WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.520 I love this Sunday. 00:00:06.219 --> 00:00:08.359 Sometimes preachers call this the graveyard Sunday. 00:00:09.240 --> 00:00:10.000 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.179 Mulled wine and mince pies and the sermon's got to be 15 minutes. 00:00:33.679 --> 00:00:34.780 Otherwise you lot freak out. 00:00:35.399 --> 00:00:35.560 Alright. 00:00:36.119 --> 00:00:40.920 So we're going to look today at the epistle of Galatians. 00:00:40.960 --> 00:00:42.560 We're going to look at Galatians chapter 4. 00:00:43.179 --> 00:00:47.299 And look at really how the Apostle Paul fleshes out the incarnation. 00:00:47.500 --> 00:00:50.460 Then tonight we're going to look at, I believe, in the virgin birth. 00:00:51.700 --> 00:00:53.480 So Galatians 4. Can you look at it? 00:00:53.480 --> 00:00:54.960 Galatians 4 verses 4 to 7. 00:00:56.500 --> 00:00:58.799 Galatians 4 verses 4 to 7. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:04.680 Let me read you. 00:01:04.719 --> 00:01:05.400 This is the word of God. 00:01:05.480 --> 00:01:11.180 When the fullness of time has come, God sent forth his son born of woman, born under the law, 00:01:11.280 --> 00:01:15.480 to redeem those who are under the law, so that we might receive adoption of sons. 00:01:16.560 --> 00:01:20.340 And because you are sons, God has sent the spirit of his son into our hearts, crying, 00:01:20.340 --> 00:01:21.000 Abba, Father. 00:01:21.760 --> 00:01:23.659 So you are no longer a slave, but a son. 00:01:23.799 --> 00:01:26.519 And if a son, then an heir through God. 00:01:27.200 --> 00:01:27.760 Let's pray. 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:35.019 Our Father in heaven, we thank you that your Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle Paul to write these words. 00:01:35.859 --> 00:01:37.939 And your same Holy Spirit is with us this morning. 00:01:38.859 --> 00:01:41.739 And so we pray that he might enlighten our hearts and our minds. 00:01:42.280 --> 00:01:47.079 That he would stir up our affections with love for the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:01:47.079 --> 00:01:52.959 We pray for the help and the enabling of your Holy Spirit. 00:01:53.060 --> 00:01:54.379 Without him, we can do nothing. 00:01:55.500 --> 00:02:01.879 And so we ask you, the God who is there, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, that you would speak to us now. 00:02:02.539 --> 00:02:03.900 For we pray this in Jesus' name. 00:02:04.379 --> 00:02:04.739 Amen. 00:02:04.739 --> 00:02:04.939 Amen. 00:02:06.839 --> 00:02:09.240 And four things this morning. 00:02:10.159 --> 00:02:11.199 Four crucial issues. 00:02:11.680 --> 00:02:12.979 First of all, the time of his birth. 00:02:14.280 --> 00:02:15.099 First of all, can you say it? 00:02:15.099 --> 00:02:16.599 When the time had fully come, God sent his son. 00:02:17.659 --> 00:02:19.379 Secondly, the identity of the baby. 00:02:20.419 --> 00:02:21.579 Third, the reason he was born. 00:02:21.680 --> 00:02:23.719 And fourth, the outcome for believers. 00:02:23.799 --> 00:02:26.759 Number one, at the time of his birth. 00:02:26.759 --> 00:02:33.699 When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his son. 00:02:35.039 --> 00:02:39.979 Literally, that word is when the time had reached its fullness. 00:02:41.280 --> 00:02:44.819 It's the word that you use for filling up a bottle with water. 00:02:45.680 --> 00:02:51.859 And so you fill up the bottle and the bottle gets fuller and fuller and fuller until eventually it's at its capacity. 00:02:52.699 --> 00:02:54.159 And nothing more can go into the bottle. 00:02:54.159 --> 00:02:57.639 And when you get into a lift, that word is there, isn't it? 00:02:57.639 --> 00:03:00.020 It says a maximum number of people. 00:03:00.120 --> 00:03:00.359 What is it? 00:03:00.439 --> 00:03:00.680 Six. 00:03:00.780 --> 00:03:02.900 So you get into those tiny lifts and it says 20. 00:03:03.060 --> 00:03:05.699 You can't believe that you could fit 20 people into a lift. 00:03:05.939 --> 00:03:07.120 That's the picture. 00:03:07.300 --> 00:03:07.960 The fullness. 00:03:09.479 --> 00:03:10.439 The capacity. 00:03:10.919 --> 00:03:12.840 Nothing more can get into it. 00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:16.319 Nothing more can be added to it. 00:03:17.439 --> 00:03:19.400 The content is perfect. 00:03:19.560 --> 00:03:19.800 Full. 00:03:19.800 --> 00:03:31.060 And what Paul is saying is that God has put everything into history up to this point to prepare for the birth of Jesus Christ. 00:03:32.180 --> 00:03:33.980 The times have reached their fullness. 