WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.980 Good morning, everyone. Let me invite you to have that passage in Matthew open in front of you. 00:00:05.540 --> 00:00:11.759 And it might be worth having Isaiah 7 as well open as we turn to God's words this morning. 00:00:15.019 --> 00:00:23.300 But as we start our Christmas, our run up to Christmas today, let me tell you about this man called Matthew, 00:00:23.300 --> 00:00:32.320 the man Matthew who wrote this gospel. Little known fact about him is that he wasn't always known as Matthew. 00:00:33.000 --> 00:00:44.079 In fact, in a previous life, he was known as Levi. Now, Levi was a Jew and Levi was a tax collector. 00:00:44.079 --> 00:00:57.619 So his job was to collect money from his fellow Jews and give it to the Romans who were the despised occupying force of the day. 00:00:58.019 --> 00:01:01.619 And you can imagine, given the nature of that job, what he does for a living, 00:01:02.299 --> 00:01:09.420 because there was corruption and bribery going on absolutely everywhere, it was a very lucrative profession. 00:01:09.420 --> 00:01:14.939 And so if you add all that up, the two defining features about Levi's life, 00:01:16.019 --> 00:01:21.159 the two defining features, if they are number one, that you have sold out to the enemy. 00:01:21.340 --> 00:01:23.480 You are the definition of a turncoat. 00:01:24.359 --> 00:01:29.159 And defining feature number two is that you are most likely very rich. 00:01:30.299 --> 00:01:33.579 You can imagine like one of those good old Western films that we all love, 00:01:34.120 --> 00:01:37.879 that if Matthew, Levi were around today, he'd be the kind of guy that would walk into a bar 00:01:37.879 --> 00:01:44.299 and the music would suddenly stop and everyone would clench their fists, glare at them and say, 00:01:44.420 --> 00:01:47.140 son, you've got some neck showing your face in here. 00:01:47.879 --> 00:01:50.500 So Levi is that kind of guy. 00:01:50.560 --> 00:01:55.379 In fact, it was so despised that apparently the Jews didn't just view tax collectors as traitors. 00:01:55.739 --> 00:01:58.699 They viewed them as murderers. 00:01:58.700 --> 00:02:05.460 So you can imagine the utter horror when Jesus crops up in the scene 00:02:05.460 --> 00:02:09.900 and he doesn't just take an interest in Levi and his tax collector friends. 00:02:10.120 --> 00:02:11.439 He wants to know them. 00:02:12.740 --> 00:02:17.140 Actually, he calls Levi to be his disciple, to be his follower. 00:02:17.139 --> 00:02:28.759 And it's likely Jesus then that gives Levi his new name, Matthew, signifying his new start in life. 00:02:28.879 --> 00:02:34.959 Matthew, his name means, one of you knew this, that name means gift of God. 00:02:35.919 --> 00:02:36.719 Works in two ways. 00:02:36.839 --> 00:02:43.519 It's what Jesus is to Matthew, that the one who stepped into this man's life out of the blue, 00:02:43.520 --> 00:02:47.700 out of nowhere, and the one who brought forgiveness and newness of life, 00:02:47.760 --> 00:02:52.460 despite Matthew's, Levi's, horrendous life choices. 00:02:54.000 --> 00:02:56.480 Let me just say, if that's you here today, maybe you're feeling 00:02:56.480 --> 00:03:00.120 you've made some horrendous life choices. 00:03:00.580 --> 00:03:04.540 Maybe you're here today and you're thinking, why would anyone want to know me? 00:03:05.560 --> 00:03:09.060 Matthew would invite you into his gospel and say, think again. 00:03:09.740 --> 00:03:12.280 Think again, because that was me. 00:03:12.280 --> 00:03:14.060 It's who I was. 00:03:14.159 --> 00:03:17.360 It's why I've written this gospel, because people, outsiders like me, 00:03:17.419 --> 00:03:19.759 who thought we had no chance before this God, 00:03:21.139 --> 00:03:23.340 he came in the person of Jesus and showed us grace. 00:03:25.379 --> 00:03:27.800 And it's what Matthew and his gospel are to the church. 00:03:28.080 --> 00:03:29.740 They are a gift from God. 00:03:29.819 --> 00:03:33.219 As Matthew reflects on Jesus' life, as he looks back on it, 00:03:33.420 --> 00:03:39.240 he writes this gospel so that his fellow Jews will know who this man Jesus is. 00:03:39.240 --> 00:03:44.920 And so here is the key word in Matthew's gospel that comes up time and time and time again. 00:03:45.020 --> 00:03:48.620 If you're going to read it in your own times, look out for this word. 00:03:49.080 --> 00:03:52.340 As Matthew reflects on the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, 00:03:52.520 --> 00:03:53.900 it's the word fulfillment. 00:03:55.480 --> 00:03:55.879 Fulfillment. 00:03:56.400 --> 00:04:00.360 It's as almost as if Matthew looks back on Jesus' life and everything that happened, 00:04:00.420 --> 00:04:03.340 and there's a light bulb that goes on in his head and in his heart, 00:04:03.340 --> 00:04:08.659 because he understands that the things that happened in Jesus' life were not random events 00:04:08.659 --> 00:04:13.000 that took place in a strange place in a far-off distant land. 00:04:13.939 --> 00:04:17.959 They're the very fulfillment of everything that God said was going to happen. 00:04:20.040 --> 00:04:21.660 And here's what I was thinking this week. 00:04:22.439 --> 00:04:27.680 You know, you've got authors today who revel in the element of surprise. 00:04:28.340 --> 00:04:29.340 You know, you heard that line? 00:04:29.720 --> 00:04:32.480 The author revels in the element of surprise. 00:04:32.480 --> 00:04:34.560 Matthew is the opposite. 00:04:35.759 --> 00:04:39.700 He's an author who revels in the element of unsurprise. 00:04:40.780 --> 00:04:45.300 This happened exactly like God said it would. 00:04:45.400 --> 00:04:50.040 And so the question that I want us to explore over these next four weeks 00:04:50.040 --> 00:04:54.879 is what is it that Matthew sees as being fulfilled? 00:04:55.759 --> 00:05:02.240 What is it in the birth of Jesus in particular that Matthew sees God was good to his words? 00:05:03.340 --> 00:05:05.759 Come with me to Matthew chapter 1 and to verse 18. 00:05:05.879 --> 00:05:07.360 We'll jump into the first of these today. 00:05:08.319 --> 00:05:11.720 And let me harness the momentum that Pete built up with the kids talk 00:05:11.720 --> 00:05:14.720 and tell you what underwhelmed me massively this week. 00:05:16.180 --> 00:05:18.000 Do you get any idea what your name means? 00:05:18.560 --> 00:05:20.660 I wonder if you were playing that game when Pete was up doing the thing. 00:05:21.180 --> 00:05:22.400 Do you know what your name means? 00:05:23.540 --> 00:05:23.759 Right? 00:05:23.819 --> 00:05:26.780 I wonder if we went around the room, we'd have some cracking backstories 00:05:26.779 --> 00:05:29.579 as to what people's names mean. 00:05:30.419 --> 00:05:32.579 But I'll tell you what underwhelmed me massively this week. 00:05:32.639 --> 00:05:34.399 I'll pick it up with my parents in three weeks' time. 00:05:35.739 --> 00:05:39.639 Graham apparently means grey outbuilding. 00:05:39.639 --> 00:05:43.939 That's what it means. 00:05:45.159 --> 00:05:45.560 Boring. 00:05:46.959 --> 00:05:47.319 Functional. 00:05:47.319 --> 00:05:51.959 And the irony is that six months ago I painted an outbuilding in our home. 00:05:52.519 --> 00:05:52.860 Grey. 00:05:54.060 --> 00:05:56.419 But my name means grey outbuilding. 