WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.700 Well, this past week I've been reading from an Advent devotional which draws from the Bible book of Hebrews. 00:00:07.240 --> 00:00:11.980 And for me, Hebrews is a familiar and precious book of the Bible. 00:00:12.519 --> 00:00:19.400 ! But I don't think I've really thought too much about how some of the things in that book relate to Christmas and the birth of Jesus. 00:00:20.199 --> 00:00:22.559 The book of Hebrews begins in this way. 00:00:22.559 --> 00:00:33.479 In the past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways. 00:00:34.200 --> 00:00:39.280 But in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son. 00:00:41.539 --> 00:00:46.620 There's quite a lot of the Bible's history covered by these words. 00:00:46.619 --> 00:00:56.539 The prophets, men who spoke for God, go back as far as the days of Abraham, thousands of years before Jesus was born. 00:00:57.640 --> 00:01:01.679 We're reminded here that God has been speaking for a long time. 00:01:03.039 --> 00:01:06.500 He spoke to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 00:01:06.500 --> 00:01:15.259 And He spoke to and through men like Moses, Samuel, King David, and Elijah. 00:01:16.620 --> 00:01:22.340 These words really do invite us to think back over the whole story of God and all that He has said. 00:01:23.180 --> 00:01:26.540 And as we do, there is so much. 00:01:28.820 --> 00:01:37.260 What would we know about God had He not spoken in many times, at many times and in various ways? 00:01:38.719 --> 00:01:44.320 We might deduce from the natural world that the Creator is powerful and wise. 00:01:44.319 --> 00:01:47.819 But beyond that, what would we know of Him? 00:01:49.739 --> 00:01:59.199 Almost everything we know about God is because He has deliberately spoken to us at many times and in various ways. 00:02:00.679 --> 00:02:03.659 It's how we know He is loving and kind. 00:02:04.819 --> 00:02:08.419 It's how we know He's just and righteous. 00:02:08.419 --> 00:02:14.560 It's how we know that He's compassionate and generous. 00:02:16.639 --> 00:02:21.619 It's how we know that He rules over all, even the hearts of men. 00:02:21.620 --> 00:02:28.800 Because He has spoken at many times and in various ways. 00:02:29.219 --> 00:02:31.599 We know what He requires of us. 00:02:31.680 --> 00:02:34.920 We know His commands, which He's given for our benefit. 00:02:36.599 --> 00:02:40.980 And we also know His many great, wonderful promises. 00:02:42.340 --> 00:02:45.580 The promises He's made to His people through the centuries. 00:02:45.580 --> 00:02:48.719 Just think of the entire Old Testament. 00:02:50.080 --> 00:02:53.180 God has said quite a lot over the years. 00:02:55.180 --> 00:03:01.060 But in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son. 00:03:02.700 --> 00:03:08.860 We get a sense from these words that Jesus is the great climax of God's revelation. 00:03:08.860 --> 00:03:15.300 There was all that was said for thousands of years before. 00:03:16.380 --> 00:03:20.480 But as Tim Chester, the author of the devotional I was reading, put it, 00:03:21.240 --> 00:03:23.780 Jesus is the final word. 00:03:26.360 --> 00:03:32.260 It's not as though God never speaks after the arrival of Jesus in various ways. 00:03:32.320 --> 00:03:32.800 He does. 00:03:33.760 --> 00:03:38.660 But if we think about how God speaks after Jesus' arrival, it all comes back to Jesus. 00:03:38.860 --> 00:03:42.760 The apostles are sent by Jesus. 00:03:43.080 --> 00:03:44.520 They speak on His behalf. 00:03:45.040 --> 00:03:47.380 The Holy Spirit is sent by Jesus. 00:03:49.900 --> 00:03:54.240 The great ending to the story of our world, which is told to us in the book of Revelation, 00:03:54.760 --> 00:03:57.200 at the end of the Bible, even it has Jesus. 00:03:57.760 --> 00:04:00.340 The Lamb has the central figure. 00:04:01.440 --> 00:04:05.840 And the throne that He sits on and the city that He brings for His people. 00:04:05.840 --> 00:04:09.580 In that book, Jesus says, 00:04:10.219 --> 00:04:12.759 I am the Alpha and the Omega. 00:04:13.379 --> 00:04:16.240 That's the first and last letter of the Greek alphabet. 00:04:17.500 --> 00:04:20.300 The beginning and the end. 00:04:21.840 --> 00:04:24.560 Jesus really is the last word. 00:04:25.620 --> 00:04:27.459 The final word of God. 00:04:27.459 --> 00:04:32.099 He is God's ultimate and greatest revelation. 00:04:34.599 --> 00:04:36.500 Jesus said on more than one occasion, 00:04:37.339 --> 00:04:38.719 I am the light of the world. 00:04:40.699 --> 00:04:42.120 And what does light do? 00:04:43.799 --> 00:04:45.740 It illuminates things. 00:04:45.919 --> 00:04:47.219 It enables us to see. 00:04:47.979 --> 00:04:48.699 It reveals. 00:04:48.699 --> 00:04:51.800 To say it another way, 00:04:52.599 --> 00:04:55.659 the thousands of years of history in the Old Testament 00:04:55.659 --> 00:04:59.139 are in some ways like the dark ages of our world. 00:05:00.079 --> 00:05:01.879 But with the coming of Jesus, 00:05:02.360 --> 00:05:03.120 God's Son, 00:05:03.719 --> 00:05:05.519 the dark ages are forever over. 00:05:06.719 --> 00:05:07.079 Light 00:05:07.079 --> 00:05:08.819 has dawned 00:05:08.819 --> 00:05:09.980 for mankind. 00:05:09.980 --> 00:05:13.860 What God did through the prophets 00:05:13.860 --> 00:05:15.120 long ago 00:05:15.120 --> 00:05:16.980 pales in comparison to this. 00:05:17.540 --> 00:05:19.140 This is not just another prophet. 00:05:19.379 --> 00:05:21.160 This is God's own Son. 00:05:23.220 --> 00:05:25.000 And let's see how this is so different 00:05:25.000 --> 00:05:25.620 in the words 00:05:25.620 --> 00:05:27.259 that follow. 00:05:28.360 --> 00:05:30.000 But in these last days, 00:05:30.439 --> 00:05:32.200 He has spoken to us by 00:05:32.200 --> 00:05:33.160 His Son, 00:05:34.640 --> 00:05:36.540 whom He appointed heir 00:05:36.540 --> 00:05:38.200 of all things, 00:05:38.199 --> 00:05:40.199 and through whom 00:05:40.199 --> 00:05:40.800 also 00:05:40.800 --> 00:05:42.000 He made 00:05:42.000 --> 00:05:43.079 the universe. 