WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.040 Let me wish you a very, very happy Christmas. 00:00:03.040 --> 00:00:06.940 In this Christmas message, I want to do really one thing. 00:00:07.679 --> 00:00:10.179 ! I want you to believe the impossible. 00:00:11.540 --> 00:00:12.000 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:30.539 It's a miracle. 00:00:31.460 --> 00:00:35.299 I want you to believe this morning the impossible. 00:00:36.799 --> 00:00:43.280 Because, firstly, you cannot conceive of the Christmas story without understanding that there is a miracle, 00:00:43.439 --> 00:00:47.299 a miraculous conception for the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:00:47.840 --> 00:00:49.780 If you've got a Bible, make no mistake about it. 00:00:49.820 --> 00:00:52.219 Look at verse 19 of Matthew chapter 1. 00:00:52.700 --> 00:00:55.960 It's on, I don't know what page it's on, but you can find it. 00:00:55.960 --> 00:01:00.880 Matthew chapter 1, and right at the start of verse 18, it says, 00:01:00.980 --> 00:01:03.500 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. 00:01:04.560 --> 00:01:07.659 When his mother had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, 00:01:07.659 --> 00:01:11.219 she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 00:01:12.599 --> 00:01:18.299 And from the very first verse, describing the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:01:19.280 --> 00:01:21.840 it's telling you and I that Christmas is about a miracle. 00:01:21.840 --> 00:01:30.400 A true miracle where the ordinary cause and effect of nature has been suspended by the deity, by God. 00:01:31.680 --> 00:01:33.480 And it's called supernature. 00:01:34.760 --> 00:01:36.140 Or supernatural. 00:01:37.540 --> 00:01:39.020 And thus it is with the Christmas event. 00:01:39.859 --> 00:01:45.140 And there is no way that you can even begin to understand Christmas or Christianity 00:01:45.140 --> 00:01:48.320 until your mind is open to the miraculous. 00:01:48.319 --> 00:01:53.199 We all know, don't we, that there are things that are very difficult to believe. 00:01:54.379 --> 00:02:01.199 If you're a golf fan, you might remember the Ryder Cup, where there was the miracle of Medina. 00:02:03.479 --> 00:02:09.479 If you're a Liverpool Football Club fan, you'll remember that they were 3-0 down in the Champions League final against Istanbul. 00:02:10.599 --> 00:02:13.079 Against, no, who was it? Against AC Milan, isn't it? 00:02:13.080 --> 00:02:17.020 And they came back and they managed to win. 00:02:17.200 --> 00:02:18.700 And it's called the miracle of Istanbul. 00:02:20.100 --> 00:02:21.480 And you might have seen the film Sully. 00:02:22.920 --> 00:02:24.800 The miracle on the Hudson River. 00:02:25.760 --> 00:02:31.260 Where a pilot, Sully, lands a plane of 150 passengers and five crew on a river. 00:02:31.640 --> 00:02:33.900 They all survive miraculously. 00:02:35.460 --> 00:02:39.020 There are, aren't there, unusual natural events. 00:02:39.020 --> 00:02:44.180 I was in the post office on Greenford Avenue this week. 00:02:44.260 --> 00:02:46.680 There was a big queue and somebody was there for a Christmas parcel. 00:02:47.500 --> 00:02:49.560 It was all very fraught and very tense. 00:02:49.680 --> 00:02:52.560 They'd been in a number of times for their Christmas parcel and hadn't got it. 00:02:53.939 --> 00:02:55.000 It wasn't their first visit. 00:02:55.100 --> 00:02:58.439 There was lots of frustrations and tears and a fair bit of anger. 00:03:00.020 --> 00:03:03.320 The postmistress, in a slightly exasperated tone, said, 00:03:03.400 --> 00:03:04.879 I will look one more time. 00:03:04.879 --> 00:03:08.180 She disappeared into what was a vortex of parcels. 00:03:09.019 --> 00:03:12.299 And she returns with the said parcel. 00:03:13.579 --> 00:03:15.099 Much to the joy of the woman. 