WEBVTT

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 Now again, we'll turn together in our Bibles to the book of Colossians.

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 Colossians chapter 1, and we'll read from verse 15 to 20.

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 And we'll consider Jesus as Lord of creation and new creation.

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 So again, let's hear the word of God.

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 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

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 For in him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible,

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 whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities, all things have been created through him and for him.

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 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

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 And he is the head of the body, the church.

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 He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

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 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things,

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 whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood shed on the cross.

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 Amen.

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 So I can still remember the very first time in Bible college many years ago,

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 my mind was blown by a new truth about Jesus.

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 We were in a class thinking about the doctrine of Jesus Christ,

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 and our lecturer was using some works from early church fathers

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 and was helping us to see that the Christ child in the manger,

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 that tiny, vulnerable little baby, at one and the same time was sustaining the universe.

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 And that wasn't something I'd thought about before, and that was a remarkable truth.

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 And it made me realize then, and I hope I still realize now,

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 that my view and our view of Jesus constantly needs to expand.

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 We will never come close to grasping the full extent of the glory of God, of the glory of the Lord Jesus.

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 Even in all eternity, we will never cease to discover more of that glory.

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 It's a glorious passage, isn't it?

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 And it's written to a church in Colossae of young Christians,

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 of Christians who were under pressure, hearing false teaching,

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 tempted to look away from depending only on Jesus,

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 to add some other rules and regulations.

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 And here's Paul's wonderful response.

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 And there's such wisdom here, and Paul could easily say,

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 just don't do that, that's just a really bad idea to try and add anything to Jesus.

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 But what he does instead is he looks to give them this wonderful reminder of just how great Jesus is.

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 He gives this wonderful Christ hymn for them,

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 to say to them,

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 Jesus is supreme.

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 There is none greater than him,

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 therefore don't seek to add to him.

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 Jesus is sufficient.

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 To have faith in him means you don't need to have anything else for your salvation.

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 And this has always been the confession of the church.

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 This was a hymn already, it seems, in circulation.

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 So within a matter of decades,

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 this is what the church has been singing,

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 testifying about Jesus.

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 He is supreme.

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 He is fully God.

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 He is the only Savior.

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 Your Jesus is Lord.

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 Our starting point this evening is that I'm confident that we all need this text.

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 We all need to be reminded about the glory of Christ,

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 because like the church in Colossae,

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 we'll all be tempted in different ways towards taking our eyes off Jesus.

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 Perhaps for some of us that will be because of the pressures of life.

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 Sometimes it will be the temptation towards sin.

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 Perhaps it will be because of questions or doubts or fears.

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 And we can stop looking towards Jesus.

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 And we also need this,

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 because like me,

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 we always need to be reminded,

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 and to use the glasses or the binoculars of Scripture,

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 to have an appropriate vision of Jesus.

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 To recognize that Jesus is not small.

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 He's not a Savior that we can control.

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 Rather, he is the Lord of the universe.

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 So this hymn is written as a gift to the church to tune our hearts,

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 to sing the praise of Christ.

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 It's a wonderful text to study as we approach Christmas.

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 A text that shows us the extent to which Jesus is Lord over creation

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 and Lord over the new creation,

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 and to help us to begin to think why that matters for faith and life.

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 So let's think,

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 verse 15 to 17,

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 let's think together briefly about Jesus as Lord of creation.

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 Two phrases to pick out,

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 to focus on.

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 The first,

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 at the beginning of verse 15,

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 the sun is the image of the invisible God.

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 As B.B. Warfield,

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 the American theologian,

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 said,

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 Jesus makes the invisible God visible.

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 It's a wonderful reality,

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 isn't it?

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 And this was Paul's teaching.

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 Throughout his letters,

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 we can turn,

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 for example,

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 to 2 Corinthians 4,

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 and verse 4,

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 and we hear Paul say this,

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 the God of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers

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 so that they cannot see the light of the gospel

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 that displays the glory of Christ,

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 who is the image of God.

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 So in the gospel,

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 we discover that Jesus is the image of God,

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 and we discover the glory of Christ.

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 And sadly,

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 the devil wants to keep people from believing that.

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 Then verse 6,

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 for God who said,

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 let light shine out of darkness,

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 made his light shine in our hearts,

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 to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory,

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 displayed in the face of Christ.

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 We see the glory of God in the face of Christ Jesus.

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 That's the testimony of John in his gospel.

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 That's why we read his introduction.

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 The word became flesh

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 and made his dwelling among us,

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 and we've seen his glory,

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 the glory as of the one and only Son,

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 full of grace and truth.

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 We've been thinking about it for the last few months

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 in John's gospel.

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 We've been hearing the words of Jesus.

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 He who has seen me has seen the Father.

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 I and the Father are one.

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 Jesus makes the invisible God visible.

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 And also,

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 when we think of that idea of image,

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 the image of God,

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 maybe for many of us,

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 our minds go back to Genesis 1,

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 where Adam and Eve are created in the image of God.

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 And their role was to rule and reign for God,

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 to spread, as it were,

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 the image of God in creation.

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 But, of course,

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 we know from our Bibles

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 that Adam and Eve fell into sin

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 and failed to do that

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 in the same way as we fail to do that.

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 But here is Jesus,

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 and he is the true and better Adam,

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 who does come bringing in the kingdom of God,

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 who does restore the reign of God,

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 who does spread the image of God

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 in the world that he created.

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 So Jesus is the image of the invisible God.

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 But then in verse 15,

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 there's also that significant phrase

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 that the Son, Jesus,

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 is the firstborn over all creation.

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 And this is a phrase

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 that we need to be careful with.

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 Jehovah's Witnesses, for example,

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 would use this text to say,

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 well, here's proof positive

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 that Jesus was the first created being.

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 How do we respond to that?

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 Well, we can perhaps,

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 to just think about the tone

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 and the teaching of this text,

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 what's it saying about Jesus?

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 It's saying something far beyond that,

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 isn't it?

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 It's expressing the fact

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 that Jesus is fully God.

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 The fullness of God dwells in him,

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 that he is eternal,

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 that he is before and above all.

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 Rather, the idea of firstborn

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 has to do with rank and place.

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 Think about the firstborn child.

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 They were the heir.

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 Here is Paul's way of saying,

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 remember, all creation belongs to Christ

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 because he is firstborn

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 in rank, first place.

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 In the Old Testament,

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 God said that Israel was his firstborn

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 in Exodus 4.

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 The Davidic king,

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 Psalm 89,

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 is God's firstborn.

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 Kings or nations

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 chosen with a special place

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 and a special role.

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 Jesus is God's firstborn

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 in the sense that he

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 perfectly represents his rule.