00:05:56.519 --> 00:05:58.500 No doubt some cheeky monkey out there will say how fitting. 00:05:58.639 --> 00:06:03.000 But in our day, a name may well have some significance. 00:06:03.219 --> 00:06:05.019 We do this all the time, don't we, with children. 00:06:05.199 --> 00:06:07.759 Sometimes we name other things in our lives. 00:06:08.159 --> 00:06:11.219 Names perhaps carry a significant meaning. 00:06:11.719 --> 00:06:15.779 But in the Bible, names always carry significance and meaning. 00:06:15.939 --> 00:06:16.240 Always. 00:06:17.680 --> 00:06:21.120 And you'll see if you've got the text there that Matthew gives us two names in this passage. 00:06:22.500 --> 00:06:26.219 Two names that I think, as I've kind of wrestled with it this week, 00:06:26.219 --> 00:06:30.079 two names that are the key to understanding what Matthew sees as being fulfilled 00:06:30.079 --> 00:06:32.359 in the life and birth of Jesus. 00:06:32.360 --> 00:06:39.300 And the first thing to see about these two names is that they are two names with some serious background. 00:06:40.139 --> 00:06:41.780 So come with me to verse 22. 00:06:43.340 --> 00:06:44.560 This is what Matthew writes. 00:06:44.819 --> 00:06:48.259 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet. 00:06:48.500 --> 00:06:50.740 Now, the question is, who is the prophet? 00:06:51.800 --> 00:06:58.280 Because Matthew is thinking about the prophet Isaiah, the verses that we had read earlier. 00:06:58.279 --> 00:07:04.739 This man called Isaiah, this man who God sent to his people as his messenger, 00:07:05.179 --> 00:07:11.259 who is on the scene in Judah, circa 700 BC, call it that. 00:07:12.559 --> 00:07:17.979 And what's crucial about that time is it's a time when the kingdom of Israel, 00:07:18.719 --> 00:07:21.659 those 12 tribes, are divided into the north and the south. 00:07:21.779 --> 00:07:23.119 Ten in the north, two in the south. 00:07:23.199 --> 00:07:24.099 Judah's in the south. 00:07:24.100 --> 00:07:26.840 His people are rebellious. 00:07:27.620 --> 00:07:29.379 His borders are threatened. 00:07:29.960 --> 00:07:34.600 And his king in Jerusalem is sitting there all the while unconcerned. 00:07:36.340 --> 00:07:38.500 And yet the one thing that God's people do have, 00:07:38.580 --> 00:07:40.980 because they've got a ton of stuff that is not in their favor, 00:07:41.100 --> 00:07:45.879 yet the one thing that they do have is the promises of the covenant Lord. 00:07:45.879 --> 00:07:47.879 His word. 00:07:48.920 --> 00:07:52.180 Of how he will defeat the enemies of his people. 00:07:52.300 --> 00:07:55.680 Of how he will bring his people to a place of rest. 00:07:56.360 --> 00:07:59.719 Of how he will raise up a king who will come from David's line, 00:07:59.800 --> 00:08:04.159 who will usher it in, and who will be his king, and whose reign will be forever. 00:08:06.139 --> 00:08:10.779 And so King Ahaz, with all those promises in his back locker, 00:08:10.939 --> 00:08:12.819 with all the history of Israel, 00:08:12.819 --> 00:08:15.360 he looks at the enemies who are on the horizon. 00:08:15.480 --> 00:08:17.560 And make no mistake, they are big, bad, and scary. 00:08:17.659 --> 00:08:20.459 He looks at those enemies, and he's got a choice. 00:08:21.519 --> 00:08:23.199 And it's key that we see this choice, 00:08:23.240 --> 00:08:24.899 because we're going to come back to it at the end. 00:08:25.379 --> 00:08:28.339 The choice is, will he live by faith and God's promises, 00:08:29.560 --> 00:08:32.700 or will he live by sight? 00:08:34.080 --> 00:08:36.299 Will he live by faith, or will he live by sight? 00:08:36.419 --> 00:08:39.159 And so Isaiah goes to him and says, 00:08:39.399 --> 00:08:40.799 don't be afraid of your enemies. 00:08:40.939 --> 00:08:42.159 Don't be afraid of them. 00:08:42.159 --> 00:08:44.379 They might look big, bad, and scary to you. 00:08:44.699 --> 00:08:49.120 But understand that the Lord is no domesticated God. 00:08:49.299 --> 00:08:51.620 The Lord is the one who is all-powerful. 00:08:51.740 --> 00:08:54.779 The Lord is the one who is all-knowing. 00:08:55.120 --> 00:08:57.519 And because he is the one who knows the end from the beginning, 00:08:57.659 --> 00:09:00.120 we need to understand, remember who the Lord is. 00:09:00.480 --> 00:09:03.600 He's telling you that these two nations on the horizon, 00:09:03.740 --> 00:09:05.139 who are threats to you, 00:09:05.339 --> 00:09:07.799 and who are making insults at you, 00:09:07.799 --> 00:09:09.939 they will soon be in the course of history, 00:09:10.079 --> 00:09:12.459 two smoldering stubs. 00:09:14.000 --> 00:09:16.159 And to prove the point, let me ask you here today, 00:09:16.219 --> 00:09:20.359 I guarantee you that you've never heard of King Rezin of Aram. 00:09:20.419 --> 00:09:20.839 Have you? 00:09:20.840 --> 00:09:24.180 But I can guarantee you that you're sitting here today, 00:09:24.259 --> 00:09:26.040 all these years later, 00:09:26.100 --> 00:09:29.540 and you've heard of the baby who is to be born of this virgin. 00:09:30.600 --> 00:09:32.780 It's exactly what God's point is. 00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:35.740 But Ahaz said, 00:09:36.759 --> 00:09:38.000 I will not ask, 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:40.580 I will not put the Lord to the test. 00:09:40.639 --> 00:09:42.580 Now that sounds pious, 00:09:42.580 --> 00:09:44.320 and you think, 00:09:44.400 --> 00:09:44.540 well, 00:09:44.780 --> 00:09:47.980 sounds plausible enough that he wouldn't want to test God. 00:09:48.360 --> 00:09:48.860 But actually, 00:09:48.980 --> 00:09:49.900 you look underneath it, 00:09:49.920 --> 00:09:50.800 and what he's saying 00:09:50.800 --> 00:09:53.000 is a way with your sign. 00:09:54.740 --> 00:09:55.840 A way with your sign. 00:09:57.440 --> 00:09:58.280 And Isaiah says, 00:09:58.360 --> 00:09:59.400 have it your way. 00:10:00.960 --> 00:10:01.320 Therefore, 00:10:01.500 --> 00:10:03.400 the Lord himself will give you a sign. 00:10:04.660 --> 00:10:07.060 The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, 00:10:07.140 --> 00:10:08.620 and will call him Emmanuel. 00:10:08.620 --> 00:10:09.060 Now, 00:10:09.259 --> 00:10:11.680 what are we supposed to make of this sign? 00:10:13.320 --> 00:10:16.639 That God himself is going to arrive on earth 00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:19.000 to dwell with his people, 00:10:19.100 --> 00:10:23.740 having been birthed through an untouched female womb. 00:10:23.840 --> 00:10:23.960 Now, 00:10:24.400 --> 00:10:27.700 it's so above our capacity to fathom. 00:10:27.840 --> 00:10:30.259 It's so above our comprehension. 00:10:30.440 --> 00:10:32.220 It's so above our understanding. 00:10:32.639 --> 00:10:35.820 This is something that only God can do. 00:10:35.900 --> 00:10:37.740 And I think that's exactly the point. 00:10:39.300 --> 00:10:42.400 This isn't about Israel getting their act 00:10:42.399 --> 00:10:42.799 together, 00:10:42.799 --> 00:10:44.360 although they are called to repent 00:10:44.360 --> 00:10:45.539 and put their faith in the Lord. 00:10:45.639 --> 00:10:47.980 This is about God being the Lord. 00:10:50.419 --> 00:10:52.199 This is only something that God can do. 00:10:52.819 --> 00:10:55.039 And I think that because of that, 00:10:55.819 --> 00:10:58.159 this is the reason that it divides its hearers 00:10:58.159 --> 00:11:00.439 in this day and in our day. 00:11:02.539 --> 00:11:04.039 Because Ahaz probably thought 00:11:04.039 --> 00:11:05.220 this was a load of nonsense. 