, 00:14:37.300 --> 00:14:38.100 in the land of Judea 00:14:38.100 --> 00:14:38.820 are by no means 00:14:38.820 --> 00:14:40.060 least among the rulers 00:14:40.060 --> 00:14:40.500 of Judah 00:14:40.500 --> 00:14:41.480 for from you 00:14:41.480 --> 00:14:42.200 shall come a ruler 00:14:42.200 --> 00:14:42.920 who will shepherd 00:14:42.920 --> 00:14:43.960 my people Israel. 00:14:44.300 --> 00:14:45.700 Not only will this child 00:14:45.700 --> 00:14:47.120 be born in Bethlehem 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:47.960 but he will be 00:14:47.960 --> 00:14:49.360 a shepherd of God's people, 00:14:49.960 --> 00:14:50.340 a king. 00:14:52.259 --> 00:14:52.639 So, 00:14:52.840 --> 00:14:54.340 what Matthew is saying 00:14:54.340 --> 00:14:54.980 in Matthew 2 00:14:54.980 --> 00:14:56.820 is that what takes place 00:14:56.820 --> 00:14:57.500 in the birth 00:14:57.500 --> 00:14:58.200 of this baby 00:14:58.200 --> 00:14:58.920 in Bethlehem 00:14:58.920 --> 00:14:59.680 at that time 00:14:59.680 --> 00:15:00.779 is a fulfillment 00:15:00.779 --> 00:15:02.139 of what Micah 00:15:02.139 --> 00:15:02.940 is talking about 00:15:02.940 --> 00:15:04.019 in Micah 5, 2. 00:15:04.519 --> 00:15:05.420 And when prophecy 00:15:05.420 --> 00:15:05.980 is fulfilled 00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:07.039 it reveals a plan. 00:15:09.539 --> 00:15:11.659 In Luke 1, 26-33 00:15:11.659 --> 00:15:13.340 we have the echoes 00:15:13.340 --> 00:15:14.340 of another passage. 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:15.940 If you want to look 00:15:15.940 --> 00:15:16.539 there with me, 00:15:17.080 --> 00:15:18.060 Luke chapter 1 00:15:18.060 --> 00:15:20.159 verses 32 00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:20.960 we read this, 00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:21.980 he will be great 00:15:21.980 --> 00:15:22.420 and this is 00:15:22.420 --> 00:15:24.300 Gabriel speaking to Mary, 00:15:24.299 --> 00:15:25.319 he will be great 00:15:25.319 --> 00:15:25.919 and will be called 00:15:25.919 --> 00:15:27.059 the son of the most high 00:15:27.059 --> 00:15:27.839 and the Lord God 00:15:27.839 --> 00:15:28.679 will give to him 00:15:28.679 --> 00:15:30.039 the throne of his father David 00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:31.500 and he will reign 00:15:31.500 --> 00:15:32.299 over the house 00:15:32.299 --> 00:15:33.279 of Jacob forever 00:15:33.279 --> 00:15:34.740 and of his kingdom 00:15:34.740 --> 00:15:36.159 there will be no end. 00:15:36.859 --> 00:15:37.939 There will be no end. 00:15:38.939 --> 00:15:40.039 There will be no end. 00:15:41.919 --> 00:15:42.939 There will be no end. 00:15:44.659 --> 00:15:45.899 Listen to Isaiah 9, 00:15:46.759 --> 00:15:47.799 6 and 7. 00:15:47.799 --> 00:15:55.559 For to us a child is born, 00:15:55.659 --> 00:15:56.659 to us a son is given 00:15:56.659 --> 00:15:57.879 and the government 00:15:57.879 --> 00:15:59.059 shall be upon his shoulder 00:15:59.059 --> 00:15:59.599 and his name 00:15:59.599 --> 00:16:00.120 shall be called 00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:01.099 Wonderful Counselor, 00:16:01.199 --> 00:16:01.759 Mighty God, 00:16:01.859 --> 00:16:02.639 Everlasting Father, 00:16:02.779 --> 00:16:03.439 Prince of Peace. 00:16:04.099 --> 00:16:04.740 Of the increase 00:16:04.740 --> 00:16:05.359 of his government 00:16:05.359 --> 00:16:05.939 of peace 00:16:05.939 --> 00:16:08.079 there will be no end. 00:16:08.959 --> 00:16:10.099 There will be no end. 00:16:11.219 --> 00:16:12.319 There will be no end. 00:16:12.320 --> 00:16:13.860 On the throne of David 00:16:13.860 --> 00:16:14.680 and over his kingdom 00:16:14.680 --> 00:16:15.520 to establish it 00:16:15.520 --> 00:16:16.120 and to uphold it 00:16:16.120 --> 00:16:16.620 with justice 00:16:16.620 --> 00:16:17.379 and with righteousness 00:16:17.379 --> 00:16:18.320 from time forth, 00:16:18.400 --> 00:16:18.980 this time forth 00:16:18.980 --> 00:16:19.660 and forevermore 00:16:19.660 --> 00:16:21.020 the zeal of the Lord 00:16:21.020 --> 00:16:22.760 of hosts will do this. 00:16:23.540 --> 00:16:24.900 When we go back 00:16:24.900 --> 00:16:28.220 to 2,800 years from now 00:16:28.220 --> 00:16:31.640 and we see these prophecies 00:16:31.640 --> 00:16:32.760 of Isaiah and Micah 00:16:32.760 --> 00:16:34.740 and we see these prophecies 00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:35.440 being fulfilled 00:16:35.440 --> 00:16:35.920 in the birth 00:16:35.920 --> 00:16:36.700 of this little boy, 00:16:36.700 --> 00:16:39.500 it speaks of a plan. 00:16:41.360 --> 00:16:42.040 And so when we think 00:16:42.040 --> 00:16:44.080 about December 2017, 00:16:44.600 --> 00:16:46.060 we need to keep in mind 00:16:46.060 --> 00:16:47.600 that this Christmas 00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:49.360 is way bigger 00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:51.240 than this year. 00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:54.560 There is a great plan 00:16:54.560 --> 00:16:55.580 in place. 00:16:56.460 --> 00:16:57.840 And it goes back further. 00:16:58.100 --> 00:17:00.000 It goes back to Genesis chapter 3. 00:17:00.300 --> 00:17:01.960 In the midst of all these curses, 00:17:02.600 --> 00:17:04.360 God speaks a promise 00:17:04.360 --> 00:17:06.220 when he's cursing the serpent. 00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:08.580 In Genesis chapter 3, 00:17:08.840 --> 00:17:10.160 he speaks a promise 00:17:10.160 --> 00:17:13.500 of an offspring of Eve 00:17:13.500 --> 00:17:14.700 who will come 00:17:14.700 --> 00:17:16.240 and he's a male offspring 00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:18.120 and he will crush 00:17:18.120 --> 00:17:19.319 the head of the serpent. 00:17:20.380 --> 00:17:21.640 There's a plan. 00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:25.019 And it goes even back further. 00:17:26.039 --> 00:17:29.200 It goes beyond Genesis chapter 3. 00:17:29.580 --> 00:17:31.720 It goes beyond Genesis chapter 1 00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:32.980 and the creation of all things. 