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 He is uniquely,

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 eternally loved by his father

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 and he is the heir of all things.

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 He has ultimate rule and honor

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 is the idea.

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 And that's made clear

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 from the phrases that follow.

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 So again,

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 if you have your Bibles,

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 take a look at these phrases.

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 Verse 16,

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 For in him,

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 in Jesus,

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 all things were created.

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 Jesus is the agent of creation.

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 God created through Jesus

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 his word.

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 And look at how comprehensive

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 the list is.

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 Things in heaven and on earth,

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 visible, invisible,

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 thrones, powers, rulers,

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 authorities.

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 All things have been created

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 through him and for him.

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 Jesus the Son is acting with

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 God the Father

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 and as God in creating.

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 And we also discover

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 that Jesus himself

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 is the goal of creation.

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 All things have been created

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 through him and for him.

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 Verse 17,

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 He is before all things.

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 He is the eternal Lord.

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 He's not part of the creation.

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 He was there before.

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 There was anything other than

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 Father, Son, and Spirit.

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 And verse 17,

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 In him,

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 all things hold together.

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 He is the Lord

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 who sustains

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 the universe he created.

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 He is the one

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 who controls.

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 Jesus is the unifying

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 theory of everything.

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 Now,

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 Paul is saying

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 these verses.

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 Our Christmas carols,

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 they sometimes ask

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 the questions,

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 What child is this?

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 Who is he

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 in yonder stall?

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 Look at the size

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 of the answer

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 that Paul gives here.

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 Jesus is the perfect

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 revelation of God

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 in all his glory.

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 Jesus is the Lord

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 of the universe,

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 the universe

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 that was created

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 by him,

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 in him,

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 and for him.

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 For a church

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 under pressure,

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 for Christians like us,

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 here is hope.

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 Here is hope

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 when the world

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 perhaps seems to be

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 spinning out of control

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 in our own experiences

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 as we look around society.

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 Jesus is in control.

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 Jesus is on the throne.

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 Jesus is working out

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 his purposes.

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 Here is hope

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 when our faith

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 feels weak,

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 when we wonder

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 if we can keep going

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 and we remember

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 that our faith

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 is dependent on Jesus,

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 the one who is

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 strong enough

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 to create this world,

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 is strong enough

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 to establish

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 new creation life

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 in us,

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 is strong enough

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 to keep us

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 in our faith.

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 Let's hope for us

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 as well

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 to recognize

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 it's this Lord,

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 the Creator Lord,

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 who has entered

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 into his creation

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 in order to save us.

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 his cause for praise.

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 So Jesus is Lord of creation,

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 but he's also,

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 as Paul moves on,

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 he's also Lord

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 of the new creation.

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 So let's again

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 look at some key phrases

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 in verse 18 to 20.

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 He begins there,

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 he is the head

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 of the body,

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 the church.

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 Now, boys and girls,

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 your classes are over

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 for the term,

00:12:56.259 --> 00:12:57.799
 but let's do some

00:12:57.799 --> 00:12:59.360
 very basic biology.

00:13:00.279 --> 00:13:01.399
 If you think about it,

00:13:01.740 --> 00:13:02.819
 we can lose a toe,

00:13:03.080 --> 00:13:03.980
 we can lose an arm,

00:13:04.080 --> 00:13:05.039
 we can lose a leg,

00:13:05.399 --> 00:13:06.159
 we'd have pain,

00:13:06.240 --> 00:13:07.039
 but we'd be okay.

00:13:07.740 --> 00:13:09.059
 But if we lose our heads,

00:13:10.299 --> 00:13:11.120
 then we have nothing.

00:13:13.360 --> 00:13:14.620
 Jesus is the head.

00:13:15.399 --> 00:13:16.319
 Jesus gives life

00:13:16.319 --> 00:13:17.100
 to the church.

00:13:18.120 --> 00:13:19.799
 Jesus is our command

00:13:19.799 --> 00:13:21.159
 and control center.

00:13:21.159 --> 00:13:22.639
 Just as our brain functions

00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:24.100
 to control our bodies,

00:13:24.100 --> 00:13:26.320
 Jesus is Lord

00:13:26.320 --> 00:13:27.759
 over the church.

00:13:29.080 --> 00:13:30.220
 And so it is vital

00:13:30.220 --> 00:13:31.040
 for the church,

00:13:31.080 --> 00:13:32.379
 it was vital for this church

00:13:32.379 --> 00:13:33.420
 that Paul is writing to,

00:13:33.480 --> 00:13:34.879
 to stay connected,

00:13:35.040 --> 00:13:35.820
 united to him,

00:13:35.879 --> 00:13:36.580
 just as it's vital

00:13:36.580 --> 00:13:37.940
 for us to be connected

00:13:37.940 --> 00:13:39.320
 to Jesus.

00:13:42.139 --> 00:13:43.540
 Verse 18 goes on,

00:13:43.600 --> 00:13:44.480
 he is the beginning

00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:46.840
 and the firstborn

00:13:46.840 --> 00:13:49.040
 from among the dead.

00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:51.779
 To help us to think about this,

00:13:51.779 --> 00:13:54.240
 a chap called Athanasius

00:13:54.240 --> 00:13:55.480
 wrote a book

00:13:55.480 --> 00:13:56.500
 on the incarnation

00:13:56.500 --> 00:13:58.299
 back sometime

00:13:58.299 --> 00:13:59.079
 in the 4th century,

00:13:59.179 --> 00:13:59.539
 I can't remember

00:13:59.539 --> 00:14:00.240
 exactly when,

00:14:00.759 --> 00:14:01.720
 but he said this,

00:14:01.759 --> 00:14:02.139
 wonderful,

00:14:02.699 --> 00:14:04.199
 helpful phrase,

00:14:04.299 --> 00:14:04.620
 I think,

00:14:04.699 --> 00:14:06.000
 there is no inconsistency

00:14:06.659 --> 00:14:08.000
 between creation

00:14:08.559 --> 00:14:09.000
 and salvation

00:14:09.559 --> 00:14:11.720
 for the one father

00:14:11.720 --> 00:14:13.100
 has employed

00:14:13.100 --> 00:14:14.240
 the same agent

00:14:14.240 --> 00:14:15.179
 for both works.

00:14:15.299 --> 00:14:16.740
 So let's just stop there.

00:14:18.199 --> 00:14:19.919
 Athanasius is reminding us

00:14:19.919 --> 00:14:21.839
 God's agent of creation

00:14:21.839 --> 00:14:23.120
 is Jesus,

00:14:23.339 --> 00:14:24.500
 God's agent in salvation

00:14:24.500 --> 00:14:26.019
 is Jesus.

