WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:16.800 Oh, if you are one of the kiddos that's supposed to go to the back, now's the time to do it. 00:00:17.719 --> 00:00:18.320 Okay? 00:00:19.140 --> 00:00:21.940 Takes me just a second to get, man, listen to you. 00:00:22.600 --> 00:00:23.719 I love that. 00:00:24.379 --> 00:00:27.839 I was in Psalms this morning in devotions. 00:00:27.839 --> 00:00:30.460 Psalm 27. 00:00:57.840 --> 00:01:04.560 I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy. 00:01:05.520 --> 00:01:09.400 I will sing and make melody to the Lord. 00:01:09.400 --> 00:01:18.500 I like singing about our Savior, don't you? 00:01:18.500 --> 00:01:28.599 Well, I suppose you tire a little bit of hearing me talk about how long I've been at this, but bear with me. 00:01:29.599 --> 00:01:40.200 One of the things that comes with preaching around holidays and times where I think it's appropriate to focus your thoughts scripturally in particular 00:01:40.200 --> 00:01:45.000 around things that relate to what's going on around you. 00:01:46.620 --> 00:01:53.840 It so happens that when you come to Christmas year after year after year, it's not like you can choose a new passage. 00:01:55.180 --> 00:01:56.159 There aren't that many. 00:01:56.159 --> 00:02:08.359 And the tendency is, is we are very inclined to kind of lock in on the idea, I've heard that before, and kind of tune out. 00:02:09.039 --> 00:02:15.060 And I would appeal to you that that is not why God has you here this morning. 00:02:15.060 --> 00:02:22.080 I do want you to look at a passage that you may not normally connect with Christmas. 00:02:23.080 --> 00:02:29.300 Turn in your Bibles to Mark chapter 10, and we're going to pick up in verse 35. 00:02:30.340 --> 00:02:33.180 Mark chapter 10, verse 35. 00:02:33.180 --> 00:02:41.040 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him and said to him, 00:02:41.080 --> 00:02:45.200 Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you. 00:02:45.800 --> 00:02:48.340 And he said to them, What do you want me to do for you? 00:02:48.719 --> 00:02:50.040 By the way, just stop for a second. 00:02:50.620 --> 00:02:53.680 Do you think Jesus didn't know what they were going to ask? 00:02:55.740 --> 00:02:56.180 No. 00:02:56.180 --> 00:03:04.260 But sometimes it's appropriate to go ahead and let a person fully reveal what's inside. 00:03:04.379 --> 00:03:06.080 How many of you have learned that the hard way, right? 00:03:06.480 --> 00:03:08.780 Sometimes you think you know what somebody else is going to say. 00:03:08.879 --> 00:03:09.640 Jesus did know. 00:03:10.040 --> 00:03:13.260 But giving them an opportunity to talk about it brings it right out in front. 00:03:14.920 --> 00:03:17.520 And so Jesus asked them, Say, Hey, what would you like me to do? 00:03:17.520 --> 00:03:25.480 And verse 37, they said to him, Grant us to sit one at your right hand and one at your left in your glory. 00:03:26.180 --> 00:03:28.280 How noble. 00:03:29.620 --> 00:03:30.520 How thoughtful. 00:03:32.080 --> 00:03:34.740 How like an apostle, right? 00:03:35.099 --> 00:03:38.540 I mean, hey, you know, we're willing to wait. 00:03:39.360 --> 00:03:46.000 But eventually, we would like brothers, one on your right, one on your left. 00:03:49.819 --> 00:03:52.180 Jesus said to them, You do not know what you're asking. 00:03:52.520 --> 00:03:54.379 Are you able to drink the cup that I drink? 00:03:54.379 --> 00:03:57.840 Or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized? 00:04:00.079 --> 00:04:02.560 They said to him, We are able. 00:04:03.379 --> 00:04:05.939 And Jesus said to them, The cup that I drink you will drink. 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:09.299 And with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized. 00:04:09.719 --> 00:04:12.759 But to sit on my right hand or on my left is not mine to grant, 00:04:13.019 --> 00:04:15.699 but it is for those for whom it has been prepared. 00:04:16.980 --> 00:04:20.639 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 00:04:20.639 --> 00:04:22.740 Don't you like righteous indignation? 00:04:23.279 --> 00:04:27.939 How many of you have ever had righteous indignation at other people's frailties and failures? 00:04:28.019 --> 00:04:28.539 You ever been there? 00:04:28.979 --> 00:04:31.899 It's like, I can't believe it. 00:04:32.560 --> 00:04:35.439 You know, it's like, not me. 00:04:36.099 --> 00:04:36.339 Yeah. 00:04:36.339 --> 00:04:37.139 Well, here they are. 00:04:37.299 --> 00:04:37.839 They're indignant. 00:04:39.359 --> 00:04:42.299 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, 00:04:42.459 --> 00:04:47.579 You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, 00:04:47.719 --> 00:04:50.779 and their great ones exercise authority over them. 00:04:52.279 --> 00:04:54.519 It shall not be so among you, 00:04:55.139 --> 00:04:58.259 but whoever would be great among you must be your servant. 