00:05:44.420 --> 00:05:45.279 The Son 00:05:45.279 --> 00:05:46.519 is the radiance 00:05:46.519 --> 00:05:47.560 of God's glory 00:05:47.560 --> 00:05:49.519 and the exact representation 00:05:49.519 --> 00:05:50.839 of His being, 00:05:51.639 --> 00:05:53.060 sustaining all things 00:05:53.060 --> 00:05:55.279 by His powerful word. 00:05:58.399 --> 00:05:59.699 So what God is doing 00:05:59.699 --> 00:06:00.439 through His Son 00:06:00.439 --> 00:06:01.819 is different 00:06:01.819 --> 00:06:02.560 than what He did 00:06:02.560 --> 00:06:03.300 through the prophets 00:06:03.300 --> 00:06:04.539 in all kinds of ways. 00:06:05.240 --> 00:06:05.599 First, 00:06:05.699 --> 00:06:06.259 He tells us 00:06:06.259 --> 00:06:06.740 who this 00:06:06.740 --> 00:06:07.980 Son of God is. 00:06:08.199 --> 00:06:09.839 He is the one 00:06:09.839 --> 00:06:11.159 whom God has appointed 00:06:11.159 --> 00:06:12.379 heir 00:06:12.379 --> 00:06:14.259 of all things. 00:06:16.159 --> 00:06:17.099 That alone 00:06:17.099 --> 00:06:17.740 we could ponder 00:06:17.740 --> 00:06:18.519 a long time. 00:06:19.740 --> 00:06:20.420 What does it mean 00:06:20.420 --> 00:06:21.300 to be the heir 00:06:21.300 --> 00:06:23.599 of all things? 00:06:25.680 --> 00:06:26.319 Heir 00:06:26.319 --> 00:06:27.779 speaks of inheritance. 00:06:29.259 --> 00:06:30.159 We think naturally 00:06:30.159 --> 00:06:31.419 of what a person receives 00:06:31.419 --> 00:06:32.599 when 00:06:32.599 --> 00:06:35.120 a parent dies, 00:06:35.120 --> 00:06:37.379 if anything was left 00:06:37.379 --> 00:06:38.379 in the estate. 00:06:39.139 --> 00:06:40.160 You might wonder 00:06:40.160 --> 00:06:41.160 if you will receive 00:06:41.160 --> 00:06:41.759 an inheritance 00:06:41.759 --> 00:06:42.860 from your parents 00:06:42.860 --> 00:06:43.560 when they die, 00:06:44.220 --> 00:06:45.259 and if so, 00:06:45.759 --> 00:06:46.800 what it will be. 00:06:47.840 --> 00:06:48.300 Or, 00:06:48.439 --> 00:06:49.199 you might be thinking 00:06:49.199 --> 00:06:49.780 even now 00:06:49.780 --> 00:06:50.540 of what your kids 00:06:50.540 --> 00:06:51.360 will get from you 00:06:51.360 --> 00:06:52.759 when you die. 00:06:53.579 --> 00:06:54.300 Will there be much 00:06:54.300 --> 00:06:55.000 left for them 00:06:55.000 --> 00:06:56.920 from your working years 00:06:56.920 --> 00:06:58.160 if you die 00:06:58.160 --> 00:06:58.959 at an old age? 00:06:58.959 --> 00:07:02.299 what is inherited 00:07:02.299 --> 00:07:04.919 by the Son of God? 00:07:06.919 --> 00:07:08.000 And the answer 00:07:08.000 --> 00:07:08.859 He gives 00:07:08.859 --> 00:07:10.239 is all things. 00:07:11.599 --> 00:07:12.240 Everything. 00:07:12.240 --> 00:07:15.220 God has appointed 00:07:15.220 --> 00:07:15.860 His Son 00:07:15.860 --> 00:07:16.360 heir 00:07:16.360 --> 00:07:18.639 of all things. 00:07:20.879 --> 00:07:21.879 That's mind-blowing. 00:07:23.259 --> 00:07:24.199 Let's think of 00:07:24.199 --> 00:07:24.819 some of that, 00:07:25.319 --> 00:07:26.379 what that includes. 00:07:27.780 --> 00:07:28.620 It includes 00:07:28.620 --> 00:07:29.360 everything that 00:07:29.360 --> 00:07:30.439 belongs to God. 00:07:30.780 --> 00:07:31.980 Everything that there is. 00:07:32.040 --> 00:07:32.579 We could start 00:07:32.579 --> 00:07:33.199 with a list 00:07:33.199 --> 00:07:34.400 of some small stuff. 00:07:34.939 --> 00:07:35.920 The stuff of earth. 00:07:37.220 --> 00:07:37.720 Land. 00:07:38.379 --> 00:07:39.240 All the land. 00:07:39.540 --> 00:07:40.060 The houses. 00:07:40.400 --> 00:07:40.960 The possessions 00:07:40.959 --> 00:07:41.620 of people 00:07:41.620 --> 00:07:42.579 who live on the earth. 00:07:42.739 --> 00:07:43.419 The treasures 00:07:43.419 --> 00:07:44.159 of the earth. 00:07:45.759 --> 00:07:46.639 The creatures 00:07:46.639 --> 00:07:47.379 of the earth. 00:07:47.659 --> 00:07:48.719 Even we. 00:07:50.439 --> 00:07:51.560 He made us. 00:07:52.099 --> 00:07:53.039 We belong to Him. 00:07:54.500 --> 00:07:55.500 All included 00:07:55.500 --> 00:07:56.339 in all things. 00:07:57.199 --> 00:07:58.299 The earth itself 00:07:58.299 --> 00:07:59.500 as a whole 00:07:59.500 --> 00:08:02.240 is part of the 00:08:02.240 --> 00:08:02.899 all things 00:08:02.899 --> 00:08:04.079 that He 00:08:04.079 --> 00:08:05.659 is heir of. 00:08:06.599 --> 00:08:07.479 The sun. 00:08:08.359 --> 00:08:08.919 The moon. 00:08:09.459 --> 00:08:10.060 The stars. 00:08:10.379 --> 00:08:10.819 The distant 00:08:10.819 --> 00:08:11.379 galaxies. 00:08:11.599 --> 00:08:12.560 The whole universe. 00:08:15.060 --> 00:08:16.060 God has appointed 00:08:16.060 --> 00:08:16.519 His Son 00:08:16.519 --> 00:08:17.240 to be heir 00:08:17.240 --> 00:08:19.040 of all things. 00:08:19.399 --> 00:08:19.899 Everything 00:08:19.899 --> 00:08:20.899 that there is. 00:08:22.159 --> 00:08:22.899 Which means 00:08:22.899 --> 00:08:23.800 that God's Son 00:08:23.800 --> 00:08:24.699 Jesus 00:08:24.699 --> 00:08:27.100 will be 00:08:27.100 --> 00:08:27.659 over all. 00:08:30.159 --> 00:08:30.719 Ruler 00:08:30.719 --> 00:08:32.100 of everything. 00:08:32.939 --> 00:08:33.319 Master 00:08:33.319 --> 00:08:33.899 of all. 00:08:34.899 --> 00:08:35.240 Owner 00:08:35.240 --> 00:08:36.039 and King 00:08:36.039 --> 00:08:36.620 of all. 00:08:36.620 --> 00:08:38.960 the Lord 00:08:38.960 --> 00:08:39.820 of the universe 00:08:39.820 --> 00:08:41.120 and everything 00:08:41.120 --> 00:08:41.639 in it. 00:08:43.320 --> 00:08:44.159 How does 00:08:44.159 --> 00:08:44.759 Jesus get 00:08:44.759 --> 00:08:45.480 this crazy 00:08:45.480 --> 00:08:45.940 inheritance? 00:08:47.379 --> 00:08:48.060 Well it says 00:08:48.060 --> 00:08:48.580 that God 00:08:48.580 --> 00:08:49.500 appointed Him 00:08:49.500 --> 00:08:50.360 heir. 00:08:52.060 --> 00:08:52.860 It's God 00:08:52.860 --> 00:08:53.159 Himself 00:08:53.159 --> 00:08:53.679 who made 00:08:53.679 --> 00:08:54.240 the decision 00:08:54.240 --> 00:08:54.860 that He 00:08:54.860 --> 00:08:55.700 would receive it. 00:08:56.679 --> 00:08:57.220 And God 00:08:57.220 --> 00:08:57.919 can do that 00:08:57.919 --> 00:08:59.379 because everything 00:08:59.379 --> 00:09:00.259 in the universe 00:09:00.259 --> 00:09:02.000 belongs to Him. 00:09:02.000 --> 00:09:03.659 and so He 00:09:03.659 --> 00:09:04.620 can give it 00:09:04.620 --> 00:09:05.759 to His Son. 00:09:07.679 --> 00:09:08.320 There was 00:09:08.320 --> 00:09:09.200 nothing like this 00:09:09.200 --> 00:09:09.919 happening with 00:09:09.919 --> 00:09:10.480 the prophets 00:09:10.480 --> 00:09:11.899 of the Old Testament 00:09:11.899 --> 00:09:12.379 times. 00:09:12.559 --> 00:09:13.000 This is what 00:09:13.000 --> 00:09:13.840 makes the Son 00:09:13.840 --> 00:09:14.480 of God 00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:15.620 the ultimate 00:09:15.620 --> 00:09:17.080 and the greatest. 