00:14:27.699 --> 00:14:29.299
 So the father was effecting

00:14:29.299 --> 00:14:30.799
 the salvation of the world

00:14:30.799 --> 00:14:32.879
 through the same word

00:14:32.879 --> 00:14:34.219
 who made it

00:14:34.219 --> 00:14:34.919
 in the beginning.

00:14:35.919 --> 00:14:37.740
 So that same word,

00:14:37.899 --> 00:14:38.240
 Jesus,

00:14:38.459 --> 00:14:40.039
 who gives life to creation

00:14:40.039 --> 00:14:41.879
 is the same word

00:14:41.879 --> 00:14:44.219
 who gives new creation life.

00:14:44.220 --> 00:14:47.180
 that phrase,

00:14:47.560 --> 00:14:48.399
 the beginning,

00:14:48.560 --> 00:14:48.800
 I guess,

00:14:48.879 --> 00:14:49.740
 makes us think of

00:14:49.740 --> 00:14:50.840
 Genesis 1,

00:14:51.279 --> 00:14:52.000
 in the beginning

00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:53.060
 God created.

00:14:54.060 --> 00:14:55.540
 Jesus is the one

00:14:55.540 --> 00:14:56.240
 through whom

00:14:56.240 --> 00:14:57.940
 God creates

00:14:57.940 --> 00:15:01.139
 a new spiritual life.

00:15:01.800 --> 00:15:03.460
 And he is the firstborn

00:15:03.460 --> 00:15:06.080
 from among the dead

00:15:06.080 --> 00:15:07.700
 so that in everything

00:15:07.700 --> 00:15:08.899
 he might have

00:15:08.899 --> 00:15:10.920
 the supremacy.

00:15:10.919 --> 00:15:12.139
 So again,

00:15:12.319 --> 00:15:13.339
 firstborn has that idea

00:15:13.339 --> 00:15:14.699
 of first in rank,

00:15:14.860 --> 00:15:15.719
 first in authority.

00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:18.099
 Why is Jesus

00:15:18.099 --> 00:15:19.500
 the firstborn

00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:20.399
 from among the dead?

00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:21.279
 Tom Schreiner says,

00:15:21.360 --> 00:15:21.439
 well,

00:15:21.459 --> 00:15:22.539
 Jesus rules over death

00:15:22.539 --> 00:15:23.419
 because he was the first

00:15:23.419 --> 00:15:24.699
 to conquer death.

00:15:25.419 --> 00:15:27.219
 And as it goes for Jesus,

00:15:27.379 --> 00:15:29.139
 so it goes for his followers.

00:15:31.659 --> 00:15:32.839
 Being the firstborn

00:15:32.839 --> 00:15:33.779
 from among the dead

00:15:33.779 --> 00:15:34.639
 at the resurrection

00:15:34.639 --> 00:15:35.519
 is proof.

00:15:36.179 --> 00:15:37.120
 Jesus is

00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:38.719
 the author of life.

00:15:38.720 --> 00:15:41.160
 proof positive

00:15:41.160 --> 00:15:42.360
 that Jesus has the power

00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:43.920
 to give new life,

00:15:44.460 --> 00:15:46.080
 the promise of resurrection life

00:15:46.080 --> 00:15:46.620
 for all

00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:48.040
 who trust him.

00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:49.139
 We don't need to look

00:15:49.139 --> 00:15:49.620
 to

00:15:49.620 --> 00:15:50.660
 anyone

00:15:50.660 --> 00:15:52.300
 or anything else.

00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:54.899
 Verse 19,

00:15:55.860 --> 00:15:57.180
 God was pleased

00:15:57.180 --> 00:15:58.940
 to have all his fullness

00:15:58.940 --> 00:16:01.200
 dwell in him.

00:16:02.220 --> 00:16:03.220
 Everything essential

00:16:03.220 --> 00:16:04.259
 to being God

00:16:04.259 --> 00:16:05.779
 is found in Jesus

00:16:05.779 --> 00:16:07.100
 and belongs to Jesus.

00:16:07.100 --> 00:16:08.759
 the same words,

00:16:09.540 --> 00:16:10.460
 same ideas,

00:16:10.580 --> 00:16:10.779
 anyway,

00:16:10.860 --> 00:16:11.560
 in chapter 2,

00:16:11.639 --> 00:16:12.220
 verse 9.

00:16:12.360 --> 00:16:13.659
 For in Christ,

00:16:14.360 --> 00:16:15.399
 all the fullness

00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:16.480
 of the deity

00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:18.500
 lives in bodily form.

00:16:20.019 --> 00:16:20.639
 And then he goes on

00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:20.840
 to say,

00:16:20.899 --> 00:16:21.440
 in Christ,

00:16:21.500 --> 00:16:21.940
 you've been brought

00:16:21.940 --> 00:16:22.480
 to fullness.

00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:23.899
 Because you're trusting

00:16:23.899 --> 00:16:24.680
 in a saviour

00:16:24.680 --> 00:16:25.860
 who is fully God,

00:16:26.300 --> 00:16:27.139
 you can believe

00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:27.840
 that you have

00:16:27.840 --> 00:16:28.899
 a full salvation

00:16:28.899 --> 00:16:29.480
 and you're not

00:16:29.480 --> 00:16:30.519
 lacking anything.

00:16:33.700 --> 00:16:34.180
 Perhaps,

00:16:34.340 --> 00:16:34.519
 again,

00:16:34.580 --> 00:16:35.060
 boys and girls,

00:16:35.059 --> 00:16:36.139
 we can think about this

00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:36.899
 by thinking about

00:16:36.899 --> 00:16:38.000
 a bike.

00:16:38.119 --> 00:16:38.799
 If you've got a bike

00:16:38.799 --> 00:16:39.439
 or you can think about

00:16:39.439 --> 00:16:39.859
 a bike,

00:16:40.339 --> 00:16:41.419
 for a bike to be

00:16:41.419 --> 00:16:42.099
 full and complete,

00:16:42.159 --> 00:16:42.919
 it needs every part,

00:16:42.979 --> 00:16:43.319
 doesn't it?

00:16:43.339 --> 00:16:43.979
 It needs a saddle,

00:16:44.179 --> 00:16:44.739
 it needs a chain,

00:16:44.819 --> 00:16:45.359
 it needs pedals,

00:16:45.439 --> 00:16:46.339
 it needs brakes.

00:16:46.539 --> 00:16:46.859
 Otherwise,

00:16:47.159 --> 00:16:48.459
 it's not complete.