00:03:15.359 --> 00:03:18.299 Cue more tears and exasperation. 00:03:19.120 --> 00:03:22.500 The man in the queue turns to me and said, 00:03:23.180 --> 00:03:24.400 It's a Christmas miracle. 00:03:26.840 --> 00:03:32.159 We all know, don't we, that very unlikely things happen. 00:03:32.159 --> 00:03:35.439 Things that are difficult to believe. 00:03:36.740 --> 00:03:40.180 But when it comes to the conception of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:03:40.780 --> 00:03:44.680 it is impossible to believe because it is an impossible event. 00:03:46.139 --> 00:03:50.599 That a woman could get pregnant without the benefit of a man. 00:03:52.319 --> 00:03:57.079 Here is a real miracle that the Bible is wanting you to accept. 00:03:57.080 --> 00:04:01.780 And what we are dealing with here is, it's not just a one-off, 00:04:02.520 --> 00:04:05.380 but actually when it comes to Christianity, there are many miracles 00:04:05.380 --> 00:04:09.020 that you must believe in order to be a follower of the Lord Jesus. 00:04:10.920 --> 00:04:13.220 If you discount the miraculous, 00:04:14.600 --> 00:04:16.540 you will not be able to know the Lord Jesus, 00:04:17.240 --> 00:04:19.080 and you will certainly not be able to walk with him. 00:04:19.079 --> 00:04:22.519 Because you will not believe the heart of the Christian faith. 00:04:24.659 --> 00:04:27.939 Earlier in the service, we just confessed part of the Nicene Creed. 00:04:28.079 --> 00:04:29.919 It's 1,700 years old this year. 00:04:30.859 --> 00:04:33.279 And it is a summary of Christian belief. 00:04:33.379 --> 00:04:35.719 What Christians, every Christian has believed down through the ages. 00:04:37.039 --> 00:04:39.759 And it talks about the essentials of the Christian faith. 00:04:40.759 --> 00:04:44.759 And they are all, almost all of them, miracles. 00:04:44.759 --> 00:04:48.920 What do we believe about God? 00:04:50.219 --> 00:04:54.039 We believe that God is three in one. 00:04:55.599 --> 00:04:57.539 Tri-unity, or we call it Trinity. 00:04:58.620 --> 00:05:02.120 We believe that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin. 00:05:03.759 --> 00:05:08.759 We believe that Jesus Christ died a substitutionary, 00:05:08.879 --> 00:05:12.860 he took the place atoning death on Calvary's cross. 00:05:12.860 --> 00:05:18.480 We believe that Jesus Christ miraculously paid for my sin, 00:05:18.600 --> 00:05:20.360 my wrongdoing on the cross. 00:05:20.660 --> 00:05:22.300 How can that be? It is a miracle. 00:05:23.400 --> 00:05:26.100 And on the third day, this Jesus who died, 00:05:27.180 --> 00:05:29.240 and he was dead, cold in the tomb, 00:05:30.180 --> 00:05:32.819 three days later, he rose from the dead. 00:05:32.900 --> 00:05:33.560 That is a miracle. 00:05:35.340 --> 00:05:36.580 He rose from the dead, 00:05:36.680 --> 00:05:39.259 and anyone who wants to follow the Lord Jesus Christ 00:05:39.259 --> 00:05:42.879 must believe in that bodily resurrection of Jesus. 00:05:44.240 --> 00:05:45.099 But not only that, 00:05:45.219 --> 00:05:46.500 40 days after that, 00:05:46.579 --> 00:05:47.300 he rose from the dead, 00:05:47.560 --> 00:05:49.139 he ascended into heaven, 00:05:49.759 --> 00:05:51.639 and he is seated at God's right hand, 00:05:51.879 --> 00:05:53.399 and he rules over the universe, 00:05:53.740 --> 00:05:56.339 and the Lord Jesus controls every blade of grass, 00:05:56.560 --> 00:05:58.139 and every falling leaf from a tree, 00:05:58.379 --> 00:05:59.219 and everything, 00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:02.219 and every human being. 00:06:02.220 --> 00:06:05.360 That is a miracle. 00:06:06.860 --> 00:06:07.700 And not only that, 00:06:07.780 --> 00:06:09.540 but the Bible tells us that he's coming back, 00:06:09.580 --> 00:06:10.940 and he's going to bring perfect peace, 00:06:11.020 --> 00:06:12.780 he's going to bring the world that we all long for. 00:06:14.780 --> 00:06:17.020 And he'll deliver us from all evil. 00:06:17.980 --> 00:06:19.040 And that is a miracle. 