00:09:17.460 --> 00:09:17.960 God has 00:09:17.960 --> 00:09:18.740 appointed Him 00:09:18.740 --> 00:09:19.440 to inherit 00:09:19.440 --> 00:09:20.440 all things. 00:09:22.000 --> 00:09:22.759 Lying there 00:09:22.759 --> 00:09:23.299 in the manger 00:09:23.299 --> 00:09:24.159 in Bethlehem 00:09:24.159 --> 00:09:25.440 was not just 00:09:25.440 --> 00:09:26.060 the Messiah 00:09:26.060 --> 00:09:28.060 but God's 00:09:28.060 --> 00:09:28.440 heir. 00:09:30.220 --> 00:09:30.960 The one 00:09:30.960 --> 00:09:31.820 God will make 00:09:31.820 --> 00:09:32.539 Lord 00:09:32.539 --> 00:09:34.440 of the universe. 00:09:37.820 --> 00:09:38.759 And with this 00:09:38.759 --> 00:09:39.519 He's just getting 00:09:39.519 --> 00:09:40.000 started. 00:09:40.919 --> 00:09:41.740 Just in case 00:09:41.740 --> 00:09:42.399 we didn't know 00:09:42.399 --> 00:09:42.899 the author 00:09:42.899 --> 00:09:43.340 of Hebrews 00:09:43.340 --> 00:09:44.080 reminds us 00:09:44.080 --> 00:09:44.600 that it was 00:09:44.600 --> 00:09:45.560 through His Son 00:09:45.559 --> 00:09:46.359 that God 00:09:46.359 --> 00:09:47.339 made the universe 00:09:47.339 --> 00:09:48.219 in the first 00:09:48.219 --> 00:09:48.699 place 00:09:48.699 --> 00:09:50.459 and through 00:09:50.459 --> 00:09:51.699 whom also 00:09:51.699 --> 00:09:52.259 He made 00:09:52.259 --> 00:09:52.979 the universe. 00:09:54.859 --> 00:09:55.779 This is one 00:09:55.779 --> 00:09:56.259 of the great 00:09:56.259 --> 00:09:57.139 mysteries of our 00:09:57.139 --> 00:09:57.519 faith. 00:09:59.199 --> 00:09:59.739 God made 00:09:59.739 --> 00:10:00.419 the universe 00:10:00.419 --> 00:10:01.699 through His 00:10:01.699 --> 00:10:02.059 Son 00:10:02.059 --> 00:10:04.099 before Jesus 00:10:04.099 --> 00:10:04.919 was born 00:10:04.919 --> 00:10:06.699 in Bethlehem. 00:10:08.419 --> 00:10:09.419 How can that 00:10:09.419 --> 00:10:09.679 be? 00:10:09.879 --> 00:10:10.539 We wonder. 00:10:11.739 --> 00:10:12.279 Well passages 00:10:12.279 --> 00:10:12.899 like these 00:10:12.899 --> 00:10:13.419 in the Bible 00:10:13.419 --> 00:10:14.159 remind us 00:10:14.159 --> 00:10:14.719 that the Son 00:10:14.719 --> 00:10:15.079 of God 00:10:15.080 --> 00:10:15.860 existed long 00:10:15.860 --> 00:10:16.340 before 00:10:16.340 --> 00:10:17.940 Jesus was 00:10:17.940 --> 00:10:18.240 born. 00:10:19.780 --> 00:10:20.700 The birth 00:10:20.700 --> 00:10:21.320 of God's 00:10:21.320 --> 00:10:21.520 Son 00:10:21.520 --> 00:10:22.180 wasn't the 00:10:22.180 --> 00:10:22.600 beginning 00:10:22.600 --> 00:10:23.960 of His 00:10:23.960 --> 00:10:24.259 Son. 00:10:25.379 --> 00:10:26.100 As the 00:10:26.100 --> 00:10:26.840 Apostle John 00:10:26.840 --> 00:10:27.200 wrote, 00:10:28.320 --> 00:10:28.980 He became 00:10:28.980 --> 00:10:29.580 flesh 00:10:29.580 --> 00:10:30.960 and dwelt 00:10:30.960 --> 00:10:31.600 among us. 00:10:32.560 --> 00:10:33.220 The Son 00:10:33.220 --> 00:10:33.800 of God 00:10:33.800 --> 00:10:35.040 already 00:10:35.040 --> 00:10:35.580 existed 00:10:35.580 --> 00:10:36.500 and He 00:10:36.500 --> 00:10:37.540 simply took 00:10:37.540 --> 00:10:38.340 on human 00:10:38.340 --> 00:10:39.720 flesh 00:10:39.720 --> 00:10:41.280 at a moment 00:10:41.280 --> 00:10:41.840 in time. 00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:42.720 the Divine 00:10:42.720 --> 00:10:43.160 Son 00:10:43.160 --> 00:10:43.940 was united 00:10:43.940 --> 00:10:44.620 with 00:10:44.620 --> 00:10:45.440 humanity. 00:10:46.379 --> 00:10:46.820 He became 00:10:46.820 --> 00:10:47.500 one of us. 00:10:48.440 --> 00:10:49.379 The Eternal 00:10:49.379 --> 00:10:50.300 Son of God 00:10:50.300 --> 00:10:51.840 became a 00:10:51.840 --> 00:10:52.600 true Son 00:10:52.600 --> 00:10:53.460 of Man. 00:10:56.180 --> 00:10:57.160 It wasn't 00:10:57.160 --> 00:10:57.759 just God's 00:10:57.759 --> 00:10:59.100 heir to all 00:10:59.100 --> 00:11:00.379 things lying 00:11:00.379 --> 00:11:00.840 there in the 00:11:00.840 --> 00:11:01.120 manger. 00:11:01.580 --> 00:11:02.300 This is difficult 00:11:02.300 --> 00:11:03.100 to grasp but 00:11:03.100 --> 00:11:03.519 it was the 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:03.920 One who 00:11:03.920 --> 00:11:04.420 Himself 00:11:04.420 --> 00:11:05.379 made all 00:11:05.379 --> 00:11:07.180 things lying 00:11:07.180 --> 00:11:08.540 there in 00:11:08.539 --> 00:11:08.980 the manger. 00:11:10.199 --> 00:11:11.079 The Creator 00:11:11.079 --> 00:11:11.879 of the 00:11:11.879 --> 00:11:12.480 universe 00:11:12.480 --> 00:11:14.279 in a 00:11:14.279 --> 00:11:14.500 feeding 00:11:14.500 --> 00:11:14.959 trough. 00:11:18.439 --> 00:11:19.219 And again 00:11:19.219 --> 00:11:19.659 the author 00:11:19.659 --> 00:11:20.099 of Hebrews 00:11:20.099 --> 00:11:20.579 is just 00:11:20.579 --> 00:11:21.279 getting started. 00:11:21.459 --> 00:11:21.839 Listen to 00:11:21.839 --> 00:11:22.199 what more 00:11:22.199 --> 00:11:22.620 he has to 00:11:22.620 --> 00:11:23.480 say about 00:11:23.480 --> 00:11:23.860 the Son 00:11:23.860 --> 00:11:24.360 of God. 00:11:25.620 --> 00:11:26.480 Verse 3 00:11:26.480 --> 00:11:27.179 The Son 00:11:27.179 --> 00:11:28.079 is the 00:11:28.079 --> 00:11:28.759 radiance 00:11:28.759 --> 00:11:29.579 of God's 00:11:29.579 --> 00:11:30.000 glory 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:31.519 and the 00:11:31.519 --> 00:11:32.120 exact 00:11:32.120 --> 00:11:33.480 representation 00:11:33.480 --> 00:11:34.179 of His 00:11:34.179 --> 00:11:34.639 being 00:11:34.639 --> 00:11:36.500 sustaining 00:11:36.500 --> 00:11:37.559 all things 00:11:37.559 --> 00:11:39.079 by His 00:11:39.079 --> 00:11:39.539 powerful 00:11:39.539 --> 00:11:39.979 Word. 00:11:42.079 --> 00:11:42.719 Wow. 00:11:44.500 --> 00:11:45.279 Here's the 00:11:45.279 --> 00:11:45.599 ultimate 00:11:45.599 --> 00:11:46.539 contrast between 00:11:46.539 --> 00:11:47.079 the prophets 00:11:47.079 --> 00:11:47.579 of old 00:11:47.579 --> 00:11:48.199 and the 00:11:48.199 --> 00:11:48.519 Son of 00:11:48.519 --> 00:11:48.859 God. 00:11:49.679 --> 00:11:50.139 They were 00:11:50.139 --> 00:11:50.599 men, 00:11:51.199 --> 00:11:51.759 mere men 00:11:51.759 --> 00:11:52.500 speaking on 00:11:52.500 --> 00:11:52.839 God's 00:11:52.839 --> 00:11:53.799 behalf but 00:11:53.799 --> 00:11:54.199 the Son 00:11:54.199 --> 00:11:54.659 of God 00:11:54.659 --> 00:11:55.759 is Himself 00:11:55.759 --> 00:11:57.159 the radiance 00:11:57.159 --> 00:11:58.459 of God's 00:11:58.459 --> 00:12:00.159 glory and 00:12:00.159 --> 00:12:00.879 the exact 00:12:00.879 --> 00:12:01.659 representation 00:12:01.659 --> 00:12:02.339 of His 00:12:02.339 --> 00:12:02.719 being. 