00:17:33.360 --> 00:17:34.680 Ephesians chapter 1 00:17:34.680 --> 00:17:35.900 speaks of a plan 00:17:35.900 --> 00:17:37.880 for the fullness of time. 00:17:37.880 --> 00:17:40.940 Ephesians 1, 3 through 14 00:17:40.940 --> 00:17:44.060 is this wonderful, wonderful passage 00:17:44.060 --> 00:17:45.780 about the triune God 00:17:45.780 --> 00:17:48.120 enacting a saving plan 00:17:48.120 --> 00:17:50.140 for the fullness of time 00:17:50.140 --> 00:17:53.860 that finds its unity in Jesus. 00:17:53.859 --> 00:17:57.099 God the Father 00:17:57.099 --> 00:18:01.240 God the Son 00:18:01.240 --> 00:18:02.879 accomplished the plan 00:18:02.879 --> 00:18:04.639 and God the Spirit 00:18:04.639 --> 00:18:07.219 applies the plan. 00:18:09.899 --> 00:18:11.119 What I want to do 00:18:11.119 --> 00:18:12.799 is help you to understand 00:18:12.799 --> 00:18:13.899 the context 00:18:13.899 --> 00:18:15.439 historically 00:18:15.439 --> 00:18:17.079 of Christmas. 00:18:17.079 --> 00:18:19.599 this Christmas, 00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:20.980 December 2017, 00:18:21.439 --> 00:18:23.579 we are observing something 00:18:23.579 --> 00:18:24.460 that took place 00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:25.659 2,000 years ago 00:18:25.659 --> 00:18:27.279 and it was the fulfillment 00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:28.159 of a plan 00:18:28.159 --> 00:18:29.119 that God enacted 00:18:29.119 --> 00:18:30.319 from before the foundation 00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:30.960 of the world. 00:18:32.740 --> 00:18:33.539 I want to help you 00:18:33.539 --> 00:18:34.299 get your wonder on 00:18:34.299 --> 00:18:34.720 a little bit. 00:18:36.659 --> 00:18:38.119 It's not just this Christmas. 00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:40.779 Christmas 00:18:40.779 --> 00:18:42.879 is about a plan 00:18:42.879 --> 00:18:44.019 for the fullness of time. 00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:49.500 and it centers 00:18:49.500 --> 00:18:50.599 on a person. 00:18:54.420 --> 00:18:55.759 The plan is big 00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:57.700 from everlasting 00:18:57.700 --> 00:18:58.700 to everlasting 00:18:58.700 --> 00:19:01.680 and the person 00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:02.319 who's central 00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:03.000 to this plan 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:05.000 is amazing. 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:07.220 We've looked at the plan 00:19:07.220 --> 00:19:07.940 now let's look 00:19:07.940 --> 00:19:08.539 at the person. 00:19:08.539 --> 00:19:11.579 I want to help you 00:19:11.579 --> 00:19:12.079 wonder 00:19:12.079 --> 00:19:13.180 at the person 00:19:13.180 --> 00:19:15.180 central to Christmas. 00:19:15.940 --> 00:19:17.359 It's the same person 00:19:17.359 --> 00:19:18.099 who's central 00:19:18.099 --> 00:19:18.960 to God's plan 00:19:18.960 --> 00:19:19.500 for the fullness 00:19:19.500 --> 00:19:20.079 of time. 00:19:21.319 --> 00:19:22.039 God's plan 00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:22.639 of salvation. 00:19:23.779 --> 00:19:24.200 In Ephesians 00:19:24.200 --> 00:19:25.019 chapter 1 00:19:25.019 --> 00:19:26.220 we read that 00:19:26.220 --> 00:19:28.639 there's a plan 00:19:28.639 --> 00:19:29.039 in place 00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:29.539 for the fullness 00:19:29.539 --> 00:19:30.079 of time 00:19:30.079 --> 00:19:30.839 for God 00:19:30.839 --> 00:19:31.240 to unite 00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:32.000 all things 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:33.220 in Christ. 00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:37.240 Jesus' birth 00:19:37.240 --> 00:19:39.180 is the incarnate 00:19:39.180 --> 00:19:40.359 turning point 00:19:40.359 --> 00:19:41.880 to God's plan 00:19:41.880 --> 00:19:42.480 of salvation. 00:19:44.680 --> 00:19:45.299 You know 00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:46.099 before becoming 00:19:46.099 --> 00:19:46.759 a pastor here 00:19:46.759 --> 00:19:47.460 I served as 00:19:47.460 --> 00:19:48.380 a youth pastor 00:19:48.380 --> 00:19:49.259 for 10 years 00:19:49.259 --> 00:19:49.900 at a church 00:19:49.900 --> 00:19:51.220 about 8 miles 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:52.019 west of here. 00:19:53.299 --> 00:19:54.319 And I 00:19:54.319 --> 00:19:55.019 regularly 00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:55.779 experience 00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:56.740 a really interesting 00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:57.220 phenomenon. 00:19:57.880 --> 00:19:58.680 Here's what happens. 00:20:00.059 --> 00:20:01.240 In those years 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:01.880 I was at 00:20:01.880 --> 00:20:02.480 Crossway 00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:04.120 I got to 00:20:04.120 --> 00:20:04.880 rub shoulders 00:20:04.880 --> 00:20:05.819 with a lot 00:20:05.819 --> 00:20:06.480 of young people. 00:20:07.319 --> 00:20:07.539 And so 00:20:07.539 --> 00:20:08.039 what happens 00:20:08.039 --> 00:20:08.700 now is this. 00:20:09.140 --> 00:20:10.279 5, 10, 15 00:20:10.279 --> 00:20:10.900 years later 00:20:10.900 --> 00:20:11.620 I will bump 00:20:11.620 --> 00:20:12.140 into some 00:20:12.140 --> 00:20:12.559 of these young 00:20:12.559 --> 00:20:12.900 people 00:20:12.900 --> 00:20:14.279 and I will 00:20:14.279 --> 00:20:15.019 not recognize 00:20:15.019 --> 00:20:15.579 them at first. 00:20:16.799 --> 00:20:17.380 I'd be kind 00:20:17.380 --> 00:20:17.579 of like 00:20:17.579 --> 00:20:18.140 whoa you look 00:20:18.140 --> 00:20:18.480 familiar. 