00:06:21.120 --> 00:06:22.080 And so can you see with me 00:06:22.080 --> 00:06:25.340 that every plank of Christianity, 00:06:25.700 --> 00:06:28.020 all the cardinal doctrines of Christianity, 00:06:28.019 --> 00:06:30.459 they are miraculous. 00:06:32.620 --> 00:06:33.879 And so verse 19, 00:06:34.060 --> 00:06:37.359 that Jesus Christ was conceived in the womb of a virgin, 00:06:38.439 --> 00:06:39.079 it fits. 00:06:40.699 --> 00:06:43.039 What a mystery that God intervened. 00:06:45.259 --> 00:06:46.819 If you believe in a God, 00:06:48.240 --> 00:06:49.159 if you believe in God, 00:06:49.199 --> 00:06:49.819 and I assume you do, 00:06:49.879 --> 00:06:50.779 that's why you're here this morning, 00:06:52.219 --> 00:06:53.339 if you believe in God, 00:06:53.439 --> 00:06:54.740 surely it's not too difficult, is it? 00:06:54.859 --> 00:06:55.799 It's not too much to believe 00:06:55.800 --> 00:06:58.280 that the same God who made the world 00:06:58.280 --> 00:07:00.460 can act in his creation. 00:07:02.319 --> 00:07:03.759 But it's more than that. 00:07:05.639 --> 00:07:07.000 What it's telling us is that God 00:07:07.000 --> 00:07:08.580 enters into creation 00:07:08.580 --> 00:07:09.740 in the person of his son, 00:07:09.840 --> 00:07:10.420 but why? 00:07:13.460 --> 00:07:13.860 Why? 00:07:15.220 --> 00:07:16.060 Well, it tells us, 00:07:16.139 --> 00:07:17.340 you shall call his name Jesus, 00:07:17.500 --> 00:07:20.160 for he will save his people from their sins. 00:07:22.560 --> 00:07:23.900 Every single one of us 00:07:23.899 --> 00:07:26.959 has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, 00:07:28.279 --> 00:07:30.039 and are under his wrath and condemnation. 00:07:30.139 --> 00:07:32.219 We have no way of earning our way 00:07:32.219 --> 00:07:33.419 into his presence and to heaven. 00:07:34.699 --> 00:07:36.339 We've lost that opportunity. 00:07:38.239 --> 00:07:40.099 And so God sent his perfect son, 00:07:41.279 --> 00:07:42.359 his only son, 00:07:42.899 --> 00:07:45.419 who is very God of very God. 00:07:46.479 --> 00:07:48.139 And because he is God, 00:07:48.239 --> 00:07:49.939 his sacrifice of himself 00:07:49.939 --> 00:07:51.000 is of infinite value, 00:07:52.000 --> 00:07:53.339 and can cover your sin and mine. 00:07:53.899 --> 00:07:55.739 And his righteous life 00:07:55.739 --> 00:07:57.120 is of infinite value. 00:07:58.419 --> 00:07:59.959 And so he can 00:07:59.959 --> 00:08:02.620 take his perfect record 00:08:02.620 --> 00:08:04.579 and give it to us. 00:08:05.459 --> 00:08:07.379 And we enter into heaven 00:08:07.379 --> 00:08:10.819 because of his miraculous substitution. 00:08:10.819 --> 00:08:13.659 His atonement, 00:08:13.740 --> 00:08:14.899 it is the wonderful grace of God 00:08:14.899 --> 00:08:18.199 in giving us his one and only son. 00:08:19.459 --> 00:08:20.579 It begins with a miracle. 00:08:22.740 --> 00:08:23.540 But then secondly, 00:08:23.800 --> 00:08:24.839 there's the problem with miracles, 00:08:24.959 --> 00:08:25.159 isn't there? 00:08:25.240 --> 00:08:25.740 Verse 20, 00:08:26.600 --> 00:08:27.819 even good people, 00:08:27.939 --> 00:08:28.379 kind people, 00:08:28.480 --> 00:08:29.360 just people like Joseph 00:08:29.360 --> 00:08:30.920 have a really hard time with miracles. 00:08:32.379 --> 00:08:34.460 Joseph had a hard time with miracles. 00:08:34.460 --> 00:08:37.920 When Joseph heard, 00:08:38.000 --> 00:08:38.840 he was a just man, 00:08:38.920 --> 00:08:40.960 he was a kind man. 00:08:41.200 --> 00:08:43.519 When he heard that she was pregnant 00:08:43.519 --> 00:08:45.259 by the Holy Spirit, 00:08:46.720 --> 00:08:47.400 it says this, 00:08:47.620 --> 00:08:49.019 it says that he was a just man 00:08:49.019 --> 00:08:50.100 and unwilling to put it in shame, 00:08:50.180 --> 00:08:52.680 he resolved to divorce her quietly. 