00:11:05.220 --> 00:11:08.960 But to the faithful believers 00:11:08.960 --> 00:11:11.460 in Israel, 00:11:11.600 --> 00:11:12.519 in Isaiah's day, 00:11:12.759 --> 00:11:13.800 down the ages, 00:11:14.779 --> 00:11:16.180 through the horrors, 00:11:16.899 --> 00:11:19.220 despite their failures as a people, 00:11:19.960 --> 00:11:22.340 those who are faithfully clinging to the promise 00:11:22.340 --> 00:11:23.980 that God will do this, 00:11:25.279 --> 00:11:27.820 this is a wonderful source of hope. 00:11:27.820 --> 00:11:30.540 that God will come, 00:11:30.620 --> 00:11:31.420 that God sees, 00:11:31.520 --> 00:11:32.240 that God knows, 00:11:32.320 --> 00:11:33.800 that God will make good in his promises. 00:11:34.060 --> 00:11:35.200 And he will come. 00:11:35.580 --> 00:11:38.780 He will come to dwell with us. 00:11:40.520 --> 00:11:42.300 And this child who's going to be born, 00:11:43.260 --> 00:11:44.920 if you flick on a few chapters in Isaiah, 00:11:45.020 --> 00:11:45.960 Isaiah chapter 9, 00:11:47.420 --> 00:11:50.100 he will be wonderful counselor. 00:11:50.100 --> 00:11:53.639 He will be mighty God. 00:11:54.759 --> 00:11:56.800 He will be everlasting father. 00:11:56.920 --> 00:11:59.480 He will be prince of peace. 00:12:01.460 --> 00:12:03.340 And he will enlarge the nation. 00:12:03.460 --> 00:12:04.180 I take it that just means 00:12:04.180 --> 00:12:06.340 others from all over the world 00:12:06.340 --> 00:12:08.659 are going to come to know this child 00:12:08.659 --> 00:12:11.220 and everything that he is. 00:12:13.659 --> 00:12:16.580 This child king will defeat his enemies 00:12:16.580 --> 00:12:18.279 and he will save their people 00:12:18.279 --> 00:12:20.120 from their sin. 00:12:21.879 --> 00:12:24.059 So do you see how these two names 00:12:24.059 --> 00:12:26.240 come with some serious background? 00:12:27.259 --> 00:12:28.059 Those random things 00:12:28.839 --> 00:12:30.839 that come with some serious background 00:12:30.839 --> 00:12:32.039 and some serious history. 00:12:33.039 --> 00:12:34.179 And so what Matthew observes 00:12:34.179 --> 00:12:36.259 is happening in the birth in Bethlehem 00:12:36.259 --> 00:12:38.480 is that these two names 00:12:38.480 --> 00:12:40.039 with some serious background 00:12:40.039 --> 00:12:41.860 become two names 00:12:41.860 --> 00:12:42.939 that have come to the foreground. 00:12:44.740 --> 00:12:45.899 So in our story, 00:12:46.019 --> 00:12:47.600 here are Mary and Joseph 00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:50.480 flicking it onto Matthew 1. 00:12:50.600 --> 00:12:51.540 Here are Mary and Joseph. 00:12:52.100 --> 00:12:53.040 Here are this young, 00:12:53.200 --> 00:12:54.360 poor, engaged couple 00:12:54.360 --> 00:12:56.320 from this little backwater town 00:12:56.320 --> 00:12:57.820 of Nazareth. 00:12:57.940 --> 00:12:59.200 Now, you read the Gospels 00:12:59.200 --> 00:13:00.460 and Nazareth is a town 00:13:00.460 --> 00:13:01.820 that people joke about. 00:13:03.480 --> 00:13:04.860 You hear Nathaniel, 00:13:04.960 --> 00:13:07.460 what good could come from Nazareth? 00:13:07.620 --> 00:13:09.159 It's a town that carries with it 00:13:09.159 --> 00:13:10.180 a stigma of thinking 00:13:10.180 --> 00:13:11.759 there's nothing that goes on there. 00:13:12.860 --> 00:13:15.340 And yet this couple are from Nazareth. 00:13:15.340 --> 00:13:16.180 Now, you've got to understand 00:13:16.180 --> 00:13:17.120 that OK Magazine 00:13:17.120 --> 00:13:18.120 and their engagement 00:13:18.120 --> 00:13:19.139 aren't phoning them up 00:13:19.139 --> 00:13:19.399 and saying, 00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:21.060 can we do a full piece spread 00:13:21.060 --> 00:13:22.399 from your wedding? 00:13:23.840 --> 00:13:25.000 Okay, Mary's not climbing 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:25.980 the corporate ladder. 00:13:26.160 --> 00:13:27.780 Joseph's not just completed 00:13:27.780 --> 00:13:29.259 his 15th Iron Man. 00:13:29.420 --> 00:13:31.019 The world are not standing up 00:13:31.019 --> 00:13:32.220 to attention 00:13:32.220 --> 00:13:33.360 when this couple 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:34.420 come on the scene. 00:13:35.920 --> 00:13:36.920 Matthew's not bringing them 00:13:36.920 --> 00:13:37.519 to the surface 00:13:37.519 --> 00:13:39.480 saying, let's toast the success 00:13:39.480 --> 00:13:41.160 of Mary and Joseph 00:13:41.159 --> 00:13:42.159 in who they are. 00:13:44.019 --> 00:13:44.939 What is it Matthew 00:13:44.939 --> 00:13:45.980 draws our attention to? 00:13:46.019 --> 00:13:47.439 And I love seeing this this week 00:13:47.439 --> 00:13:49.339 and really, really seeing it 00:13:49.339 --> 00:13:49.879 in all these years 00:13:49.879 --> 00:13:50.579 of reading this passage. 00:13:51.000 --> 00:13:51.819 What is it that Matthew 00:13:51.819 --> 00:13:53.939 draws our attention to 00:13:53.939 --> 00:13:54.799 about them? 00:13:55.459 --> 00:13:56.659 It's not their success. 00:13:57.839 --> 00:13:59.179 It's their faithfulness. 00:14:00.360 --> 00:14:01.259 It's a wonderful lesson 00:14:01.259 --> 00:14:01.839 for us today. 00:14:01.939 --> 00:14:02.919 What is it that the Lord's 00:14:02.919 --> 00:14:03.539 interested in? 00:14:03.579 --> 00:14:04.219 What does God want 00:14:04.219 --> 00:14:04.899 from his people? 00:14:05.500 --> 00:14:06.220 It's not that we would 00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:06.879 up the game. 00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:08.799 It's that we would be faithful. 00:14:09.579 --> 00:14:10.839 We'd be faithful to him. 00:14:11.379 --> 00:14:12.639 That we would follow his word. 00:14:12.720 --> 00:14:14.100 We would cling to his promises 00:14:14.100 --> 00:14:16.420 and stake it all on him. 00:14:16.480 --> 00:14:17.379 It's their faithfulness 00:14:17.379 --> 00:14:18.100 that Matthew draws 00:14:18.100 --> 00:14:19.300 our attention to. 00:14:20.940 --> 00:14:22.280 Luke records Mary's 00:14:22.280 --> 00:14:23.200 Magnificat, 00:14:23.300 --> 00:14:24.820 her song of praise. 00:14:26.200 --> 00:14:27.500 It's clear that she knows 00:14:27.500 --> 00:14:28.420 God's promises. 00:14:29.879 --> 00:14:31.700 And Matthew, 00:14:31.960 --> 00:14:34.000 he focuses on Joseph. 00:14:35.200 --> 00:14:36.540 From David's line, 00:14:36.720 --> 00:14:39.040 he's a faithful to the law 00:14:39.040 --> 00:14:39.480 kind of man. 00:14:39.519 --> 00:14:40.639 Did you see that description there? 00:14:41.740 --> 00:14:42.320 He's a, 00:14:42.420 --> 00:14:43.620 I want to do the right thing 00:14:43.620 --> 00:14:44.899 by Mary kind of guy. 00:14:45.639 --> 00:14:47.100 These are faithful people. 