00:04:58.259 --> 00:05:04.379 And whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 00:05:05.519 --> 00:05:11.180 For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, 00:05:11.980 --> 00:05:14.659 and to give his life a ransom for many. 00:05:16.579 --> 00:05:24.620 It's very easy for us to get caught up in a very natural mindset of what's in it for me. 00:05:24.620 --> 00:05:33.019 Christmas is a time that I found myself asking some of our younger children this morning, 00:05:33.240 --> 00:05:35.079 So what are you getting for Christmas? 00:05:35.340 --> 00:05:38.620 And I was surprised at how often kids actually know. 00:05:40.259 --> 00:05:43.420 I mean, you know, after all, they make a wish list, right? 00:05:43.519 --> 00:05:44.840 And they let their parents know. 00:05:45.100 --> 00:05:49.220 But I know some children, some devious little ones, 00:05:49.340 --> 00:05:50.840 that go around shaking packages. 00:05:50.839 --> 00:05:55.219 How many of you have had your children shake packages? 00:05:55.339 --> 00:05:56.619 I see the look, you know. 00:05:57.500 --> 00:06:02.339 How many of you go ahead and pay attention to not only what you're getting, 00:06:02.459 --> 00:06:04.579 but what you think your brothers and sisters are getting, 00:06:04.719 --> 00:06:07.779 kind of put it all together to kind of be sure there's equity, 00:06:09.539 --> 00:06:10.120 propriety. 00:06:11.099 --> 00:06:12.219 Everything's done, you know. 00:06:12.279 --> 00:06:15.079 It's like, hey, what's in it for me? 00:06:15.679 --> 00:06:17.179 What's in it for me? 00:06:17.180 --> 00:06:22.720 That is a natural and normal pattern of thinking. 00:06:22.819 --> 00:06:23.620 Wouldn't you agree with that? 00:06:24.920 --> 00:06:29.040 And we do pretty good at thinking about what's in it for me. 00:06:29.660 --> 00:06:34.160 There are all kinds of little things I hear people say that indicate that that's where their thinking is. 00:06:34.199 --> 00:06:36.120 One of the best ones I really like is, 00:06:36.379 --> 00:06:37.519 I didn't sign up for that. 00:06:37.579 --> 00:06:38.699 How many of you ever heard that phrase? 00:06:39.040 --> 00:06:40.560 I didn't sign up for that. 00:06:40.759 --> 00:06:41.060 Really? 00:06:41.060 --> 00:06:44.680 By the way, who signed you up? 00:06:46.240 --> 00:06:48.579 If you're thinking you signed up for it, 00:06:48.780 --> 00:06:56.899 you may not understand that there is a father in heaven that is in control of some of the fine print on your contract. 00:06:56.899 --> 00:07:03.620 And I want us to think this morning in a completely different way. 00:07:04.419 --> 00:07:07.819 And to recognize that when we come to the matter of Christmas, 00:07:08.179 --> 00:07:11.439 it's important for us not to get caught up in the world's thinking. 00:07:12.739 --> 00:07:16.039 So let's ask ourselves the question, what is Christmas really all about? 00:07:17.359 --> 00:07:18.419 What is Christmas about? 00:07:19.839 --> 00:07:22.979 If you were to ask retailers, they would tell you what? 00:07:22.980 --> 00:07:29.460 Christmas is all about them having the best possible opportunity of making money 00:07:29.460 --> 00:07:32.720 because between Thanksgiving and Christmas, guess what? 00:07:33.319 --> 00:07:41.060 You hope that people blow the wad and buy everything that you have managed to think was important to them 00:07:41.060 --> 00:07:44.580 and that you end up being fat and happy and everything works well. 00:07:46.319 --> 00:07:48.560 Workers tend to look at Christmas and think, 00:07:48.700 --> 00:07:49.879 huh, it's a holiday. 00:07:50.879 --> 00:07:52.060 It's a time to rest. 00:07:52.060 --> 00:07:55.620 I remember talking with someone out in Colorado, 00:07:55.879 --> 00:07:57.519 a man that's moved from here to there, 00:07:57.899 --> 00:08:00.519 and he was talking about the fact that from something like the, 00:08:00.920 --> 00:08:03.180 yeah, this Sunday on to the end of the year, 00:08:03.540 --> 00:08:04.759 they have no work. 00:08:04.879 --> 00:08:08.300 They're on vacation for the next basically two weeks. 00:08:08.620 --> 00:08:09.740 That's pretty nice, right? 00:08:10.560 --> 00:08:13.379 So Christmas is about relaxing. 00:08:14.579 --> 00:08:16.779 Kids, you know what they think Christmas is about? 00:08:17.680 --> 00:08:19.959 How many of you remember being kids? 00:08:19.959 --> 00:08:26.779 Some of you are older here, but I remember that Christmas is where I finally got to get what I thought I was getting. 00:08:27.739 --> 00:08:34.139 And with ambition and anticipation, you know, Christmas Eve, I was thinking tomorrow I'm going to get what, you know, 00:08:34.179 --> 00:08:35.220 and it was all about. 00:08:35.220 --> 00:08:41.920 And my parents, that was the one day in the year that my father as a surgeon did not get up early. 00:08:43.100 --> 00:08:46.879 I don't know how it worked out, but he actually slept in, you know, 7, 730. 00:08:47.100 --> 00:08:50.100 And it was probably the only day in the year that I wanted to get up early. 00:08:50.100 --> 00:08:57.779 And so there was kind of that fine balancing act between making enough noise so they knew we were up 00:08:57.779 --> 00:09:01.759 and not making too much noise that you'd really get in trouble for being obvious. 