00:03:34.500 --> 00:03:36.020 God has done everything. 00:03:36.200 --> 00:03:37.939 There's nothing more to be done. 00:03:38.120 --> 00:03:39.500 God has left nothing out. 00:03:39.980 --> 00:03:44.220 He's left nothing undone in his preparation for the coming of Jesus. 00:03:44.219 --> 00:03:53.560 If you look at the times immediately preceding the coming of Jesus, you'll see that it was the fullness of time. 00:03:55.800 --> 00:04:00.539 Both the Roman and the Greek civilizations in which people lived contributed. 00:04:01.159 --> 00:04:05.120 Both geographically and politically, they made the world one. 00:04:06.719 --> 00:04:09.599 All roads lead to Rome, the saying goes. 00:04:09.599 --> 00:04:18.719 There was the possibility with the roads that they'd built and the situation that they'd produced around the world for a highway to be made for the gospel. 00:04:20.060 --> 00:04:22.860 The Greek language was the common means of communication. 00:04:24.139 --> 00:04:28.319 And so that the gospel could be broadcasted all around the globe. 00:04:29.439 --> 00:04:39.019 Greek culture and religion, as well as Roman religion, was in a state of terminal death, terminal emptiness and vacuousness. 00:04:39.019 --> 00:04:46.060 People were crying out with a sense of despair about the needs of their deepest being. 00:04:47.299 --> 00:04:55.139 And into this, the gospel of the Lord Jesus, the good news of a saviour born in Bethlehem, came into the fullness of time. 00:04:56.079 --> 00:05:01.219 Politically, linguistically, geographically, religiously, it was the right time. 00:05:02.519 --> 00:05:06.799 But actually, that isn't really what Paul is talking about there. 00:05:06.800 --> 00:05:11.740 It doesn't touch the deepest, most vital thing that Paul is speaking about. 00:05:12.699 --> 00:05:18.759 Because what the apostle is telling us is that God is the sovereign Lord of time and history. 00:05:18.759 --> 00:05:27.519 All the events which we have read of in Bethlehem and the surrounding countryside, all those events took place. 00:05:28.860 --> 00:05:33.839 And that moment that struck was God's perfect timing. 00:05:35.360 --> 00:05:38.920 It meant that God had left nothing undone in time and history. 00:05:39.539 --> 00:05:43.139 And it was his moment that the Lord Jesus Christ came. 00:05:43.139 --> 00:05:48.039 God had been preparing for this moment from before the foundation of the world. 00:05:49.180 --> 00:05:50.479 For the coming of his son. 00:05:51.979 --> 00:05:55.879 Throughout human history, he'd been mainly working through his ancient people, Israel. 00:05:56.180 --> 00:05:57.639 Preparing them, discipling them. 00:05:58.839 --> 00:06:01.219 Patiently dealing with them and bearing with them. 00:06:01.220 --> 00:06:09.620 But in the fullness of days, out of Zion, there would come the good news that a virgin would conceive and bear a son. 00:06:11.200 --> 00:06:13.940 And it's this that Paul is referring to when he says, 00:06:14.280 --> 00:06:17.780 In the fullness of time, God sent forth his son. 00:06:19.680 --> 00:06:23.240 He's saying that God had left nothing undone to prepare for this day. 00:06:24.520 --> 00:06:26.420 For God's time is always perfect. 00:06:26.420 --> 00:06:30.080 God is never late. 00:06:30.980 --> 00:06:32.259 Isn't that a wonderful thing? 00:06:34.060 --> 00:06:36.620 God is never late. 00:06:38.379 --> 00:06:40.280 His people need to reflect that. 00:06:41.800 --> 00:06:44.200 God is never hurried. 00:06:46.180 --> 00:06:48.879 God is never haphazard. 00:06:50.340 --> 00:06:52.980 He is the perfect Lord of time and of history. 00:06:52.980 --> 00:07:03.160 And the time of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ is a reflection of the perfect planning of God in history and for his people. 00:07:04.900 --> 00:07:07.280 The second thing is the identity of the baby. 00:07:08.480 --> 00:07:12.819 Who is he on yonder stall at whose feet the shepherds fall? 00:07:12.879 --> 00:07:13.340 Who is he? 00:07:14.020 --> 00:07:16.879 Who is this so meek and lowly? 00:07:17.520 --> 00:07:18.379 That's the question. 00:07:18.379 --> 00:07:22.439 And we need to centre on who is the baby. 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:25.839 That's the thing that God focuses on. 00:07:26.319 --> 00:07:27.620 The identity of the baby. 00:07:27.759 --> 00:07:32.060 Because the identity of the baby matters more than anything else. 00:07:33.379 --> 00:07:39.040 And if you notice in our verses, in Galatians 4.4, God gives us a two-fold answer to that question. 