00:16:49.619 --> 00:16:51.259
 The Bible is teaching

00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:53.979
 Jesus isn't partly God,

00:16:55.319 --> 00:16:56.919
 Jesus isn't mostly God,

00:16:57.279 --> 00:16:59.359
 Jesus isn't sometimes God,

00:17:00.339 --> 00:17:01.859
 Jesus is totally God,

00:17:01.860 --> 00:17:04.680
 while also being totally man.

00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:07.799
 Jesus is eternally God.

00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:10.180
 All that is essential to God

00:17:10.180 --> 00:17:12.039
 is found in Jesus.

00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:16.220
 It's a reminder,

00:17:16.420 --> 00:17:18.240
 in the context of their false teaching,

00:17:18.360 --> 00:17:19.980
 if there's nothing missing from Jesus,

00:17:20.319 --> 00:17:22.900
 why would they try and add to Jesus?

00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:26.799
 And then verse 20,

00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:30.000
 through Jesus,

00:17:30.359 --> 00:17:31.919
 God was pleased to reconcile

00:17:31.919 --> 00:17:32.839
 to himself

00:17:32.839 --> 00:17:34.019
 all things,

00:17:35.039 --> 00:17:35.899
 whether things on earth

00:17:35.899 --> 00:17:36.639
 or things in heaven,

00:17:36.720 --> 00:17:38.079
 by making peace through his blood

00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:39.480
 shed on the cross.

00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:41.779
 The Lord Jesus

00:17:41.779 --> 00:17:44.139
 came that first Christmas

00:17:44.139 --> 00:17:45.799
 and he came to bring peace

00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:46.980
 on earth.

00:17:48.519 --> 00:17:49.960
 We learn some wonderful truths

00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:50.700
 about reconciliation

00:17:50.700 --> 00:17:52.299
 from this verse here,

00:17:52.379 --> 00:17:52.940
 verse 20.

00:17:52.940 --> 00:17:55.059
 We learn that reconciliation

00:17:55.059 --> 00:17:57.640
 is God's work.

00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:58.980
 A work of reconciliation,

00:17:59.279 --> 00:18:00.279
 making peace between

00:18:00.279 --> 00:18:01.440
 two parties

00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:03.299
 who are at enmity

00:18:03.299 --> 00:18:04.200
 with one another.

00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:06.460
 God takes the initiative

00:18:06.460 --> 00:18:07.360
 to make peace.

00:18:07.440 --> 00:18:08.240
 The coming of Christ

00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:10.279
 is all of grace.

00:18:12.820 --> 00:18:14.279
 We learn, too,

00:18:14.380 --> 00:18:15.080
 that reconciliation

00:18:15.080 --> 00:18:16.779
 is a completed work.

00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:18.539
 It was completed

00:18:18.539 --> 00:18:19.600
 at the cross.

00:18:20.019 --> 00:18:21.420
 Peace has been made.

00:18:21.420 --> 00:18:22.360
 Jesus said,

00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:23.660
 it is finished.

00:18:23.779 --> 00:18:24.720
 The sin barrier

00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:26.320
 is broken down.

00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:27.519
 That sin

00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:28.700
 that would separate us

00:18:28.700 --> 00:18:30.140
 from our God

00:18:30.140 --> 00:18:31.880
 that has been dealt with

00:18:31.880 --> 00:18:34.060
 for those who trust in Jesus

00:18:34.060 --> 00:18:36.820
 so that we can enjoy peace.

00:18:38.080 --> 00:18:38.860
 So reconciliation

00:18:38.860 --> 00:18:39.720
 happened

00:18:39.720 --> 00:18:41.360
 at the cross.

00:18:43.400 --> 00:18:45.620
 How does God make peace?

00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:47.539
 Through the blood

00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:48.420
 of his son, Jesus.

00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:50.500
 He makes peace

00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:51.800
 by way of sacrifice.

00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:54.240
 Again, there's a reminder

00:18:54.240 --> 00:18:55.759
 of why there's no room

00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:56.240
 for pride

00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:57.320
 in the Christian life.

00:18:58.519 --> 00:18:58.980
 It took

00:18:58.980 --> 00:19:00.300
 the giving

00:19:00.300 --> 00:19:00.840
 of Jesus,

00:19:00.980 --> 00:19:01.660
 it took the death

00:19:01.660 --> 00:19:02.720
 of his perfect son,

00:19:04.180 --> 00:19:04.980
 God the Father's

00:19:04.980 --> 00:19:05.640
 perfect son,

00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:07.100
 in order to reconcile

00:19:07.100 --> 00:19:08.100
 us to himself.

00:19:09.640 --> 00:19:10.080
 And also,

00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:10.560
 we're reminded

00:19:10.560 --> 00:19:11.140
 in this verse

00:19:11.140 --> 00:19:11.820
 that reconciliation

00:19:11.820 --> 00:19:13.940
 takes in all things.

00:19:14.920 --> 00:19:15.440
 It takes in

00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:16.019
 the church,

00:19:16.120 --> 00:19:16.759
 the people of God,

00:19:16.820 --> 00:19:17.960
 but also the creation,

00:19:17.960 --> 00:19:18.559
 the creation

00:19:18.559 --> 00:19:20.440
 that is under the curse,

00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:21.360
 that's been under the curse

00:19:21.360 --> 00:19:22.360
 since Genesis 3,

00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:22.940
 the creation

00:19:22.940 --> 00:19:24.680
 that is groaning

00:19:24.680 --> 00:19:26.480
 in Romans 8,

00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:28.620
 waiting for full

00:19:28.620 --> 00:19:29.620
 and final salvation

00:19:29.620 --> 00:19:30.840
 of the people of God

00:19:30.840 --> 00:19:32.660
 when the new heavens

00:19:32.660 --> 00:19:33.279
 and the new earth

00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:33.819
 are established

00:19:33.819 --> 00:19:35.240
 when Jesus returns.

00:19:38.579 --> 00:19:39.860
 So here to this

00:19:39.860 --> 00:19:41.840
 group of young

00:19:41.840 --> 00:19:42.940
 Christians

00:19:42.940 --> 00:19:45.000
 under pressure

00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:46.660
 to listen

00:19:46.660 --> 00:19:47.900
 to false teaching,

00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:49.079
 Paul gives them

00:19:49.079 --> 00:19:50.799
 this wonderful hymn.

00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:53.059
 Let's just,

00:19:53.160 --> 00:19:53.759
 before we close,

00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:54.400
 let's think

00:19:54.400 --> 00:19:55.960
 about some reasons

00:19:55.960 --> 00:19:56.599
 why this hymn

00:19:56.599 --> 00:19:57.259
 matters

00:19:57.259 --> 00:19:58.299
 for you

00:19:58.299 --> 00:19:59.000
 and me

00:19:59.000 --> 00:20:00.539
 as we think

00:20:00.539 --> 00:20:01.180
 about the glory

00:20:01.180 --> 00:20:01.660
 of Jesus

00:20:01.660 --> 00:20:02.019
 that it might

00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:02.900
 increase our worship

00:20:02.900 --> 00:20:04.099
 and increase our joy.