00:09:01.879 --> 00:09:05.279 How many of you understand that kind of gentle midpoint? 00:09:05.279 --> 00:09:10.539 Well, when we think about the matter of Christmas, 00:09:11.279 --> 00:09:18.379 we have to recognize that Christmas really isn't something that is focused on us and our thoughts, 00:09:18.480 --> 00:09:22.279 but it is focused on the purposes that God has in our salvation. 00:09:23.559 --> 00:09:27.439 And if there's any passage that puts this clearly in front of us, 00:09:27.799 --> 00:09:32.019 it would be one such as this that make it very, very clear that Jesus came to save us, 00:09:32.019 --> 00:09:35.000 and more specifically, he came to die for our sins. 00:09:35.779 --> 00:09:40.980 And I think that's important for us to get our head around and recognize that the fact of the matter is this, 00:09:41.340 --> 00:09:47.139 is that Christ's coming was principally to address the issue of sin in our life 00:09:47.139 --> 00:09:51.460 and to care for it in perspective of the matter of salvation. 00:09:52.419 --> 00:09:54.860 And so when we think about Christmas and we think about his birth, 00:09:55.220 --> 00:09:59.019 it's important for us to step beyond the matter of presents that we're getting 00:09:59.019 --> 00:10:05.679 and think about what is the value of what Christmas means in the larger scope of our own eternal destiny. 00:10:06.539 --> 00:10:14.980 See, Christmas is about God sending his son to live a perfect life and die on the cross to pay the penalty for us. 00:10:15.600 --> 00:10:19.220 I appreciate that song that John picked out and we sang just before, 00:10:19.659 --> 00:10:22.019 reminding us of the purpose of Christ's coming. 00:10:22.019 --> 00:10:29.199 You see, this theme of Christ being our Redeemer and the one who made atonement for our sins 00:10:29.199 --> 00:10:35.019 runs right through Scripture, kind of a central thread and one that we shouldn't lose sight of. 00:10:35.799 --> 00:10:39.059 Beginning all the way back in the book of Genesis, and I want you to turn, 00:10:39.419 --> 00:10:42.659 we're going to kind of spot ourselves in a couple different passages 00:10:42.659 --> 00:10:49.879 just to firm up our thinking about the matter of the centrality of Christ's sacrifice for our sins 00:10:49.879 --> 00:10:52.219 running from beginning to end. 00:10:53.379 --> 00:10:57.500 In Genesis chapter 3, let me read the passage to you just for a moment. 00:11:00.699 --> 00:11:06.600 Genesis chapter 3, verse 15, here is God speaking after Adam and Eve had sinned 00:11:06.600 --> 00:11:09.659 and God comes to address the issue. 00:11:09.740 --> 00:11:11.059 Look at what he says in verse 15. 00:11:11.059 --> 00:11:15.939 I will put enmity between you and the woman, talking to the serpent, 00:11:16.399 --> 00:11:18.699 and between your offspring and her offspring. 00:11:19.199 --> 00:11:23.559 He shall bruise your head and you shall bruise his heel. 00:11:24.899 --> 00:11:30.059 There is what is called by some theologians there the proto-evangelum. 00:11:31.019 --> 00:11:36.059 In other words, it's the first indication of the gospel that we find in the Scripture. 00:11:36.059 --> 00:11:41.379 Here is God speaking to man who, after he had sinned, is told, 00:11:42.119 --> 00:11:46.119 I have a plan and it will be my son that will die for your sins, 00:11:46.319 --> 00:11:51.839 and he, by his death, is going to break the bondage and the power of sin over your life. 00:11:53.179 --> 00:11:55.479 It's interesting when you stop and really think about it. 00:11:55.579 --> 00:11:58.239 Here is God who earlier had said to man, 00:11:58.240 --> 00:12:01.060 the soul that sins, it will what? 00:12:01.860 --> 00:12:02.560 It will die. 00:12:04.060 --> 00:12:06.919 God had made it clear that there is a penalty for sin. 00:12:08.000 --> 00:12:12.200 And yet Adam and Eve, unwilling to listen and believe, 00:12:12.299 --> 00:12:14.180 had gone ahead and committed the sin. 00:12:14.560 --> 00:12:15.940 And God says, I have a remedy, 00:12:16.379 --> 00:12:21.299 and it will be through someone who is born who is going to address the problem. 00:12:21.299 --> 00:12:26.019 We find this theme of God's provision flowing throughout the Scriptures. 00:12:26.179 --> 00:12:28.579 Let me have you look at another passage as well. 00:12:29.599 --> 00:12:31.319 Over in Isaiah chapter 53, 00:12:32.319 --> 00:12:37.240 Isaiah chapter 53, as Isaiah is writing about the coming of our Lord Jesus, 00:12:37.839 --> 00:12:43.179 he makes it very, very clear that his coming is in relationship to sacrifice and to our sin. 00:12:44.279 --> 00:12:48.379 Let me read just for a portion here in Isaiah chapter 53, verse 4. 00:12:48.379 --> 00:12:51.620 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. 00:12:52.279 --> 00:12:55.179 Yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. 00:12:55.460 --> 00:12:57.279 But he was wounded for what? 00:12:58.179 --> 00:12:59.360 What was he wounded for? 00:12:59.639 --> 00:13:01.700 Our transgressions. 00:13:02.059 --> 00:13:05.019 He was crushed for our iniquities. 