00:12:04.579 --> 00:12:05.399 These are 00:12:05.399 --> 00:12:06.199 deep words 00:12:06.200 --> 00:12:08.560 the radiance 00:12:08.560 --> 00:12:09.240 of God's 00:12:09.240 --> 00:12:09.660 glory. 00:12:10.860 --> 00:12:11.620 We know 00:12:11.620 --> 00:12:12.120 that God 00:12:12.120 --> 00:12:12.840 is glorious. 00:12:14.360 --> 00:12:14.980 His glory 00:12:14.980 --> 00:12:16.680 is in 00:12:16.680 --> 00:12:17.860 the devotional 00:12:17.860 --> 00:12:18.240 I was 00:12:18.240 --> 00:12:18.620 reading 00:12:18.620 --> 00:12:19.400 Tim Chester 00:12:19.400 --> 00:12:20.640 referred to 00:12:20.640 --> 00:12:21.040 it as 00:12:21.040 --> 00:12:21.320 His 00:12:21.320 --> 00:12:22.280 perfections. 00:12:22.680 --> 00:12:23.240 His glory 00:12:23.240 --> 00:12:23.600 is His 00:12:23.600 --> 00:12:24.259 perfections. 00:12:24.400 --> 00:12:24.660 It's the 00:12:24.660 --> 00:12:25.280 things about 00:12:25.280 --> 00:12:25.660 God, 00:12:25.759 --> 00:12:26.120 the things 00:12:26.120 --> 00:12:26.580 about His 00:12:26.580 --> 00:12:27.140 character 00:12:27.140 --> 00:12:28.980 that are 00:12:28.980 --> 00:12:29.420 good, 00:12:29.580 --> 00:12:30.040 beautiful, 00:12:30.320 --> 00:12:30.840 powerful, 00:12:31.540 --> 00:12:32.180 praiseworthy. 00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:34.220 Who He is 00:12:34.220 --> 00:12:35.420 glorious. 00:12:36.460 --> 00:12:36.879 And so 00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:37.580 what does 00:12:37.580 --> 00:12:37.899 it mean 00:12:37.899 --> 00:12:38.240 that the 00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:38.800 Son is 00:12:38.800 --> 00:12:39.759 the radiance 00:12:39.759 --> 00:12:41.139 of His 00:12:41.139 --> 00:12:41.540 glory? 00:12:42.500 --> 00:12:42.759 Well, 00:12:42.820 --> 00:12:43.259 radiance 00:12:43.259 --> 00:12:44.279 is what 00:12:44.279 --> 00:12:44.860 shines 00:12:44.860 --> 00:12:45.440 forth. 00:12:46.639 --> 00:12:47.560 It's the 00:12:47.560 --> 00:12:48.800 light that's 00:12:48.800 --> 00:12:49.840 cast by 00:12:49.840 --> 00:12:50.420 the flame. 00:12:51.399 --> 00:12:51.879 It's the 00:12:51.879 --> 00:12:53.399 rays of 00:12:53.399 --> 00:12:53.899 the sun, 00:12:54.700 --> 00:12:55.580 what we 00:12:55.580 --> 00:12:56.180 see from 00:12:56.180 --> 00:12:56.660 the light. 00:12:58.180 --> 00:12:58.480 And so 00:12:58.480 --> 00:12:59.340 Jesus is 00:12:59.340 --> 00:13:00.160 the visible 00:13:00.160 --> 00:13:01.460 shining forth 00:13:01.460 --> 00:13:03.060 of God's 00:13:03.060 --> 00:13:03.420 glory. 00:13:04.220 --> 00:13:05.680 to say 00:13:05.680 --> 00:13:06.040 it another 00:13:06.040 --> 00:13:06.440 way, 00:13:07.460 --> 00:13:07.879 what is 00:13:07.879 --> 00:13:08.300 glorious 00:13:08.300 --> 00:13:09.060 about God 00:13:09.060 --> 00:13:09.899 is truly 00:13:09.899 --> 00:13:11.700 visible in 00:13:11.700 --> 00:13:12.560 Christ Jesus, 00:13:13.040 --> 00:13:13.620 His Son. 00:13:14.500 --> 00:13:15.320 God's glory 00:13:15.320 --> 00:13:16.620 is on display 00:13:16.620 --> 00:13:18.500 in and 00:13:18.500 --> 00:13:18.940 through 00:13:18.940 --> 00:13:19.700 Jesus. 00:13:20.800 --> 00:13:21.480 This is 00:13:21.480 --> 00:13:21.840 why I'm 00:13:21.840 --> 00:13:22.420 eager as a 00:13:22.420 --> 00:13:23.040 pastor to 00:13:23.040 --> 00:13:23.940 spend years 00:13:23.940 --> 00:13:24.440 of the life 00:13:24.440 --> 00:13:24.779 of our 00:13:24.779 --> 00:13:25.460 church and 00:13:25.460 --> 00:13:25.820 of my 00:13:25.820 --> 00:13:26.620 life preaching 00:13:26.620 --> 00:13:27.100 through the 00:13:27.100 --> 00:13:27.639 Gospels. 00:13:28.680 --> 00:13:29.200 The glory 00:13:29.200 --> 00:13:29.680 of God 00:13:29.680 --> 00:13:30.120 can be 00:13:30.120 --> 00:13:31.560 seen in 00:13:31.560 --> 00:13:32.080 the person 00:13:32.080 --> 00:13:32.600 of Jesus 00:13:32.600 --> 00:13:33.120 Christ. 00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:35.000 He is 00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:35.299 the 00:13:35.299 --> 00:13:35.919 radiance 00:13:35.919 --> 00:13:37.240 of God's 00:13:37.240 --> 00:13:37.620 glory. 00:13:39.440 --> 00:13:40.200 Not only 00:13:40.200 --> 00:13:40.659 that, but 00:13:40.659 --> 00:13:41.080 He's the 00:13:41.080 --> 00:13:41.679 exact 00:13:41.679 --> 00:13:42.539 representation 00:13:42.539 --> 00:13:44.440 of God's 00:13:44.440 --> 00:13:44.759 being. 00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:46.460 This is 00:13:46.460 --> 00:13:46.820 quite a 00:13:46.820 --> 00:13:47.060 thing. 00:13:48.080 --> 00:13:48.799 Sometimes we 00:13:48.799 --> 00:13:49.120 might be 00:13:49.120 --> 00:13:49.600 tempted to 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:50.139 think that 00:13:50.139 --> 00:13:50.820 Jesus is 00:13:50.820 --> 00:13:51.500 somehow just 00:13:51.500 --> 00:13:52.019 a shadow 00:13:52.019 --> 00:13:52.419 of who 00:13:52.419 --> 00:13:53.019 God is. 00:13:54.019 --> 00:13:54.759 A dim 00:13:54.759 --> 00:13:55.259 reflection. 00:13:56.639 --> 00:13:57.180 But no, 00:13:57.740 --> 00:13:58.519 the very 00:13:58.519 --> 00:13:59.139 glory of 00:13:59.139 --> 00:13:59.580 God is 00:13:59.580 --> 00:14:00.279 on display 00:14:00.279 --> 00:14:01.320 in and 00:14:01.320 --> 00:14:01.560 through 00:14:01.560 --> 00:14:01.940 Jesus. 00:14:02.120 --> 00:14:02.379 And there 00:14:02.379 --> 00:14:03.060 is nothing 00:14:03.060 --> 00:14:04.060 misrepresented. 00:14:04.860 --> 00:14:05.820 He perfectly 00:14:05.820 --> 00:14:06.960 images to 00:14:06.960 --> 00:14:08.300 us the 00:14:08.300 --> 00:14:08.660 Father. 00:14:10.379 --> 00:14:11.220 We may 00:14:11.220 --> 00:14:11.680 speak of 00:14:11.680 --> 00:14:11.960 Jesus' 00:14:12.140 --> 00:14:12.840 human flesh 00:14:12.840 --> 00:14:14.420 veiling 00:14:14.420 --> 00:14:15.580 His glory. 