WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.339 childbearing, a miraculous conception. And just as the angel said, Zachariah's wife became pregnant 00:00:07.339 --> 00:00:15.400 with this great prophet-to-be in her old age. And she is now near the end of her second trimester 00:00:15.400 --> 00:00:22.699 as we come to this part of the story here in Luke chapter 1 verse 26. So in the sixth month of 00:00:22.699 --> 00:00:29.679 Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin 00:00:29.679 --> 00:00:36.679 pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was 00:00:36.679 --> 00:00:43.380 Mary. So Luke is now telling us about a second visit from an angel. The first visit happened 00:00:43.380 --> 00:00:50.960 at the temple in Jerusalem. This second visit takes place in that northern town called Nazareth. 00:00:50.960 --> 00:01:01.420 God sends Gabriel to a young lady named Mary. Who is this girl? Luke tells us that she's a virgin. 00:01:02.079 --> 00:01:09.780 She's a young lady of marriageable age who has never been with a man. But Luke also tells us that there 00:01:09.780 --> 00:01:17.299 is a man in her life. Mary is right now at the time of this visit engaged to a man named Joseph. 00:01:17.299 --> 00:01:23.019 Now in Jewish culture they had some different marriage traditions than we do today and engagement 00:01:23.019 --> 00:01:28.479 and all that. I'm not going to go into all those details except to say that they were pledged to be 00:01:28.479 --> 00:01:34.539 married to each other. They have a wedding coming up at some point here so likely they're thinking 00:01:34.539 --> 00:01:42.099 towards what that day might be like and making plans. Now who's this Joseph fellow? Luke doesn't 00:01:42.099 --> 00:01:47.000 actually tell us very much about him. He simply says a descendant of David. 00:01:49.319 --> 00:01:55.919 David was the great king of Israel who reigned a thousand years before this and we'll hear more 00:01:55.919 --> 00:02:03.500 about that as we go along. So let's hear about this visit. The angel went to Mary and said greetings 00:02:03.500 --> 00:02:11.860 you who are highly favored. The Lord is with you. Can you imagine what this must have been like for this 00:02:11.860 --> 00:02:23.120 young lady? Seemingly out of nowhere an angel appears probably standing before her and in a 00:02:23.120 --> 00:02:35.539 paraphrase. Hello highly favored one. God is with you. Luke tells us how Mary was feeling here. 00:02:36.620 --> 00:02:42.159 He says Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 00:02:43.080 --> 00:02:49.620 But the angel said to her do not be afraid Mary. You have found favor with God. 00:02:49.620 --> 00:03:02.960 God. Greatly troubled. Afraid. So picture this young lady trembling. Fearful before this angelic being. 00:03:03.340 --> 00:03:08.159 It doesn't tell us here what Gabriel looked like but we can at least imagine that he didn't just appear 00:03:08.159 --> 00:03:13.800 as an ordinary man dressed in white. Whatever his appearance, whatever his voice sounded like, 00:03:13.800 --> 00:03:23.000 it was enough to greatly trouble Mary to put fear into her heart. So the angel says do not be afraid. 00:03:24.280 --> 00:03:32.280 And again he says you have found favor with God. We might pause here for just a moment. 00:03:33.460 --> 00:03:41.020 Wouldn't it be something to hear an angel sent from God to you say these words? 00:03:41.020 --> 00:03:48.880 Greetings. Greetings Dave. You have found favor with God. 00:03:53.719 --> 00:04:01.800 God really does see and know our lives inside and out. He knows what we're doing. He knows what we're 00:04:01.800 --> 00:04:10.780 saying. He knows what we're thinking and feeling and planning. Sometimes it's hard to live to please God 00:04:10.780 --> 00:04:16.519 when it seems that our actions go unnoticed or so we think. But they don't go unnoticed. 00:04:17.339 --> 00:04:23.720 God had been watching Mary all along, seeing her life and he was pleased with her. She wasn't perfect. 00:04:24.240 --> 00:04:30.579 She was a sinner too. But she was making an effort by faith to live that righteous life that God 00:04:30.579 --> 00:04:35.579 desires. And what a relief to hear from God's angel in that moment. 00:04:35.579 --> 00:04:46.779 You have found favor with God. He's pleased with you. Well God might not send an angel to us, but just the 00:04:46.779 --> 00:04:55.939 same. He's watching. He sees all that we do. And like Mary we can find favor with him if we by faith 00:04:55.939 --> 00:05:02.159 just seek to do what pleases him. Don't think that you're living for God doesn't make a difference to 00:05:02.160 --> 00:05:09.880 anyone or that nobody notices it. God sees every good and loving and kind thing that you do and you 00:05:09.880 --> 00:05:15.680 will have your acknowledgement and your reward from him at the time that he chooses. 00:05:18.120 --> 00:05:26.280 So the angel says to her, you found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son 00:05:26.279 --> 00:05:33.399 and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great. He will be called the son of the most high. 00:05:34.500 --> 00:05:39.639 The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David and he will reign over Jacob's 00:05:39.639 --> 00:05:47.919 descendants forever. His kingdom will never end. How will this be? Mary asked the angel. 00:05:48.439 --> 00:05:56.099 Since I'm a virgin. The angel answered, the Holy Spirit will come on you and the power of the most 00:05:56.100 --> 00:06:03.300 high will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the son of God. 00:06:04.320 --> 00:06:10.060 Even Elizabeth, your relative, is going to have a child in her old age and she who was said to be 00:06:10.060 --> 00:06:16.379 unable to conceive is in her sixth month for no word from God will ever fail. 00:06:16.379 --> 00:06:25.240 I am the Lord's servant, Mary answered. May your word to me be fulfilled. Then the angel left her. 00:06:29.019 --> 00:06:33.719 So the angel doesn't waste any time. He goes straight from you have found favor with God to 00:06:33.719 --> 00:06:40.659 you will conceive and give birth to a son. Can you imagine what's going on in Mary's mind right now? 00:06:40.660 --> 00:06:50.660 Like what? Mary was probably just a teenager or at the oldest in her early 20s. 00:06:51.780 --> 00:06:58.420 Here she's been thinking about her wedding, maybe making some plans and all of a sudden out of 00:06:58.420 --> 00:07:05.180 nowhere an angel sent from God tells her that she's going to be pregnant and give birth to a son. 00:07:05.180 --> 00:07:13.060 This declaration probably left her wide eyed and with her jaw dropped right to the floor. 00:07:15.139 --> 00:07:19.720 And then the angel goes on to tell her all this wonderful stuff about who this child will be. 00:07:20.420 --> 00:07:28.620 Stuff that's so wonderful that she was probably just continuously floored, shocked. How could this be? 00:07:28.620 --> 00:07:35.699 And by the time it comes for Mary to respond, we might expect her to ask a question like, 00:07:36.060 --> 00:07:38.519 are you saying that I'm going to give birth to the Messiah? 