00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:06.619
 Let's just remind

00:20:06.619 --> 00:20:07.380
 ourselves

00:20:07.380 --> 00:20:08.859
 that when we're

00:20:08.859 --> 00:20:10.299
 thinking about Jesus,

00:20:10.440 --> 00:20:11.220
 considering Jesus,

00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:12.620
 we are recognizing

00:20:12.620 --> 00:20:13.539
 that Jesus truly

00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:14.460
 reveals God

00:20:14.460 --> 00:20:15.319
 as creator

00:20:15.319 --> 00:20:17.140
 and redeemer.

00:20:18.140 --> 00:20:19.240
 It has been well

00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:20.380
 said that if

00:20:20.380 --> 00:20:22.360
 God were our

00:20:22.360 --> 00:20:23.160
 creator

00:20:23.160 --> 00:20:24.120
 only

00:20:24.120 --> 00:20:25.799
 and we just

00:20:25.799 --> 00:20:26.500
 thought of God

00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:27.420
 as almighty

00:20:27.420 --> 00:20:28.279
 power,

00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:30.620
 we might run

00:20:30.620 --> 00:20:31.079
 from him

00:20:31.079 --> 00:20:31.660
 in terror.

00:20:33.559 --> 00:20:34.920
 But that God

00:20:34.920 --> 00:20:35.880
 is our

00:20:35.880 --> 00:20:36.720
 redeemer

00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:38.339
 through the work

00:20:38.339 --> 00:20:39.220
 of Christ,

00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:40.700
 that produces

00:20:40.700 --> 00:20:41.120
 a different

00:20:41.120 --> 00:20:42.079
 kind of fear,

00:20:43.079 --> 00:20:43.740
 that fear

00:20:43.740 --> 00:20:44.680
 that is awe

00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:45.860
 and wonder

00:20:45.860 --> 00:20:47.180
 and worship

00:20:47.180 --> 00:20:48.839
 that God

00:20:48.839 --> 00:20:49.339
 would love

00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:50.180
 so much.

00:20:52.600 --> 00:20:53.160
 Again,

00:20:53.460 --> 00:20:54.059
 to go even

00:20:54.059 --> 00:20:54.640
 further back

00:20:54.640 --> 00:20:55.240
 in early church

00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:55.539
 history,

00:20:55.660 --> 00:20:56.299
 second century,

00:20:56.420 --> 00:20:57.100
 Irenaeus,

00:20:57.680 --> 00:20:58.579
 like this,

00:20:58.680 --> 00:20:59.700
 God who formed

00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:00.940
 us in the beginning

00:21:00.940 --> 00:21:03.420
 also formed

00:21:03.420 --> 00:21:04.539
 us in the womb,

00:21:06.420 --> 00:21:07.500
 personal creation,

00:21:07.620 --> 00:21:08.500
 not just universal

00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:09.000
 creation,

00:21:09.220 --> 00:21:10.380
 God created

00:21:10.380 --> 00:21:11.319
 each one of us

00:21:11.319 --> 00:21:12.519
 and that same

00:21:12.519 --> 00:21:13.000
 God

00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:14.839
 sought us out

00:21:14.839 --> 00:21:15.480
 when we were

00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:16.059
 lost,

00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:18.960
 won us back

00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:20.160
 for himself,

00:21:21.339 --> 00:21:22.519
 carries us home

00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:23.920
 on his shoulders.

00:21:26.140 --> 00:21:26.839
 How do all those

00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:28.299
 wonderful pictures

00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:29.120
 of salvation

00:21:29.120 --> 00:21:30.259
 come to

00:21:30.259 --> 00:21:30.839
 fulfillment?

00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:30.939
 fulfillment?

00:21:31.939 --> 00:21:32.679
 They come to

00:21:32.679 --> 00:21:33.240
 fulfillment

00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:34.220
 through Jesus,

00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:36.259
 the Son of God

00:21:36.259 --> 00:21:37.279
 who is conceived

00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:37.980
 in the womb

00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:39.459
 of the Virgin,

00:21:40.819 --> 00:21:42.119
 made one of us

00:21:42.119 --> 00:21:43.500
 in order to

00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:44.379
 redeem us.

00:21:45.959 --> 00:21:46.740
 Jesus reveals

00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:47.419
 to us God

00:21:47.419 --> 00:21:48.059
 as creator

00:21:48.059 --> 00:21:49.139
 and as

00:21:49.139 --> 00:21:49.779
 redeemer.

00:21:51.659 --> 00:21:52.379
 This hymn

00:21:52.379 --> 00:21:53.959
 also reminds us

00:21:53.959 --> 00:21:55.139
 importantly

00:21:55.139 --> 00:21:55.699
 that Jesus

00:21:55.699 --> 00:21:56.159
 is Lord

00:21:56.159 --> 00:21:56.939
 over all

00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:57.759
 of life.

00:22:00.100 --> 00:22:00.620
 Perhaps

00:22:00.620 --> 00:22:01.580
 we have a

00:22:01.580 --> 00:22:02.000
 tendency

00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:02.700
 to put

00:22:02.700 --> 00:22:04.000
 God in a

00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:04.539
 box,

00:22:04.840 --> 00:22:05.279
 a tendency

00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:06.759
 to compartmentalize

00:22:06.759 --> 00:22:07.620
 our lives.

00:22:08.620 --> 00:22:08.900
 Perhaps

00:22:08.900 --> 00:22:09.480
 we can think

00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:10.059
 in terms of

00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:10.519
 spiritual

00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:12.220
 and secular

00:22:12.220 --> 00:22:13.000
 or regular.

00:22:13.799 --> 00:22:14.420
 Jesus gets

00:22:14.420 --> 00:22:15.000
 one but not

00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:15.480
 the other.

00:22:16.860 --> 00:22:17.180
 And whenever

00:22:17.180 --> 00:22:17.880
 we're doing that

00:22:17.880 --> 00:22:18.259
 we need to

00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:18.720
 understand that

00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:19.080
 our God

00:22:19.080 --> 00:22:19.720
 is far too

00:22:19.720 --> 00:22:20.220
 small.

00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:22.299
 the creation

00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:22.799
 and the new

00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:23.240
 creation

00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:23.860
 are His.

00:22:24.819 --> 00:22:25.400
 He is Lord

00:22:25.400 --> 00:22:25.799
 not just

00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:26.319
 over some

00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:27.279
 but over all.