00:13:05.080 --> 00:13:06.740 Let me stop just for a moment. 00:13:08.340 --> 00:13:11.419 How many of you recognize that sin is something that, truthfully, 00:13:11.740 --> 00:13:14.759 we are far more comfortable with than we should be? 00:13:14.759 --> 00:13:17.679 Do you recognize that? 00:13:18.379 --> 00:13:21.179 Let me stop and have you think just a little bit further in that. 00:13:21.620 --> 00:13:27.639 There may be some of you here that in the last week have said some things you really wish you hadn't said. 00:13:28.299 --> 00:13:30.259 Anybody out there that can identify with that? 00:13:32.740 --> 00:13:33.460 I'm waiting. 00:13:33.700 --> 00:13:35.379 Oh, good, good, good. 00:13:36.080 --> 00:13:41.700 How many of you have not only said some things that you were really sorry you said, 00:13:41.700 --> 00:13:46.280 but also have done some things that you really wish you could take back? 00:13:48.200 --> 00:13:50.440 Let me kind of work your way through this so you can understand. 00:13:51.460 --> 00:13:57.720 The things we act on generally have more traction than the things we say. 00:13:58.379 --> 00:13:58.860 Agreed? 00:13:58.860 --> 00:14:05.180 The things we think are at the far end of the food chain, 00:14:05.320 --> 00:14:11.139 and we're really not all that bothered by the things that we think often that are absolutely ungodly. 00:14:11.180 --> 00:14:12.000 Would you agree with that? 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:17.379 But the truth of the matter is is that all sin is equally offensive to God. 00:14:18.679 --> 00:14:25.120 And we need to recognize that the fact that he was willing, coming back here to verse 5, 00:14:25.179 --> 00:14:29.120 he was wounded for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, 00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:35.440 we tend to think, well, what was so bad that he had to suffer like this for our sin? 00:14:35.440 --> 00:14:40.039 It is because all sin is equally and supremely offensive to a holy God, 00:14:40.179 --> 00:14:43.440 and when we engage in sin, it has to be remedied. 00:14:44.620 --> 00:14:47.779 And so as you work your way through this passage, 00:14:48.080 --> 00:14:51.500 one of the things that you see very, very clearly 00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:55.139 is that God was willing to send his son, the Lord Jesus, 00:14:55.360 --> 00:14:59.039 to make atonement for our sin, to pay the penalty for it. 00:14:59.899 --> 00:15:03.440 All we like sheep have gone astray, we've turned everyone to his own way, 00:15:03.440 --> 00:15:06.600 and the Lord has laid on him, what? 00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:09.240 The iniquity of us all. 00:15:10.179 --> 00:15:16.000 The Lord put, the Father put on Jesus the weight and the penalty, 00:15:16.440 --> 00:15:19.460 the consequences, the wrath of God against sin, 00:15:19.720 --> 00:15:22.220 he put it on Jesus instead of on us. 00:15:23.180 --> 00:15:27.440 It's not just in the passage in Isaiah that we see the truth 00:15:27.440 --> 00:15:29.740 of Jesus being our sacrifice. 00:15:30.220 --> 00:15:32.900 We find over and over again as you work your way through, 00:15:33.220 --> 00:15:34.760 it appears over and over. 00:15:35.760 --> 00:15:37.860 In Matthew 1, verse 21, 00:15:38.640 --> 00:15:41.780 when the birth of Jesus is announced, 00:15:41.920 --> 00:15:42.180 it says, 00:15:42.179 --> 00:15:46.079 for he shall save his people from their sin. 00:15:46.959 --> 00:15:49.099 In John 1, verse 29, 00:15:49.239 --> 00:15:52.079 when John the Baptist saw Jesus coming, 00:15:52.179 --> 00:15:52.479 he said, 00:15:52.559 --> 00:15:56.819 behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 00:15:57.500 --> 00:15:59.279 He was looking at the Lord Jesus, 00:15:59.559 --> 00:16:01.399 and he made the announcement, 00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:04.379 there is the one who is going to satisfy 00:16:04.379 --> 00:16:07.259 and deal with the sin problem that we have. 00:16:08.259 --> 00:16:09.879 It's amazing when you ask people 00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:11.620 what is the biggest problem that they have, 00:16:11.980 --> 00:16:13.580 the kind of answers that you get. 00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:14.980 If you're in a hospital, 00:16:15.100 --> 00:16:16.019 a person thinks to themselves, 00:16:16.159 --> 00:16:17.620 well, man, I'm having health problems. 00:16:17.819 --> 00:16:19.860 I'd really like something done about that. 00:16:20.799 --> 00:16:22.980 If the person is in financial difficulty, 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:23.480 guess what? 00:16:23.700 --> 00:16:25.299 I really need more money. 00:16:26.600 --> 00:16:29.439 If the person is two days away 00:16:29.439 --> 00:16:33.179 from the absolute most important exam of their life, 00:16:33.480 --> 00:16:34.480 guess what they're thinking about? 00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:38.320 Oh, man, I really need help passing this exam. 