00:08:54.900 --> 00:08:56.139 Engagement then was different 00:08:56.139 --> 00:08:57.460 to engagement now. 00:08:58.680 --> 00:09:00.540 Engagement then was something 00:09:00.539 --> 00:09:02.379 that you needed a divorce 00:09:02.379 --> 00:09:03.419 to take a break from. 00:09:04.620 --> 00:09:05.759 A biblical engagement 00:09:05.759 --> 00:09:07.599 required a divorce to break. 00:09:09.019 --> 00:09:09.659 And so Joseph, 00:09:09.779 --> 00:09:11.339 who's made this promise to Mary, 00:09:12.599 --> 00:09:14.219 and Mary with her father 00:09:14.219 --> 00:09:17.079 has named that promise to Joseph, 00:09:18.500 --> 00:09:20.079 she seems to have broken it, 00:09:20.139 --> 00:09:20.539 doesn't she, 00:09:20.599 --> 00:09:21.759 by being unfaithful to him. 00:09:23.419 --> 00:09:25.039 Joseph doesn't want to put her 00:09:25.039 --> 00:09:25.659 to public shame. 00:09:26.740 --> 00:09:27.860 He decides rather than 00:09:27.860 --> 00:09:28.679 doing it publicly, 00:09:28.799 --> 00:09:29.719 rather than going to court 00:09:29.720 --> 00:09:30.700 and embarrassing her, 00:09:31.019 --> 00:09:32.379 he will do it in a kind of 00:09:32.379 --> 00:09:34.100 amicable agreement 00:09:34.100 --> 00:09:35.800 that won't embarrass her publicly. 00:09:37.259 --> 00:09:38.220 He's a good man, 00:09:38.279 --> 00:09:39.019 he's a kind man, 00:09:40.160 --> 00:09:41.259 but he's going to divorce her. 00:09:42.680 --> 00:09:43.540 It doesn't take, 00:09:43.600 --> 00:09:43.840 does it, 00:09:43.840 --> 00:09:45.399 a genius of logic 00:09:45.399 --> 00:09:46.379 to figure out 00:09:46.379 --> 00:09:48.320 that Mary has been messing around, 00:09:48.399 --> 00:09:49.240 she's been sleeping about. 00:09:50.399 --> 00:09:51.160 Unless, of course, 00:09:51.180 --> 00:09:51.899 you believe in miracles. 00:09:54.160 --> 00:09:54.879 And verse 21, 00:09:55.060 --> 00:09:55.540 if you look there, 00:09:55.540 --> 00:09:56.540 Joseph is immediately challenged 00:09:57.160 --> 00:09:58.480 with the miracle of Christmas. 00:10:00.379 --> 00:10:01.560 We'll see whether he believes 00:10:01.560 --> 00:10:02.879 the miracle by what he does 00:10:02.879 --> 00:10:03.620 after he gets word. 00:10:03.680 --> 00:10:04.160 But that night, 00:10:04.240 --> 00:10:04.600 in a dream, 00:10:04.660 --> 00:10:05.720 an angel comes to him, 00:10:06.139 --> 00:10:06.940 again, miraculous, 00:10:07.660 --> 00:10:08.980 and explains to him, 00:10:09.040 --> 00:10:10.060 and says to him, 00:10:11.700 --> 00:10:11.940 Joseph, 00:10:12.560 --> 00:10:13.460 son of David, 00:10:14.139 --> 00:10:14.639 don't be afraid, 00:10:14.720 --> 00:10:15.259 don't fear, 00:10:15.440 --> 00:10:16.379 to take Mary as your wife, 00:10:16.560 --> 00:10:17.940 for what is conceived in her 00:10:17.940 --> 00:10:20.019 is from the Holy Spirit. 00:10:20.019 --> 00:10:23.980 Again, it's really clear, 00:10:24.059 --> 00:10:24.240 isn't it? 00:10:24.480 --> 00:10:25.980 A virgin conception, 00:10:26.159 --> 00:10:26.919 a virgin birth, 00:10:27.720 --> 00:10:29.519 and she will bear a son, 00:10:29.659 --> 00:10:30.319 she's going to have a baby, 00:10:30.600 --> 00:10:31.960 and you will call his name Jesus, 00:10:32.439 --> 00:10:33.340 for he will save his people 00:10:33.340 --> 00:10:34.000 from their sins. 00:10:35.860 --> 00:10:37.039 You'll call his name Jesus 00:10:37.039 --> 00:10:38.480 because his very name 00:10:38.480 --> 00:10:39.399 means that God saves. 