00:07:40.079 --> 00:07:45.579 Or maybe, what do you mean he will be the son of the Most High? 00:07:48.079 --> 00:07:55.340 Or maybe, is my son going to lead Israel in breaking free from the rule of the Roman Empire? 00:07:55.339 --> 00:07:56.339 Or maybe, is my son going to be the son of the Roman Empire? 00:07:57.579 --> 00:07:59.779 But Mary doesn't ask any of these questions. 00:08:00.319 --> 00:08:03.319 She's still trying to get a handle on the fact that she's going to be pregnant. 00:08:04.259 --> 00:08:05.039 And how? 00:08:06.159 --> 00:08:08.379 She says to the angel, how will this be? 00:08:09.399 --> 00:08:10.419 Since I'm a virgin. 00:08:12.799 --> 00:08:15.000 I'm not married yet. I've never been with a man. 00:08:16.359 --> 00:08:19.219 It's impossible for me to conceive and give birth to a son. 00:08:19.339 --> 00:08:23.819 Or unless you mean that this is going to happen after we get married. 00:08:23.819 --> 00:08:28.519 After the wedding, the angel answers the question. 00:08:29.699 --> 00:08:31.439 I'm going to paraphrase this a little bit. 00:08:31.560 --> 00:08:37.480 But basically, he says, no, you're going to conceive before the wedding. 00:08:38.460 --> 00:08:41.819 This baby's not going to come in the natural way. 00:08:42.960 --> 00:08:44.679 God's Spirit will come upon you. 00:08:45.659 --> 00:08:48.120 His power will overshadow you. 00:08:48.120 --> 00:08:52.340 Causing you to conceive without a husband. 00:08:52.340 --> 00:08:58.860 So that this child will rightly be called the son of God. 00:09:01.360 --> 00:09:03.179 You think this sounds impossible? 00:09:03.860 --> 00:09:05.000 But it's not. 00:09:06.779 --> 00:09:12.100 Basically, the angel says, when God speaks, he always brings it to pass. 00:09:12.180 --> 00:09:13.759 No word from God will ever fail. 00:09:13.759 --> 00:09:16.220 He can do the impossible. 00:09:16.519 --> 00:09:18.179 Just like he's doing with Elizabeth. 00:09:19.240 --> 00:09:20.559 Your relative right now. 00:09:20.720 --> 00:09:23.580 Who's six months pregnant in her old age. 00:09:25.139 --> 00:09:26.679 I love these words. 00:09:27.700 --> 00:09:29.460 That Luke shares with us here. 00:09:30.759 --> 00:09:33.960 The supernatural conception of Jesus. 00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:35.860 Without a human father. 00:09:37.000 --> 00:09:40.139 Is enough to send shivers down my soul. 00:09:40.139 --> 00:09:42.439 The creator. 00:09:43.220 --> 00:09:45.199 The author of all life. 00:09:45.360 --> 00:09:47.360 Is going to bring a human life. 00:09:48.360 --> 00:09:51.399 And he himself will be the father. 00:09:52.179 --> 00:09:53.240 Of that human baby. 00:09:54.559 --> 00:09:57.480 He will work powerfully and miraculously. 00:09:58.100 --> 00:09:59.199 Bringing forth. 00:10:00.240 --> 00:10:02.399 Jesus in the womb of Mary. 00:10:03.360 --> 00:10:05.100 This miracle is right up there. 00:10:05.220 --> 00:10:07.000 With the resurrection of Jesus. 00:10:07.439 --> 00:10:08.439 From the dead. 00:10:08.440 --> 00:10:11.900 I got thinking about this this past week. 00:10:12.740 --> 00:10:14.180 Even just the conception. 00:10:14.620 --> 00:10:16.740 Of a human life from two parents. 00:10:16.900 --> 00:10:17.980 The natural way. 00:10:18.420 --> 00:10:19.940 Is already stunning. 00:10:20.320 --> 00:10:20.940 And miraculous. 00:10:22.140 --> 00:10:23.560 So mind-boggling. 00:10:23.680 --> 00:10:25.260 And how complex it is. 00:10:25.740 --> 00:10:26.860 What a wonderful thing. 00:10:27.020 --> 00:10:29.460 How each of us began our existence in this world. 00:10:29.540 --> 00:10:31.180 As a single human cell. 00:10:34.320 --> 00:10:35.800 Made up of parts. 00:10:35.800 --> 00:10:37.040 From both mother and father. 00:10:37.039 --> 00:10:39.179 A cell which then set in motion. 00:10:39.500 --> 00:10:41.659 An innumerable chain of events. 00:10:41.659 --> 00:10:42.819 To assemble. 00:10:43.500 --> 00:10:43.740 You. 00:10:44.839 --> 00:10:45.519 A living. 00:10:45.740 --> 00:10:46.779 Breathing human being. 00:10:48.019 --> 00:10:49.179 It's amazing. 00:10:49.879 --> 00:10:51.240 How much more though. 00:10:51.480 --> 00:10:52.799 That God can do that. 00:10:53.179 --> 00:10:55.099 With only half the parts. 00:10:55.500 --> 00:10:56.179 Required. 00:10:56.980 --> 00:10:57.939 Half the equation. 00:10:58.519 --> 00:10:59.740 And just miraculously. 00:10:59.919 --> 00:11:01.179 Supply that other half. 00:11:01.559 --> 00:11:02.459 All on his own. 00:11:02.460 --> 00:11:04.759 This right here. 00:11:04.759 --> 00:11:05.560 Is the explanation. 00:11:05.560 --> 00:11:06.820 For how Jesus was. 00:11:07.240 --> 00:11:08.480 Both human. 00:11:09.240 --> 00:11:10.160 And divine. 00:11:11.500 --> 00:11:11.980 God. 00:11:12.139 --> 00:11:13.220 And man. 00:11:15.160 --> 00:11:16.160 I don't know about you. 00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:17.740 But it puts wonder into my heart. 00:11:18.100 --> 00:11:18.580 As I. 00:11:19.080 --> 00:11:20.879 Come around to celebrating Christmas. 00:11:21.080 --> 00:11:22.700 What child is this? 00:11:23.860 --> 00:11:25.080 Jesus is. 00:11:25.300 --> 00:11:25.780 The son. 00:11:26.160 --> 00:11:27.060 Of God. 00:11:27.059 --> 00:11:27.139 God. 00:11:28.779 --> 00:11:29.699 But there's more. 00:11:29.839 --> 00:11:30.359 That the angel. 00:11:30.519 --> 00:11:31.379 Has to say here. 00:11:31.459 --> 00:11:32.039 About this son. 00:11:32.119 --> 00:11:32.619 To be born. 00:11:33.599 --> 00:11:34.539 We skipped over it. 00:11:34.539 --> 00:11:35.019 A little bit. 00:11:35.099 --> 00:11:36.000 But let's go back up. 00:11:36.039 --> 00:11:36.899 To verse 32. 00:11:38.119 --> 00:11:39.239 The angel said to Mary. 00:11:39.339 --> 00:11:40.179 The Lord God. 00:11:40.679 --> 00:11:41.699 Will give him. 00:11:41.799 --> 00:11:42.459 The throne. 00:11:42.579 --> 00:11:43.399 Of his father. 00:11:43.519 --> 00:11:43.879 David. 00:11:44.199 --> 00:11:45.099 And he will reign. 00:11:45.099 --> 00:11:46.399 Over Jacob's descendants. 00:11:46.599 --> 00:11:47.039 Forever. 00:11:47.879 --> 00:11:48.679 His kingdom. 00:11:49.199 --> 00:11:50.179 Will never end. 00:11:50.179 --> 00:11:54.019 To many of us here today. 00:11:54.019 --> 00:11:54.819 In North America. 00:11:54.979 --> 00:11:56.000 2,000 years later. 00:11:56.099 --> 00:11:56.819 This probably sounds. 00:11:56.819 --> 00:11:57.659 Kind of strange. 00:11:58.859 --> 00:12:00.559 We live in a day of nations. 00:12:00.879 --> 00:12:01.000 And. 00:12:02.199 --> 00:12:03.319 Democratic governments. 00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:05.599 Not kingdoms. 00:12:05.759 --> 00:12:06.399 And empires. 00:12:07.939 --> 00:12:09.319 We've got prime ministers. 00:12:09.319 --> 00:12:10.039 And presidents. 00:12:10.039 --> 00:12:11.120 And chancellors. 