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:39.899 The truth of the matter is, 00:16:39.980 --> 00:16:42.720 none of those things are worthy of being compared 00:16:42.720 --> 00:16:44.139 to the matter of our sin. 00:16:44.580 --> 00:16:45.580 And the matter is, 00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:48.220 is that God sent the Lord Jesus to be the sacrifice 00:16:48.220 --> 00:16:51.580 and the satisfaction for our debt and our sin. 00:16:52.700 --> 00:16:54.460 I want you also to think with me 00:16:54.460 --> 00:16:56.500 of what Jesus is saying here in Mark, 00:16:56.560 --> 00:16:58.480 and let's go back to that passage just for a moment. 00:16:59.100 --> 00:17:00.740 Mark chapter 10, verse 45, 00:17:00.940 --> 00:17:02.120 for even the Son of Man, 00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:04.700 he's talking to his disciples, 00:17:05.539 --> 00:17:07.700 and the disciples' interest is, 00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:09.140 so what am I getting out of this? 00:17:10.279 --> 00:17:11.759 What am I going to receive? 00:17:12.660 --> 00:17:13.660 And let me tell you something. 00:17:13.759 --> 00:17:15.920 When people go into marriage 00:17:15.920 --> 00:17:17.259 with the attitude of, 00:17:17.359 --> 00:17:18.640 hey, what am I getting out of it, 00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:19.900 guess what they're going to discover? 00:17:21.500 --> 00:17:22.640 They're going to discover 00:17:22.640 --> 00:17:24.460 that their dissatisfaction 00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:27.180 and their misappropriated interest 00:17:27.180 --> 00:17:28.980 is going to cause them heartache 00:17:28.980 --> 00:17:30.259 that will only grow 00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:31.700 until they come to grips 00:17:31.700 --> 00:17:32.900 with the selfishness 00:17:32.900 --> 00:17:34.820 and the darkness of their own heart. 00:17:35.680 --> 00:17:38.400 What happens when we go into ministry 00:17:38.400 --> 00:17:39.320 or into church 00:17:39.320 --> 00:17:41.340 or into any kind of relationship 00:17:41.340 --> 00:17:42.860 where the only focus we have 00:17:42.860 --> 00:17:44.960 is on what am I going to get out of it? 00:17:45.940 --> 00:17:46.880 It's going to be heartache. 00:17:47.860 --> 00:17:49.640 And here is Jesus, on the other hand, 00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:50.799 saying, let me tell you something. 00:17:51.120 --> 00:17:52.640 Instead of having that mindset, 00:17:52.759 --> 00:17:53.680 I want you to think about 00:17:53.680 --> 00:17:55.440 the attitude and heart that I have, 00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:56.980 and here it is. 00:17:57.519 --> 00:17:59.700 For even the Son of Man, 00:18:00.160 --> 00:18:03.220 sinless, perfect, holy, wonderful, 00:18:04.180 --> 00:18:05.480 even the Son of Man 00:18:05.480 --> 00:18:07.480 came not to be served, 00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:10.759 but to serve and to give His life 00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:12.059 a ransom for many. 00:18:13.320 --> 00:18:14.480 And so as you think about 00:18:14.480 --> 00:18:16.539 what this passage tells us, 00:18:16.580 --> 00:18:17.880 it makes it very, very clear 00:18:17.880 --> 00:18:19.880 that the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:20.860 in His coming, 00:18:21.240 --> 00:18:23.120 came principally to do this, 00:18:23.120 --> 00:18:25.160 to satisfy the debt 00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:26.240 of our sin 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:27.980 and to have it wiped away. 00:18:28.860 --> 00:18:29.779 I wonder this morning 00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:30.380 whether or not 00:18:30.380 --> 00:18:31.759 that really strikes you, 00:18:32.400 --> 00:18:33.740 whether it really makes 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:35.560 a difference in your thinking, 00:18:35.680 --> 00:18:36.960 whether you stop this morning 00:18:36.960 --> 00:18:37.300 and think, 00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:39.300 man, I am so very thankful 00:18:39.300 --> 00:18:41.779 that the focal point of Christmas 00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:43.540 is not the gifts that I get, 00:18:43.759 --> 00:18:45.220 but the fact that Jesus came 00:18:45.220 --> 00:18:46.259 to be my Savior 00:18:46.259 --> 00:18:47.960 and to die for my sins. 00:18:48.860 --> 00:18:49.820 Well, let's come to another 00:18:49.820 --> 00:18:50.700 practical question 00:18:50.700 --> 00:18:51.420 as we think about 00:18:51.420 --> 00:18:52.960 the matter of this verse. 00:18:52.960 --> 00:18:55.480 And I want you to think with me 00:18:55.480 --> 00:18:56.600 about why the atonement 00:18:56.600 --> 00:18:57.380 is so important. 00:18:58.420 --> 00:18:59.680 Why is the atonement 00:18:59.680 --> 00:19:00.840 so important? 