00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:20.440 And what I 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:21.099 realize is 00:20:21.099 --> 00:20:22.279 that this person 00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:22.660 that I'm 00:20:22.660 --> 00:20:23.240 encountering 00:20:23.240 --> 00:20:23.759 is the same 00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:24.599 person I knew 00:20:24.599 --> 00:20:25.440 5, 10 years 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:25.720 ago. 00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:26.660 I just have 00:20:26.660 --> 00:20:27.160 this little 00:20:27.160 --> 00:20:28.000 snapshot 00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:29.039 of this person 00:20:29.039 --> 00:20:29.599 in my mind 00:20:29.599 --> 00:20:30.720 as a perpetual 00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:31.680 7th grade 00:20:31.680 --> 00:20:32.700 prepubescent 00:20:32.700 --> 00:20:33.039 boy. 00:20:33.460 --> 00:20:34.220 And so I 00:20:34.220 --> 00:20:34.880 bump into it 00:20:34.880 --> 00:20:35.299 and I'm like 00:20:35.299 --> 00:20:35.900 whoa what 00:20:35.900 --> 00:20:36.259 happened to 00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:36.420 you? 00:20:36.519 --> 00:20:36.840 You're like 00:20:36.840 --> 00:20:37.700 6 inches 00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:38.080 taller 00:20:38.080 --> 00:20:38.440 you've got 00:20:38.440 --> 00:20:38.840 a beard 00:20:38.840 --> 00:20:39.780 you've got 00:20:39.780 --> 00:20:40.040 a deep 00:20:40.040 --> 00:20:40.600 voice 00:20:40.600 --> 00:20:41.300 you're going 00:20:41.300 --> 00:20:42.100 to college 00:20:42.100 --> 00:20:44.860 I have this 00:20:44.860 --> 00:20:45.420 tendency of 00:20:45.420 --> 00:20:45.920 kind of locking 00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:46.620 people into 00:20:46.620 --> 00:20:47.100 a certain 00:20:47.100 --> 00:20:47.600 time. 00:20:48.880 --> 00:20:49.920 Limited picture 00:20:49.920 --> 00:20:51.480 of a person. 00:20:53.980 --> 00:20:54.900 We can make 00:20:54.900 --> 00:20:55.680 the same mistake 00:20:55.680 --> 00:20:56.160 with Jesus 00:20:56.160 --> 00:20:56.700 at Christmas 00:20:56.700 --> 00:20:57.000 time. 00:20:59.060 --> 00:21:00.019 We can keep 00:21:00.019 --> 00:21:00.420 Jesus 00:21:00.420 --> 00:21:02.120 as a perpetual 00:21:02.120 --> 00:21:02.900 infant 00:21:02.900 --> 00:21:03.880 lying in a 00:21:03.880 --> 00:21:04.140 manger. 00:21:05.420 --> 00:21:06.420 That's our 00:21:06.420 --> 00:21:07.259 snapshot of 00:21:07.259 --> 00:21:08.180 the Christmas 00:21:08.180 --> 00:21:08.560 Jesus. 00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:11.019 And it's 00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:12.600 only complicated 00:21:12.600 --> 00:21:13.279 by all the 00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:14.320 plastic baby 00:21:14.320 --> 00:21:15.100 Jesus out 00:21:15.100 --> 00:21:15.420 there. 00:21:20.420 --> 00:21:21.220 Sentimentality 00:21:21.220 --> 00:21:21.960 over these 00:21:21.960 --> 00:21:23.920 things can 00:21:23.920 --> 00:21:24.800 actually work 00:21:24.800 --> 00:21:25.440 against the 00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:26.480 wonder do 00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:27.099 his name. 00:21:30.220 --> 00:21:31.120 Can I help 00:21:31.120 --> 00:21:32.380 you wonder 00:21:32.380 --> 00:21:33.140 at this 00:21:33.140 --> 00:21:33.440 baby? 00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:36.200 Let's get 00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:36.620 our wonder 00:21:36.620 --> 00:21:37.299 on regarding 00:21:37.299 --> 00:21:39.079 this baby. 00:21:39.299 --> 00:21:39.740 Here's 00:21:39.740 --> 00:21:40.440 something I 00:21:40.440 --> 00:21:40.819 want to 00:21:40.819 --> 00:21:41.240 remind you 00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:41.660 of this 00:21:41.660 --> 00:21:42.120 person. 00:21:44.059 --> 00:21:44.620 This 00:21:44.620 --> 00:21:45.240 person 00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:46.500 born 00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:48.400 a baby 00:21:48.400 --> 00:21:49.819 lying in 00:21:49.819 --> 00:21:50.420 a manger 00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:52.920 he existed 00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:54.600 before 00:21:54.600 --> 00:21:55.800 he was 00:21:55.800 --> 00:21:56.300 born. 00:21:57.620 --> 00:21:58.300 The baby 00:21:58.300 --> 00:21:59.560 is the 00:21:59.560 --> 00:21:59.900 second 00:21:59.900 --> 00:22:00.759 person of 00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:01.380 the Trinity 00:22:01.380 --> 00:22:03.740 born of 00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:04.160 a woman. 00:22:07.100 --> 00:22:07.480 Jesus 00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:08.320 the man 00:22:08.320 --> 00:22:09.000 had 00:22:09.000 --> 00:22:10.080 eternally 00:22:10.080 --> 00:22:10.660 existed 00:22:10.660 --> 00:22:11.380 as the 00:22:11.380 --> 00:22:11.740 second 00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:12.420 person of 00:22:12.420 --> 00:22:12.940 the Trinity 00:22:12.940 --> 00:22:14.480 prior to 00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:14.720 his 00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:15.259 conception 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:15.779 and birth. 00:22:17.360 --> 00:22:17.980 I know 00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:18.240 we're in 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:18.680 deep waters 00:22:18.680 --> 00:22:19.160 right now. 00:22:20.420 --> 00:22:20.759 Dave 00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:21.580 referenced 00:22:21.580 --> 00:22:21.920 John 00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:22.259 chapter 00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:22.620 1. 