00:12:11.859 --> 00:12:12.159 And yeah. 00:12:12.239 --> 00:12:13.339 There's some monarchy. 00:12:13.559 --> 00:12:14.579 Some dictatorships. 00:12:15.500 --> 00:12:16.299 The monarchy though. 00:12:16.399 --> 00:12:17.599 That we are most familiar with. 00:12:17.679 --> 00:12:18.179 Here in Canada. 00:12:18.319 --> 00:12:19.219 Is mostly symbolic. 00:12:19.220 --> 00:12:20.420 Hearkening. 00:12:20.660 --> 00:12:21.460 Back to when Canada. 00:12:21.460 --> 00:12:22.000 Was not. 00:12:22.080 --> 00:12:22.720 Its own nation. 00:12:22.840 --> 00:12:23.360 But a colony. 00:12:23.460 --> 00:12:24.399 Of the British Empire. 00:12:25.759 --> 00:12:26.740 So all this talk. 00:12:26.779 --> 00:12:27.600 Of Mary's son. 00:12:27.720 --> 00:12:28.660 Sitting on the throne. 00:12:28.740 --> 00:12:29.680 Of his father David. 00:12:30.600 --> 00:12:31.259 And reigning. 00:12:31.379 --> 00:12:32.480 Over Jacob's descendants. 00:12:32.660 --> 00:12:33.720 In a never ending kingdom. 00:12:33.840 --> 00:12:34.379 It's kind of hard. 00:12:34.440 --> 00:12:35.300 To relate to today. 00:12:35.320 --> 00:12:35.740 Isn't it? 00:12:37.460 --> 00:12:38.360 But I would submit. 00:12:38.360 --> 00:12:39.220 To you this morning. 00:12:39.379 --> 00:12:40.139 That it might have been hard. 00:12:40.139 --> 00:12:40.980 For Mary to relate. 00:12:40.980 --> 00:12:41.779 To this as well. 00:12:43.240 --> 00:12:44.460 King David reigned. 00:12:44.460 --> 00:12:45.899 About a thousand years. 00:12:46.580 --> 00:12:48.120 Before this angelic visit. 00:12:48.120 --> 00:12:50.080 And after the death. 00:12:50.139 --> 00:12:51.100 Of King David's son. 00:12:51.240 --> 00:12:51.600 Solomon. 00:12:51.799 --> 00:12:53.799 The great kingdom of Israel. 00:12:54.120 --> 00:12:54.720 Went through. 00:12:54.960 --> 00:12:56.440 Some pretty significant changes. 00:12:56.600 --> 00:12:57.840 First it split into two. 00:12:58.360 --> 00:12:59.419 And there was all kinds of. 00:12:59.580 --> 00:13:00.799 War and conflict. 00:13:00.980 --> 00:13:01.700 Between the northern. 00:13:01.860 --> 00:13:02.799 And southern halves. 00:13:03.700 --> 00:13:05.120 Then a series of empires. 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:05.759 Rose up. 00:13:05.820 --> 00:13:07.039 And wars were waged. 00:13:07.740 --> 00:13:08.340 At times. 00:13:08.539 --> 00:13:09.320 Both kingdoms. 00:13:09.320 --> 00:13:10.740 Were subdued peoples. 00:13:11.679 --> 00:13:13.360 Under larger empires. 00:13:13.360 --> 00:13:14.539 The Assyrians came. 00:13:14.539 --> 00:13:15.939 And they laid waste. 00:13:16.019 --> 00:13:17.339 And conquered the northern kingdom. 00:13:17.500 --> 00:13:18.599 And dragged off the people. 00:13:18.759 --> 00:13:19.419 Into exile. 00:13:19.659 --> 00:13:21.199 Then the Babylonian empire. 00:13:21.199 --> 00:13:21.819 Rose up. 00:13:21.899 --> 00:13:23.319 And overtook the Assyrian empire. 00:13:23.459 --> 00:13:24.759 And conquered the southern kingdom. 00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:25.779 And dragged them away. 00:13:25.819 --> 00:13:26.579 Into exile. 00:13:28.539 --> 00:13:30.019 Then came the Persian empire. 00:13:30.139 --> 00:13:31.019 And the Greek empire. 00:13:31.159 --> 00:13:32.279 And back and forth fighting. 00:13:32.339 --> 00:13:33.039 Of the Ptolemies. 00:13:33.099 --> 00:13:33.860 And the Seleucids. 00:13:34.019 --> 00:13:35.199 And caught in the middle. 00:13:35.199 --> 00:13:35.779 Of all this. 00:13:35.839 --> 00:13:36.639 Is this land. 00:13:37.639 --> 00:13:38.799 That God promised. 00:13:38.899 --> 00:13:40.099 To the descendants of Jacob. 00:13:40.099 --> 00:13:41.339 And the descendants themselves. 00:13:41.340 --> 00:13:42.379 Who had been conquered. 00:13:43.560 --> 00:13:44.899 Taken out of the land. 00:13:45.440 --> 00:13:45.879 And then. 00:13:46.019 --> 00:13:46.879 By God's power. 00:13:47.019 --> 00:13:48.259 Brought back into the land. 00:13:49.660 --> 00:13:50.879 It wasn't until about. 00:13:50.940 --> 00:13:51.980 150 years. 00:13:52.100 --> 00:13:53.639 Before this angelic visit. 00:13:53.980 --> 00:13:55.379 That Israel had experienced. 00:13:55.500 --> 00:13:56.420 Anything like. 00:13:56.560 --> 00:13:57.120 A kingdom. 00:13:58.200 --> 00:13:59.280 In their own territory. 00:14:00.019 --> 00:14:01.060 There was a short period. 00:14:01.060 --> 00:14:02.019 Of about 100 years. 00:14:02.120 --> 00:14:03.440 When the surrounding empires. 00:14:03.620 --> 00:14:04.519 Lost their grip. 00:14:05.019 --> 00:14:06.460 Over the land of Israel. 00:14:06.560 --> 00:14:07.940 During the time of the Maccabees. 00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:09.759 And they enjoyed a short. 00:14:10.040 --> 00:14:11.220 Period of independence. 00:14:11.340 --> 00:14:11.820 And freedom. 00:14:13.180 --> 00:14:14.220 But then again. 00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:15.580 About 40 years. 00:14:15.680 --> 00:14:17.180 Before Mary was even born. 00:14:17.600 --> 00:14:18.560 The Romans came. 00:14:19.080 --> 00:14:19.800 And took over. 00:14:20.639 --> 00:14:21.379 And once again. 00:14:21.440 --> 00:14:22.660 They were a subdued people. 00:14:23.220 --> 00:14:24.500 In the Roman empire. 00:14:25.639 --> 00:14:27.200 In 37 BC. 00:14:27.500 --> 00:14:29.080 Israel came to have a king again. 00:14:29.080 --> 00:14:31.720 But it was not anything like. 00:14:32.040 --> 00:14:32.500 King David. 00:14:34.420 --> 00:14:35.400 This man. 00:14:35.820 --> 00:14:36.200 Herod. 00:14:36.820 --> 00:14:38.639 Was an opportunistic man. 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:40.860 He rose to power. 00:14:40.860 --> 00:14:41.980 By brokering a deal. 00:14:41.980 --> 00:14:42.699 With the Romans. 00:14:43.519 --> 00:14:45.179 I'll keep this region. 00:14:45.179 --> 00:14:45.840 In order. 00:14:45.980 --> 00:14:46.399 I'll make sure. 00:14:46.519 --> 00:14:47.399 That they pay taxes. 00:14:47.559 --> 00:14:48.480 I'll ward off. 00:14:48.600 --> 00:14:49.299 Some of the threats. 00:14:49.299 --> 00:14:50.460 Of the neighbors. 00:14:50.460 --> 00:14:51.379 That are hostile. 00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:52.480 If you. 00:14:52.860 --> 00:14:53.360 Back me. 00:14:53.419 --> 00:14:54.299 And support me. 00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:55.120 As the king. 00:14:55.159 --> 00:14:55.939 Over this people. 00:14:57.860 --> 00:14:58.819 So you can imagine. 00:14:58.819 --> 00:14:59.460 That to Mary. 00:14:59.580 --> 00:15:00.080 This promise. 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:00.720 Of a son. 00:15:01.240 --> 00:15:01.919 Who will sit. 00:15:02.019 --> 00:15:02.980 On David's throne. 00:15:02.980 --> 00:15:05.360 And reign over Jacob's descendants. 00:15:06.200 --> 00:15:07.440 A never ending kingdom. 00:15:07.759 --> 00:15:09.000 Sounds almost as strange. 00:15:09.000 --> 00:15:09.980 As it does to us. 00:15:10.860 --> 00:15:12.620 There hasn't been anything close to that. 00:15:12.680 --> 00:15:13.659 Since the rule of David. 