00:22:28.920 --> 00:22:29.680
 Every part

00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:30.420
 is His.

00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:32.700
 And spiritual

00:22:32.700 --> 00:22:33.120
 wisdom

00:22:33.120 --> 00:22:34.559
 recognizes that

00:22:34.559 --> 00:22:35.700
 and looks

00:22:35.700 --> 00:22:36.100
 to live

00:22:36.100 --> 00:22:36.779
 in dependence

00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:37.440
 on Christ

00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:38.519
 because of

00:22:38.519 --> 00:22:38.960
 that

00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:40.220
 so that we

00:22:40.220 --> 00:22:40.819
 might live

00:22:40.819 --> 00:22:41.259
 to His

00:22:41.259 --> 00:22:41.819
 praise and

00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:42.240
 glory

00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:43.400
 in all the

00:22:43.400 --> 00:22:44.120
 circumstances

00:22:44.120 --> 00:22:44.839
 of life.

00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:47.100
 So whether

00:22:47.100 --> 00:22:47.559
 we're thinking

00:22:47.559 --> 00:22:48.000
 about how do

00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:48.460
 I approach

00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:49.240
 life at home

00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:50.819
 or how do

00:22:50.819 --> 00:22:51.960
 I make sure

00:22:51.960 --> 00:22:52.279
 that my

00:22:52.279 --> 00:22:53.000
 conversations

00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:54.740
 are pleasing

00:22:54.740 --> 00:22:55.440
 to God.

00:22:55.900 --> 00:22:56.539
 How do I

00:22:56.539 --> 00:22:57.000
 face my

00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:57.660
 work tasks?

00:22:57.740 --> 00:22:58.099
 How do I

00:22:58.099 --> 00:22:58.620
 spend my

00:22:58.620 --> 00:22:58.819
 money?

00:22:58.880 --> 00:22:59.279
 We need to

00:22:59.279 --> 00:22:59.779
 take all

00:22:59.779 --> 00:23:00.140
 of these

00:23:00.140 --> 00:23:01.480
 before the

00:23:01.480 --> 00:23:02.120
 Lord Jesus

00:23:02.120 --> 00:23:04.200
 to not

00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:04.660
 lean on our

00:23:04.660 --> 00:23:05.440
 own understanding

00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:06.180
 but to lean

00:23:06.180 --> 00:23:07.000
 on His

00:23:07.000 --> 00:23:08.160
 wisdom

00:23:08.160 --> 00:23:09.240
 because He's

00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:09.620
 Lord not

00:23:09.620 --> 00:23:10.079
 just over

00:23:10.079 --> 00:23:10.559
 some but

00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:11.099
 over all

00:23:11.099 --> 00:23:11.400
 of our

00:23:11.400 --> 00:23:11.859
 lives.

00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:14.440
 We're also

00:23:14.440 --> 00:23:15.460
 reminded here

00:23:15.460 --> 00:23:16.839
 that the

00:23:16.839 --> 00:23:18.079
 church exists

00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:19.740
 by the

00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.259
 grace of

00:23:20.259 --> 00:23:20.699
 God

00:23:20.699 --> 00:23:21.839
 shown to

00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:22.220
 us in

00:23:22.220 --> 00:23:22.759
 Christ.

00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:23.839
 Again,

00:23:24.159 --> 00:23:24.939
 Paul said

00:23:24.939 --> 00:23:26.119
 in Ephesians

00:23:26.119 --> 00:23:26.599
 1

00:23:26.599 --> 00:23:29.159
 that God's

00:23:29.159 --> 00:23:29.480
 people are

00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:30.199
 chosen in

00:23:30.199 --> 00:23:30.500
 Him,

00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:31.179
 in Jesus,

00:23:31.339 --> 00:23:31.779
 before the

00:23:31.779 --> 00:23:32.259
 creation of

00:23:32.259 --> 00:23:32.579
 the world

00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:32.899
 to be

00:23:32.899 --> 00:23:33.460
 holy and

00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:34.159
 blameless,

00:23:35.099 --> 00:23:35.899
 predestined

00:23:35.899 --> 00:23:36.419
 to be

00:23:36.419 --> 00:23:37.019
 adopted

00:23:37.019 --> 00:23:38.919
 as God's

00:23:38.919 --> 00:23:39.919
 children.

00:23:40.159 --> 00:23:40.939
 The church

00:23:40.939 --> 00:23:42.240
 is God's

00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:42.720
 plan.

00:23:43.419 --> 00:23:43.839
 The church

00:23:43.839 --> 00:23:44.199
 is the

00:23:44.199 --> 00:23:44.799
 house that

00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:45.879
 Jesus came

00:23:45.880 --> 00:23:47.100
 to build.

00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:48.980
 And the

00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:49.340
 Son of

00:23:49.340 --> 00:23:50.780
 God saves

00:23:50.780 --> 00:23:51.540
 His people.

00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:52.320
 He gathers

00:23:52.320 --> 00:23:52.720
 them to

00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:53.060
 Himself.

00:23:53.180 --> 00:23:53.880
 He makes

00:23:53.880 --> 00:23:54.460
 sure that

00:23:54.460 --> 00:23:55.780
 we persevere

00:23:55.780 --> 00:23:56.900
 in our

00:23:56.900 --> 00:23:57.320
 faith.

00:23:57.680 --> 00:23:58.020
 He is the

00:23:58.020 --> 00:23:58.300
 one who

00:23:58.300 --> 00:23:59.120
 promises to

00:23:59.120 --> 00:23:59.840
 bring us

00:23:59.840 --> 00:24:01.320
 home to

00:24:01.320 --> 00:24:02.020
 our Father.

00:24:02.980 --> 00:24:03.340
 The church

00:24:03.340 --> 00:24:03.900
 doesn't rest

00:24:03.900 --> 00:24:04.260
 on human

00:24:04.260 --> 00:24:04.820
 authority,

00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:06.320
 doesn't rest

00:24:06.320 --> 00:24:06.800
 on human

00:24:06.800 --> 00:24:07.720
 traditions,

00:24:08.280 --> 00:24:08.880
 additional

00:24:08.880 --> 00:24:10.180
 regulations such

00:24:10.180 --> 00:24:11.060
 as the

00:24:11.060 --> 00:24:11.860
 false teachers

00:24:11.860 --> 00:24:12.740
 would add.

00:24:12.740 --> 00:24:15.140
 the church

00:24:15.140 --> 00:24:15.480
 is built

00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:16.359
 on Christ,

00:24:17.839 --> 00:24:18.400
 the truth

00:24:18.400 --> 00:24:18.660
 of the

00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:19.200
 gospel.