00:22:22.880 --> 00:22:23.100 If you 00:22:23.100 --> 00:22:23.220 would 00:22:23.220 --> 00:22:24.900 flip to 00:22:24.900 --> 00:22:25.200 John 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:25.539 chapter 00:22:25.539 --> 00:22:26.779 1 we 00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:27.420 read this. 00:22:27.620 --> 00:22:27.820 In the 00:22:27.820 --> 00:22:28.080 beginning 00:22:28.080 --> 00:22:28.580 was the 00:22:28.580 --> 00:22:28.980 word and 00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:29.279 the word 00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:29.779 was with 00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:30.340 God and 00:22:30.340 --> 00:22:30.660 the word 00:22:30.660 --> 00:22:31.259 was God. 00:22:31.600 --> 00:22:32.000 The word 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:32.460 of course 00:22:32.460 --> 00:22:34.100 is the 00:22:34.100 --> 00:22:34.320 second 00:22:34.320 --> 00:22:34.820 person of 00:22:34.820 --> 00:22:35.259 the Trinity 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:36.840 and he 00:22:36.840 --> 00:22:37.400 existed 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:39.220 before he 00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:39.700 took on 00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:40.180 flesh. 00:22:41.039 --> 00:22:41.220 John 00:22:41.220 --> 00:22:41.420 1 00:22:41.420 --> 00:22:41.800 14. 00:22:42.039 --> 00:22:42.279 And the 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:42.560 word 00:22:42.560 --> 00:22:42.920 became 00:22:42.920 --> 00:22:43.580 flesh and 00:22:43.580 --> 00:22:43.840 dwelt 00:22:43.840 --> 00:22:44.420 among us. 00:22:45.680 --> 00:22:46.180 Here's 00:22:46.180 --> 00:22:46.420 what you 00:22:46.420 --> 00:22:46.640 need to 00:22:46.640 --> 00:22:47.039 understand. 00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:47.880 The 00:22:47.880 --> 00:22:48.160 second 00:22:48.160 --> 00:22:48.860 person of 00:22:48.860 --> 00:22:49.259 the Trinity 00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:49.800 didn't 00:22:49.799 --> 00:22:50.279 come into 00:22:50.279 --> 00:22:50.819 existence 00:22:50.819 --> 00:22:51.399 at the 00:22:51.399 --> 00:22:51.819 birth of 00:22:51.819 --> 00:22:52.079 Jesus. 00:22:53.019 --> 00:22:53.259 The 00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:53.519 second 00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:54.259 person of 00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:54.659 the Trinity 00:22:54.659 --> 00:22:55.399 existed 00:22:55.399 --> 00:22:56.079 eternally 00:22:56.079 --> 00:22:57.440 before he 00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:58.119 was conceived 00:22:58.119 --> 00:22:59.200 as the 00:22:59.200 --> 00:23:00.339 baby Jesus. 00:23:01.579 --> 00:23:02.279 Get your 00:23:02.279 --> 00:23:03.000 wonder on. 00:23:07.639 --> 00:23:08.259 And 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:09.839 more so 00:23:09.839 --> 00:23:10.159 this 00:23:10.159 --> 00:23:11.879 birth of 00:23:11.879 --> 00:23:12.559 this baby 00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:13.440 the second 00:23:13.440 --> 00:23:13.940 person of 00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:14.359 the Trinity 00:23:14.359 --> 00:23:14.799 who took 00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:15.440 on flesh 00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:15.480 flesh. 00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:16.759 This 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.240 isn't the 00:23:17.240 --> 00:23:17.519 first 00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:18.000 appearance 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:18.380 that he 00:23:18.380 --> 00:23:18.640 makes 00:23:18.640 --> 00:23:18.880 in the 00:23:18.880 --> 00:23:19.160 Bible. 00:23:21.059 --> 00:23:21.580 There 00:23:21.580 --> 00:23:21.840 are 00:23:21.840 --> 00:23:23.400 pre-incarnate 00:23:23.400 --> 00:23:24.180 appearances 00:23:24.180 --> 00:23:24.799 of the 00:23:24.799 --> 00:23:25.100 second 00:23:25.100 --> 00:23:25.799 person of 00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:26.180 the Trinity 00:23:26.180 --> 00:23:26.660 throughout 00:23:26.660 --> 00:23:27.200 the Old 00:23:27.200 --> 00:23:27.600 Testament. 00:23:29.059 --> 00:23:29.360 Now in 00:23:29.360 --> 00:23:29.640 the Old 00:23:29.640 --> 00:23:30.039 Testament 00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:30.799 the doctrine 00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:31.059 of the 00:23:31.059 --> 00:23:31.279 Trinity 00:23:31.279 --> 00:23:32.259 is not 00:23:32.259 --> 00:23:32.600 well 00:23:32.600 --> 00:23:33.000 developed 00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:33.240 and it 00:23:33.240 --> 00:23:33.640 gets more 00:23:33.640 --> 00:23:34.039 developed 00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:34.380 in the 00:23:34.380 --> 00:23:34.539 New 00:23:34.539 --> 00:23:34.980 Testament 00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:36.140 but we 00:23:36.140 --> 00:23:36.720 do see 00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:37.279 the members 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:37.620 of the 00:23:37.620 --> 00:23:37.940 Trinity 00:23:37.940 --> 00:23:39.380 in the 00:23:39.380 --> 00:23:39.660 Old 00:23:39.660 --> 00:23:40.059 Testament. 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:40.320 They're 00:23:40.320 --> 00:23:40.539 called 00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:41.539 Christophanies. 00:23:41.539 --> 00:23:44.480 We could 00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:44.920 point to a 00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:45.599 couple places. 