00:14:16.360 --> 00:14:17.140 Or we 00:14:17.140 --> 00:14:17.800 may speak of 00:14:17.800 --> 00:14:18.340 the Son of 00:14:18.340 --> 00:14:19.220 God temporarily 00:14:19.220 --> 00:14:20.240 laying some 00:14:20.240 --> 00:14:20.840 measure of 00:14:20.840 --> 00:14:21.360 His glory 00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:22.620 aside to 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:23.260 come down 00:14:23.260 --> 00:14:23.740 and save 00:14:23.740 --> 00:14:24.080 us. 00:14:24.800 --> 00:14:25.580 But in 00:14:25.580 --> 00:14:26.220 all this, 00:14:26.860 --> 00:14:27.640 the perfections 00:14:27.639 --> 00:14:28.199 of God 00:14:28.199 --> 00:14:30.460 were and 00:14:30.460 --> 00:14:31.460 still are 00:14:31.460 --> 00:14:32.659 perfectly 00:14:32.659 --> 00:14:33.439 represented 00:14:33.439 --> 00:14:34.699 in Jesus. 00:14:35.639 --> 00:14:36.319 This is why 00:14:36.319 --> 00:14:36.879 Jesus could 00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:37.319 say, if 00:14:37.319 --> 00:14:37.960 you've seen 00:14:37.960 --> 00:14:40.019 me, you've 00:14:40.019 --> 00:14:40.939 seen the 00:14:40.939 --> 00:14:41.240 Father. 00:14:42.399 --> 00:14:43.259 This is how 00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:43.600 He could 00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:44.559 say, I 00:14:44.559 --> 00:14:45.000 and the 00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:46.379 Father are 00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:46.720 one. 00:14:48.399 --> 00:14:48.960 Get to 00:14:48.960 --> 00:14:49.500 know Jesus 00:14:49.500 --> 00:14:51.179 and you 00:14:51.179 --> 00:14:51.559 get to 00:14:51.559 --> 00:14:52.159 know God. 00:14:54.039 --> 00:14:54.939 He is the 00:14:54.939 --> 00:14:55.460 exact 00:14:55.460 --> 00:14:56.659 representation of 00:14:56.659 --> 00:14:57.360 God's being. 00:15:00.759 --> 00:15:01.620 What Jesus 00:15:01.620 --> 00:15:02.500 lacked in 00:15:02.500 --> 00:15:03.159 glory while 00:15:03.159 --> 00:15:03.679 He walked 00:15:03.679 --> 00:15:04.179 the earth, 00:15:04.699 --> 00:15:05.659 we will see 00:15:05.659 --> 00:15:06.339 someday when 00:15:06.339 --> 00:15:07.079 He returns 00:15:07.079 --> 00:15:08.399 as the 00:15:08.399 --> 00:15:08.879 exalted 00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:10.059 heir of 00:15:10.059 --> 00:15:10.779 all things. 00:15:12.980 --> 00:15:13.860 This is one 00:15:13.860 --> 00:15:14.319 reason why 00:15:14.319 --> 00:15:14.860 the birth of 00:15:14.860 --> 00:15:15.639 Jesus is so 00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:16.699 worth celebrating. 00:15:17.159 --> 00:15:17.980 Not just 00:15:17.980 --> 00:15:18.639 the Messiah, 00:15:19.199 --> 00:15:19.819 not just 00:15:19.819 --> 00:15:20.379 the heir, 00:15:20.899 --> 00:15:21.339 not just 00:15:21.339 --> 00:15:22.019 the Creator, 00:15:22.360 --> 00:15:22.740 but the 00:15:22.740 --> 00:15:23.100 fullest, 00:15:23.299 --> 00:15:24.019 most visible 00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:24.879 revealing of 00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:25.759 God to us 00:15:25.759 --> 00:15:27.039 has come 00:15:27.039 --> 00:15:28.559 with the 00:15:28.559 --> 00:15:28.960 birth of 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:29.439 this baby 00:15:29.439 --> 00:15:29.779 boy. 00:15:32.720 --> 00:15:33.240 The 00:15:33.240 --> 00:15:34.080 radiance of 00:15:34.080 --> 00:15:34.799 God's glory 00:15:34.799 --> 00:15:35.200 and the 00:15:35.200 --> 00:15:35.659 exact 00:15:35.659 --> 00:15:36.340 representation 00:15:36.340 --> 00:15:36.939 of His 00:15:36.939 --> 00:15:37.539 being lay 00:15:37.539 --> 00:15:39.179 there in 00:15:39.179 --> 00:15:39.620 the manger. 00:15:43.340 --> 00:15:44.179 Things the 00:15:44.179 --> 00:15:44.860 prophets could 00:15:44.860 --> 00:15:45.659 never convey 00:15:45.659 --> 00:15:46.299 to us 00:15:46.299 --> 00:15:49.059 there in 00:15:49.059 --> 00:15:49.500 the manger. 00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:49.580 water. 00:15:53.019 --> 00:15:53.799 If all 00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:54.399 that wasn't 00:15:54.399 --> 00:15:54.740 enough 00:15:54.740 --> 00:15:55.320 wonder to 00:15:55.320 --> 00:15:55.759 behold, 00:15:56.360 --> 00:15:56.820 the author 00:15:56.820 --> 00:15:57.360 of Hebrews 00:15:57.360 --> 00:15:58.279 reminds us 00:15:58.279 --> 00:16:00.440 that the 00:16:00.440 --> 00:16:02.039 Son is 00:16:02.039 --> 00:16:02.419 the one 00:16:02.419 --> 00:16:02.759 who is 00:16:02.759 --> 00:16:03.440 right now 00:16:03.440 --> 00:16:04.120 sustaining 00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:05.059 all things 00:16:05.059 --> 00:16:06.620 by His 00:16:06.620 --> 00:16:07.019 powerful 00:16:07.019 --> 00:16:07.440 Word. 00:16:08.100 --> 00:16:08.659 Again, 00:16:08.779 --> 00:16:09.120 this is 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:09.460 truly 00:16:09.460 --> 00:16:10.139 mind-blowing. 00:16:11.240 --> 00:16:12.100 We can't 00:16:12.100 --> 00:16:12.740 even fathom 00:16:12.740 --> 00:16:13.120 how He 00:16:13.120 --> 00:16:13.700 does this. 00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:15.220 Yes, 00:16:15.379 --> 00:16:15.820 He is 00:16:15.820 --> 00:16:16.559 man, 00:16:17.100 --> 00:16:18.100 one of 00:16:18.100 --> 00:16:18.420 us, 00:16:19.100 --> 00:16:20.100 but He 00:16:20.100 --> 00:16:20.560 is also 00:16:20.560 --> 00:16:21.060 divine. 00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:23.120 He is 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:23.460 also 00:16:23.460 --> 00:16:23.920 God. 00:16:26.180 --> 00:16:26.940 He is 00:16:26.940 --> 00:16:27.600 right now 00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:28.240 doing what 00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:28.879 God alone 00:16:28.879 --> 00:16:29.300 does. 00:16:30.580 --> 00:16:31.159 He's 00:16:31.159 --> 00:16:31.740 holding the 00:16:31.740 --> 00:16:32.159 universe 00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:32.720 together 00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:35.279 by His 00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:35.820 powerful 00:16:35.820 --> 00:16:36.240 Word. 00:16:38.680 --> 00:16:39.379 When I 00:16:39.379 --> 00:16:39.800 look around 00:16:39.800 --> 00:16:40.100 at the 00:16:40.100 --> 00:16:40.580 world that 00:16:40.580 --> 00:16:40.940 we live 00:16:40.940 --> 00:16:41.200 in, 00:16:42.379 --> 00:16:42.720 and I'm 00:16:42.720 --> 00:16:43.180 talking about 00:16:43.180 --> 00:16:43.720 the natural 00:16:43.720 --> 00:16:44.160 world, 00:16:44.660 --> 00:16:45.460 what I see 00:16:45.460 --> 00:16:46.180 is amazing 00:16:46.179 --> 00:16:46.919 complexity 00:16:46.919 --> 00:16:48.259 and 00:16:48.259 --> 00:16:48.799 astonishing 00:16:48.799 --> 00:16:49.339 order. 