00:14:47.940 --> 00:14:48.700 And I wonder whether 00:14:48.700 --> 00:14:49.620 they're the kind of 00:14:49.620 --> 00:14:50.100 representing, 00:14:51.220 --> 00:14:51.680 as it were, 00:14:52.500 --> 00:14:53.639 exactly the faithful 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:54.360 kind of people 00:14:54.360 --> 00:14:55.420 that God's promise 00:14:55.420 --> 00:14:56.420 in Isaiah all those years 00:14:56.420 --> 00:14:57.360 before was for. 00:14:59.139 --> 00:15:00.240 Nothing going for them. 00:15:00.320 --> 00:15:00.879 Nothing going on 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:01.519 in their lives. 00:15:02.820 --> 00:15:03.639 And yet they're walking 00:15:03.639 --> 00:15:04.280 day by day 00:15:04.280 --> 00:15:06.180 in faith that God 00:15:06.180 --> 00:15:06.720 would deliver on 00:15:06.720 --> 00:15:07.280 this promise. 00:15:07.279 --> 00:15:10.339 And yet we need to 00:15:10.339 --> 00:15:10.679 appreciate, 00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:11.259 and here's what I want 00:15:11.259 --> 00:15:11.980 you to know as well, 00:15:12.980 --> 00:15:13.899 they were faithful people, 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:14.679 but they ain't gullible 00:15:14.679 --> 00:15:15.120 people. 00:15:17.299 --> 00:15:18.240 You see that in their 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:18.799 reactions, 00:15:18.939 --> 00:15:19.980 it takes an angelic 00:15:19.980 --> 00:15:21.079 appearance to both of them 00:15:21.079 --> 00:15:22.379 individually to convince 00:15:22.379 --> 00:15:23.360 them that this is true. 00:15:24.159 --> 00:15:25.500 Joseph is about to end it 00:15:25.500 --> 00:15:27.079 with Mary when he finds out. 00:15:28.179 --> 00:15:29.059 Now what's the point? 00:15:29.139 --> 00:15:30.120 The point is that 00:15:30.120 --> 00:15:31.879 what C.S. Lewis called 00:15:31.879 --> 00:15:33.539 chronological snobbery, 00:15:34.219 --> 00:15:35.059 that just because we 00:15:35.059 --> 00:15:36.360 exist in 2021, 00:15:36.679 --> 00:15:37.599 we look back on this 00:15:37.599 --> 00:15:38.319 and think that somehow 00:15:38.319 --> 00:15:39.139 we're a lot more 00:15:39.139 --> 00:15:39.699 sophisticated, 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:40.579 that we wouldn't have 00:15:40.579 --> 00:15:41.319 fallen for anything 00:15:41.319 --> 00:15:41.860 like this. 00:15:42.719 --> 00:15:43.599 People in this day 00:15:43.599 --> 00:15:44.279 aren't gullible. 00:15:45.579 --> 00:15:46.339 Mary and Joseph know 00:15:46.339 --> 00:15:46.480 how, 00:15:46.579 --> 00:15:47.919 this audience, 00:15:48.059 --> 00:15:48.579 her first reading 00:15:48.579 --> 00:15:49.159 this gospel, 00:15:49.319 --> 00:15:50.019 know how the birds 00:15:50.019 --> 00:15:51.059 and the bees work. 00:15:51.719 --> 00:15:52.000 Right? 00:15:52.919 --> 00:15:53.919 They know that 00:15:53.919 --> 00:15:55.379 this isn't how it 00:15:55.379 --> 00:15:55.719 goes down. 00:15:55.919 --> 00:15:57.079 They know that 00:15:57.079 --> 00:15:57.860 there's only one way 00:15:57.860 --> 00:15:58.500 for a woman to get 00:15:58.500 --> 00:15:58.879 pregnant, 00:15:59.000 --> 00:15:59.620 and that ain't 00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:00.199 happened. 00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:02.120 They're not gullible 00:16:02.120 --> 00:16:02.559 people. 00:16:03.539 --> 00:16:05.579 Matthew emphasizes 00:16:05.579 --> 00:16:06.419 that this pregnancy, 00:16:06.559 --> 00:16:07.139 do you see it? 00:16:08.079 --> 00:16:09.279 What's the Holy Spirit 00:16:09.279 --> 00:16:09.639 doing? 00:16:10.159 --> 00:16:11.620 This is the virgin birth. 00:16:12.219 --> 00:16:13.059 And maybe at that point, 00:16:13.120 --> 00:16:13.459 I don't know, 00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:14.480 maybe I've lost you. 00:16:16.899 --> 00:16:17.179 You know, 00:16:17.259 --> 00:16:17.860 the virgin birth, 00:16:17.919 --> 00:16:18.379 is that up there 00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:19.079 with Bigfoot, 00:16:19.219 --> 00:16:20.000 the Loch Ness Monster, 00:16:20.139 --> 00:16:21.500 and that guy in the red suit 00:16:21.500 --> 00:16:22.779 comes this time of year? 00:16:24.079 --> 00:16:25.019 Is it nonsense 00:16:25.019 --> 00:16:25.879 in your eyes, 00:16:25.899 --> 00:16:26.279 I wonder? 00:16:27.719 --> 00:16:28.679 And it's really right, 00:16:28.740 --> 00:16:29.439 and you've got to hear me 00:16:29.439 --> 00:16:30.279 right in this. 00:16:30.279 --> 00:16:31.360 It's good 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:33.519 that we think long 00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:34.240 and hard about the 00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:35.539 plausibility of the Bible. 00:16:36.319 --> 00:16:37.039 And what you find, 00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:38.059 and I find this in my own life, 00:16:38.079 --> 00:16:38.959 when you really begin 00:16:38.959 --> 00:16:39.879 to research this, 00:16:39.919 --> 00:16:40.679 and there's some cracking 00:16:40.679 --> 00:16:41.919 resources I can recommend 00:16:41.919 --> 00:16:42.500 to you if you want to 00:16:42.500 --> 00:16:43.299 think more about this, 00:16:43.740 --> 00:16:44.819 this stuff historically 00:16:44.819 --> 00:16:46.100 really stands. 00:16:46.860 --> 00:16:48.019 It really stands. 00:16:48.019 --> 00:16:50.340 And it's important 00:16:50.340 --> 00:16:50.879 that we understand 00:16:50.879 --> 00:16:51.639 that our faith 00:16:51.639 --> 00:16:52.379 is not blind. 00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:53.059 Our faith 00:16:53.059 --> 00:16:54.379 is trust based on 00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:55.379 evidence. 00:16:55.720 --> 00:16:56.840 But Leonard put me to you, 00:16:56.879 --> 00:16:57.460 if you're struggling 00:16:57.460 --> 00:16:58.199 with this one, 00:16:59.699 --> 00:17:00.460 lovingly, 00:17:02.159 --> 00:17:03.000 that if there is 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:04.180 an all-powerful God 00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:05.180 who created the world 00:17:05.180 --> 00:17:05.900 out of nothing, 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:09.259 is this really all that hard 00:17:09.259 --> 00:17:09.980 for him to do? 00:17:12.139 --> 00:17:12.759 Well, you see, 00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:13.559 that's exactly it. 00:17:13.599 --> 00:17:14.259 I mean, I don't believe 00:17:14.259 --> 00:17:14.720 there's a God 00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:15.440 who created the world. 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:16.599 I don't believe in miracles. 00:17:16.599 --> 00:17:18.879 Well, let me ask you again 00:17:18.879 --> 00:17:19.879 to think about it. 00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:21.839 And maybe think about 00:17:21.839 --> 00:17:22.379 the fact that you 00:17:22.379 --> 00:17:23.839 probably live your life 00:17:23.839 --> 00:17:25.779 in the light of 00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:26.859 more miraculous stuff 00:17:26.859 --> 00:17:27.859 than you think you do. 00:17:29.319 --> 00:17:30.039 For instance, 00:17:30.219 --> 00:17:30.980 take the creation 00:17:30.980 --> 00:17:31.740 of the world. 00:17:31.899 --> 00:17:32.539 You know, Stephen Hawking 00:17:32.539 --> 00:17:32.779 said, 00:17:32.919 --> 00:17:33.539 because there's a law 00:17:33.539 --> 00:17:34.199 like gravity, 00:17:34.819 --> 00:17:35.659 the universe can 00:17:35.659 --> 00:17:36.599 and will create itself 00:17:36.599 --> 00:17:38.019 out of nothing. 