00:07:40.159 --> 00:07:40.879 Who is the baby? 00:07:41.180 --> 00:07:42.719 He is first of all God's son. 00:07:42.720 --> 00:07:47.040 When the time had fully come, God sent his son. 00:07:48.000 --> 00:07:50.080 But he's secondly, Mary's child. 00:07:51.580 --> 00:07:55.460 When the time had fully come, God sent his son, born of a woman. 00:07:57.280 --> 00:08:03.760 And the reason Paul gives us that double description, God's son, Mary's child, 00:08:03.759 --> 00:08:10.480 is that those two descriptions tell you the most important things that you need to know about this child. 00:08:12.000 --> 00:08:13.259 This Christ child. 00:08:14.439 --> 00:08:18.300 He is both perfectly God and fully man. 00:08:20.480 --> 00:08:25.519 And that is what makes him perfectly qualified to fulfil his mission. 00:08:26.980 --> 00:08:28.120 And it is a mission, isn't it? 00:08:28.139 --> 00:08:28.599 Can you see that? 00:08:28.839 --> 00:08:31.300 God sent his son. 00:08:32.539 --> 00:08:33.360 Sent forth his son. 00:08:33.360 --> 00:08:36.639 It's the same word that is used in the New Testament for apostle. 00:08:38.279 --> 00:08:39.560 Apostle means sent one. 00:08:40.539 --> 00:08:43.460 Christ came as God's apostle. 00:08:45.019 --> 00:08:48.940 And so he's called in Hebrews the apostle and the high priest of our profession. 00:08:50.779 --> 00:08:54.639 He came sent by God into this world. 00:08:56.100 --> 00:08:58.440 And an apostle is one who fulfils a mission. 00:08:58.440 --> 00:09:04.080 Now what enabled the Lord Jesus Christ to fulfil the mission which his father sent him for? 00:09:05.360 --> 00:09:09.860 It was that he was perfectly God and fully man. 00:09:10.400 --> 00:09:11.300 And perfectly man. 00:09:12.540 --> 00:09:14.660 Notice how that displays itself. 00:09:15.320 --> 00:09:19.740 It was only God who could accomplish our salvation. 00:09:19.740 --> 00:09:26.860 If you're in the water, you need someone from outside the water to come in and rescue you. 00:09:27.860 --> 00:09:30.740 Only God could accomplish our salvation. 00:09:30.740 --> 00:09:31.860 And that's true, isn't it? 00:09:31.860 --> 00:09:35.759 From its planning in all eternity before the foundation of the world. 00:09:35.980 --> 00:09:39.100 To its execution on the cross of Calvary. 00:09:39.519 --> 00:09:43.620 To its consummation at the end of time when Jesus will come again. 00:09:44.340 --> 00:09:48.720 From beginning to end, salvation is of the Lord. 00:09:49.080 --> 00:09:51.700 Rescue is of God. 00:09:51.700 --> 00:09:56.200 Only God can accomplish the salvation that you and I need. 00:09:58.020 --> 00:10:01.460 Within the context of this verse in the epistle of Galatians. 00:10:01.660 --> 00:10:06.340 Paul is speaking about this dreadful disaster that's infected the church in Galatia. 00:10:07.660 --> 00:10:13.580 They're going back to that place where they're trying to produce a salvation of their own. 00:10:14.900 --> 00:10:17.240 It was a salvation of their own by doing their best. 00:10:17.440 --> 00:10:18.980 By trying to keep the law. 00:10:18.980 --> 00:10:26.279 And Paul is emphasizing for them that only God can accomplish salvation. 00:10:27.840 --> 00:10:33.320 And if you think, well, that's just something that was happening in New Testament times. 00:10:33.860 --> 00:10:36.920 That is the common default of our hearts. 00:10:37.259 --> 00:10:38.360 For every single one of us. 00:10:39.259 --> 00:10:41.980 The common conviction in so many churches today. 00:10:42.159 --> 00:10:46.639 Is that the way that you're acceptable to God is by doing your best. 00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:51.639 And if you do your best, well, God will never keep you out of glory or heaven. 00:10:53.059 --> 00:10:55.960 And that's actually never far from our hearts this morning. 00:10:55.960 --> 00:11:00.840 Even if we've been a Christian for many, many years, like many of us have. 00:11:00.920 --> 00:11:03.900 We know that that so easily is what we drift into. 00:11:04.200 --> 00:11:05.180 And it is deadly. 00:11:07.160 --> 00:11:09.080 And so the question, are you a Christian? 00:11:09.320 --> 00:11:10.660 The answer comes back, well, I hope so. 00:11:11.720 --> 00:11:13.780 Will you go to heaven when you die? 00:11:13.900 --> 00:11:14.759 Well, I'm trying. 00:11:16.379 --> 00:11:17.200 What is a Christian? 00:11:17.460 --> 00:11:18.340 Well, someone who's kind. 00:11:18.480 --> 00:11:19.560 Someone who does his best. 00:11:19.559 --> 00:11:21.719 And Paul is saying, no, no, no. 00:11:23.059 --> 00:11:24.699 The good news of Christmas. 00:11:24.859 --> 00:11:25.979 The good news of the incarnation. 00:11:26.319 --> 00:11:29.319 The good news is that God sent forth his son. 00:11:31.059 --> 00:11:33.379 It is that only God can save. 00:11:34.159 --> 00:11:36.739 Only God can deal with the needs of men and women. 