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:01.519 One of the things 00:19:01.519 --> 00:19:02.559 that is sadly missed 00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:03.920 in our contemporary culture 00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:06.140 is the fact that 00:19:06.140 --> 00:19:06.920 right and wrong 00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:08.000 is largely missing. 00:19:09.660 --> 00:19:12.420 I remember thinking to myself, 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:14.960 well, now that the election 00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:15.880 is passed, 00:19:16.740 --> 00:19:18.819 all the political wrangling 00:19:18.819 --> 00:19:19.519 and jangling 00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:20.440 is going to kind of 00:19:20.440 --> 00:19:21.819 diminish a little bit. 00:19:21.819 --> 00:19:22.679 How many of you 00:19:22.679 --> 00:19:23.559 have been stunned 00:19:23.559 --> 00:19:25.000 to realize that's not the case? 00:19:26.119 --> 00:19:27.379 I mean, every time 00:19:27.379 --> 00:19:28.460 you turn on the news, 00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:30.599 they're just flapping their gums 00:19:30.599 --> 00:19:31.819 about one thing or another 00:19:31.819 --> 00:19:33.599 in relationship to politics. 00:19:33.759 --> 00:19:34.799 And it just reminds me, 00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:36.179 politics is really 00:19:36.179 --> 00:19:37.859 just a conflict of worldviews. 00:19:38.559 --> 00:19:40.200 And here we have people 00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:41.960 that are all wrapped up 00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:42.939 in believing that 00:19:42.939 --> 00:19:43.899 one side or another 00:19:43.899 --> 00:19:44.679 is really the key 00:19:44.679 --> 00:19:45.439 to the whole thing. 00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:48.680 And in the middle of all that 00:19:48.680 --> 00:19:50.759 is the reality that 00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:52.559 the majority of people 00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:53.840 involved in what we see 00:19:53.840 --> 00:19:54.580 going on today 00:19:54.580 --> 00:19:56.380 really have no moral compass. 00:19:57.720 --> 00:20:00.680 I was intrigued to realize 00:20:00.680 --> 00:20:01.340 that Facebook 00:20:01.340 --> 00:20:03.860 is going to work 00:20:03.860 --> 00:20:05.000 to prevent, 00:20:05.640 --> 00:20:06.539 what is it called, 00:20:06.680 --> 00:20:07.620 fake news? 00:20:07.619 --> 00:20:10.879 How many of you figured out 00:20:10.879 --> 00:20:12.219 that it's all fake news 00:20:12.219 --> 00:20:12.939 more or less? 00:20:13.739 --> 00:20:14.339 You know, 00:20:14.539 --> 00:20:15.339 I'll never forget 00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:16.279 when Paul David Tripp 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:16.919 said this, 00:20:17.839 --> 00:20:20.419 everybody has an agenda. 00:20:21.719 --> 00:20:24.099 Everybody has an agenda. 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:26.139 And as you listen 00:20:26.139 --> 00:20:26.919 to people today, 00:20:27.019 --> 00:20:27.579 you recognize 00:20:27.579 --> 00:20:28.500 that their agenda 00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:29.619 is self-serving. 00:20:29.619 --> 00:20:31.179 And so here we live 00:20:31.179 --> 00:20:31.559 in a world 00:20:31.559 --> 00:20:33.199 where the issues 00:20:33.199 --> 00:20:34.159 of right and wrong 00:20:34.159 --> 00:20:35.259 are largely kind of 00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:36.479 pushed over to the side 00:20:36.479 --> 00:20:37.599 and the question is, 00:20:37.779 --> 00:20:38.479 does it work 00:20:38.479 --> 00:20:39.799 and does it accomplish 00:20:39.799 --> 00:20:41.119 my end and my objectives? 00:20:42.399 --> 00:20:43.199 It's amazing 00:20:43.199 --> 00:20:43.959 when you stop and think 00:20:43.959 --> 00:20:44.719 that rational, 00:20:44.919 --> 00:20:46.059 intelligent individuals 00:20:46.059 --> 00:20:47.459 who would never 00:20:47.459 --> 00:20:48.419 for a moment 00:20:48.419 --> 00:20:50.819 deny the laws of gravity, 00:20:52.399 --> 00:20:53.939 who would admit 00:20:53.939 --> 00:20:55.559 that thermodynamics 00:20:55.559 --> 00:20:56.439 and all the laws 00:20:56.439 --> 00:20:57.159 related to that 00:20:57.159 --> 00:20:58.319 are absolutely essential 00:20:58.319 --> 00:21:00.279 and cannot be violated. 00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:01.619 At the same time, 00:21:01.700 --> 00:21:03.279 think that the same God 00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:04.319 who put those laws 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:05.139 into place 00:21:05.139 --> 00:21:08.299 and also made moral laws 00:21:08.299 --> 00:21:10.500 that you can get away 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:13.139 with violating moral laws 00:21:13.139 --> 00:21:14.259 while you can't get away 00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:15.379 with violating laws 00:21:15.379 --> 00:21:17.839 such as the law of gravity. 