00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:47.019 One theologian 00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:47.599 talks about 00:23:47.599 --> 00:23:48.259 the angel 00:23:48.259 --> 00:23:48.759 of the 00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.539 Lord as 00:23:49.539 --> 00:23:50.940 the appearing 00:23:50.940 --> 00:23:51.399 of the 00:23:51.399 --> 00:23:52.399 pre-incarnate 00:23:52.399 --> 00:23:52.980 Christ and 00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:53.379 he makes a 00:23:53.379 --> 00:23:53.920 pretty interesting 00:23:53.920 --> 00:23:54.720 case for that. 00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:56.399 And then 00:23:56.399 --> 00:23:56.720 there's the 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:57.299 whole episode 00:23:57.299 --> 00:23:57.799 in Daniel 00:23:57.799 --> 00:23:58.519 chapter 3 00:23:58.519 --> 00:23:59.639 where Shadrach, 00:23:59.740 --> 00:24:00.079 Meshach, 00:24:00.159 --> 00:24:00.619 and Abednego 00:24:00.619 --> 00:24:01.500 will not 00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:02.359 worship at 00:24:02.359 --> 00:24:03.259 Nebuchadnezzar's 00:24:03.259 --> 00:24:03.920 image and 00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:04.559 he gets 00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:05.159 really angry 00:24:05.159 --> 00:24:05.659 and he throws 00:24:05.659 --> 00:24:06.000 him in the 00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:06.639 fiery furnace 00:24:06.639 --> 00:24:07.399 and after 00:24:07.399 --> 00:24:07.700 he throws 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:08.019 him in the 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:08.599 fiery furnace 00:24:08.599 --> 00:24:09.039 he turns 00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:09.319 to his 00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:09.740 guys and 00:24:09.740 --> 00:24:09.980 he says 00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:10.519 guys didn't 00:24:10.519 --> 00:24:10.819 we throw 00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:11.399 three guys 00:24:11.400 --> 00:24:11.700 in because 00:24:11.700 --> 00:24:12.160 I see 00:24:12.160 --> 00:24:12.660 a fourth 00:24:12.660 --> 00:24:13.000 and the 00:24:13.000 --> 00:24:14.060 fourth is 00:24:14.060 --> 00:24:14.880 shining like 00:24:14.880 --> 00:24:15.540 a son of 00:24:15.540 --> 00:24:15.980 God. 00:24:18.200 --> 00:24:18.800 Who is 00:24:18.800 --> 00:24:19.259 that fourth 00:24:19.259 --> 00:24:19.540 guy? 00:24:21.640 --> 00:24:22.060 There's 00:24:22.060 --> 00:24:22.220 going to 00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:22.480 come a 00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:23.140 day when 00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:23.460 you are 00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:24.100 standing 00:24:24.100 --> 00:24:25.060 Lord willing 00:24:25.060 --> 00:24:25.759 in the 00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:26.300 New Jerusalem 00:24:26.300 --> 00:24:27.540 and you 00:24:27.540 --> 00:24:27.900 might be 00:24:27.900 --> 00:24:28.500 standing next 00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:29.140 to Shadrach, 00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:29.560 Meshach, 00:24:29.620 --> 00:24:30.080 and Abednego 00:24:30.080 --> 00:24:30.800 and you 00:24:30.800 --> 00:24:31.460 say Shadrach, 00:24:31.540 --> 00:24:31.820 Meshach, 00:24:31.900 --> 00:24:32.200 and Abednego 00:24:32.200 --> 00:24:32.640 who is 00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:33.080 that fourth 00:24:33.080 --> 00:24:33.360 guy? 00:24:34.380 --> 00:24:34.600 You know 00:24:34.600 --> 00:24:34.720 what they're 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:34.860 going to 00:24:34.860 --> 00:24:35.040 do? 00:24:37.860 --> 00:24:38.380 He's the 00:24:38.380 --> 00:24:38.780 one at the 00:24:38.780 --> 00:24:39.160 center of 00:24:39.160 --> 00:24:39.660 all things 00:24:39.660 --> 00:24:40.160 right now. 00:24:41.400 --> 00:24:41.960 He's the 00:24:41.960 --> 00:24:42.280 one that's 00:24:42.280 --> 00:24:42.920 lighting up 00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:43.180 the New 00:24:43.180 --> 00:24:43.620 Jerusalem 00:24:43.620 --> 00:24:44.180 right now. 00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:44.720 That's the 00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:44.960 one that 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.280 was with 00:24:45.280 --> 00:24:45.620 us. 00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:49.480 My 00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:50.060 favorite 00:24:50.060 --> 00:24:51.500 Christophany 00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:52.320 is in 00:24:52.320 --> 00:24:52.620 Joshua 00:24:52.620 --> 00:24:53.460 chapter 5. 00:24:55.340 --> 00:24:56.040 Joshua is 00:24:56.040 --> 00:24:56.519 going out 00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:57.000 to battle. 00:24:58.100 --> 00:24:58.580 He bumps 00:24:58.580 --> 00:24:59.080 into this 00:24:59.080 --> 00:24:59.580 guy called 00:24:59.580 --> 00:25:00.080 the commander 00:25:00.080 --> 00:25:00.420 of the 00:25:00.420 --> 00:25:00.759 Lord's 00:25:00.759 --> 00:25:01.120 army. 00:25:02.280 --> 00:25:02.620 Joshua 00:25:02.620 --> 00:25:04.100 falls at 00:25:04.100 --> 00:25:05.320 this commander's 00:25:05.320 --> 00:25:06.180 feet and 00:25:06.180 --> 00:25:07.620 worships him. 00:25:08.620 --> 00:25:08.900 Do you know 00:25:08.900 --> 00:25:09.380 what the commander 00:25:09.380 --> 00:25:09.940 of the Lord's 00:25:09.940 --> 00:25:10.400 army does? 00:25:11.400 --> 00:25:12.000 Nothing. 00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:14.280 He lets 00:25:14.280 --> 00:25:14.740 them worship 00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:15.040 him. 00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:17.160 And then he 00:25:17.160 --> 00:25:17.540 says take 00:25:17.540 --> 00:25:18.120 off your feet 00:25:18.120 --> 00:25:18.420 for you're 00:25:18.420 --> 00:25:18.900 standing on 00:25:18.900 --> 00:25:19.420 holy ground. 00:25:19.560 --> 00:25:20.060 Only God 00:25:20.060 --> 00:25:20.640 says that. 00:25:22.600 --> 00:25:23.180 So here we 00:25:23.180 --> 00:25:23.800 have this 00:25:23.800 --> 00:25:25.220 man who 00:25:25.220 --> 00:25:26.019 is visible, 00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:26.500 audible, 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.060 physically 00:25:27.060 --> 00:25:27.720 present, 00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:30.860 God in the 00:25:30.860 --> 00:25:32.980 flesh in 00:25:32.980 --> 00:25:33.320 Joshua 00:25:33.320 --> 00:25:34.180 chapter 5. 