00:15:13.659 --> 00:15:14.220 And Solomon. 00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:16.879 In the centuries before. 00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:18.000 Mary. 00:15:18.860 --> 00:15:19.980 Have been full of war. 00:15:21.320 --> 00:15:21.840 Plundering. 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:23.159 Hostility. 00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:24.220 Oppressive rule. 00:15:24.659 --> 00:15:26.759 By whoever has had the upper hand. 00:15:26.759 --> 00:15:27.360 At the time. 00:15:29.100 --> 00:15:30.440 As we look at the history. 00:15:30.580 --> 00:15:31.620 We might be tempted to think. 00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:32.679 That God has forgotten. 00:15:33.299 --> 00:15:34.000 The promise. 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:35.000 That he made to David. 00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:35.940 Long ago. 00:15:36.159 --> 00:15:37.120 So let's go back. 00:15:37.179 --> 00:15:37.779 And be reminded. 00:15:37.779 --> 00:15:39.460 Of what God had said. 00:15:39.759 --> 00:15:40.399 To King David. 00:15:40.399 --> 00:15:41.000 Long ago. 00:15:42.259 --> 00:15:43.179 First Chronicles. 00:15:43.419 --> 00:15:44.360 Chapter 17. 00:15:46.080 --> 00:15:47.179 And I'm just going to read. 00:15:47.240 --> 00:15:48.720 A little lengthier section here. 00:15:49.639 --> 00:15:50.500 First Chronicles. 00:15:50.600 --> 00:15:51.460 Chapter 17. 00:15:51.659 --> 00:15:52.399 After David. 00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:53.120 That's the king. 00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:55.139 Was settled in his palace. 00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:56.019 He said to Nathan. 00:15:56.120 --> 00:15:56.560 The prophet. 00:15:57.620 --> 00:15:58.299 Here I am. 00:15:58.360 --> 00:15:59.659 Living in a house of cedar. 00:16:00.139 --> 00:16:01.000 While the ark. 00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:01.620 Of the covenant. 00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:02.179 Of the Lord. 00:16:02.179 --> 00:16:03.120 Is under a tent. 00:16:04.340 --> 00:16:05.580 Nathan replied to David. 00:16:05.580 --> 00:16:06.759 Whatever you have in mind. 00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:07.360 Do it. 00:16:08.039 --> 00:16:09.039 For God is with you. 00:16:09.940 --> 00:16:10.639 But that night. 00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:11.419 The word of God. 00:16:11.580 --> 00:16:12.240 Came to Nathan. 00:16:12.679 --> 00:16:13.120 Saying. 00:16:13.879 --> 00:16:14.120 Go. 00:16:14.340 --> 00:16:15.659 And tell my servant David. 00:16:16.120 --> 00:16:17.700 This is what the Lord says. 00:16:18.480 --> 00:16:19.779 You are not the one. 00:16:19.899 --> 00:16:20.580 To build me. 00:16:20.919 --> 00:16:22.000 A house to dwell in. 00:16:23.019 --> 00:16:24.340 I have not dwelt in a house. 00:16:24.399 --> 00:16:24.820 From the day. 00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:25.639 I brought Israel. 00:16:26.100 --> 00:16:27.139 Up out of Egypt. 00:16:27.340 --> 00:16:28.240 To this day. 00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:29.500 I have moved. 00:16:29.500 --> 00:16:30.600 From one tent site. 00:16:30.899 --> 00:16:31.320 To another. 00:16:31.860 --> 00:16:32.940 From one dwelling place. 00:16:33.180 --> 00:16:33.919 To another. 00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:36.139 Wherever I have moved. 00:16:36.220 --> 00:16:36.980 With all the Israelites. 00:16:37.159 --> 00:16:37.879 Did I ever say. 00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:38.899 To any of their leaders. 00:16:38.899 --> 00:16:39.659 Whom I commanded. 00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:40.720 To shepherd my people. 00:16:41.100 --> 00:16:42.419 Why have you not built for me. 00:16:42.460 --> 00:16:43.259 A house of cedar. 00:16:44.419 --> 00:16:45.080 Now then. 00:16:45.159 --> 00:16:46.220 Tell my servant David. 00:16:46.340 --> 00:16:46.940 This is what. 00:16:47.080 --> 00:16:48.560 The Lord Almighty says. 00:16:49.560 --> 00:16:50.419 I took you. 00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:51.220 From the pasture. 00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:52.919 From tending the flock. 00:16:52.919 --> 00:16:54.000 And appointed you. 00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:54.979 Ruler. 00:16:55.299 --> 00:16:56.699 Over my people Israel. 00:16:57.620 --> 00:16:58.759 I have been with you. 00:16:58.819 --> 00:16:59.819 Wherever you have gone. 00:17:00.319 --> 00:17:01.500 And I have cut off. 00:17:01.659 --> 00:17:02.240 All your enemies. 00:17:02.240 --> 00:17:03.059 From before you. 00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:05.200 Now I will make your name. 00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:05.899 Like the names. 00:17:05.940 --> 00:17:06.920 Of the greatest men. 00:17:07.139 --> 00:17:07.859 On earth. 00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:09.339 And I will provide a place. 00:17:09.339 --> 00:17:10.599 For my people Israel. 00:17:10.599 --> 00:17:11.420 And will plant them. 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:12.359 So that they can have. 00:17:12.359 --> 00:17:13.480 A home of their own. 00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:15.319 And no longer be disturbed. 00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:16.980 Wicked people. 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:18.319 Will not oppress them anymore. 00:17:18.779 --> 00:17:20.139 As they did at the beginning. 00:17:20.140 --> 00:17:21.940 And have done ever since. 00:17:22.060 --> 00:17:23.340 The time I appointed leaders. 00:17:23.340 --> 00:17:24.520 Over my people Israel. 00:17:25.040 --> 00:17:26.460 I will also subdue. 00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:27.400 All your enemies. 00:17:28.100 --> 00:17:29.380 I declare to you. 00:17:29.460 --> 00:17:30.040 That the Lord. 00:17:30.300 --> 00:17:31.160 Will build. 00:17:31.400 --> 00:17:31.900 A house. 00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:32.740 For you. 00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:34.840 When your days are over. 00:17:34.940 --> 00:17:35.500 And you go to be. 00:17:35.600 --> 00:17:36.340 With your ancestors. 00:17:36.740 --> 00:17:37.720 I will raise up. 00:17:37.780 --> 00:17:38.340 Your offspring. 00:17:38.620 --> 00:17:39.460 To succeed you. 00:17:39.880 --> 00:17:41.360 One of your own sons. 00:17:42.160 --> 00:17:43.400 And I will establish. 00:17:43.400 --> 00:17:44.080 His kingdom. 00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:45.800 He is the one. 00:17:45.920 --> 00:17:46.360 Who will build. 00:17:46.440 --> 00:17:47.180 A house for me. 00:17:47.820 --> 00:17:48.800 And I will establish. 00:17:48.800 --> 00:17:49.920 His throne forever. 