00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:21.680
 And to

00:24:21.680 --> 00:24:22.299
 find ourselves

00:24:22.299 --> 00:24:22.940
 part of the

00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:23.500
 church is to

00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:24.160
 find ourselves

00:24:24.160 --> 00:24:24.620
 united.

00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:25.319
 First of all,

00:24:25.640 --> 00:24:26.579
 united to the

00:24:26.579 --> 00:24:27.180
 Lord Jesus,

00:24:27.380 --> 00:24:27.779
 He is our

00:24:27.779 --> 00:24:28.240
 head, but

00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:29.099
 also united to

00:24:29.099 --> 00:24:29.799
 one another as

00:24:29.799 --> 00:24:30.279
 brothers and

00:24:30.279 --> 00:24:31.720
 sisters in

00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:32.120
 Christ.

00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:32.579
 Here is the

00:24:32.579 --> 00:24:33.359
 basis for our

00:24:33.359 --> 00:24:33.779
 unity.

00:24:36.420 --> 00:24:37.099
 Here is the

00:24:37.099 --> 00:24:37.839
 basis for our

00:24:37.839 --> 00:24:38.440
 love for one

00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:38.779
 another.

00:24:38.779 --> 00:24:43.680
 And then

00:24:43.680 --> 00:24:44.180
 finally to

00:24:44.180 --> 00:24:44.639
 think about

00:24:44.639 --> 00:24:45.079
 this, that

00:24:45.079 --> 00:24:45.819
 faith, our

00:24:45.819 --> 00:24:46.980
 faith day

00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:48.259
 to day, it

00:24:48.259 --> 00:24:49.480
 depends on

00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:50.740
 this Jesus

00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:52.539
 as Lord.

00:24:54.799 --> 00:24:55.500
 Now we

00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:56.799
 are being

00:24:56.799 --> 00:24:57.940
 reminded here

00:24:57.940 --> 00:24:59.639
 that Jesus

00:24:59.639 --> 00:25:00.480
 is the one

00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:01.279
 who saves.

00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:02.319
 He is the

00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:02.700
 one who

00:25:02.700 --> 00:25:03.279
 comes to

00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:04.519
 establish peace

00:25:04.519 --> 00:25:05.399
 through his

00:25:05.399 --> 00:25:05.759
 blood.

00:25:05.899 --> 00:25:06.059
 Our

00:25:06.059 --> 00:25:07.639
 contribution to

00:25:07.639 --> 00:25:08.200
 the work of

00:25:08.200 --> 00:25:08.700
 salvation,

00:25:08.779 --> 00:25:09.799
 salvation is

00:25:09.799 --> 00:25:10.539
 to bring our

00:25:10.539 --> 00:25:11.099
 sin and our

00:25:11.099 --> 00:25:11.619
 guilt and our

00:25:11.619 --> 00:25:13.019
 need and to

00:25:13.019 --> 00:25:13.579
 acknowledge that

00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:14.339
 we cannot save

00:25:14.339 --> 00:25:15.160
 ourselves and to

00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:16.200
 trust in the

00:25:16.200 --> 00:25:16.839
 one who has

00:25:16.839 --> 00:25:17.680
 come to save

00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:18.119
 us.

00:25:21.579 --> 00:25:22.399
 We are called

00:25:22.399 --> 00:25:22.940
 again to

00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:23.519
 recognize the

00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:24.039
 only proper

00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:24.759
 object of our

00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:26.700
 faith is the

00:25:26.700 --> 00:25:29.059
 Lord Jesus and

00:25:29.059 --> 00:25:29.920
 that atoning work

00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:30.619
 that he came to

00:25:30.619 --> 00:25:30.859
 do.

00:25:32.879 --> 00:25:33.559
 We are being

00:25:33.559 --> 00:25:34.299
 reminded that

00:25:34.299 --> 00:25:35.940
 Jesus is a

00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:36.379
 sufficient

00:25:36.379 --> 00:25:36.879
 savior.

00:25:37.859 --> 00:25:38.379
 We don't need

00:25:38.380 --> 00:25:38.740
 to add

00:25:38.740 --> 00:25:39.360
 anything to

00:25:39.360 --> 00:25:39.620
 him.

00:25:40.140 --> 00:25:40.900
 We need to

00:25:40.900 --> 00:25:41.300
 look for

00:25:41.300 --> 00:25:41.900
 anything more

00:25:41.900 --> 00:25:42.300
 than him.

00:25:43.800 --> 00:25:45.240
 He is God's

00:25:45.240 --> 00:25:46.080
 gift of

00:25:46.080 --> 00:25:47.160
 grace to

00:25:47.160 --> 00:25:47.700
 us.

00:25:49.280 --> 00:25:50.080
 And so our

00:25:50.080 --> 00:25:51.460
 salvation rests

00:25:51.460 --> 00:25:53.240
 and receives

00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:55.240
 by Jesus

00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:55.940
 alone for

00:25:55.940 --> 00:25:56.440
 salvation.

00:25:58.440 --> 00:25:59.120
 And to

00:25:59.120 --> 00:25:59.940
 also remember

00:25:59.940 --> 00:26:01.400
 that this

00:26:01.400 --> 00:26:02.060
 Jesus who's

00:26:02.060 --> 00:26:02.620
 been described

00:26:02.620 --> 00:26:03.160
 here, he's the

00:26:03.160 --> 00:26:03.440
 one who

00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:04.040
 sustains

00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:04.819
 faith.

00:26:06.460 --> 00:26:07.379
 The same

00:26:07.379 --> 00:26:08.119
 Jesus who's

00:26:08.119 --> 00:26:08.819
 sustaining the

00:26:08.819 --> 00:26:09.879
 universe by

00:26:09.879 --> 00:26:10.399
 the word of

00:26:10.399 --> 00:26:12.259
 his power is

00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:12.960
 sustaining his

00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:13.460
 church.

00:26:15.539 --> 00:26:16.500
 We look to

00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:17.539
 him to keep

00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:18.700
 us, to keep

00:26:18.700 --> 00:26:19.680
 his church and

00:26:19.680 --> 00:26:21.079
 to bring us

00:26:21.079 --> 00:26:21.379
 home.

00:26:23.079 --> 00:26:24.200
 So as we get

00:26:24.200 --> 00:26:25.119
 ourselves ready

00:26:25.119 --> 00:26:27.379
 for Christmas,

00:26:28.379 --> 00:26:28.859
 I hope that

00:26:28.859 --> 00:26:30.059
 this wonderful

00:26:30.059 --> 00:26:31.279
 hymn will

00:26:31.279 --> 00:26:32.119
 serve to expand

00:26:32.119 --> 00:26:32.739
 our minds and

00:26:32.739 --> 00:26:33.339
 our faith and

00:26:33.339 --> 00:26:35.319
 our hearts as

00:26:35.319 --> 00:26:35.839
 we look to

00:26:35.839 --> 00:26:37.379
 prepare and as

00:26:37.379 --> 00:26:37.979
 we look to

00:26:37.979 --> 00:26:38.339
 worship.