00:25:34.180 --> 00:25:34.299 life. 00:25:37.299 --> 00:25:38.019 You see, 00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:39.820 this is the 00:25:39.820 --> 00:25:40.279 birth of 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:40.580 Jesus. 00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:41.240 It's not the 00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:42.120 first time the 00:25:42.120 --> 00:25:42.740 second person of 00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:43.360 the Trinity has 00:25:43.360 --> 00:25:43.900 shown up. 00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:45.920 Get your 00:25:45.920 --> 00:25:46.539 wonder wrong. 00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:48.460 The second 00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:48.980 person of the 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:49.400 Trinity, this 00:25:49.400 --> 00:25:50.600 baby is God 00:25:50.600 --> 00:25:51.279 in the flesh. 00:25:55.400 --> 00:25:55.860 I mean, his 00:25:55.860 --> 00:25:56.620 conception in 00:25:56.620 --> 00:25:57.500 Mary's womb in 00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:58.620 Luke chapter 1 00:25:58.620 --> 00:25:59.720 verses 34 through 00:25:59.720 --> 00:26:01.519 37, it is a 00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:03.039 triune event. 00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:03.740 If you read it 00:26:03.740 --> 00:26:04.319 carefully, you 00:26:04.319 --> 00:26:05.399 see that God 00:26:05.399 --> 00:26:07.180 most high overshadows 00:26:07.180 --> 00:26:08.220 Mary, that's the 00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:09.039 God the Father, 00:26:09.460 --> 00:26:10.079 the God the 00:26:10.079 --> 00:26:10.899 Spirit is the 00:26:10.899 --> 00:26:11.639 actual one, the 00:26:11.639 --> 00:26:12.379 agent of 00:26:12.379 --> 00:26:12.940 conception. 00:26:13.460 --> 00:26:14.619 In a miracle, we 00:26:14.619 --> 00:26:15.460 just don't get. 00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:17.500 The Spirit of God 00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:18.759 causes the second 00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:19.359 person of the 00:26:19.359 --> 00:26:20.319 Trinity to be 00:26:20.319 --> 00:26:23.019 incarnated into 00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:23.960 Mary as a 00:26:23.960 --> 00:26:24.399 zygote. 00:26:25.740 --> 00:26:26.740 It's phenomenal. 00:26:29.740 --> 00:26:30.899 And the result is 00:26:30.899 --> 00:26:32.039 not a plastic baby 00:26:32.039 --> 00:26:32.420 Jesus. 00:26:33.039 --> 00:26:36.680 The result is the 00:26:36.680 --> 00:26:37.619 second person of 00:26:37.619 --> 00:26:38.579 the Trinity made 00:26:38.579 --> 00:26:40.599 incarnate, fully 00:26:40.599 --> 00:26:43.240 God, fully man, in 00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:44.859 one person, and 00:26:44.859 --> 00:26:46.519 Luke 1.35 calls 00:26:46.519 --> 00:26:49.200 him holy, without 00:26:49.200 --> 00:26:49.720 sin. 00:26:52.899 --> 00:26:54.240 And I hope you 00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:55.319 know he didn't 00:26:55.319 --> 00:26:56.059 stay a baby. 00:26:56.859 --> 00:26:57.759 He lived a 00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:59.159 perfect life, a 00:26:59.159 --> 00:26:59.899 life that none of 00:26:59.899 --> 00:27:00.539 us could live. 00:27:00.539 --> 00:27:02.200 And then he was 00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:03.619 crucified on a 00:27:03.619 --> 00:27:04.200 cross. 00:27:05.379 --> 00:27:07.440 The Holy One was 00:27:07.440 --> 00:27:09.119 crucified as a 00:27:09.119 --> 00:27:11.220 criminal with king 00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:12.019 of the Jews over 00:27:12.019 --> 00:27:12.500 his head. 00:27:13.879 --> 00:27:15.379 He was buried, he 00:27:15.379 --> 00:27:16.720 was raised again on 00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:17.639 the third day, just 00:27:17.639 --> 00:27:18.480 like he said he 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:19.579 would, and proved 00:27:19.579 --> 00:27:21.420 his victory over sin, 00:27:21.639 --> 00:27:22.240 death, and the 00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:22.460 devil. 00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:23.819 And then he ascended 00:27:23.819 --> 00:27:25.180 on high to now 00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:26.119 where he's at right 00:27:26.119 --> 00:27:26.940 now, at the right 00:27:26.940 --> 00:27:27.700 hand of God. 00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:29.440 He's interceding for 00:27:29.440 --> 00:27:30.180 his church. 00:27:30.680 --> 00:27:31.860 He is building his 00:27:31.860 --> 00:27:33.340 church in whom the 00:27:33.340 --> 00:27:34.100 gates of hell will 00:27:34.100 --> 00:27:35.039 not prevail against 00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:35.340 it. 00:27:35.759 --> 00:27:37.120 And he's sitting on 00:27:37.120 --> 00:27:38.840 G, waiting for O 00:27:38.840 --> 00:27:39.960 from the Father to 00:27:39.960 --> 00:27:41.279 come back. 00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:42.880 And when he comes 00:27:42.880 --> 00:27:43.920 back, he's going to 00:27:43.920 --> 00:27:44.799 make all things right. 00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:45.840 He's going to judge 00:27:45.840 --> 00:27:46.460 the world with 00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:46.920 equity. 00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:47.819 And then he's going 00:27:47.819 --> 00:27:48.779 to recreate the 00:27:48.779 --> 00:27:49.700 heavens and the 00:27:49.700 --> 00:27:50.120 earth. 00:27:50.279 --> 00:27:51.559 And then we who 00:27:51.559 --> 00:27:52.900 bow our knee to him 00:27:52.900 --> 00:27:54.319 now, we, when he 00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:56.240 comes back, we will be 00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:58.180 with our Savior King 00:27:58.180 --> 00:28:00.059 in his presence, in 00:28:00.059 --> 00:28:02.220 his place, in, with 00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:04.120 his people forever. 