00:21:18.079 --> 00:21:18.179 You know, 00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:19.480 if I were to step off 00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:20.119 this platform, 00:21:20.439 --> 00:21:21.500 how many of you recognize 00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:22.419 what the immediate 00:21:22.419 --> 00:21:23.539 consequence would be? 00:21:23.639 --> 00:21:24.299 If I stepped off, 00:21:24.339 --> 00:21:24.819 what happens? 00:21:25.899 --> 00:21:26.899 I go down. 00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:29.919 By the same token, 00:21:30.919 --> 00:21:31.960 the God of this universe 00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:33.779 also made a law 00:21:33.779 --> 00:21:35.019 in which He says this, 00:21:35.439 --> 00:21:36.919 the soul that sins, 00:21:37.079 --> 00:21:37.700 it shall, 00:21:38.899 --> 00:21:40.339 there is a consequence 00:21:40.339 --> 00:21:41.119 for sin. 00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:43.839 And that consequence 00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:46.439 cannot be overlooked. 00:21:46.799 --> 00:21:49.079 There's no way around it. 00:21:49.919 --> 00:21:50.500 By the way, 00:21:51.179 --> 00:21:53.179 we tend to wish 00:21:53.179 --> 00:21:55.159 God dealt with other people's sins 00:21:55.159 --> 00:21:56.359 fairly rapidly. 00:21:56.359 --> 00:21:58.439 Do you realize that? 00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:03.079 We tend to believe 00:22:03.079 --> 00:22:05.039 God doesn't deal with ours 00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:06.000 the same way. 00:22:07.259 --> 00:22:08.619 And why I say that is this, 00:22:08.699 --> 00:22:09.799 is that I'm amazed, 00:22:10.139 --> 00:22:11.699 I'm amazed 00:22:11.699 --> 00:22:13.519 to be around individuals 00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:14.139 on occasion 00:22:14.139 --> 00:22:15.599 who are fully persuaded 00:22:15.599 --> 00:22:16.819 that their sins 00:22:16.819 --> 00:22:17.819 will not have 00:22:17.819 --> 00:22:18.779 eventual consequence. 00:22:19.539 --> 00:22:20.419 But they do. 00:22:20.420 --> 00:22:23.779 God is not mocked. 00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:24.900 What a man sows, 00:22:25.080 --> 00:22:26.300 that a man will, 00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:27.779 he'll reap. 00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:29.320 And so I want you 00:22:29.320 --> 00:22:30.500 to recognize this morning 00:22:30.500 --> 00:22:31.259 when you think about 00:22:31.259 --> 00:22:32.200 why Jesus came, 00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:33.000 He actually came 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:34.480 to make atonement for us. 00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:36.519 And why is that? 00:22:36.560 --> 00:22:37.440 Because the truth, 00:22:37.820 --> 00:22:38.519 the righteousness, 00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:40.320 and the justice of God 00:22:40.320 --> 00:22:41.259 must be satisfied. 00:22:42.400 --> 00:22:43.900 God can no more 00:22:43.900 --> 00:22:45.180 overlook sin 00:22:45.180 --> 00:22:47.840 than we can overlook breathing. 00:22:47.839 --> 00:22:50.659 His nature requires 00:22:50.659 --> 00:22:52.319 that sin be dealt with 00:22:52.319 --> 00:22:54.139 and He can't violate 00:22:54.139 --> 00:22:54.899 that nature. 00:22:55.319 --> 00:22:56.199 When there is sin, 00:22:56.339 --> 00:22:58.019 it must be atoned for 00:22:58.019 --> 00:22:59.679 or it must be punished. 00:23:01.079 --> 00:23:02.220 He cannot overlook 00:23:02.220 --> 00:23:02.899 the rebellion 00:23:02.899 --> 00:23:05.099 and the harm that sin does. 00:23:05.599 --> 00:23:06.779 And though He is 00:23:06.779 --> 00:23:08.279 long-suffering and patient, 00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:09.959 we know for one, 00:23:10.159 --> 00:23:11.259 or for several reasons, 00:23:11.619 --> 00:23:12.980 His long-suffering patience, 00:23:13.119 --> 00:23:13.559 for one, 00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:15.319 is designed to lead people 00:23:15.319 --> 00:23:16.000 to repentance, 00:23:16.460 --> 00:23:17.639 gives them time 00:23:17.639 --> 00:23:19.079 to repent. 00:23:19.179 --> 00:23:19.700 But let me tell you 00:23:19.700 --> 00:23:20.240 another thing. 00:23:21.279 --> 00:23:22.759 God's long-suffering patience 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:24.439 also allows individuals 00:23:24.439 --> 00:23:26.019 to be fully hardened 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:26.799 in their sins 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:29.139 so that when He does judge, 00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:30.159 they can't say, 00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:31.519 I didn't mean it 00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:33.679 and I was just careless 00:23:33.679 --> 00:23:35.539 and not thinking carefully 00:23:35.539 --> 00:23:36.299 about the outcome. 