00:26:39.519 --> 00:26:40.339
 Let me pray

00:26:40.339 --> 00:26:42.119
 briefly for us.

00:26:42.119 --> 00:26:49.619
 Lord, our

00:26:49.619 --> 00:26:51.599
 God, we

00:26:51.599 --> 00:26:53.179
 recognize that

00:26:53.179 --> 00:26:54.259
 your glory is

00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:55.500
 so great

00:26:55.500 --> 00:26:57.479
 that we

00:26:57.479 --> 00:26:58.279
 are only

00:26:58.279 --> 00:26:58.919
 ever

00:26:58.919 --> 00:27:00.859
 seeing

00:27:00.859 --> 00:27:01.799
 glimpses

00:27:01.799 --> 00:27:02.419
 of it,

00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:04.239
 that we're

00:27:04.239 --> 00:27:04.699
 only ever

00:27:04.699 --> 00:27:05.699
 scratching the

00:27:05.699 --> 00:27:06.679
 surface of

00:27:06.679 --> 00:27:07.659
 your truth and

00:27:07.659 --> 00:27:08.599
 your beauty and

00:27:08.599 --> 00:27:09.500
 your majesty

00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:11.279
 of your

00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:12.099
 lordship.

00:27:12.119 --> 00:27:12.479
 of your

00:27:12.479 --> 00:27:13.419
 grace and

00:27:13.419 --> 00:27:14.019
 mercy.

00:27:15.799 --> 00:27:16.339
 But Lord, we

00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:17.039
 thank you that

00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:18.079
 those glimpses

00:27:18.079 --> 00:27:19.019
 that we see

00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:20.959
 are capable of

00:27:20.959 --> 00:27:21.599
 filling our

00:27:21.599 --> 00:27:22.379
 hearts with

00:27:22.379 --> 00:27:24.419
 joy, of

00:27:24.419 --> 00:27:25.919
 putting songs

00:27:25.919 --> 00:27:27.059
 in our

00:27:27.059 --> 00:27:27.679
 mouths, of

00:27:27.679 --> 00:27:28.759
 giving strength

00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:29.819
 to our

00:27:29.819 --> 00:27:30.399
 faith.

00:27:31.679 --> 00:27:32.179
 And so we

00:27:32.179 --> 00:27:32.619
 thank you for

00:27:32.619 --> 00:27:33.319
 this wonderful

00:27:33.319 --> 00:27:34.879
 Christ hymn.

00:27:36.079 --> 00:27:36.859
 And we pray

00:27:36.859 --> 00:27:38.759
 that you would

00:27:38.759 --> 00:27:39.679
 help us to

00:27:39.679 --> 00:27:40.819
 appreciate and

00:27:40.819 --> 00:27:41.799
 draw deeply

00:27:41.799 --> 00:27:42.740
 to ourselves

00:27:42.740 --> 00:27:44.460
 the truths

00:27:44.460 --> 00:27:44.759
 that are

00:27:44.759 --> 00:27:45.740
 contained in

00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:47.839
 it so

00:27:47.839 --> 00:27:49.740
 that our

00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:50.179
 lives would

00:27:50.179 --> 00:27:50.819
 be built

00:27:50.819 --> 00:27:52.519
 on Jesus,

00:27:52.919 --> 00:27:53.859
 our Lord and

00:27:53.859 --> 00:27:54.379
 Saviour,

00:27:55.579 --> 00:27:56.359
 so that we

00:27:56.359 --> 00:27:56.799
 would be

00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:58.359
 sustained in

00:27:58.359 --> 00:28:00.039
 our faith as

00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:00.379
 we are

00:28:00.379 --> 00:28:01.539
 resting and

00:28:01.539 --> 00:28:02.220
 trusting in

00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:03.179
 him alone.

00:28:04.179 --> 00:28:04.859
 Lord, we

00:28:04.859 --> 00:28:06.419
 pray that this

00:28:06.420 --> 00:28:07.660
 would be a

00:28:07.660 --> 00:28:08.840
 time in our

00:28:08.840 --> 00:28:09.560
 life of

00:28:09.560 --> 00:28:10.960
 growing in

00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:11.820
 our faith,

00:28:12.519 --> 00:28:13.440
 of growing in

00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:14.060
 our love,

00:28:14.820 --> 00:28:15.500
 of growing in

00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:16.500
 our hope and

00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:17.220
 our joy,

00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:19.080
 as you continue

00:28:19.080 --> 00:28:19.720
 to show us

00:28:19.720 --> 00:28:20.920
 wonderful things

00:28:20.920 --> 00:28:22.920
 from your

00:28:22.920 --> 00:28:24.060
 wonderful word.

00:28:24.620 --> 00:28:25.500
 And we pray in

00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:26.320
 Jesus' name.

00:28:26.860 --> 00:28:27.259
 Amen.

00:28:27.259 --> 00:28:29.960
 Now, we

00:28:29.960 --> 00:28:31.579
 are going to

00:28:31.579 --> 00:28:32.539
 sing together

00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:33.299
 as we

00:28:33.299 --> 00:28:35.079
 close the

00:28:35.079 --> 00:28:35.960
 hymn Behold

00:28:35.960 --> 00:28:36.879
 Our God.

00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:38.579
 And we

00:28:38.579 --> 00:28:39.879
 are without

00:28:39.879 --> 00:28:41.000
 musical

00:28:41.000 --> 00:28:41.579
 accompaniment,

00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:42.460
 but should be

00:28:42.460 --> 00:28:43.240
 on the video,

00:28:43.339 --> 00:28:43.779
 so we should be

00:28:43.779 --> 00:28:44.220
 all right, so

00:28:44.220 --> 00:28:44.839
 we can stand

00:28:44.839 --> 00:28:45.859
 and we can

00:28:45.859 --> 00:28:46.539
 sing together

00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:47.379
 Behold Our

00:28:47.379 --> 00:28:47.720
 God.

00:28:47.720 --> 00:28:47.759
 We're going

00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:47.920
 to sing

00:28:47.920 --> 00:28:49.099
 together Behold

00:28:49.099 --> 00:28:49.819
 Our God.

00:28:49.819 --> 00:28:50.160
 Amen.

00:28:50.160 --> 00:29:20.140
 Thank you.