00:28:07.559 --> 00:28:08.819 He's not a plastic 00:28:08.819 --> 00:28:09.240 Jesus. 00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:13.279 Don't limit him to 00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:15.599 this snapshot of him 00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:16.579 being a little baby. 00:28:16.920 --> 00:28:18.200 He's not a baby right 00:28:18.200 --> 00:28:18.480 now. 00:28:19.819 --> 00:28:21.900 He became a baby. 00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:24.579 And when you get this 00:28:24.579 --> 00:28:27.419 full sense of who the 00:28:27.419 --> 00:28:28.559 second person of the 00:28:28.559 --> 00:28:29.740 Trinity is and what 00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:30.960 he's done, we didn't 00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:31.899 even talk about him 00:28:31.899 --> 00:28:32.779 being the creator of 00:28:32.779 --> 00:28:33.299 all things. 00:28:35.439 --> 00:28:36.839 When you realize that 00:28:36.839 --> 00:28:38.859 he took on human 00:28:38.859 --> 00:28:40.159 flesh, Philippians 2, 00:28:40.460 --> 00:28:41.879 taking the form of a 00:28:41.879 --> 00:28:44.359 servant, he would do 00:28:44.359 --> 00:28:44.779 that. 00:28:47.379 --> 00:28:48.299 It's amazing. 00:28:48.299 --> 00:28:51.639 It's wonderful. 00:28:53.659 --> 00:28:54.899 It should awe you. 00:28:58.579 --> 00:28:59.539 We've looked at the 00:28:59.539 --> 00:28:59.859 plan. 00:29:00.180 --> 00:29:01.480 It's a plan for the 00:29:01.480 --> 00:29:02.180 fullness of time. 00:29:02.299 --> 00:29:03.200 We've looked at this 00:29:03.200 --> 00:29:05.460 person, Jesus, who is 00:29:05.460 --> 00:29:07.000 born of this virgin, 00:29:07.519 --> 00:29:09.419 fulfilling prophecy, and 00:29:09.419 --> 00:29:11.299 he is God in the flesh. 00:29:13.460 --> 00:29:14.639 But I want to ask a 00:29:14.639 --> 00:29:17.159 question now of why? 00:29:18.299 --> 00:29:20.859 What's the purpose of 00:29:20.859 --> 00:29:22.839 this plan that focuses on 00:29:22.839 --> 00:29:23.399 this person? 00:29:25.799 --> 00:29:28.399 Well, let's get your 00:29:28.399 --> 00:29:29.139 wonder on a little bit 00:29:29.139 --> 00:29:29.359 more. 00:29:32.659 --> 00:29:35.019 The reason why Jesus, the 00:29:35.019 --> 00:29:35.680 second person of the 00:29:35.680 --> 00:29:36.659 Trinity, took on human 00:29:36.659 --> 00:29:39.919 flesh was not just to 00:29:39.919 --> 00:29:41.039 show us that he could do 00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:41.319 it. 00:29:42.659 --> 00:29:44.819 So I told you, it's not 00:29:44.819 --> 00:29:45.440 for that reason. 00:29:45.440 --> 00:29:48.140 The second person of the 00:29:48.140 --> 00:29:49.960 Trinity became human, took 00:29:49.960 --> 00:29:51.320 on human flesh, was 00:29:51.320 --> 00:29:55.539 incarnated for a purpose. 00:29:58.940 --> 00:30:01.519 And that purpose is the 00:30:01.519 --> 00:30:03.779 purpose for God's plan for 00:30:03.779 --> 00:30:04.980 the fullness of time. 00:30:06.460 --> 00:30:09.000 The birth of Jesus is the 00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:11.279 pivot point in God's 00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:12.360 saving plan. 00:30:12.359 --> 00:30:14.699 Galatians 4.4 says, at 00:30:14.699 --> 00:30:17.659 just the right time, God 00:30:17.659 --> 00:30:19.799 sent his son, born of a 00:30:19.799 --> 00:30:21.659 woman, born under the law, 00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:23.679 to redeem those under the 00:30:23.679 --> 00:30:25.240 law so that we could 00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:27.279 experience the adoption of 00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:28.579 sons and daughters. 00:30:30.279 --> 00:30:33.479 The purpose for why Jesus 00:30:33.479 --> 00:30:38.059 took on flesh, well, it was 00:30:38.059 --> 00:30:39.579 not to give us 24-hour 00:30:39.579 --> 00:30:40.480 Christmas music. 00:30:42.399 --> 00:30:43.559 It was not so that we 00:30:43.559 --> 00:30:44.439 could have all sorts of 00:30:44.439 --> 00:30:45.099 catalogs. 00:30:46.939 --> 00:30:48.599 It was not so that the U.S. 00:30:48.659 --> 00:30:49.980 economy can get a shot in 00:30:49.980 --> 00:30:51.439 the arm every so often 00:30:51.439 --> 00:30:52.059 during the year. 00:30:53.659 --> 00:30:57.000 Jesus took on flesh not so 00:30:57.000 --> 00:30:57.740 that we could enjoy 00:30:57.740 --> 00:30:58.379 vacations. 00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:02.119 The reason why the second 00:31:02.119 --> 00:31:03.500 person of the Trinity took 00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:07.220 on flesh was to save, to 00:31:07.220 --> 00:31:11.339 rescue, to redeem sinners in 00:31:11.339 --> 00:31:12.100 their sin. 00:31:14.400 --> 00:31:16.360 Back in Genesis chapter 3, 00:31:17.140 --> 00:31:18.700 everything went sideways for 00:31:18.700 --> 00:31:19.100 humankind. 00:31:20.160 --> 00:31:22.240 We were separated from God. 00:31:22.779 --> 00:31:25.100 We were divided internally. 00:31:25.920 --> 00:31:27.259 We were separated and 00:31:27.259 --> 00:31:28.460 hostile to other human 00:31:28.460 --> 00:31:29.019 beings. 00:31:29.559 --> 00:31:31.720 We were even separated from 00:31:31.720 --> 00:31:32.519 creation. 00:31:33.640 --> 00:31:35.640 It was a comprehensive mess 00:31:35.640 --> 00:31:36.880 made by sin. 00:31:37.780 --> 00:31:38.960 And so that puts us in the 00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:40.560 very unique position of 00:31:40.560 --> 00:31:42.180 needing a Savior. 