00:17:39.459 --> 00:17:39.980 You know, 00:17:40.019 --> 00:17:40.740 whilst there are elements 00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:41.619 of that that are true, 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:42.899 it still doesn't explain 00:17:42.899 --> 00:17:44.039 why there's something 00:17:44.039 --> 00:17:45.859 and not nothing. 00:17:45.859 --> 00:17:46.639 I remember sitting 00:17:46.639 --> 00:17:47.459 in biology classes 00:17:47.459 --> 00:17:47.959 at school 00:17:47.959 --> 00:17:49.079 and listening to the teacher 00:17:49.079 --> 00:17:51.240 explain the theory 00:17:51.240 --> 00:17:52.399 of evolution to me 00:17:52.399 --> 00:17:53.599 and finding her argument 00:17:53.599 --> 00:17:56.039 intellectually unsatisfying. 00:17:57.539 --> 00:17:58.579 And that wasn't even 00:17:58.579 --> 00:17:59.679 beginning to scratch 00:17:59.679 --> 00:18:01.019 the surface of the why, 00:18:01.139 --> 00:18:02.299 let alone the how. 00:18:03.979 --> 00:18:04.659 Can I suggest 00:18:04.659 --> 00:18:05.500 that there's a truth 00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:06.579 in the slightly mischievous 00:18:06.579 --> 00:18:07.859 words of Glenn Scrivener 00:18:07.859 --> 00:18:08.299 who said, 00:18:08.399 --> 00:18:09.299 Christians believe 00:18:09.299 --> 00:18:10.119 in the virgin birth 00:18:10.119 --> 00:18:10.679 of Jesus. 00:18:11.659 --> 00:18:12.459 Atheists believe 00:18:12.459 --> 00:18:13.299 in the virgin birth 00:18:13.299 --> 00:18:14.200 of the universe, 00:18:14.819 --> 00:18:16.440 choose your miracle. 00:18:18.720 --> 00:18:19.779 And let me just recommend 00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:20.819 we're going to give this away, 00:18:20.899 --> 00:18:21.759 this book called 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:22.980 Is Christmas Unbelievable? 00:18:22.980 --> 00:18:24.559 by a wonderful lady 00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:25.779 called Rebecca McLaughlin 00:18:25.779 --> 00:18:27.359 who's researched these things 00:18:27.359 --> 00:18:28.339 and written it down 00:18:28.339 --> 00:18:29.240 for sceptics. 00:18:29.319 --> 00:18:30.500 Is Christmas Unbelievable? 00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:31.960 We're going to be giving them away 00:18:31.960 --> 00:18:33.539 from next Sunday, 00:18:33.619 --> 00:18:34.480 the couple of Sundays after 00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:35.659 on our callers service as well. 00:18:35.720 --> 00:18:36.579 It's a wonderful book 00:18:36.579 --> 00:18:37.680 that you can take away 00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:38.619 but also just to give 00:18:38.619 --> 00:18:39.619 to people who perhaps 00:18:39.619 --> 00:18:40.940 struggle with this stuff. 00:18:40.940 --> 00:18:43.059 Is Christmas 00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:44.580 Unbelievable? 00:18:46.259 --> 00:18:47.420 But that the virgin birth 00:18:47.420 --> 00:18:48.580 happened is one thing. 00:18:49.840 --> 00:18:50.799 Why it happened 00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:51.620 is quite another 00:18:51.620 --> 00:18:52.860 and it's probably the thing 00:18:52.860 --> 00:18:53.920 that Matthew wants us 00:18:53.920 --> 00:18:54.980 to focus on. 00:18:56.360 --> 00:18:57.340 Because the answer 00:18:57.340 --> 00:18:58.920 to mankind's sin problem 00:18:58.920 --> 00:19:01.440 and history is a long 00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:02.600 testimony to this, 00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:05.600 is never going to come 00:19:05.600 --> 00:19:07.180 from the human gene pool. 00:19:08.080 --> 00:19:09.380 The saviour that we need 00:19:09.380 --> 00:19:12.600 needs to come from out with us 00:19:12.600 --> 00:19:14.720 so as to not be stained 00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:15.800 with our sin. 00:19:16.780 --> 00:19:18.140 And yet they need to be 00:19:18.140 --> 00:19:19.040 one of us 00:19:19.040 --> 00:19:20.040 if they are to stand 00:19:20.040 --> 00:19:21.660 in our place. 00:19:23.360 --> 00:19:24.300 And so the virgin birth, 00:19:24.400 --> 00:19:25.780 far from being a take it 00:19:25.780 --> 00:19:26.460 or leave it part 00:19:26.460 --> 00:19:27.300 of Christianity, 00:19:28.300 --> 00:19:31.080 it is one of the key 00:19:31.080 --> 00:19:31.960 building blocks 00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:34.100 of the Christian faith. 00:19:34.099 --> 00:19:36.919 Here is Jesus 00:19:36.919 --> 00:19:37.839 fully God 00:19:37.839 --> 00:19:40.139 and fully man. 00:19:40.899 --> 00:19:42.759 Here is Emmanuel. 00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:45.179 Here is God 00:19:45.179 --> 00:19:47.079 with us. 00:19:48.419 --> 00:19:49.579 God with us. 00:19:49.839 --> 00:19:50.379 Get your head around 00:19:50.379 --> 00:19:50.859 that one. 00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:53.000 I remember a friend of mine 00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:53.559 when he was young 00:19:53.559 --> 00:19:54.240 went to hospital 00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:55.279 for a major operation 00:19:55.279 --> 00:19:57.500 and he looks back 00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:58.219 on that time 00:19:58.219 --> 00:19:59.240 as the time 00:19:59.240 --> 00:19:59.980 when he found out 00:19:59.980 --> 00:20:00.699 that his parents 00:20:00.699 --> 00:20:02.480 really loved him. 00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:04.000 He heard them say it. 00:20:04.140 --> 00:20:05.240 Sure, the years come by 00:20:05.240 --> 00:20:06.599 but it was at the operation. 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:08.599 Looking back, 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:09.599 he remembered that 00:20:09.599 --> 00:20:10.019 they were there 00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:11.059 when he went to sleep. 00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:11.980 They were there 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:12.880 when he woke up 00:20:12.880 --> 00:20:14.400 and they never left his side 00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:15.380 the whole time 00:20:15.380 --> 00:20:16.400 during the operation. 00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:17.539 What was it that convinced him 00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:18.339 that they loved him? 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:20.400 It was their presence. 00:20:23.700 --> 00:20:24.440 Do you see how 00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:25.380 in the ultimate sense 00:20:25.380 --> 00:20:25.920 here is God 00:20:25.920 --> 00:20:26.700 showing a world 00:20:26.700 --> 00:20:27.900 and his people 00:20:27.900 --> 00:20:31.900 intent on sinful rebellion 00:20:31.900 --> 00:20:33.280 turned away from God 00:20:33.280 --> 00:20:34.740 running a hell-bound race. 00:20:34.860 --> 00:20:35.380 Here is God 00:20:35.380 --> 00:20:36.140 reaching down 00:20:36.140 --> 00:20:36.600 and saying 00:20:36.600 --> 00:20:37.640 this is not about you 00:20:37.640 --> 00:20:38.700 coming to find me 00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:40.080 because that would never happen 00:20:40.080 --> 00:20:41.220 because you love the darkness. 