00:10:40.799 --> 00:10:42.279 He will save his people 00:10:42.279 --> 00:10:43.659 from their sins. 00:10:44.620 --> 00:10:45.360 And so, Joseph, 00:10:45.500 --> 00:10:46.659 you are to take Mary home, 00:10:47.579 --> 00:10:49.019 and you are to adopt Jesus, 00:10:49.159 --> 00:10:50.079 and you are to rear him 00:10:50.079 --> 00:10:50.579 as your son, 00:10:50.799 --> 00:10:51.779 and in his circumcision, 00:10:51.899 --> 00:10:52.819 you are to give him his name. 00:10:54.039 --> 00:10:55.219 And I'm giving you the name. 00:10:56.799 --> 00:10:57.639 You're the name in Jesus, 00:10:57.779 --> 00:10:59.259 for he will save his people 00:10:59.259 --> 00:10:59.819 from their sins. 00:10:59.860 --> 00:11:00.659 It's some dream, isn't it? 00:11:02.539 --> 00:11:03.740 And he is told that 00:11:03.740 --> 00:11:06.159 this child is going to fulfill 00:11:06.159 --> 00:11:07.379 what was promised 00:11:07.379 --> 00:11:08.839 centuries before. 00:11:08.840 --> 00:11:10.160 Behold, the virgin 00:11:10.160 --> 00:11:11.780 shall conceive 00:11:11.780 --> 00:11:12.899 and bear a son, 00:11:13.340 --> 00:11:14.580 and they will call his name 00:11:14.580 --> 00:11:15.060 Emmanuel, 00:11:15.180 --> 00:11:16.220 which means God with us. 00:11:18.040 --> 00:11:19.379 So, Joseph has the dream. 00:11:19.460 --> 00:11:20.480 He has the word of God. 00:11:24.300 --> 00:11:25.899 And Joseph is faced 00:11:25.899 --> 00:11:26.740 with this great dilemma. 00:11:26.840 --> 00:11:27.360 What will he do? 00:11:29.040 --> 00:11:30.120 And so, the miracle, 00:11:30.280 --> 00:11:31.160 the problem with the miracle, 00:11:31.379 --> 00:11:32.399 and then the deeper question 00:11:32.399 --> 00:11:32.800 is this. 00:11:32.900 --> 00:11:33.920 Will Joseph believe it? 00:11:35.600 --> 00:11:36.480 And then the question 00:11:36.480 --> 00:11:37.540 for you and I this morning 00:11:37.539 --> 00:11:39.120 is will you and I believe it? 00:11:41.199 --> 00:11:42.379 And you can tell, can't you, 00:11:42.399 --> 00:11:43.679 if Joseph is going to believe it 00:11:43.679 --> 00:11:45.279 because he'll behave 00:11:45.279 --> 00:11:46.120 one way or the other. 00:11:47.459 --> 00:11:49.019 If he doesn't believe the dream, 00:11:49.099 --> 00:11:50.240 if he doesn't believe the angel, 00:11:50.599 --> 00:11:51.919 well, he'll divorce her quietly. 00:11:53.740 --> 00:11:54.819 But if he believes 00:11:54.819 --> 00:11:56.639 the mystery of the incarnation, 00:11:56.899 --> 00:11:57.939 if he believes this miracle, 00:11:59.039 --> 00:12:00.179 he will obey the angel. 00:12:00.279 --> 00:12:00.819 In verse 24, 00:12:00.899 --> 00:12:01.519 we're giving the answer. 00:12:03.379 --> 00:12:04.259 Look at verse 24. 00:12:07.539 --> 00:12:08.299 And when Joseph woke 00:12:08.299 --> 00:12:08.819 from his sleep, 00:12:10.179 --> 00:12:11.919 he did as the angel 00:12:11.919 --> 00:12:12.939 of the Lord commanded him. 00:12:15.219 --> 00:12:16.240 And he took his wife, 00:12:16.620 --> 00:12:17.379 but he knew her not, 00:12:17.419 --> 00:12:18.159 he didn't sleep with her, 00:12:18.620 --> 00:12:19.539 until she'd given birth 00:12:19.539 --> 00:12:19.959 to a son. 00:12:20.740 --> 00:12:21.860 And he called his name, 00:12:22.079 --> 00:12:22.299 Jesus. 00:12:26.039 --> 00:12:27.339 Joseph believed the miracle. 00:12:27.340 --> 00:12:28.500 So let me ask you, 00:12:28.980 --> 00:12:30.519 do you believe in the miraculous? 00:12:32.800 --> 00:12:33.800 Do you believe 00:12:33.800 --> 00:12:35.440 that God, 00:12:35.720 --> 00:12:36.899 in his perfect will 00:12:36.899 --> 00:12:37.759 and purposes, 00:12:39.340 --> 00:12:42.860 suspends the cause and effect 00:12:42.860 --> 00:12:45.280 that we know in nature 00:12:45.280 --> 00:12:47.620 in order to accomplish 00:12:47.620 --> 00:12:50.019 his deepest and greatest purpose? 00:12:50.019 --> 00:12:53.500 Do you believe 00:12:53.500 --> 00:12:54.419 that God 00:12:54.419 --> 00:12:56.779 acted directly 00:12:56.779 --> 00:12:57.840 in his world 00:12:57.840 --> 00:12:59.139 on your behalf? 