00:31:42.700 --> 00:31:45.440 A Savior who will reconcile 00:31:45.440 --> 00:31:48.259 sinners to a holy God, who 00:31:48.259 --> 00:31:50.800 will reunify a sinner's 00:31:50.800 --> 00:31:52.860 divided self, who would 00:31:52.860 --> 00:31:54.540 restore sinners who are 00:31:54.540 --> 00:31:55.900 hostile with other sinners, 00:31:56.340 --> 00:31:58.220 and a Savior who will 00:31:58.220 --> 00:32:01.960 recreate creation, wiping it 00:32:01.960 --> 00:32:04.880 off of its bondage to decay, 00:32:04.880 --> 00:32:07.460 and recreating it in its full 00:32:07.460 --> 00:32:07.980 glory. 00:32:08.520 --> 00:32:11.600 The only Savior that can do 00:32:11.600 --> 00:32:14.780 that is God Himself. 00:32:16.320 --> 00:32:18.020 Jesus is the perfect mediator 00:32:18.020 --> 00:32:19.900 between God and man, because 00:32:19.900 --> 00:32:22.760 Jesus is fully God and fully 00:32:22.760 --> 00:32:23.160 man. 00:32:23.560 --> 00:32:25.500 He is Emmanuel. 00:32:26.940 --> 00:32:28.520 And the reason why He took on 00:32:28.520 --> 00:32:33.020 flesh was to save you from 00:32:33.019 --> 00:32:33.440 your sin. 00:32:35.680 --> 00:32:38.460 Christmas time is salvation 00:32:38.460 --> 00:32:38.879 time. 00:32:40.319 --> 00:32:42.539 Merry Christmas is merry 00:32:42.539 --> 00:32:43.160 salvation. 00:32:44.539 --> 00:32:45.480 I mean, it's in the name. 00:32:45.920 --> 00:32:48.279 The name Jesus, Matthew 1, 00:32:48.299 --> 00:32:50.519 21, literally means the Lord 00:32:50.519 --> 00:32:51.200 saves. 00:32:53.059 --> 00:32:54.559 The second person of the 00:32:54.559 --> 00:32:56.180 Trinity took on human flesh, 00:32:56.180 --> 00:32:58.600 and He's named by God the 00:32:58.600 --> 00:33:01.340 Father as the Lord saves. 00:33:03.340 --> 00:33:06.539 The Lord saves incarnate. 00:33:09.420 --> 00:33:11.860 Furthermore, if you look back 00:33:11.860 --> 00:33:15.519 to Isaiah, Isaiah has some two 00:33:15.519 --> 00:33:17.120 very interesting prophecies. 00:33:17.119 --> 00:33:21.299 In Isaiah 7, 14, which has been 00:33:21.299 --> 00:33:23.059 read already, you have the 00:33:23.059 --> 00:33:26.059 prophecy of a virgin conceiving a 00:33:26.059 --> 00:33:28.299 child, and His name being 00:33:28.299 --> 00:33:28.839 Emmanuel. 00:33:29.699 --> 00:33:31.479 A miraculous conception. 00:33:31.480 --> 00:33:37.500 And if you flip to the right in 00:33:37.500 --> 00:33:41.039 Isaiah, to Isaiah 53, you have a 00:33:41.039 --> 00:33:43.240 prophecy of the same one. 00:33:44.180 --> 00:33:46.400 But it's not His miraculous birth, 00:33:46.759 --> 00:33:49.200 it's His substitutionary death. 00:33:50.700 --> 00:33:54.059 Same two prophecies speaking of the 00:33:54.059 --> 00:33:55.839 same Emmanuel. 00:33:55.839 --> 00:33:59.839 So let me just read two verses 00:33:59.839 --> 00:34:01.579 from Isaiah 53. 00:34:03.199 --> 00:34:05.179 Surely He has borne our griefs and 00:34:05.179 --> 00:34:07.740 carried our sorrows, yet we esteemed 00:34:07.740 --> 00:34:09.759 Him stricken, smitten by God and 00:34:09.759 --> 00:34:10.340 afflicted. 00:34:10.840 --> 00:34:12.639 But He was pierced for our 00:34:12.639 --> 00:34:13.559 transgressions. 00:34:14.420 --> 00:34:16.360 He was crushed for our iniquities. 00:34:17.079 --> 00:34:19.900 Upon Him was the chastisement that 00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:21.679 brought us peace. 00:34:22.639 --> 00:34:25.819 And with His wounds, we are healed. 00:34:25.840 --> 00:34:29.920 Jesus came, took on flesh, 00:34:30.519 --> 00:34:33.640 ultimately to rescue sinners from 00:34:33.640 --> 00:34:34.320 their sins. 00:34:34.660 --> 00:34:36.200 That's God's plan for the fullness 00:34:36.200 --> 00:34:36.780 of time. 00:34:40.380 --> 00:34:44.620 This Christmas time, December 2017, 00:34:45.640 --> 00:34:47.559 let's reclaim the wonder of 00:34:47.559 --> 00:34:47.840 Christmas. 00:34:48.980 --> 00:34:50.900 Let's wonder at the plan. 00:34:51.320 --> 00:34:54.240 Let's wonder at this unique person, 00:34:54.239 --> 00:34:54.739 Jesus. 00:34:54.739 --> 00:34:58.219 And let's wonder at the purpose. 00:34:58.919 --> 00:35:02.459 The purpose of Christmas is part of 00:35:02.459 --> 00:35:07.099 God's saving plan to rescue sinners from 00:35:07.099 --> 00:35:07.759 their sin. 00:35:08.819 --> 00:35:13.219 So, when December 26 rolls around, 00:35:13.219 --> 00:35:20.219 you don't have to be like that dried out Christmas tree sitting in the city pickup thing. 00:35:23.219 --> 00:35:24.639 No, you can be wondering. 00:35:26.339 --> 00:35:27.779 You can be in awe. 00:35:29.959 --> 00:35:31.500 It doesn't have to get stale. 00:35:31.500 --> 00:35:36.039 No, get your wonder on. 00:35:37.260 --> 00:35:38.699 Remember who this is. 00:35:39.480 --> 00:35:40.980 Remember what it's all about. 00:35:42.079 --> 00:35:44.719 Remember the scale of His plan. 00:35:46.480 --> 00:35:47.679 And when you remember that, 00:35:48.679 --> 00:35:50.320 come December 26, 00:35:50.820 --> 00:35:53.559 you'll be looking to the new year 00:35:53.559 --> 00:35:58.079 knowing who this baby is. 00:36:00.079 --> 00:36:00.840 Let's pray. 00:36:05.019 --> 00:36:05.820 God in heaven, 00:36:05.940 --> 00:36:07.239 we thank you so much for 00:36:07.239 --> 00:36:09.659 your word. 00:36:09.799 --> 00:36:11.960 We thank you for what your word has to say 00:36:11.960 --> 00:36:13.559 about Jesus. 00:36:13.960 --> 00:36:15.699 And we thank you for what your word 00:36:15.699 --> 00:36:17.699 has to say about this 00:36:17.699 --> 00:36:20.059 plan for the fullness of time. 00:36:20.059 --> 00:36:21.699 and we're thankful for 00:36:21.699 --> 00:36:23.559 making known to us 00:36:23.559 --> 00:36:24.460 that this plan 00:36:24.460 --> 00:36:25.880 for the fullness of time 00:36:25.880 --> 00:36:27.759 focused on the person of Jesus 00:36:27.759 --> 00:36:29.019 is a plan of salvation. 00:36:30.659 --> 00:36:31.920 God, would you help us 00:36:31.920 --> 00:36:33.019 to live in that? 00:36:33.920 --> 00:36:34.759 To wonder. 00:36:35.460 --> 00:36:36.500 To be amazed. 00:36:37.139 --> 00:36:38.019 And to rejoice. 00:36:39.460 --> 00:36:40.579 God, may our singing 00:36:40.579 --> 00:36:43.320 reflect the wonder 00:36:43.320 --> 00:36:45.559 of who you are 00:36:45.559 --> 00:36:46.299 and what you've done. 00:36:46.380 --> 00:36:47.099 In Jesus' name, 00:36:47.799 --> 00:36:48.059 Amen. 00:36:50.059 --> 00:36:51.059 Amen.