00:11:38.319 --> 00:11:40.319 And when he says that God sent forth his son. 00:11:40.319 --> 00:11:45.599 It is that God the creator has now come to be God the redeemer. 00:11:45.600 --> 00:11:52.200 He who in the manger lies is he who built the starry skies. 00:11:53.019 --> 00:11:53.840 Have you grasped that? 00:11:55.680 --> 00:12:01.379 The baby in the manger is not cute and one that you can manipulate. 00:12:01.620 --> 00:12:02.940 He is the Lord of glory. 00:12:04.519 --> 00:12:07.879 He's the Lord of glory who's come down to be the redeemer of his people. 00:12:09.420 --> 00:12:12.519 But in order to save us, in order to rescue us, 00:12:12.519 --> 00:12:14.500 God had to enter into our predicament. 00:12:15.600 --> 00:12:17.560 And in our place. 00:12:18.159 --> 00:12:19.620 And become one of us. 00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:21.600 And he had to represent us. 00:12:22.580 --> 00:12:24.019 In the place of our judgment. 00:12:25.759 --> 00:12:29.879 And in order to do that, he had to become a man. 00:12:30.100 --> 00:12:30.840 A human being. 00:12:31.960 --> 00:12:33.180 He had to become like us. 00:12:34.580 --> 00:12:37.920 And that's why he's not only son of God, but child of Mary. 00:12:39.340 --> 00:12:43.040 He came to be fully God and fully man. 00:12:43.039 --> 00:12:46.519 But do you notice he's not just a man. 00:12:46.740 --> 00:12:48.419 He's a perfect man. 00:12:48.519 --> 00:12:49.699 Notice what the verse says. 00:12:51.759 --> 00:12:54.000 When the time had fully come. 00:12:54.059 --> 00:12:55.480 When the fullness of time had come. 00:12:56.480 --> 00:12:58.679 God sent forth his son, born of a woman. 00:12:58.959 --> 00:13:00.959 Born under the law. 00:13:03.279 --> 00:13:04.959 That means many things. 00:13:05.799 --> 00:13:07.199 It's got many applications. 00:13:07.200 --> 00:13:10.620 But one of the things it means for us. 00:13:10.820 --> 00:13:15.259 Is that the Lord Jesus Christ submitted himself to the law of God. 00:13:16.220 --> 00:13:18.259 We heard it in our reading of the Lord, didn't we? 00:13:18.480 --> 00:13:22.360 The Lord Jesus loved the Lord God with all his heart and mind and soul and strength. 00:13:23.060 --> 00:13:24.900 He loved his neighbour as himself. 00:13:25.460 --> 00:13:28.480 And the Lord God utterly fulfilled it. 00:13:28.480 --> 00:13:32.600 He obeyed God's law to its last detail. 00:13:33.680 --> 00:13:37.480 The law which you and I have broken and transgressed. 00:13:38.500 --> 00:13:42.440 And has become the instrument of our judgement. 00:13:44.879 --> 00:13:46.139 And our despair. 00:13:47.019 --> 00:13:49.120 The Lord Jesus Christ kept that law. 00:13:50.440 --> 00:13:52.480 He kept it in the beauty of his character. 00:13:52.800 --> 00:13:54.200 In the perfection of his obedience. 00:13:54.200 --> 00:13:56.160 And he lived not only as a man. 00:13:56.259 --> 00:13:57.400 But as the perfect man. 00:13:58.700 --> 00:14:00.440 And when the time came. 00:14:01.640 --> 00:14:04.460 For our sin to be atoned for. 00:14:05.540 --> 00:14:06.680 He could atone. 00:14:06.820 --> 00:14:09.660 He could pay the penalty for you and I. 00:14:10.520 --> 00:14:12.100 Because he had no sin of his own. 00:14:13.740 --> 00:14:15.360 He could atone for others. 00:14:15.360 --> 00:14:17.400 Because he had no sin of his own to pay for. 00:14:17.780 --> 00:14:19.960 Therefore this babe in the manger. 00:14:20.960 --> 00:14:23.800 Is God made perfect man. 00:14:23.799 --> 00:14:24.919 For our salvation. 00:14:26.659 --> 00:14:27.659 His divinity. 00:14:28.620 --> 00:14:29.620 And his humanity. 00:14:30.959 --> 00:14:32.379 And his righteousness. 00:14:34.019 --> 00:14:36.240 Perfectly qualifies him to be our saviour. 00:14:38.139 --> 00:14:39.740 The third thing that Paul concentrates on. 00:14:39.799 --> 00:14:40.959 Is not only the time of his death. 00:14:41.399 --> 00:14:42.839 And the identity of the baby. 00:14:42.919 --> 00:14:44.279 But the reason why he was born. 00:14:45.639 --> 00:14:47.539 It's crystal clear in the text isn't it. 00:14:48.039 --> 00:14:50.159 When the time had fully come. 00:14:50.159 --> 00:14:52.539 God sent his son. 00:14:52.639 --> 00:14:53.259 Born of a woman. 00:14:53.419 --> 00:14:54.579 Born under the law. 00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:56.879 To redeem. 00:14:57.819 --> 00:14:58.959 Those under the law. 00:15:00.379 --> 00:15:02.480 That we might receive adoption. 00:15:03.120 --> 00:15:03.860 As sons. 00:15:06.659 --> 00:15:08.000 So what was God's purpose. 