00:17:50.140 --> 00:17:51.980 I will be his father. 00:17:52.380 --> 00:17:53.500 And he will be my son. 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:55.280 I will never take. 00:17:55.280 --> 00:17:56.300 My love away from him. 00:17:56.540 --> 00:17:57.480 As I took it away. 00:17:57.480 --> 00:17:58.300 From your predecessor. 00:17:58.860 --> 00:18:00.620 I will set him over my house. 00:18:00.820 --> 00:18:01.780 And my kingdom. 00:18:02.320 --> 00:18:02.640 Forever. 00:18:03.300 --> 00:18:03.940 His throne. 00:18:04.340 --> 00:18:05.300 Will be established. 00:18:06.280 --> 00:18:06.720 Forever. 00:18:08.160 --> 00:18:09.520 Now it's hard to jump back. 00:18:09.580 --> 00:18:10.040 In time. 00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:11.380 Almost a thousand years. 00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:12.300 Before this visit. 00:18:12.380 --> 00:18:12.980 From Gabriel. 00:18:13.480 --> 00:18:14.720 To the time of King David. 00:18:15.440 --> 00:18:16.259 But in some ways. 00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:17.480 There are some big similarities. 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.840 Did you catch. 00:18:18.839 --> 00:18:19.759 What Nathan the prophet. 00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:20.559 Said to David. 00:18:20.839 --> 00:18:21.439 Verse 9. 00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:23.980 He said. 00:18:25.139 --> 00:18:26.299 They can have a home. 00:18:26.299 --> 00:18:26.879 Of their own. 00:18:26.939 --> 00:18:28.459 And no longer be disturbed. 00:18:29.139 --> 00:18:29.859 Wicked people. 00:18:29.859 --> 00:18:31.119 Will not oppress them anymore. 00:18:31.119 --> 00:18:31.819 As they did. 00:18:32.119 --> 00:18:32.839 At the beginning. 00:18:32.939 --> 00:18:33.299 And have done. 00:18:33.379 --> 00:18:34.199 Ever since the time. 00:18:34.279 --> 00:18:35.179 I appointed leaders. 00:18:35.799 --> 00:18:36.839 Over my people. 00:18:37.579 --> 00:18:37.980 Israel. 00:18:39.419 --> 00:18:40.339 To feel the weight. 00:18:40.339 --> 00:18:40.879 Of these words. 00:18:40.939 --> 00:18:41.899 You almost have to go back. 00:18:41.959 --> 00:18:42.959 And read the whole story. 00:18:42.959 --> 00:18:43.419 Of Israel. 00:18:43.419 --> 00:18:44.559 Right up to this moment. 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:45.859 But especially. 00:18:45.859 --> 00:18:47.019 What's happened with them. 00:18:47.099 --> 00:18:47.719 Since they entered. 00:18:47.839 --> 00:18:48.619 The promised land. 00:18:49.199 --> 00:18:50.819 This kind of sums it up. 00:18:51.779 --> 00:18:52.899 They've been disturbed. 00:18:52.899 --> 00:18:53.379 A lot. 00:18:53.919 --> 00:18:55.099 The wicked nations. 00:18:55.099 --> 00:18:56.259 And peoples around them. 00:18:56.379 --> 00:18:57.339 Have oppressed them. 00:18:58.019 --> 00:18:59.139 And ruled over them. 00:18:59.179 --> 00:19:00.099 And it's been chaotic. 00:19:00.579 --> 00:19:01.359 And turbulent. 00:19:01.359 --> 00:19:02.459 For all the people. 00:19:02.619 --> 00:19:03.399 Right up until. 00:19:03.899 --> 00:19:04.119 Now. 00:19:04.199 --> 00:19:05.319 When God has established. 00:19:05.319 --> 00:19:06.419 This united. 00:19:06.579 --> 00:19:07.559 And strong kingdom. 00:19:08.159 --> 00:19:09.019 Under David. 00:19:10.139 --> 00:19:11.479 And it didn't come quickly. 00:19:11.559 --> 00:19:12.019 Or easily. 00:19:12.019 --> 00:19:13.900 There were years. 00:19:13.900 --> 00:19:14.839 Of battles. 00:19:15.160 --> 00:19:16.879 With all the surrounding nations. 00:19:16.879 --> 00:19:17.519 And peoples. 00:19:18.339 --> 00:19:18.980 And finally. 00:19:19.500 --> 00:19:20.460 God promised. 00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:21.240 To put an end. 00:19:21.660 --> 00:19:22.559 To all that. 00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:23.740 And to bring a time. 00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:24.319 Of peace. 00:19:25.440 --> 00:19:26.400 Here was David. 00:19:26.859 --> 00:19:27.940 The shepherd boy. 00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:29.039 Now grown. 00:19:29.779 --> 00:19:30.319 And shepherding. 00:19:30.379 --> 00:19:31.099 The whole nation. 00:19:32.359 --> 00:19:33.480 Every tribe. 00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:34.960 Of Jacob's descendants. 00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:36.859 And David. 00:19:37.119 --> 00:19:38.000 Was like Mary. 00:19:38.839 --> 00:19:39.700 He found favor. 00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:40.240 With God. 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:40.279 God. 00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:42.460 He had faith in God. 00:19:42.920 --> 00:19:44.259 He loved God. 00:19:45.160 --> 00:19:46.559 The chronicler tells us. 00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:47.839 That one day. 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:49.220 To paraphrase it. 00:19:49.880 --> 00:19:50.220 He. 00:19:51.180 --> 00:19:52.700 Sort of looked out the window. 00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:52.980 And. 00:19:53.859 --> 00:19:55.099 Up there on the hill. 00:19:55.220 --> 00:19:55.980 Where the Lord's. 00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:57.640 Tabernacle was. 00:19:58.480 --> 00:19:59.120 All of a sudden. 00:19:59.259 --> 00:20:00.519 Had a moment of realization. 00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:01.579 Here I am. 00:20:01.660 --> 00:20:03.240 Living in this beautiful palace. 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:04.480 That I've built for myself. 00:20:05.339 --> 00:20:06.539 And God's place. 00:20:06.640 --> 00:20:07.920 Where he dwells among us. 00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:09.039 It's a tent. 00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:11.920 This doesn't make sense. 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:12.799 There's something wrong. 00:20:12.799 --> 00:20:13.539 With this picture. 00:20:14.539 --> 00:20:15.859 I've put all this time. 00:20:15.859 --> 00:20:16.319 And energy. 00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:17.319 Into beautifying. 00:20:17.440 --> 00:20:18.139 My own house. 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:19.019 My own palace. 00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:20.000 And yet the place. 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:21.680 Where God dwells among us. 00:20:23.059 --> 00:20:23.879 It's a tent. 00:20:25.399 --> 00:20:26.339 It's not right. 00:20:27.539 --> 00:20:28.259 The best. 00:20:28.299 --> 00:20:29.460 And the most beautiful house. 00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:30.039 In Jerusalem. 00:20:30.039 --> 00:20:30.720 Thought David. 00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:31.980 Shouldn't be mine. 00:20:32.779 --> 00:20:34.119 It should be the Lord's. 00:20:34.119 --> 00:20:35.779 And so David. 