00:13:00.480 --> 00:13:02.439 Because he wants you 00:13:02.439 --> 00:13:05.059 to be present with him 00:13:05.059 --> 00:13:07.259 for all eternity. 00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:10.860 That God sent his one 00:13:10.860 --> 00:13:11.840 and only son 00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:12.559 to be conceived 00:13:12.559 --> 00:13:13.620 in the womb 00:13:13.620 --> 00:13:14.899 of a sinful woman, 00:13:15.639 --> 00:13:17.960 to live a perfect life 00:13:17.960 --> 00:13:18.879 that you can ever live, 00:13:18.879 --> 00:13:20.240 and to lay down his life 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:20.879 on the cross 00:13:20.879 --> 00:13:21.539 for you. 00:13:23.939 --> 00:13:25.580 And to be raised 00:13:25.580 --> 00:13:26.019 from the dead 00:13:26.019 --> 00:13:26.399 for you 00:13:26.399 --> 00:13:27.059 and to ascend 00:13:27.059 --> 00:13:27.720 into heaven 00:13:27.720 --> 00:13:30.320 to prepare a place 00:13:30.320 --> 00:13:30.740 for you. 00:13:33.580 --> 00:13:34.860 And if you believe that, 00:13:35.580 --> 00:13:36.939 well that's going to 00:13:36.939 --> 00:13:37.439 affect your life, 00:13:37.500 --> 00:13:37.659 isn't it? 00:13:37.679 --> 00:13:38.100 It's going to affect 00:13:38.100 --> 00:13:38.539 my life. 00:13:40.340 --> 00:13:41.200 It's a beautiful thing, 00:13:41.259 --> 00:13:41.399 isn't it? 00:13:41.419 --> 00:13:42.120 Joseph woke up. 00:13:44.019 --> 00:13:44.659 He did as the angel 00:13:44.659 --> 00:13:45.000 commanded. 00:13:47.460 --> 00:13:48.379 And you can tell 00:13:48.379 --> 00:13:48.779 this morning, 00:13:48.779 --> 00:13:49.339 whether you believe 00:13:49.339 --> 00:13:49.839 this or not. 00:13:51.519 --> 00:13:52.439 How can you tell 00:13:52.439 --> 00:13:53.539 whether you believe it? 00:13:55.559 --> 00:13:55.919 Well, 00:13:56.579 --> 00:13:57.299 you will be 00:13:57.299 --> 00:13:58.059 one of the ones 00:13:58.059 --> 00:14:00.259 who seek 00:14:00.259 --> 00:14:00.659 to obey 00:14:00.659 --> 00:14:01.379 the word of God. 00:14:03.199 --> 00:14:03.919 Not perfectly, 00:14:04.039 --> 00:14:04.339 none of us 00:14:04.339 --> 00:14:04.740 do it perfectly, 00:14:04.860 --> 00:14:05.679 Joseph didn't do it perfectly. 00:14:06.779 --> 00:14:07.799 But repentantly 00:14:07.799 --> 00:14:08.620 and seriously, 00:14:09.740 --> 00:14:10.360 we seek to do 00:14:10.360 --> 00:14:11.000 what the Lord commands. 00:14:13.199 --> 00:14:13.879 We seek to do it 00:14:13.879 --> 00:14:14.860 in our financial lives, 00:14:14.899 --> 00:14:15.740 in our sexual lives, 00:14:15.919 --> 00:14:16.559 in our relationships. 00:14:16.559 --> 00:14:19.319 We seek to forgive 00:14:19.319 --> 00:14:20.039 those who've sinned 00:14:20.039 --> 00:14:20.619 against us 00:14:20.619 --> 00:14:21.719 because the Lord 00:14:21.719 --> 00:14:22.399 has forgiven us 00:14:22.399 --> 00:14:22.859 so much. 00:14:26.439 --> 00:14:27.419 And we believe 00:14:27.419 --> 00:14:28.339 in the miracle 00:14:28.339 --> 00:14:28.919 of the incarnation. 00:14:30.679 --> 00:14:31.639 We seek to honour 00:14:31.639 --> 00:14:32.299 the authorities 00:14:32.299 --> 00:14:33.039 that God has put 00:14:33.039 --> 00:14:33.579 in our lives 00:14:33.579 --> 00:14:34.339 because God has 00:14:34.339 --> 00:14:35.259 put those authorities 00:14:35.259 --> 00:14:35.599 there. 00:14:35.600 --> 00:14:38.800 and we believe 00:14:38.800 --> 00:14:39.620 in the miracle 00:14:39.620 --> 00:14:40.500 of God's 00:14:40.500 --> 00:14:41.580 undeserved favour 00:14:41.580 --> 00:14:42.180 to us. 00:14:43.779 --> 00:14:44.420 And so it goes 00:14:44.420 --> 00:14:45.399 into every relationship 00:14:45.399 --> 00:14:46.580 and every opportunity 00:14:46.580 --> 00:14:47.440 like water 00:14:47.440 --> 00:14:48.139 on concrete. 00:14:48.240 --> 00:14:48.659 It gets into 00:14:48.659 --> 00:14:49.340 every crack. 