00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:51.139 The way 00:16:51.139 --> 00:16:51.639 the weather 00:16:51.639 --> 00:16:52.759 changes, 00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:53.799 somewhat 00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:54.599 predictably 00:16:54.599 --> 00:16:55.319 according to 00:16:55.319 --> 00:16:56.059 certain patterns, 00:16:56.199 --> 00:16:56.699 and yet often 00:16:56.699 --> 00:16:57.279 we can't 00:16:57.279 --> 00:16:57.819 predict it. 00:16:58.739 --> 00:16:59.500 There's a 00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:00.000 balance, 00:17:00.299 --> 00:17:00.659 there's an 00:17:00.659 --> 00:17:01.439 order to 00:17:01.439 --> 00:17:01.939 the weather 00:17:01.939 --> 00:17:03.179 which keeps 00:17:03.179 --> 00:17:03.559 our whole 00:17:03.559 --> 00:17:04.139 world from 00:17:04.139 --> 00:17:05.059 freezing to 00:17:05.059 --> 00:17:05.419 death, 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:06.759 or from 00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:07.559 being scorched 00:17:07.559 --> 00:17:08.039 to death. 00:17:09.179 --> 00:17:09.899 There's the 00:17:09.899 --> 00:17:10.599 rain cycle. 00:17:10.599 --> 00:17:10.639 cycle. 00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:13.980 I'm not 00:17:13.980 --> 00:17:14.959 even well 00:17:14.959 --> 00:17:15.539 versed enough 00:17:15.539 --> 00:17:15.919 in it to 00:17:15.919 --> 00:17:16.500 explain it 00:17:16.500 --> 00:17:17.039 well, but 00:17:17.039 --> 00:17:17.959 you've probably 00:17:17.959 --> 00:17:18.719 heard something 00:17:18.719 --> 00:17:19.179 like that 00:17:19.179 --> 00:17:19.599 before. 00:17:20.279 --> 00:17:20.759 All of 00:17:20.759 --> 00:17:21.240 these things 00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:21.899 work together 00:17:21.899 --> 00:17:22.619 to sustain 00:17:22.619 --> 00:17:23.079 life. 00:17:24.139 --> 00:17:24.740 Break some 00:17:24.740 --> 00:17:25.119 of these 00:17:25.119 --> 00:17:26.419 systems and 00:17:26.419 --> 00:17:27.159 cycles and 00:17:27.159 --> 00:17:27.740 many living 00:17:27.740 --> 00:17:28.199 things on 00:17:28.199 --> 00:17:28.619 the planet 00:17:28.619 --> 00:17:29.240 would die. 00:17:30.919 --> 00:17:31.379 Then there's 00:17:31.379 --> 00:17:31.939 the complexity 00:17:31.939 --> 00:17:32.439 of life 00:17:32.439 --> 00:17:32.919 itself. 00:17:34.019 --> 00:17:34.339 Consider 00:17:34.339 --> 00:17:34.919 the numerous 00:17:34.919 --> 00:17:35.599 systems at 00:17:35.599 --> 00:17:36.839 work just 00:17:36.839 --> 00:17:37.179 in the 00:17:37.179 --> 00:17:37.899 human body. 00:17:37.900 --> 00:17:40.980 systems which 00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:41.759 give us 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:42.240 sight, 00:17:43.160 --> 00:17:44.640 voice, 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:47.080 touch, 00:17:47.320 --> 00:17:47.880 and feel, 00:17:49.120 --> 00:17:49.580 hearing. 00:17:50.360 --> 00:17:51.200 It's 00:17:51.200 --> 00:17:51.660 amazing. 00:17:52.680 --> 00:17:53.320 I can't 00:17:53.320 --> 00:17:53.519 even 00:17:53.519 --> 00:17:54.180 comprehend 00:17:54.180 --> 00:17:55.660 how a 00:17:55.660 --> 00:17:56.240 pump can 00:17:56.240 --> 00:17:56.800 circulate 00:17:56.800 --> 00:17:57.340 blood to 00:17:57.340 --> 00:17:58.160 all the 00:17:58.160 --> 00:17:59.700 cells in 00:17:59.700 --> 00:18:00.320 my body 00:18:00.320 --> 00:18:01.220 continuously 00:18:01.220 --> 00:18:02.940 bringing them 00:18:02.940 --> 00:18:03.560 the oxygen 00:18:03.560 --> 00:18:04.120 they need 00:18:04.120 --> 00:18:04.900 to sustain 00:18:04.900 --> 00:18:06.019 that cellular 00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:07.820 life in 00:18:07.819 --> 00:18:08.200 each 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:08.679 different 00:18:08.679 --> 00:18:09.179 kind of 00:18:09.179 --> 00:18:09.659 cell in 00:18:09.659 --> 00:18:10.019 each 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:10.519 different 00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:11.119 organ in 00:18:11.119 --> 00:18:11.679 my body. 00:18:14.679 --> 00:18:15.460 The pump 00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:16.039 is controlled 00:18:16.039 --> 00:18:16.460 by the 00:18:16.460 --> 00:18:16.779 brain. 00:18:18.700 --> 00:18:19.399 And the 00:18:19.399 --> 00:18:20.000 brain is 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:20.439 sustained 00:18:20.439 --> 00:18:21.839 by the 00:18:21.839 --> 00:18:22.139 pump. 00:18:22.919 --> 00:18:23.619 By the 00:18:23.619 --> 00:18:24.319 blood flowing 00:18:24.319 --> 00:18:25.039 to it from 00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:25.460 the pump. 00:18:25.579 --> 00:18:26.240 Who keeps 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:26.740 these things 00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:27.240 from falling 00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:27.939 apart in a 00:18:27.939 --> 00:18:28.259 day or 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:28.460 two? 00:18:30.740 --> 00:18:31.579 The answer 00:18:31.579 --> 00:18:32.220 is Jesus, 00:18:33.119 --> 00:18:33.720 the Son of 00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:33.980 God. 00:18:34.079 --> 00:18:34.859 He sustains 00:18:34.859 --> 00:18:35.839 all things 00:18:35.839 --> 00:18:37.119 by his 00:18:37.119 --> 00:18:37.679 powerful 00:18:37.679 --> 00:18:38.179 word. 00:18:39.919 --> 00:18:40.559 It was 00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:40.740 the 00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:41.359 sustainer 00:18:41.359 --> 00:18:41.720 of all 00:18:41.720 --> 00:18:42.220 things 00:18:42.220 --> 00:18:43.259 who lay 00:18:43.259 --> 00:18:43.599 there 00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:44.659 in the 00:18:44.659 --> 00:18:45.000 manger 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:46.199 in 00:18:46.199 --> 00:18:46.799 Bethlehem. 00:18:48.720 --> 00:18:49.559 One more 00:18:49.559 --> 00:18:50.119 line here. 