00:20:41.640 --> 00:20:42.519 This is about me 00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:43.460 because who I am 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:44.920 coming to find you. 00:20:47.420 --> 00:20:48.259 And despite us 00:20:48.259 --> 00:20:49.380 giving this God 00:20:49.380 --> 00:20:50.380 all the reasons 00:20:50.380 --> 00:20:52.340 to cast us off, 00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:53.660 despite us giving him 00:20:53.660 --> 00:20:54.420 all the reasons 00:20:54.420 --> 00:20:55.360 to cut ties 00:20:55.360 --> 00:20:56.600 because we love the darkness 00:20:56.600 --> 00:20:57.320 rather than him, 00:20:57.700 --> 00:21:00.320 God came seeking us. 00:21:00.319 --> 00:21:01.559 that's what this screams 00:21:01.559 --> 00:21:04.220 that this God loves us 00:21:04.220 --> 00:21:06.519 and he's come after us. 00:21:06.619 --> 00:21:07.379 Jesus come 00:21:07.379 --> 00:21:09.339 to show us the Father. 00:21:11.119 --> 00:21:12.299 Here is Emmanuel 00:21:12.299 --> 00:21:14.579 and it's unfolding 00:21:14.579 --> 00:21:15.480 right in this 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:17.839 little manger in Bethlehem. 00:21:19.659 --> 00:21:20.639 But here's another question 00:21:20.639 --> 00:21:21.619 I asked myself this week 00:21:21.619 --> 00:21:23.599 back in Matthew 1. 00:21:24.879 --> 00:21:26.059 Why does the angel 00:21:26.059 --> 00:21:27.259 not say to Joseph, 00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:29.420 you shall call him 00:21:29.420 --> 00:21:30.799 Emmanuel? 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:32.559 You ever thought about that? 00:21:34.319 --> 00:21:35.119 It's a wee bit confusing 00:21:35.119 --> 00:21:36.059 to introduce another name 00:21:36.059 --> 00:21:37.019 at this point in the story. 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:38.140 Why not just say 00:21:38.140 --> 00:21:39.400 you shall call him Emmanuel? 00:21:39.539 --> 00:21:40.140 Because then it would have been 00:21:40.140 --> 00:21:42.119 a lot more sense in a way. 00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:42.599 We would have known 00:21:42.599 --> 00:21:43.680 exactly what's going on. 00:21:44.819 --> 00:21:46.079 Where does this Jesus name 00:21:46.079 --> 00:21:46.660 come from? 00:21:47.700 --> 00:21:48.299 The more I've thought 00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:49.099 about it this week 00:21:49.099 --> 00:21:51.220 and I could be wrong, 00:21:51.900 --> 00:21:52.759 could be wrong, 00:21:53.140 --> 00:21:54.440 but here's a shot 00:21:54.440 --> 00:21:55.119 at an answer. 00:21:55.119 --> 00:21:57.699 Because when you consider 00:21:57.699 --> 00:21:58.799 who this God is, 00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:01.339 holy, 00:22:02.119 --> 00:22:03.659 three times holy, 00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:05.699 majestic, 00:22:06.119 --> 00:22:07.319 radiantly perfect, 00:22:08.039 --> 00:22:09.219 the eternal one, 00:22:09.639 --> 00:22:10.619 the one all-knowing, 00:22:10.719 --> 00:22:11.819 the one all-seeing, 00:22:12.219 --> 00:22:14.279 the fact that he is with us 00:22:14.279 --> 00:22:15.839 as sinful people 00:22:15.839 --> 00:22:17.799 could potentially be 00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:18.979 terrifying news, 00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:19.599 could it not? 00:22:20.739 --> 00:22:21.619 I know some of you 00:22:21.619 --> 00:22:22.799 have got WhatsApp groups 00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:23.479 for the street. 00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:24.559 Can you imagine a message 00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:26.680 that came in that WhatsApp group 00:22:26.680 --> 00:22:27.120 and said, 00:22:28.019 --> 00:22:28.740 big news, 00:22:29.180 --> 00:22:30.180 lying with us. 00:22:31.579 --> 00:22:33.019 How would that strike you? 00:22:33.160 --> 00:22:33.839 It would strike you 00:22:33.839 --> 00:22:34.519 as cool news, 00:22:34.599 --> 00:22:35.180 it would strike you 00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:35.920 as big news, 00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:37.339 but it would strike you 00:22:37.339 --> 00:22:38.059 potentially 00:22:38.059 --> 00:22:40.039 as terrifying news, 00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:40.599 would it not? 00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:42.240 Imagine that in the street, 00:22:42.400 --> 00:22:43.539 lying with us. 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:45.059 Nobody's running out 00:22:45.059 --> 00:22:45.539 into the street 00:22:45.539 --> 00:22:46.319 grabbing a selfie 00:22:46.319 --> 00:22:47.180 with Simba, are they? 00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:48.519 They are locking the doors 00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:49.339 thinking we're not 00:22:49.339 --> 00:22:50.019 going out of there 00:22:50.019 --> 00:22:50.920 because we know 00:22:50.920 --> 00:22:52.019 the potential 00:22:52.019 --> 00:22:52.980 of the one 00:22:52.980 --> 00:22:54.080 who is on the street. 00:22:56.100 --> 00:22:57.100 I think that's why 00:22:57.100 --> 00:22:57.779 Matthew's quick 00:22:57.779 --> 00:22:58.519 to let us know here, 00:22:58.600 --> 00:22:59.160 but the angel 00:22:59.160 --> 00:23:00.400 said to Joseph 00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:01.180 that his name 00:23:01.180 --> 00:23:02.920 will be Jesus 00:23:02.920 --> 00:23:04.080 because God with us 00:23:04.080 --> 00:23:05.220 is wonderful news, 00:23:05.620 --> 00:23:06.320 it is potentially 00:23:06.320 --> 00:23:07.320 terrifying news, 00:23:07.500 --> 00:23:08.360 but God with us 00:23:08.360 --> 00:23:09.420 come to save us? 00:23:10.340 --> 00:23:11.860 That is incredible news. 00:23:13.600 --> 00:23:14.759 Let me quote Max Lucado, 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:15.779 if our greatest need 00:23:15.779 --> 00:23:16.779 had been information, 00:23:17.079 --> 00:23:17.900 God would have sent us 00:23:17.900 --> 00:23:18.819 an educator, 00:23:19.779 --> 00:23:20.579 if our greatest need 00:23:20.579 --> 00:23:21.480 had been technology, 00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:22.379 God would have sent us 00:23:22.379 --> 00:23:22.920 a scientist, 00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:24.319 if our greatest need 00:23:24.319 --> 00:23:25.000 had been money, 00:23:25.420 --> 00:23:26.160 God would have sent us 00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:26.740 an economist, 00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:28.180 but since our greatest need 00:23:28.180 --> 00:23:28.900 is forgiveness, 00:23:29.359 --> 00:23:31.879 God sent us a saviour. 