00:14:49.460 --> 00:14:50.740 So the grace of God 00:14:50.740 --> 00:14:51.659 and the kindness of God 00:14:51.659 --> 00:14:52.500 and the miracles of God 00:14:52.500 --> 00:14:53.420 go into every 00:14:53.420 --> 00:14:54.000 kind of corner 00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:54.600 of our lives 00:14:54.600 --> 00:14:57.379 in every relationship 00:14:57.379 --> 00:14:58.139 and every opportunity 00:14:58.139 --> 00:14:58.680 to obey him. 00:15:00.440 --> 00:15:01.560 And those who believe 00:15:01.560 --> 00:15:02.300 in the miraculous 00:15:02.300 --> 00:15:04.820 rise up and do his will 00:15:04.820 --> 00:15:05.680 because they know God. 00:15:06.820 --> 00:15:07.740 And they know that God 00:15:07.740 --> 00:15:08.519 has sent his son 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:09.480 in order to save them 00:15:09.480 --> 00:15:10.240 from their sins. 00:15:12.120 --> 00:15:12.700 Do you believe 00:15:12.700 --> 00:15:13.040 in miracles? 00:15:15.080 --> 00:15:15.800 Do you believe 00:15:15.800 --> 00:15:16.259 in the Lord? 00:15:16.259 --> 00:15:20.120 I wonder whether 00:15:20.120 --> 00:15:20.659 this morning 00:15:20.659 --> 00:15:21.819 this Christmas day 00:15:21.819 --> 00:15:24.059 you've suddenly realised 00:15:24.059 --> 00:15:25.759 that Christianity 00:15:25.759 --> 00:15:26.939 is not about 00:15:26.939 --> 00:15:29.220 asking you to try harder 00:15:29.220 --> 00:15:31.200 and asking you 00:15:31.200 --> 00:15:31.860 to do your best. 00:15:32.819 --> 00:15:34.179 It is about God 00:15:34.179 --> 00:15:35.840 intervening in history 00:15:35.840 --> 00:15:37.960 and in your life 00:15:37.960 --> 00:15:38.360 and in mine. 00:15:40.379 --> 00:15:41.000 And maybe you've been 00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:42.000 considering it for a while 00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:42.799 maybe you've been in church 00:15:42.799 --> 00:15:43.460 all your life 00:15:43.460 --> 00:15:45.279 but maybe today 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:46.240 is the very day 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:49.259 when he says to you 00:15:49.259 --> 00:15:50.360 come to me 00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:51.379 because I am 00:15:51.379 --> 00:15:52.539 the miraculous Lord 00:15:52.539 --> 00:15:53.759 who can deliver you 00:15:53.759 --> 00:15:54.680 from your sins. 00:15:56.539 --> 00:15:57.460 And so bring all 00:15:57.460 --> 00:15:58.100 your heartache 00:15:58.100 --> 00:15:58.620 and bring all 00:15:58.620 --> 00:15:59.139 your rebellion 00:15:59.139 --> 00:15:59.519 and bring all 00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:00.019 your sorrow 00:16:00.019 --> 00:16:01.379 and bring your struggles 00:16:01.379 --> 00:16:02.820 and bring your confusion 00:16:02.820 --> 00:16:05.080 and bring your rebellion 00:16:05.080 --> 00:16:07.720 and bring the things 00:16:07.720 --> 00:16:08.340 that you can't live 00:16:08.340 --> 00:16:09.279 with yourself anymore 00:16:09.279 --> 00:16:10.879 and bring all 00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:11.560 your regrets 00:16:11.560 --> 00:16:12.580 and come to him 00:16:12.580 --> 00:16:14.659 and give them to him. 00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:17.779 because the Lord Jesus 00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:19.440 who came as a baby 00:16:19.440 --> 00:16:21.580 says to you this morning 00:16:21.580 --> 00:16:22.220 come to me 00:16:22.220 --> 00:16:22.980 and trust me 00:16:22.980 --> 00:16:25.240 trust me 00:16:25.240 --> 00:16:25.840 like Joseph did 00:16:25.840 --> 00:16:26.700 many centuries ago 00:16:26.700 --> 00:16:29.680 and because of this 00:16:29.680 --> 00:16:30.720 Jesus was taken 00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:31.680 