00:15:08.319 --> 00:15:10.219 In sending his son into the world. 00:15:11.539 --> 00:15:12.719 Two things there aren't there. 00:15:12.860 --> 00:15:13.199 First. 00:15:13.539 --> 00:15:14.259 To redeem. 00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:16.519 And then to adopt. 00:15:18.840 --> 00:15:21.480 As we think about Christ the baby in the manger. 00:15:22.480 --> 00:15:23.620 And we ask the question. 00:15:23.799 --> 00:15:24.779 Why have you come? 00:15:26.439 --> 00:15:27.460 What are you doing? 00:15:28.580 --> 00:15:31.620 What is the purpose of those cries from the baby? 00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:33.779 What is the reason behind the angels. 00:15:34.039 --> 00:15:36.039 Breaking into the night. 00:15:36.419 --> 00:15:37.860 On that hillside to the shepherds. 00:15:38.220 --> 00:15:40.220 And singing glory to God in the highest. 00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:41.500 It is two things. 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:43.740 It is redemption and adoption. 00:15:45.899 --> 00:15:48.100 He came to redeem those. 00:15:49.379 --> 00:15:50.259 Under the law. 00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:51.899 What does that mean? 00:15:54.279 --> 00:15:55.659 Well it means that for men and women. 00:15:55.740 --> 00:15:56.460 And boys and girls. 00:15:57.139 --> 00:15:58.759 Who think that they can somehow. 00:15:59.000 --> 00:16:00.159 Climb up the ladder. 00:16:01.080 --> 00:16:02.080 Of the law. 00:16:02.240 --> 00:16:03.480 And somehow reach God. 00:16:03.580 --> 00:16:04.559 By their own attainments. 00:16:06.620 --> 00:16:08.600 Those who think that they can keep the commandments. 00:16:08.779 --> 00:16:09.940 As best as they can. 00:16:09.940 --> 00:16:11.540 And God will overlook it. 00:16:13.020 --> 00:16:15.860 It means that you've not understood Christianity at all. 00:16:17.740 --> 00:16:19.380 Listen to this quote from John Carson. 00:16:20.660 --> 00:16:23.620 If God had perceived that our greatest need was economic. 00:16:24.180 --> 00:16:25.480 He would have sent an economist. 00:16:26.940 --> 00:16:29.460 If he'd perceived that our greatest need was entertainment. 00:16:30.220 --> 00:16:32.160 He would have sent us a comedian or an artist. 00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:36.259 If God had perceived that our greatest need was political stability. 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:37.519 He would have sent us a politician. 00:16:38.639 --> 00:16:40.839 If he'd perceived that our greatest need was health. 00:16:40.959 --> 00:16:42.000 He would have sent us a doctor. 00:16:43.079 --> 00:16:46.039 But he perceived that our greatest need involved our sin. 00:16:46.779 --> 00:16:48.139 Our alienation from him. 00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:49.839 Our profound rebellion. 00:16:50.179 --> 00:16:50.699 Our death. 00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:52.439 And he sent us. 00:16:53.240 --> 00:16:53.919 A saviour. 00:16:53.919 --> 00:16:57.219 He sent us a saviour. 00:16:59.939 --> 00:17:02.379 A saviour who will deal with my transgression. 00:17:02.559 --> 00:17:04.299 My outright rebellion. 00:17:05.879 --> 00:17:07.659 The leaning of my heart. 00:17:07.779 --> 00:17:09.599 That is constantly away from God. 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:10.940 My falling short. 00:17:11.399 --> 00:17:13.000 My tendency to failure. 00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:17.339 And so those who are under the judgment of the law of God. 00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:19.000 Paul says in the fullness of time. 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:20.619 God sent his son born of a woman. 00:17:21.619 --> 00:17:23.720 To redeem those who are under the law. 00:17:23.859 --> 00:17:25.380 And cannot get out from under it. 00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:29.319 What does it mean to be under the law? 00:17:29.319 --> 00:17:31.539 It is to be under the curse and the judgment of God. 00:17:34.019 --> 00:17:37.119 The Bible says cursed is everyone. 00:17:37.799 --> 00:17:40.440 Who does not continue in these commandments. 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:44.480 Cursed is everyone. 00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:47.559 Who does not continue in those. 00:17:47.859 --> 00:17:48.700 In these commandments. 00:17:48.839 --> 00:17:49.240 That's me. 00:17:49.339 --> 00:17:49.720 That's you. 00:17:51.900 --> 00:17:54.140 And so how does Christ redeem us. 00:17:55.220 --> 00:17:56.700 From the curse of the law. 00:17:58.819 --> 00:18:00.480 Well you don't need to look very far. 00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:01.400 To find the answer. 