00:23:33.359 --> 00:23:34.440 And that's exactly 00:23:34.440 --> 00:23:35.319 what Jesus did 00:23:35.319 --> 00:23:37.420 all those years later 00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:38.619 as he goes to the cross 00:23:38.619 --> 00:23:40.140 to fulfil everything 00:23:40.140 --> 00:23:41.259 about his name. 00:23:41.640 --> 00:23:44.000 He saves us. 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:47.259 And at the end 00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:48.200 of Matthew's gospel, 00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:49.160 the risen and soon 00:23:49.160 --> 00:23:50.640 to ascend Jesus says, 00:23:51.559 --> 00:23:53.059 Behold, I am with you 00:23:53.059 --> 00:23:54.359 to the end of the age. 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.220 You see, this gospel 00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:55.900 is bookended 00:23:55.900 --> 00:23:56.880 by God's presence. 00:23:58.359 --> 00:23:59.079 Words true 00:23:59.079 --> 00:24:00.700 in a new and greater way 00:24:00.700 --> 00:24:03.420 by God's indwelling spirit 00:24:03.420 --> 00:24:04.339 living in the lives 00:24:04.339 --> 00:24:05.079 of his people. 00:24:06.339 --> 00:24:07.319 And we've got to understand 00:24:07.319 --> 00:24:08.180 that in him, 00:24:08.460 --> 00:24:09.180 in Jesus, 00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:11.140 we can also say, 00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:12.680 having been reconciled 00:24:12.680 --> 00:24:14.060 to our heavenly father 00:24:14.060 --> 00:24:15.080 through our faith 00:24:15.080 --> 00:24:16.660 in who this Jesus is 00:24:16.660 --> 00:24:17.720 and what he's done for us. 00:24:17.840 --> 00:24:18.799 We can know 00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:21.100 God with us, yes, 00:24:21.680 --> 00:24:22.860 but God for us. 00:24:24.340 --> 00:24:25.500 God for us. 00:24:26.299 --> 00:24:27.799 And this is the wonderful news 00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:28.440 of the gospel 00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:29.259 that's unfolding 00:24:29.259 --> 00:24:31.120 in Bethlehem. 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:31.940 Here is Jesus. 00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:33.460 Here is Emmanuel. 00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:34.720 And both of those 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:36.140 wonderful truths, 00:24:36.279 --> 00:24:37.299 those wonderful names, 00:24:37.420 --> 00:24:38.980 so wonderfully converge 00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:40.140 in the baby 00:24:40.140 --> 00:24:41.500 in Mary's womb. 00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:45.279 But back to Bethlehem 00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:46.880 as we begin 00:24:46.880 --> 00:24:47.759 to wrap this up. 00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:49.660 You know, 00:24:49.700 --> 00:24:50.200 after the angel 00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:50.759 appears to him 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.120 in a dream 00:24:51.120 --> 00:24:51.720 and tells him 00:24:51.720 --> 00:24:52.420 about the name, 00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:54.180 Joseph's got a choice. 00:24:55.759 --> 00:24:56.640 It's the same one 00:24:56.640 --> 00:24:57.460 that Ahaz had 00:24:57.460 --> 00:24:59.099 all those years before 00:24:59.099 --> 00:25:00.319 as he too 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:00.860 is presented 00:25:00.860 --> 00:25:01.940 with this child. 00:25:02.940 --> 00:25:04.579 Will he live by faith 00:25:04.579 --> 00:25:06.079 or will he live 00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:07.180 by sight? 00:25:07.180 --> 00:25:08.440 Now, make no mistake, 00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:10.120 we romanticize this often. 00:25:10.320 --> 00:25:11.200 For Joseph 00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:12.620 to associate himself 00:25:12.620 --> 00:25:13.240 with Mary 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:14.160 and this child 00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:15.720 is to sign up 00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:16.960 for a life of ridicule. 00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:17.680 Right? 00:25:17.960 --> 00:25:18.320 Remember, 00:25:18.420 --> 00:25:19.440 this is an honor 00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:20.640 and shame culture. 00:25:20.820 --> 00:25:21.039 Remember, 00:25:21.180 --> 00:25:22.779 Nazareth is not a big place. 00:25:22.900 --> 00:25:23.620 Remember that people 00:25:23.620 --> 00:25:24.620 are people are people. 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:25.759 Down the generations, 00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:27.620 people love to talk. 00:25:28.519 --> 00:25:29.140 So for him 00:25:29.140 --> 00:25:30.519 to associate with Mary 00:25:30.519 --> 00:25:31.440 is to sign up 00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:32.740 for a life of ridicule. 00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:33.400 And there's a wonderful 00:25:33.400 --> 00:25:34.960 little parallel there, 00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:35.799 give you this for free, 00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:37.119 between the life 00:25:37.119 --> 00:25:37.559 of the father 00:25:37.559 --> 00:25:37.960 and the life 00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:38.599 of the son. 00:25:39.399 --> 00:25:40.440 Life of ridicule. 00:25:41.059 --> 00:25:42.000 But the easy thing 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:43.259 to do here for Joseph 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:44.500 would be do what? 00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:46.399 Run. 00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:48.119 Bolt. 00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:49.339 Save your skin. 00:25:49.579 --> 00:25:50.559 Save your face. 00:25:51.619 --> 00:25:53.019 You take the sympathy. 00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:54.259 Let Mary take the hit. 00:25:54.339 --> 00:25:55.539 Let her take the shame. 00:25:55.639 --> 00:25:56.740 She can be on her own. 00:25:56.819 --> 00:25:57.139 You might have 00:25:57.139 --> 00:25:57.879 a fighting chance, 00:25:57.960 --> 00:25:58.579 another career, 00:25:58.700 --> 00:25:59.200 another job. 00:25:59.240 --> 00:25:59.740 I don't know. 00:26:00.639 --> 00:26:01.519 But Joseph says, 00:26:01.599 --> 00:26:02.399 verse 25, 00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:06.000 he will have the name Jesus. 00:26:07.860 --> 00:26:09.040 And it's more than Joseph 00:26:09.040 --> 00:26:10.380 just doing the decent thing here. 00:26:10.660 --> 00:26:11.480 It's him staking 00:26:11.480 --> 00:26:12.640 his whole life 00:26:12.640 --> 00:26:14.700 and his and his people's future 00:26:14.700 --> 00:26:15.980 on the identity 00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:16.580 of the one 00:26:16.580 --> 00:26:17.400 who is this child. 00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:19.519 He's leaning it all 00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:21.680 on the name Jesus. 