00:20:35.859 --> 00:20:36.619 Got it in his heart. 00:20:36.699 --> 00:20:37.939 To build a beautiful house. 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:38.519 A temple. 00:20:38.899 --> 00:20:39.899 For the Lord God. 00:20:40.799 --> 00:20:41.199 And. 00:20:41.500 --> 00:20:43.379 God was so deeply moved. 00:20:43.899 --> 00:20:44.679 By this. 00:20:45.119 --> 00:20:45.439 Love. 00:20:45.619 --> 00:20:46.179 Of David. 00:20:46.659 --> 00:20:47.539 He sent the prophet. 00:20:47.659 --> 00:20:48.459 Nathan to David. 00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:50.819 And this is what God said to David. 00:20:50.939 --> 00:20:52.119 I'm paraphrasing it. 00:20:53.399 --> 00:20:54.779 I'm deeply touched. 00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:56.919 That you want to build a house for me. 00:20:58.079 --> 00:20:58.859 But no. 00:20:58.859 --> 00:21:01.579 I'm going to build a house for you. 00:21:02.639 --> 00:21:03.619 Not a building. 00:21:04.500 --> 00:21:05.439 But a family. 00:21:06.699 --> 00:21:07.279 A people. 00:21:08.219 --> 00:21:08.979 A dynasty. 00:21:09.819 --> 00:21:10.659 A kingdom. 00:21:12.119 --> 00:21:13.219 What a promise. 00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:13.939 To make. 00:21:14.819 --> 00:21:15.599 To David. 00:21:16.859 --> 00:21:18.219 A forever kingdom. 00:21:19.579 --> 00:21:20.539 A house. 00:21:21.099 --> 00:21:22.019 But not a building. 00:21:23.319 --> 00:21:24.379 Rather a people. 00:21:24.539 --> 00:21:25.679 Always to be ruled. 00:21:25.959 --> 00:21:26.479 And governed. 00:21:27.199 --> 00:21:28.219 By a son of David. 00:21:29.439 --> 00:21:30.319 And amazingly. 00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:31.959 There is sort of a double fulfillment. 00:21:31.959 --> 00:21:32.539 To this. 00:21:33.019 --> 00:21:33.839 Promise of God. 00:21:34.019 --> 00:21:35.199 If you know the story. 00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:36.059 The son of David. 00:21:36.059 --> 00:21:37.339 Who took the throne after him. 00:21:37.439 --> 00:21:37.899 Was Solomon. 00:21:38.679 --> 00:21:40.539 And God did establish his kingdom. 00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:42.879 It was the greatest kingdom of Israel. 00:21:42.879 --> 00:21:44.219 That the world had ever seen. 00:21:44.719 --> 00:21:46.000 Built up and expanded. 00:21:46.139 --> 00:21:47.599 Beyond what David had achieved. 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:49.799 And there was a great time of peace. 00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:52.599 No longer did their enemies. 00:21:52.779 --> 00:21:53.479 Oppress them. 00:21:54.659 --> 00:21:55.099 And. 00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:56.759 This son of David. 00:21:57.019 --> 00:21:57.399 Solomon. 00:21:57.400 --> 00:21:59.940 And ruled over all the surrounding nations. 00:22:00.060 --> 00:22:01.240 They paid tribute to him. 00:22:02.259 --> 00:22:04.060 Solomon did build a house for the Lord. 00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:05.860 He built the most. 00:22:06.220 --> 00:22:07.200 Magnificent temple. 00:22:07.280 --> 00:22:08.300 The world had ever seen. 00:22:09.080 --> 00:22:09.900 For Yahweh. 00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:10.780 The creator. 00:22:12.100 --> 00:22:13.360 But then as I said earlier. 00:22:14.420 --> 00:22:15.180 Solomon died. 00:22:16.280 --> 00:22:17.340 And this kingdom. 00:22:18.019 --> 00:22:18.580 Divided. 00:22:19.100 --> 00:22:19.860 And spiraled. 00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:20.680 Downward. 00:22:20.680 --> 00:22:21.540 And was seemingly. 00:22:22.040 --> 00:22:22.940 Snuffed out. 00:22:22.940 --> 00:22:26.160 What happened to God's promise. 00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:28.620 A never ending kingdom. 00:22:29.220 --> 00:22:29.900 Where is it? 00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:32.320 Well it turns out. 00:22:32.420 --> 00:22:33.660 That what God did with Solomon. 00:22:34.019 --> 00:22:35.059 The son of David. 00:22:35.279 --> 00:22:36.460 Was just a taste. 00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:38.900 Was just a foreshadowing. 00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:40.360 Of what he planned to do. 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:41.180 Much later. 00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:42.640 Through another. 00:22:43.140 --> 00:22:43.980 Son of David. 00:22:44.080 --> 00:22:45.160 A descendant of David. 00:22:45.160 --> 00:22:45.920 Who was coming. 00:22:45.920 --> 00:22:48.340 Back to Luke. 00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:49.080 Chapter 1. 00:22:49.160 --> 00:22:49.880 Verse 32. 00:22:49.880 --> 00:22:55.640 What did the angel say to Mary. 00:22:55.640 --> 00:22:57.140 About the child she would bear. 00:22:58.200 --> 00:22:59.840 The Lord God will give him. 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:00.920 The throne. 00:23:01.320 --> 00:23:02.460 Of his father David. 00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:04.880 And he will reign over Jacob's descendants. 00:23:05.280 --> 00:23:05.660 Forever. 00:23:06.340 --> 00:23:07.060 His kingdom. 00:23:07.340 --> 00:23:08.400 Will never end. 00:23:09.780 --> 00:23:10.980 God hadn't forgotten. 00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:12.580 About what he had promised to David. 00:23:12.820 --> 00:23:14.760 Almost a thousand years before this. 00:23:15.120 --> 00:23:16.560 He was still planning to do. 00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:17.420 The same thing. 00:23:18.280 --> 00:23:19.860 To establish this great kingdom. 00:23:20.020 --> 00:23:21.580 And here's the crazy part of this. 00:23:21.660 --> 00:23:22.400 God declares. 00:23:22.720 --> 00:23:24.040 That he's going to do this. 00:23:24.700 --> 00:23:25.640 In such a. 00:23:26.040 --> 00:23:27.360 An interesting time. 00:23:28.240 --> 00:23:29.220 In a time. 00:23:29.840 --> 00:23:31.080 When here is Mary. 00:23:31.360 --> 00:23:32.160 And Joseph. 00:23:32.300 --> 00:23:33.340 And the people of Israel. 00:23:33.780 --> 00:23:35.060 A subjugated people. 00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:36.800 Under the imperial rule. 00:23:36.840 --> 00:23:38.180 Of one of the greatest empires. 00:23:38.180 --> 00:23:39.380 That the world has seen. 00:23:41.280 --> 00:23:41.720 Mary. 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:44.080 You're going to give birth to a son. 00:23:45.100 --> 00:23:46.540 And he will take up the throne. 00:23:46.620 --> 00:23:47.420 Of King David. 00:23:48.060 --> 00:23:49.300 And he will reign over. 00:23:49.299 --> 00:23:50.879 For all of the descendants of Jacob. 00:23:51.079 --> 00:23:51.559 Forever. 00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:53.859 In a never ending kingdom. 