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:03.000 If you look at Colossians. 00:18:03.099 --> 00:18:03.339 Sorry. 00:18:03.460 --> 00:18:05.200 Galatians chapter 3 and verse 13. 00:18:05.359 --> 00:18:05.819 Can you see that? 00:18:06.640 --> 00:18:07.440 Just look over the page. 00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:09.039 Colossians chapter 3 verse 13. 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:14.099 What does Paul tell you? 00:18:14.200 --> 00:18:15.359 He tells you that Christ. 00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:15.980 The Lord Jesus. 00:18:16.819 --> 00:18:17.920 Redeemed us. 00:18:18.880 --> 00:18:20.519 From the curse of the law. 00:18:20.619 --> 00:18:21.859 By becoming a curse. 00:18:22.400 --> 00:18:23.380 For us. 00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:25.319 For it is written. 00:18:25.480 --> 00:18:28.140 Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree on the cross. 00:18:28.140 --> 00:18:34.720 He became a perfect God. 00:18:35.580 --> 00:18:36.720 And perfect man. 00:18:38.540 --> 00:18:41.740 Recognizing that there was no other way. 00:18:42.540 --> 00:18:45.640 In which that curse of God could be dealt with. 00:18:48.520 --> 00:18:50.540 He became perfect man and perfect God. 00:18:50.660 --> 00:18:52.300 Recognizing there was no other way. 00:18:52.540 --> 00:18:54.980 In which that curse of God could be poured out. 00:18:55.780 --> 00:18:57.220 Except it was poured out on him. 00:18:57.220 --> 00:19:04.380 In order that you and I might be freed from the law's curse. 00:19:06.579 --> 00:19:09.960 The Lord Jesus related to the law of God in several ways. 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:14.640 The Lord Jesus fulfilled it in his own life. 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:20.380 He obeyed it in perfect obedience. 00:19:22.200 --> 00:19:24.600 And he bore its judgment. 00:19:24.599 --> 00:19:29.399 The very curse of God upon sin on Calvary. 00:19:31.319 --> 00:19:32.740 He became a baby. 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:33.899 He was helpless. 00:19:34.939 --> 00:19:37.500 But the Bible tells us that he also became poor. 00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:41.579 He was rich beyond all telling. 00:19:42.819 --> 00:19:44.000 But he became poor. 00:19:45.139 --> 00:19:47.139 He had to borrow a coin for an illustration. 00:19:47.140 --> 00:19:49.200 He had no place to lay his head. 00:19:49.200 --> 00:19:52.259 And yet he had made the universe. 00:19:53.860 --> 00:19:57.600 And he not only became man and poor. 00:19:58.140 --> 00:20:00.500 He became for us a curse. 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:01.940 Says Paul. 00:20:01.940 --> 00:20:06.580 And that means that the very curse of God. 00:20:07.299 --> 00:20:08.900 Upon a broken law. 00:20:09.620 --> 00:20:12.220 Was laid upon Christ at Calvary. 00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:15.240 And that is what he came to do. 00:20:15.720 --> 00:20:18.059 Not only to redeem us from the curse of the law. 00:20:18.340 --> 00:20:18.539 But. 00:20:19.420 --> 00:20:21.120 To adopt us into God's family. 00:20:21.559 --> 00:20:22.080 Verse 5. 00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:24.039 Of Galatians 4. 00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:26.659 When the fullness of time had come. 00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:27.839 God sent forth his son. 00:20:27.939 --> 00:20:28.439 Born of a woman. 00:20:28.599 --> 00:20:29.299 Born under the law. 00:20:29.379 --> 00:20:30.919 To redeem those who were under the law. 00:20:31.899 --> 00:20:34.079 So that we might receive adoption. 00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:36.139 As sons. 00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:40.699 And so he was going to take us. 00:20:40.699 --> 00:20:41.000 Isn't it? 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:42.939 From the place where we are banished. 00:20:43.439 --> 00:20:44.179 From God. 00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:46.240 And under God's curse. 00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:48.659 And he's going to bring us. 00:20:48.879 --> 00:20:50.599 Into the glorious privilege. 00:20:50.599 --> 00:20:52.059 Of being his children. 00:20:53.679 --> 00:20:55.139 Of being his sons. 00:20:55.319 --> 00:20:56.199 And his daughters. 