00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:24.940 You know, 00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:25.540 just as we close, 00:26:25.600 --> 00:26:26.320 I remember when I first 00:26:26.320 --> 00:26:26.880 moved to Edinburgh 00:26:26.880 --> 00:26:28.820 trying to get my head 00:26:28.820 --> 00:26:30.120 around the local lingo. 00:26:30.380 --> 00:26:31.540 Found out that the locals here 00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:32.799 used this word, 00:26:33.420 --> 00:26:33.740 Ken. 00:26:35.139 --> 00:26:35.379 Okay, 00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:36.240 do you Ken? 00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:37.740 Why I Ken? 00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:39.240 And I soon find out 00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:40.259 that Ken means 00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:41.139 to know. 00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:42.599 Right? 00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:43.779 But to say that you 00:26:43.779 --> 00:26:44.539 Ken a person here 00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:45.180 doesn't mean that you 00:26:45.180 --> 00:26:45.899 know them. 00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:46.639 It just means that you 00:26:46.639 --> 00:26:48.180 kind of know who they are. 00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:49.399 And we know, 00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:49.680 don't we, 00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:50.339 that there's a world 00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:51.279 of difference between 00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:52.519 knowing somebody's name 00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:53.599 and knowing who they are 00:26:53.599 --> 00:26:54.960 and really knowing them. 00:26:57.420 --> 00:26:58.299 And the challenge 00:26:58.299 --> 00:26:59.079 I think this passage 00:26:59.079 --> 00:26:59.960 presents us with 00:26:59.960 --> 00:27:00.720 as we finish 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:02.759 is do you know 00:27:02.759 --> 00:27:03.660 him as Jesus? 00:27:05.160 --> 00:27:06.299 Not do you Ken him, 00:27:06.400 --> 00:27:07.519 do you know him 00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:08.160 as your 00:27:08.160 --> 00:27:09.460 saviour? 00:27:10.660 --> 00:27:11.220 You know what I love 00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:11.880 about this passage? 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:12.600 I love the fact, 00:27:12.700 --> 00:27:12.860 again, 00:27:12.900 --> 00:27:13.700 I thought about it this week. 00:27:13.779 --> 00:27:14.400 Mary and Joseph 00:27:14.400 --> 00:27:15.460 say nothing. 00:27:16.200 --> 00:27:17.039 They act, 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:18.440 but they say nothing. 00:27:19.360 --> 00:27:19.779 In other words, 00:27:19.819 --> 00:27:20.740 this isn't about us 00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:21.559 upping our game. 00:27:21.660 --> 00:27:22.440 This isn't about us 00:27:22.440 --> 00:27:22.980 being the most 00:27:22.980 --> 00:27:24.160 spectacular people 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:25.380 that God wants us to be. 00:27:25.460 --> 00:27:26.220 This is about us 00:27:26.220 --> 00:27:27.440 stepping out in faith 00:27:27.440 --> 00:27:28.660 and living our lives 00:27:28.660 --> 00:27:29.779 in light of everything 00:27:29.779 --> 00:27:30.600 that God will do 00:27:30.600 --> 00:27:31.480 to save us. 00:27:31.820 --> 00:27:32.500 And I wonder whether 00:27:32.500 --> 00:27:33.380 some of us here today 00:27:33.380 --> 00:27:34.140 have walked in here 00:27:34.140 --> 00:27:35.320 in the spirit of law 00:27:35.320 --> 00:27:36.580 thinking that we need 00:27:36.580 --> 00:27:37.460 to perform for our 00:27:37.460 --> 00:27:38.160 Heavenly Father. 00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:40.480 And this would say, 00:27:40.600 --> 00:27:40.759 no, 00:27:40.840 --> 00:27:42.019 this is not about us 00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:42.660 up in the game. 00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:43.720 This is about Jesus. 00:27:44.120 --> 00:27:45.480 This is about who he is. 00:27:45.779 --> 00:27:46.759 And if you're here today 00:27:46.759 --> 00:27:47.600 and you're struggling 00:27:47.600 --> 00:27:48.320 with your guilt, 00:27:48.460 --> 00:27:49.200 come to him 00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:50.600 as the one who saves us. 00:27:51.940 --> 00:27:52.640 Come to him 00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:53.259 and know him 00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:54.440 as Jesus. 00:27:54.440 --> 00:27:57.180 I'll praise the name 00:27:57.180 --> 00:27:58.080 of this God 00:27:58.080 --> 00:27:59.140 that he would do this for us. 00:27:59.180 --> 00:27:59.580 Let's pray. 00:28:04.360 --> 00:28:04.960 And so, 00:28:05.180 --> 00:28:06.620 our loving Heavenly Father, 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:07.860 we just praise you 00:28:07.860 --> 00:28:08.980 for this time of year. 00:28:10.100 --> 00:28:11.160 And just remembering 00:28:11.160 --> 00:28:13.160 the birth of Jesus. 00:28:14.080 --> 00:28:14.920 And I pray, Father, 00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:16.799 for some of us here today 00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:17.980 who are perhaps 00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:19.720 struggling in life, 00:28:19.799 --> 00:28:20.220 who are perhaps 00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:21.140 feeling guilty 00:28:21.140 --> 00:28:22.620 of their sin, 00:28:22.779 --> 00:28:23.680 who are feeling 00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:24.480 maybe like Matthew 00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:25.759 did at the beginning 00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:26.560 that we thought about, 00:28:26.640 --> 00:28:27.360 who are struggling 00:28:27.360 --> 00:28:28.320 with who they are. 00:28:28.460 --> 00:28:28.640 Father, 00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:29.920 I pray through your Spirit 00:28:29.920 --> 00:28:31.000 that you would give us 00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:32.299 a fresh understanding 00:28:32.299 --> 00:28:33.120 of the one 00:28:33.120 --> 00:28:35.080 whose name is Jesus. 00:28:36.980 --> 00:28:37.380 Oh, Father, 00:28:37.460 --> 00:28:39.340 help us to live our lives 00:28:39.340 --> 00:28:40.120 in the light 00:28:40.120 --> 00:28:41.580 of who he is 00:28:41.580 --> 00:28:43.340 and what he's done 00:28:43.340 --> 00:28:44.000 for us. 00:28:45.460 --> 00:28:47.000 The wonderful Counselor, 00:28:48.420 --> 00:28:49.240 mighty God, 00:28:49.380 --> 00:28:50.240 Prince of Peace, 00:28:51.039 --> 00:28:52.100 everlasting Father. 00:28:52.099 --> 00:28:54.240 and it's in his 00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:54.899 wonderful name 00:28:54.899 --> 00:28:55.559 that we pray. 00:28:56.819 --> 00:28:57.179 Amen.