00:23:55.859 --> 00:23:56.419 Amazingly. 00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:58.099 This is God's plan. 00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:01.399 Not a line of kings. 00:24:01.399 --> 00:24:02.659 That will continue forever. 00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:04.980 But a king. 00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:06.220 At the end. 00:24:06.619 --> 00:24:07.319 Of a line. 00:24:07.579 --> 00:24:08.799 Who will live forever. 00:24:09.119 --> 00:24:10.339 And reign forever. 00:24:11.180 --> 00:24:11.919 The son. 00:24:12.319 --> 00:24:12.980 Of David. 00:24:13.559 --> 00:24:14.440 The son. 00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:15.319 Of God. 00:24:15.319 --> 00:24:16.659 Both. 00:24:16.659 --> 00:24:17.559 Here and now. 00:24:17.879 --> 00:24:19.319 In one person. 00:24:20.159 --> 00:24:21.179 He will reign forever. 00:24:21.419 --> 00:24:21.899 And the kingdom. 00:24:22.079 --> 00:24:22.939 Will never end. 00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:24.740 Because he will live. 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:25.659 And reign. 00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:26.619 By the power. 00:24:26.839 --> 00:24:28.439 Of an indestructible life. 00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:31.339 Isn't this something? 00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:33.779 Gabriel. 00:24:34.099 --> 00:24:34.980 An angel of God. 00:24:35.059 --> 00:24:36.200 Is declaring this. 00:24:36.879 --> 00:24:37.859 To a young. 00:24:38.099 --> 00:24:38.700 Lady. 00:24:38.939 --> 00:24:39.740 Named Mary. 00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:41.620 In the northern town. 00:24:41.620 --> 00:24:42.420 Of Nazareth. 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.660 Who's pledged. 00:24:43.660 --> 00:24:44.220 To be married. 00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:45.700 To a man named Joseph. 00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:50.299 This little baby. 00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:51.940 Who in nine months. 00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:54.480 Will be in her arms. 00:24:55.420 --> 00:24:56.460 He's the one. 00:24:56.640 --> 00:24:57.539 Through whom God. 00:24:57.660 --> 00:24:58.299 Will keep. 00:24:58.859 --> 00:25:00.059 This great promise. 00:25:00.059 --> 00:25:01.000 That he has made. 00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:03.420 Over a thousand years ago. 00:25:03.420 --> 00:25:05.539 This Jesus. 00:25:06.200 --> 00:25:07.080 Is the one. 00:25:08.039 --> 00:25:08.700 He will be. 00:25:08.820 --> 00:25:09.640 The son of God. 00:25:10.480 --> 00:25:11.440 He will be. 00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:12.440 The special. 00:25:12.640 --> 00:25:13.480 Son of David. 00:25:13.900 --> 00:25:14.460 The one. 00:25:14.560 --> 00:25:14.880 Through whom. 00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:15.300 All of it. 00:25:15.340 --> 00:25:16.000 Will be fulfilled. 00:25:16.440 --> 00:25:17.220 This is what makes. 00:25:17.340 --> 00:25:17.779 Christmas. 00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:18.960 So special. 00:25:20.960 --> 00:25:21.960 But like Mary. 00:25:22.060 --> 00:25:22.519 We too. 00:25:22.860 --> 00:25:23.700 Have to celebrate. 00:25:23.700 --> 00:25:24.460 And rejoice. 00:25:24.460 --> 00:25:25.259 By faith. 00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:27.100 How will this be? 00:25:27.340 --> 00:25:28.000 We might wonder. 00:25:28.660 --> 00:25:29.640 How will this come about? 00:25:29.779 --> 00:25:29.860 We. 00:25:30.019 --> 00:25:31.240 We know the story. 00:25:31.320 --> 00:25:31.940 Of the miraculous. 00:25:32.779 --> 00:25:33.220 Conception. 00:25:33.420 --> 00:25:34.860 And the birth of Jesus. 00:25:35.120 --> 00:25:36.300 But all this other stuff. 00:25:36.300 --> 00:25:37.200 About the kingdom. 00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:38.160 That will never end. 00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:39.039 How will this be? 00:25:43.720 --> 00:25:45.300 The story of Jesus. 00:25:46.360 --> 00:25:47.779 Didn't go like many of us. 00:25:47.960 --> 00:25:48.620 Might have expected. 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:51.060 He didn't rise up. 00:25:51.140 --> 00:25:52.259 To an earthly throne. 00:25:52.660 --> 00:25:53.660 Displace Herod. 00:25:54.060 --> 00:25:55.060 Chase out the Romans. 00:25:55.880 --> 00:25:57.420 And go on to establish. 00:25:57.759 --> 00:25:58.800 The kind of kingdom. 00:25:58.800 --> 00:26:00.100 That we were looking for. 00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:03.140 He rode into Jerusalem. 00:26:03.140 --> 00:26:03.880 On a donkey. 00:26:03.880 --> 00:26:04.600 And then week. 00:26:04.800 --> 00:26:05.240 Later. 00:26:05.400 --> 00:26:06.200 He was crucified. 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:08.580 And then three days. 00:26:08.580 --> 00:26:09.100 After that. 00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:10.320 He rose from the dead. 00:26:11.460 --> 00:26:12.780 And 40 days later. 00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:13.640 He was taken up. 00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:14.180 Into heaven. 00:26:17.080 --> 00:26:17.560 Again. 00:26:18.520 --> 00:26:19.360 God's plan. 00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:20.620 Is somewhat. 00:26:20.840 --> 00:26:21.360 Unexpected. 00:26:22.100 --> 00:26:23.320 The king has come. 00:26:23.520 --> 00:26:24.440 And has left. 00:26:25.920 --> 00:26:26.960 And it turns out. 00:26:27.020 --> 00:26:27.660 That the promise. 00:26:27.800 --> 00:26:28.220 And time. 00:26:28.300 --> 00:26:29.400 Of this great kingdom. 00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:30.640 Awaits. 00:26:30.640 --> 00:26:31.280 His return. 00:26:32.180 --> 00:26:32.980 At the end. 00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:33.980 Of our world story. 00:26:35.100 --> 00:26:36.060 And so like Mary. 00:26:36.280 --> 00:26:37.040 We too. 00:26:37.360 --> 00:26:38.000 Are waiting. 00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:40.420 We're waiting. 00:26:40.420 --> 00:26:40.840 To see. 00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:42.240 How God's word to her. 00:26:42.920 --> 00:26:44.000 Will be fulfilled. 00:26:45.780 --> 00:26:47.180 But as the angel said. 00:26:47.920 --> 00:26:49.560 No word from God. 00:26:49.780 --> 00:26:50.980 Will ever fail. 00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:53.759 It was Jesus. 00:26:53.920 --> 00:26:55.079 Who taught his first followers. 00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:55.680 To pray. 00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:57.740 Your kingdom. 00:26:58.140 --> 00:26:58.440 Come. 00:26:59.039 --> 00:26:59.680 On earth. 00:27:00.319 --> 00:27:01.500 As it is in heaven. 