00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:58.319 Who have access to him. 00:20:58.659 --> 00:20:59.799 And call him. 00:21:00.359 --> 00:21:00.659 Father. 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:05.279 And so Christ was born. 00:21:06.099 --> 00:21:07.179 To bear our judgment. 00:21:08.219 --> 00:21:09.399 And to bring us. 00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:11.039 Into all the privileges. 00:21:11.859 --> 00:21:14.139 As sons and daughters of God. 00:21:18.439 --> 00:21:19.279 Many of us. 00:21:19.679 --> 00:21:20.379 Not all of us. 00:21:20.380 --> 00:21:21.420 But many of us have enjoyed. 00:21:21.520 --> 00:21:23.060 And we kind of big family gatherings. 00:21:23.220 --> 00:21:24.100 These last few days. 00:21:25.380 --> 00:21:26.520 I don't know what your family is like. 00:21:26.600 --> 00:21:27.120 But for our family. 00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:28.680 That's a really joyful thing. 00:21:28.880 --> 00:21:30.480 Where kind of hordes of people gather. 00:21:32.540 --> 00:21:34.000 And we didn't have it this year. 00:21:34.100 --> 00:21:35.020 But often there are people. 00:21:35.020 --> 00:21:35.940 Who are kind of stragglers. 00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:36.640 Who come along. 00:21:36.640 --> 00:21:39.040 And they're told. 00:21:39.040 --> 00:21:39.040 00:21:39.040 --> 00:21:39.540 And they're told. 00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:40.940 Welcome to the family. 00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:42.640 Welcome to the family. 00:21:42.680 --> 00:21:43.180 It'll happen today. 00:21:43.240 --> 00:21:43.480 Won't it? 00:21:43.560 --> 00:21:44.780 At your dinner table. 00:21:45.060 --> 00:21:45.740 With people who you. 00:21:45.840 --> 00:21:47.140 You weren't expecting to come for lunch. 00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:48.140 But you invite them to lunch. 00:21:48.160 --> 00:21:49.280 Because they're visitors to London. 00:21:49.600 --> 00:21:50.200 And they come in. 00:21:50.280 --> 00:21:50.820 And what do you say? 00:21:50.880 --> 00:21:51.140 You say. 00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:51.320 Well. 00:21:51.600 --> 00:21:52.480 Welcome to the family. 00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:55.680 It's a little tiny. 00:21:55.920 --> 00:21:56.360 Tiny. 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:57.319 Tiny picture. 00:21:58.420 --> 00:22:00.420 Of what the Lord Jesus has come to do. 00:22:01.640 --> 00:22:03.000 When the time had come. 00:22:03.360 --> 00:22:05.319 God sent forth his son. 00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:07.559 And he's gathering a people. 00:22:07.720 --> 00:22:08.579 From every tribe. 00:22:08.579 --> 00:22:09.860 And tongue. 00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:10.779 And nation. 00:22:12.680 --> 00:22:13.440 And he says. 00:22:13.700 --> 00:22:14.259 Welcome to the family. 00:22:15.180 --> 00:22:15.480 Come. 00:22:15.980 --> 00:22:17.079 Come to the family table. 00:22:17.079 --> 00:22:20.480 The last thing. 00:22:21.059 --> 00:22:21.639 In this verse. 00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:21.899 Is. 00:22:22.699 --> 00:22:23.859 The outcome for us. 00:22:24.179 --> 00:22:25.519 Who put our trust in the Lord Jesus. 00:22:27.139 --> 00:22:28.379 And the last thing he touches on. 00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:29.259 Is in verse 6. 00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:29.599 Isn't it? 00:22:30.439 --> 00:22:31.240 He says this. 00:22:33.159 --> 00:22:34.720 Because you are sons. 00:22:36.639 --> 00:22:38.980 God has sent the spirit of his son. 00:22:39.419 --> 00:22:40.519 Into our hearts. 00:22:40.819 --> 00:22:41.299 Crying. 00:22:41.659 --> 00:22:42.059 Abba. 00:22:42.659 --> 00:22:43.039 Father. 00:22:45.960 --> 00:22:46.359 Again. 00:22:46.359 --> 00:22:47.479 There's multitudes of things. 00:22:47.539 --> 00:22:47.979 We could talk about. 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:48.839 But let me point this out to you. 00:22:49.099 --> 00:22:50.259 The glorious outcome. 00:22:50.979 --> 00:22:52.139 Of Jesus Christ. 00:22:52.859 --> 00:22:53.839 Coming to Bethlehem. 00:22:53.919 --> 00:22:54.919 For people like us. 00:22:55.979 --> 00:22:56.959 Who embrace. 00:22:57.179 --> 00:22:58.240 And receive him. 00:22:59.979 --> 00:23:01.039 Is that Christ. 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:01.539 Is. 00:23:02.099 --> 00:23:03.099 Going to be born. 00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:03.939 By the Holy Spirit. 00:23:04.079 --> 00:23:04.699 Not just. 00:23:04.919 --> 00:23:05.959 In Bethlehem. 