because Joseph trusted 00:16:31.680 --> 00:16:32.860 he was taken to Bethlehem 00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:33.720 in the womb of his mother 00:16:33.720 --> 00:16:35.200 he was born 00:16:35.200 --> 00:16:36.139 in a humble stable 00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:37.720 and the angels 00:16:37.720 --> 00:16:38.279 cried out 00:16:38.279 --> 00:16:39.279 glory to God 00:16:39.279 --> 00:16:40.500 in the highest 00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:44.259 and peace to those 00:16:44.259 --> 00:16:46.039 on whom his favour rests 00:16:46.039 --> 00:16:50.480 and to know that 00:16:50.480 --> 00:16:53.159 to know that peace of God 00:16:53.159 --> 00:16:54.240 to know the miraculous 00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:56.559 that is the greatest 00:16:56.559 --> 00:16:57.539 Christmas of all 00:16:57.539 --> 00:17:00.940 and the best book 00:17:00.940 --> 00:17:02.759 I've read this year 00:17:02.759 --> 00:17:03.620 is written by a guy 00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:04.599 called Rob Parsons 00:17:04.599 --> 00:17:05.299 there's an article 00:17:05.299 --> 00:17:06.160 on him on the BBC 00:17:06.160 --> 00:17:08.160 I want to recommend it to you 00:17:08.160 --> 00:17:09.839 it was put up this morning 00:17:09.839 --> 00:17:11.899 and Rob and Diane Parsons 00:17:11.899 --> 00:17:12.699 lived in Cardiff 00:17:12.699 --> 00:17:14.459 and it was 1976 00:17:14.459 --> 00:17:15.879 and on Christmas Eve 00:17:15.879 --> 00:17:16.699 in 1976 00:17:16.699 --> 00:17:18.399 a man knocked on their door 00:17:18.399 --> 00:17:19.599 Ronnie Lockwood 00:17:19.599 --> 00:17:20.939 he was a homeless man 00:17:20.939 --> 00:17:23.579 and Ronnie Lockwood 00:17:23.579 --> 00:17:24.139 on that night 00:17:24.139 --> 00:17:25.099 asked to come in 00:17:25.099 --> 00:17:26.980 he stayed 00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:27.839 until 2021 00:17:28.399 --> 00:17:31.819 from 1976 00:17:31.819 --> 00:17:33.579 to 2021 00:17:33.579 --> 00:17:34.179 a homeless man 00:17:34.179 --> 00:17:34.579 they'd live with 00:17:34.579 --> 00:17:35.799 it's an amazing story 00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:37.179 you'll cry your eyes out 00:17:37.179 --> 00:17:37.819 if you read the book 00:17:37.819 --> 00:17:38.579 it's just beautiful 00:17:38.579 --> 00:17:41.480 but it's a beautiful picture 00:17:41.480 --> 00:17:43.220 of what God has done 00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:45.599 it's a beautiful picture 00:17:45.599 --> 00:17:46.179 of the gospel 00:17:46.179 --> 00:17:49.639 and that in the miracle 00:17:49.639 --> 00:17:50.619 of the incarnation 00:17:50.619 --> 00:17:52.539 what God has done 00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:53.279 is he's opened up 00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:54.019 his home to you 00:17:54.019 --> 00:17:56.359 and he says to you today 00:17:56.359 --> 00:17:57.199 come in 00:17:57.199 --> 00:17:58.859 come in 00:17:58.859 --> 00:18:00.579 Jesus says 00:18:00.579 --> 00:18:01.439 come to me 00:18:01.439 --> 00:18:03.279 come to me 00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:04.619 and you will find rest 00:18:04.619 --> 00:18:05.299 rest 00:18:05.299 --> 00:18:06.619 come to me 00:18:06.619 --> 00:18:07.399 and you will find hope 00:18:07.399 --> 00:18:09.879 all because of the miracle 00:18:09.879 --> 00:18:12.819 of Jesus Christ 00:18:12.819 --> 00:18:13.479 let's pray 00:18:13.480 --> 00:18:18.400 God bless you 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.400 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:19.339 God bless you 00:18:19.339 --> 00:18:18.400 ! 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:19.339 God bless you 00:18:19.339 --> 00:18:18.400 !