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:51.439 The author 00:18:51.439 --> 00:18:52.039 of Hebrews 00:18:52.039 --> 00:18:52.500 still in 00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:53.000 verse 3 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:53.599 says, 00:18:53.599 --> 00:19:05.939 Finally, we 00:19:05.939 --> 00:19:06.439 hear something 00:19:06.439 --> 00:19:06.939 about our 00:19:06.939 --> 00:19:07.379 redemption. 00:19:09.219 --> 00:19:09.339 And 00:19:09.339 --> 00:19:09.919 surprisingly, 00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:11.199 maybe, 00:19:11.919 --> 00:19:12.839 it's not even 00:19:12.839 --> 00:19:13.199 the main 00:19:13.199 --> 00:19:13.559 point. 00:19:13.559 --> 00:19:15.759 Jesus, 00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:17.159 the Son of 00:19:17.159 --> 00:19:17.559 God, 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:18.179 provided 00:19:18.179 --> 00:19:18.859 purification 00:19:18.859 --> 00:19:19.619 for our 00:19:19.619 --> 00:19:20.019 sins. 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:21.919 This is 00:19:21.919 --> 00:19:22.379 what Jesus 00:19:22.379 --> 00:19:22.879 accomplished 00:19:22.879 --> 00:19:23.460 by his 00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:23.839 death on 00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:24.359 the cross. 00:19:25.240 --> 00:19:25.460 He 00:19:25.460 --> 00:19:26.319 provided a 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:27.200 way for 00:19:27.200 --> 00:19:27.619 us to 00:19:27.619 --> 00:19:28.059 be made 00:19:28.059 --> 00:19:29.200 clean and 00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:31.099 pure of 00:19:31.099 --> 00:19:31.799 that guilt 00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:32.440 that we 00:19:32.440 --> 00:19:33.299 have because 00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:33.919 of the 00:19:33.919 --> 00:19:34.339 sins that 00:19:34.339 --> 00:19:34.579 we've 00:19:34.579 --> 00:19:34.919 committed. 00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:37.759 An 00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:38.460 amazing gift 00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:39.059 of grace, 00:19:40.059 --> 00:19:40.960 and the 00:19:40.960 --> 00:19:41.359 author of 00:19:41.359 --> 00:19:41.859 Hebrews will 00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:42.359 return to 00:19:42.359 --> 00:19:42.879 talk about 00:19:42.879 --> 00:19:43.259 that a 00:19:43.259 --> 00:19:44.179 lot later 00:19:44.179 --> 00:19:44.559 on in 00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:45.019 this letter. 00:19:46.179 --> 00:19:46.819 But his 00:19:46.819 --> 00:19:47.439 main point 00:19:47.439 --> 00:19:47.899 here is 00:19:47.899 --> 00:19:48.500 actually in 00:19:48.500 --> 00:19:48.919 the last 00:19:48.919 --> 00:19:49.319 line. 00:19:51.799 --> 00:19:52.539 And it's 00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:53.039 what Jesus 00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:53.919 did after 00:19:53.919 --> 00:19:54.359 he had 00:19:54.359 --> 00:19:54.799 provided 00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:55.419 purification 00:19:55.419 --> 00:19:56.359 for sins. 00:19:56.719 --> 00:19:57.500 After he 00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:58.039 had provided 00:19:58.039 --> 00:19:58.799 purification 00:19:58.799 --> 00:19:59.559 for sins, 00:20:00.059 --> 00:20:01.079 he sat 00:20:01.079 --> 00:20:01.819 down at 00:20:01.819 --> 00:20:02.339 the right 00:20:02.339 --> 00:20:03.519 hand of 00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:04.319 the majesty 00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:05.759 in heaven. 00:20:10.339 --> 00:20:10.939 Jesus 00:20:10.939 --> 00:20:11.500 took his 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:12.159 seat on 00:20:12.160 --> 00:20:12.660 the throne 00:20:12.660 --> 00:20:13.140 at the 00:20:13.140 --> 00:20:13.680 right hand 00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:14.220 of God. 00:20:16.620 --> 00:20:17.680 Right now, 00:20:18.720 --> 00:20:19.300 Jesus is 00:20:19.300 --> 00:20:19.900 sitting on 00:20:19.900 --> 00:20:20.420 heaven's 00:20:20.420 --> 00:20:20.740 throne 00:20:20.740 --> 00:20:23.100 with his 00:20:23.100 --> 00:20:23.440 father. 00:20:24.380 --> 00:20:25.300 The one 00:20:25.300 --> 00:20:25.759 to be 00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:26.820 heir of 00:20:26.820 --> 00:20:27.440 all things 00:20:27.440 --> 00:20:28.200 has reached 00:20:28.200 --> 00:20:29.720 the highest 00:20:29.720 --> 00:20:30.500 position of 00:20:30.500 --> 00:20:30.960 authority 00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:31.720 that there 00:20:31.720 --> 00:20:32.060 is. 00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:35.420 The son's 00:20:35.420 --> 00:20:35.940 birth in 00:20:35.940 --> 00:20:36.620 Bethlehem is 00:20:36.620 --> 00:20:37.259 something worthy 00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:38.000 of celebration. 00:20:38.940 --> 00:20:39.680 We should 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:40.300 look back to 00:20:40.300 --> 00:20:40.700 the manger 00:20:40.700 --> 00:20:41.180 with joy 00:20:41.180 --> 00:20:41.460 and I 00:20:41.460 --> 00:20:41.819 hope we 00:20:41.819 --> 00:20:42.840 do this 00:20:42.840 --> 00:20:43.279 Christmas. 00:20:44.120 --> 00:20:44.840 But far 00:20:44.840 --> 00:20:45.360 greater than 00:20:45.360 --> 00:20:45.819 that is 00:20:45.819 --> 00:20:46.299 where Jesus 00:20:46.299 --> 00:20:47.000 is now 00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:48.720 and what 00:20:48.720 --> 00:20:49.259 that means 00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:49.660 for all 00:20:49.660 --> 00:20:50.059 of us. 00:20:51.160 --> 00:20:51.880 We should 00:20:51.880 --> 00:20:52.460 look up 00:20:52.460 --> 00:20:53.920 to heaven's 00:20:53.920 --> 00:20:54.200 throne 00:20:54.200 --> 00:20:56.380 where the 00:20:56.380 --> 00:20:56.819 one who 00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:57.360 was born 00:20:57.360 --> 00:20:58.400 now sits 00:20:58.400 --> 00:20:59.240 as heir 00:20:59.240 --> 00:20:59.940 of all 00:20:59.940 --> 00:21:00.480 things 00:21:00.480 --> 00:21:01.640 and lord 00:21:01.640 --> 00:21:02.180 of the 00:21:02.180 --> 00:21:02.539 universe. 