00:23:07.179 --> 00:23:08.039 But in us. 00:23:10.819 --> 00:23:11.519 That Christ. 00:23:11.599 --> 00:23:12.279 Is going to be born. 00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:12.839 Not just. 00:23:12.979 --> 00:23:13.740 In Bethlehem. 00:23:13.899 --> 00:23:15.079 But born in us. 00:23:15.079 --> 00:23:18.339 And the place. 00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:19.000 Where the Lord Jesus. 00:23:19.699 --> 00:23:20.139 Dwells. 00:23:20.139 --> 00:23:20.619 Now. 00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:21.379 Is not only. 00:23:21.619 --> 00:23:22.519 At the right hand. 00:23:22.619 --> 00:23:23.059 Of the Father. 00:23:23.179 --> 00:23:23.779 In glory. 00:23:25.639 --> 00:23:26.579 But in the life. 00:23:26.639 --> 00:23:27.460 Of the humblest believer. 00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:32.099 Can you see. 00:23:32.199 --> 00:23:32.419 There's two. 00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:33.179 Sendings. 00:23:33.699 --> 00:23:33.879 Out there. 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:34.519 There is God. 00:23:34.639 --> 00:23:35.439 Sending his son. 00:23:37.179 --> 00:23:37.759 And God. 00:23:37.819 --> 00:23:38.399 Sent his spirit. 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:39.039 His Holy Spirit. 00:23:39.039 --> 00:23:41.940 And why did he. 00:23:41.940 --> 00:23:42.799 Send his spirit. 00:23:44.299 --> 00:23:45.240 In order that. 00:23:45.339 --> 00:23:45.700 Christ. 00:23:45.819 --> 00:23:46.259 Who came. 00:23:46.379 --> 00:23:47.220 To be with us. 00:23:47.220 --> 00:23:48.859 And to die for us. 00:23:49.460 --> 00:23:50.619 Might dwell in us. 00:23:53.339 --> 00:23:54.639 That's an incredible truth. 00:23:54.700 --> 00:23:54.980 Isn't it? 00:23:56.819 --> 00:23:58.059 God sent his spirit. 00:23:58.980 --> 00:23:59.779 In order that. 00:23:59.859 --> 00:24:00.139 Christ. 00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:01.399 Who came to be with us. 00:24:01.619 --> 00:24:03.460 And to die for us. 00:24:03.599 --> 00:24:04.920 Might dwell in us. 00:24:05.059 --> 00:24:05.759 By his spirit. 00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:05.839 God sent. 00:24:07.099 --> 00:24:07.900 And that's why. 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:08.740 He sent the Holy Spirit. 00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:11.519 And this. 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.480 Glorious. 00:24:12.779 --> 00:24:13.220 Reality. 00:24:15.859 --> 00:24:17.019 This distinctive. 00:24:17.240 --> 00:24:17.599 Reality. 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:18.839 For those who put our trust. 00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:19.619 In the Lord Jesus. 00:24:20.879 --> 00:24:21.579 Is that. 00:24:21.660 --> 00:24:22.319 Jesus Christ. 00:24:22.460 --> 00:24:23.420 The Lord of the ages. 00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:26.059 The saviour of sinners. 00:24:27.920 --> 00:24:29.299 Who is perfect God. 00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:30.619 And perfect man. 00:24:33.099 --> 00:24:33.900 Lives in me. 00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:36.740 Lives in me. 00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:39.500 The wonder. 00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:42.180 And the glory. 00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:44.559 The thrill. 00:24:44.879 --> 00:24:45.299 And the hope. 00:24:47.240 --> 00:24:48.140 Of God. 00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:49.200 Who has sent forth. 00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:50.160 His son. 00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:52.379 Born of a one. 00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:54.599 Born under the law. 00:24:55.700 --> 00:24:57.039 To redeem those. 00:24:57.119 --> 00:24:57.819 Who are under the law. 00:24:57.900 --> 00:24:59.019 That we might receive. 00:25:00.200 --> 00:25:00.759 Adoption. 00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:01.460 As sons. 00:25:03.099 --> 00:25:04.200 And because you are sons. 00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:05.120 God has sent. 00:25:05.120 --> 00:25:06.180 The spirit of his son. 00:25:06.340 --> 00:25:07.160 Into our hearts. 00:25:07.400 --> 00:25:07.920 Crying. 00:25:09.480 --> 00:25:10.259 Abba father. 00:25:13.360 --> 00:25:13.940 Let's pray. 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:14.380 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:44.360 Thank you.