00:27:02.860 --> 00:27:04.000 And when the disciples. 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:04.759 Asked Jesus. 00:27:04.759 --> 00:27:05.480 On that day. 00:27:05.559 --> 00:27:06.240 That he ascended. 00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:06.860 Into heaven. 00:27:07.420 --> 00:27:07.839 Lord. 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:10.279 Are you at this time. 00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:11.120 Going to restore. 00:27:11.240 --> 00:27:12.220 The kingdom to Israel. 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:14.420 What did he say to them. 00:27:15.120 --> 00:27:15.579 He said. 00:27:15.620 --> 00:27:16.519 It is not for you. 00:27:16.680 --> 00:27:17.039 To know. 00:27:17.160 --> 00:27:18.120 The times or dates. 00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:19.700 The father has set. 00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:21.539 By his own authority. 00:27:23.600 --> 00:27:25.059 And what did the angels say. 00:27:25.140 --> 00:27:26.000 After he had gone up. 00:27:26.039 --> 00:27:26.500 Into heaven. 00:27:27.339 --> 00:27:28.039 They said. 00:27:28.039 --> 00:27:29.059 This same Jesus. 00:27:29.059 --> 00:27:30.380 Who has been taken from you. 00:27:30.380 --> 00:27:30.960 Into heaven. 00:27:31.319 --> 00:27:32.299 Will come back. 00:27:32.680 --> 00:27:33.559 In the same way. 00:27:33.960 --> 00:27:35.079 That you have seen him. 00:27:35.700 --> 00:27:35.940 Go. 00:27:37.440 --> 00:27:38.640 And when Jesus. 00:27:38.920 --> 00:27:39.519 The king. 00:27:40.120 --> 00:27:40.680 Returns. 00:27:40.680 --> 00:27:42.680 He is going to turn this world. 00:27:43.100 --> 00:27:43.840 Upside down. 00:27:44.860 --> 00:27:45.960 He is going to fulfill. 00:27:46.080 --> 00:27:46.960 All the promises. 00:27:47.720 --> 00:27:48.200 Establish. 00:27:48.519 --> 00:27:49.820 The good kingdom of God. 00:27:50.120 --> 00:27:50.940 Here on earth. 00:27:51.420 --> 00:27:52.960 And it will be the last kingdom. 00:27:53.100 --> 00:27:53.740 That this world. 00:27:54.100 --> 00:27:55.060 Has ever seen. 00:27:59.160 --> 00:28:00.500 What matters most. 00:28:01.060 --> 00:28:02.360 For us here today. 00:28:04.259 --> 00:28:05.799 Is will you have a place. 00:28:06.360 --> 00:28:07.340 In this kingdom. 00:28:07.339 --> 00:28:10.459 Will you be. 00:28:10.459 --> 00:28:11.279 One of the citizens. 00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:12.139 Of this kingdom. 00:28:13.740 --> 00:28:14.459 A servant. 00:28:14.459 --> 00:28:15.079 Of the king. 00:28:16.659 --> 00:28:17.139 Jesus. 00:28:17.319 --> 00:28:17.959 And the apostles. 00:28:18.859 --> 00:28:19.839 Made it clear. 00:28:20.679 --> 00:28:21.839 That you can have. 00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:22.519 Citizenship. 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:23.179 In this kingdom. 00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:23.819 They proclaim. 00:28:23.939 --> 00:28:24.659 The good news. 00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:25.240 Of the kingdom. 00:28:25.240 --> 00:28:25.779 Of God. 00:28:26.919 --> 00:28:28.019 If you repent. 00:28:28.139 --> 00:28:28.980 And you believe. 00:28:29.159 --> 00:28:29.619 You too. 00:28:29.939 --> 00:28:30.679 Can be a citizen. 00:28:30.679 --> 00:28:31.459 Of this kingdom. 00:28:32.220 --> 00:28:33.119 That is coming. 00:28:34.579 --> 00:28:35.259 And it will be. 00:28:35.259 --> 00:28:36.140 A great kingdom. 00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:37.720 A kingdom made up. 00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:38.420 Of both Jew. 00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:39.259 And Gentile. 00:28:39.339 --> 00:28:40.299 A global kingdom. 00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:43.099 And it will never end. 00:28:44.039 --> 00:28:44.740 It will be. 00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:45.539 The last kingdom. 00:28:46.920 --> 00:28:48.460 Will you have a place. 00:28:49.299 --> 00:28:50.180 In the kingdom. 00:28:51.740 --> 00:28:53.299 It's the most important question. 00:28:53.299 --> 00:28:54.200 That any of us. 00:28:54.339 --> 00:28:54.980 Has to answer. 00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:56.940 Have you repented. 00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:57.759 Of your sins. 00:28:58.900 --> 00:29:00.000 Have you believed. 00:29:00.559 --> 00:29:01.460 In your heart. 00:29:01.799 --> 00:29:02.460 That Jesus. 00:29:02.680 --> 00:29:03.180 Is the Lord. 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:04.299 Have you confessed that. 00:29:04.299 --> 00:29:09.519 If you have. 00:29:09.960 --> 00:29:11.200 God's promise to you. 00:29:11.279 --> 00:29:12.319 Is that you will be saved. 00:29:13.000 --> 00:29:14.539 And you will come to enjoy. 00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:15.899 This good kingdom. 00:29:16.700 --> 00:29:17.819 When he returns. 00:29:20.399 --> 00:29:22.000 So what child is this. 00:29:22.079 --> 00:29:22.819 That we celebrate. 00:29:22.819 --> 00:29:23.700 At Christmas time. 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:26.399 Luke tells us. 00:29:26.619 --> 00:29:27.220 The story. 00:29:28.220 --> 00:29:29.500 He is the son of God. 00:29:30.440 --> 00:29:31.579 He is the son. 00:29:31.579 --> 00:29:32.480 Of David. 00:29:32.480 --> 00:29:34.400 This. 00:29:34.400 --> 00:29:34.440 This. 00:29:35.019 --> 00:29:35.960 Is Christ. 00:29:36.620 --> 00:29:37.319 The king. 00:29:38.839 --> 00:29:39.519 Let's pray. 00:29:44.019 --> 00:29:44.839 Father in heaven. 00:29:44.960 --> 00:29:46.059 We thank you for your words. 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:47.460 We thank you that we get to. 00:29:48.460 --> 00:29:49.200 Listen in. 00:29:49.480 --> 00:29:50.400 On what happened. 00:29:51.140 --> 00:29:51.900 On that day. 00:29:52.700 --> 00:29:53.819 Two thousand years ago. 00:29:53.819 --> 00:29:55.919 When the angel. 00:29:57.299 --> 00:29:58.159 Visited Mary. 00:29:58.899 --> 00:30:00.159 And I pray that we would. 00:30:00.679 --> 00:30:01.319 Each one of us. 00:30:01.399 --> 00:30:02.539 Take these words to heart. 00:30:03.819 --> 00:30:04.899 That this child. 00:30:05.339 --> 00:30:05.819 Your son. 00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:06.619 Is special. 00:30:07.359 --> 00:30:08.299 Is like no other. 00:30:09.419 --> 00:30:10.919 I pray that you would fill our hearts. 00:30:10.919 --> 00:30:12.200 With the wonder. 00:30:12.740 --> 00:30:13.759 Of that truth. 00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:14.839 Of who he is. 00:30:15.099 --> 00:30:16.179 And the beauty of that. 00:30:17.119 --> 00:30:18.139 And give us great joy. 00:30:18.200 --> 00:30:19.240 As we celebrate this. 00:30:19.679 --> 00:30:20.119 Christmas. 00:30:21.099 --> 00:30:22.639 In your name we pray. 00:30:23.579 --> 00:30:23.959 Amen.