00:21:02.539 --> 00:21:05.059 He rules 00:21:05.059 --> 00:21:05.879 now. 00:21:08.200 --> 00:21:08.960 And in 00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:09.319 the fullness 00:21:09.319 --> 00:21:09.960 of time 00:21:09.960 --> 00:21:11.480 his rule 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:12.099 will break 00:21:12.099 --> 00:21:12.759 forth the 00:21:12.759 --> 00:21:13.420 fullness of 00:21:13.420 --> 00:21:14.299 it upon 00:21:14.299 --> 00:21:14.879 our world. 00:21:15.680 --> 00:21:16.240 He will 00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:16.859 come again 00:21:16.859 --> 00:21:18.460 and he 00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:18.920 will fulfill 00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:19.599 the rest of 00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:20.079 God's good 00:21:20.079 --> 00:21:20.839 promises to 00:21:20.839 --> 00:21:21.139 us. 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:23.379 Christmas 00:21:23.379 --> 00:21:24.019 points us 00:21:24.019 --> 00:21:24.420 ahead. 00:21:26.599 --> 00:21:27.359 And so 00:21:27.359 --> 00:21:27.879 as we head 00:21:27.879 --> 00:21:28.339 into our 00:21:28.339 --> 00:21:28.920 celebrations 00:21:28.920 --> 00:21:29.619 again this 00:21:29.619 --> 00:21:29.879 year, 00:21:29.880 --> 00:21:31.040 I just 00:21:31.040 --> 00:21:31.280 want to 00:21:31.280 --> 00:21:31.820 encourage us 00:21:31.820 --> 00:21:32.420 to fix 00:21:32.420 --> 00:21:33.180 our eyes 00:21:33.180 --> 00:21:34.260 on Jesus, 00:21:34.640 --> 00:21:35.520 the Christ 00:21:35.520 --> 00:21:36.500 of Christmas. 00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:37.880 Let's 00:21:37.880 --> 00:21:38.300 celebrate 00:21:38.300 --> 00:21:38.800 him, 00:21:39.360 --> 00:21:40.300 the final 00:21:40.300 --> 00:21:41.280 word of 00:21:41.280 --> 00:21:42.240 God to 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:42.620 us, 00:21:43.420 --> 00:21:43.920 the heir 00:21:43.920 --> 00:21:44.520 of all 00:21:44.520 --> 00:21:45.080 things, 00:21:45.600 --> 00:21:46.200 the maker 00:21:46.200 --> 00:21:48.000 and sustainer 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:49.000 of all 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:49.560 things, 00:21:50.260 --> 00:21:51.340 the radiance 00:21:51.340 --> 00:21:52.200 of God's 00:21:52.200 --> 00:21:52.620 glory, 00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:53.940 the one 00:21:53.940 --> 00:21:54.540 who provided 00:21:54.540 --> 00:21:55.360 purification 00:21:55.360 --> 00:21:56.380 for our 00:21:56.380 --> 00:21:56.780 sins, 00:21:57.620 --> 00:21:58.280 and the 00:21:58.280 --> 00:21:58.580 one who 00:21:58.580 --> 00:21:59.160 now sits 00:21:59.160 --> 00:21:59.760 on heaven's 00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:00.039 throne. 00:22:01.559 --> 00:22:02.319 It's his 00:22:02.319 --> 00:22:03.619 birth that 00:22:03.619 --> 00:22:04.299 we celebrate. 00:22:05.460 --> 00:22:06.220 Let's pray. 00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:11.799 Lord Jesus, 00:22:12.019 --> 00:22:12.960 as Christmas 00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:13.640 draws near, 00:22:13.759 --> 00:22:14.299 we ask that 00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:14.799 we wouldn't 00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:15.299 be caught 00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:16.099 up in 00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:17.740 the things 00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:18.160 that so 00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:18.720 often and 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:19.599 easily distract 00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:20.500 us at this 00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:21.119 time of year. 00:22:22.039 --> 00:22:22.879 We ask that 00:22:22.879 --> 00:22:23.240 we wouldn't 00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:23.680 be drawn 00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:26.039 into the 00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:26.819 emptiness of 00:22:26.819 --> 00:22:27.500 our world's 00:22:27.500 --> 00:22:28.059 celebration 00:22:28.059 --> 00:22:28.819 celebration of 00:22:28.819 --> 00:22:30.559 what they 00:22:30.559 --> 00:22:31.279 now call 00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:32.960 the holiday. 00:22:32.960 --> 00:22:36.680 we want to 00:22:36.680 --> 00:22:37.059 fix our 00:22:37.059 --> 00:22:37.620 eyes on you, 00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:38.000 Jesus. 00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:38.819 Help us 00:22:38.819 --> 00:22:39.340 do that. 00:22:42.819 --> 00:22:43.500 Thank you 00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:43.940 that you 00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:44.400 are all 00:22:44.400 --> 00:22:45.180 these things. 00:22:47.120 --> 00:22:48.000 We give you 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:49.380 praise for 00:22:49.380 --> 00:22:49.680 that. 00:22:50.480 --> 00:22:51.059 We can 00:22:51.059 --> 00:22:51.880 barely fathom 00:22:51.880 --> 00:22:52.620 these things. 00:22:52.619 --> 00:22:54.619 God, 00:22:54.619 --> 00:22:55.899 we ask for 00:22:55.899 --> 00:22:56.399 your help 00:22:56.399 --> 00:22:56.959 to share 00:22:56.959 --> 00:22:57.739 this good 00:22:57.739 --> 00:22:58.379 news about 00:22:58.379 --> 00:22:58.899 who you 00:22:58.899 --> 00:23:00.979 are to 00:23:00.979 --> 00:23:03.039 others this 00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:03.439 Christmas. 00:23:04.279 --> 00:23:05.099 Put that 00:23:05.099 --> 00:23:05.919 news on our 00:23:05.919 --> 00:23:06.119 lips. 00:23:06.219 --> 00:23:06.500 Give us 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:06.919 courage. 00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:07.359 Give us 00:23:07.359 --> 00:23:07.979 boldness to 00:23:07.979 --> 00:23:08.259 share. 00:23:10.739 --> 00:23:11.599 Help us to 00:23:11.599 --> 00:23:13.639 be watching 00:23:13.639 --> 00:23:14.219 and waiting 00:23:14.219 --> 00:23:15.239 for those 00:23:15.239 --> 00:23:16.119 opportunities to 00:23:16.119 --> 00:23:16.719 speak of you. 00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:19.720 we love 00:23:19.720 --> 00:23:20.120 you and we 00:23:20.120 --> 00:23:20.519 pray these 00:23:20.519 --> 00:23:21.279 things in 00:23:21.279 --> 00:23:21.700 your name. 00:23:22.700 --> 00:23:23.000 Amen.