00:23:36.559 --> 00:23:37.519 When we sin, 00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:40.319 we do so intentionally 00:23:40.319 --> 00:23:42.439 and we do so with intent 00:23:42.439 --> 00:23:43.439 that has been developed 00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:44.320 in our heart. 00:23:46.360 --> 00:23:46.900 And so I want you 00:23:46.900 --> 00:23:48.080 to recognize this morning 00:23:48.080 --> 00:23:49.460 that God's nature 00:23:49.460 --> 00:23:50.220 is such that 00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:51.700 when sin takes place, 00:23:51.840 --> 00:23:53.180 there's consequences for it. 00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:55.100 And the significance 00:23:55.100 --> 00:23:57.160 of His judgment against sin 00:23:57.160 --> 00:23:58.519 is proportionate 00:23:58.519 --> 00:23:59.559 to His glory 00:23:59.559 --> 00:24:00.620 and His significance, 00:24:00.820 --> 00:24:01.840 not to ours. 00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:03.700 Let me give you 00:24:03.700 --> 00:24:04.880 an explanation, 00:24:05.360 --> 00:24:06.259 maybe identify with. 00:24:06.299 --> 00:24:07.660 I remember when I was growing up, 00:24:08.180 --> 00:24:10.700 my parents took us through, 00:24:10.940 --> 00:24:12.480 we were traveling back from India 00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:14.099 and we came through Rome 00:24:14.099 --> 00:24:17.140 and we went to St. Peter's. 00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:18.400 Great place. 00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:19.039 Phenomenal. 00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:21.440 And I remember at St. Peter's 00:24:21.440 --> 00:24:23.160 actually having the privilege 00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:24.000 of going on a, 00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:26.319 I'd never seen one of these things 00:24:26.319 --> 00:24:26.740 in India, 00:24:26.860 --> 00:24:28.259 but you stood on the thing 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:28.759 and it just kind of, 00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:29.519 what's it called? 00:24:30.660 --> 00:24:31.740 Not an escalator. 00:24:33.660 --> 00:24:35.140 A moving walkway, yeah. 00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:37.200 In order to walk past 00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:38.839 the Madonna and Child, 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:40.519 this carving by Michelangelo, 00:24:40.519 --> 00:24:42.839 they put you on a moving walkway. 00:24:42.900 --> 00:24:43.900 Do you know why that was? 00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:46.279 So that everybody 00:24:46.279 --> 00:24:47.639 had an equal chance for him. 00:24:49.019 --> 00:24:49.700 There it was. 00:24:49.819 --> 00:24:49.879 You know, 00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:50.960 you kind of went by. 00:24:51.139 --> 00:24:52.579 And just imagine that, 00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:52.859 you know, 00:24:52.900 --> 00:24:53.420 there I was 00:24:53.420 --> 00:24:54.000 and I decided, 00:24:54.099 --> 00:24:54.480 you know what, 00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:55.920 I want to do something spectacular. 00:24:56.099 --> 00:24:56.980 So I took out a little hammer 00:24:56.980 --> 00:24:58.259 and dinged that thing. 00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:01.240 That would be a pretty 00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:02.839 offensive act, 00:25:02.920 --> 00:25:03.259 wouldn't it? 00:25:05.119 --> 00:25:05.480 Direct, 00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:07.279 if I smashed a clay cup, 00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:08.200 no big deal, 00:25:08.200 --> 00:25:10.019 but putting a ding 00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:11.319 in the Madonna and Child 00:25:11.319 --> 00:25:12.680 because of the significance 00:25:12.680 --> 00:25:13.480 of that statue 00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:14.120 would be something 00:25:14.120 --> 00:25:15.059 that would be offensive. 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:17.860 When we sin against God, 00:25:18.860 --> 00:25:20.600 we violate His holiness 00:25:20.600 --> 00:25:23.100 and our sin 00:25:23.100 --> 00:25:24.500 is amplified 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:25.539 and magnified 00:25:25.539 --> 00:25:26.500 by the significance 00:25:26.500 --> 00:25:27.720 of the one we sin against. 00:25:28.059 --> 00:25:29.039 And so what's the penalty 00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:29.559 for that? 00:25:29.860 --> 00:25:30.920 The Bible makes it clear. 00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:33.039 The soul that sins, 00:25:33.400 --> 00:25:34.160 it shall die. 00:25:34.160 --> 00:25:37.180 And God's goodness 00:25:37.180 --> 00:25:38.060 and His wisdom, 00:25:39.100 --> 00:25:40.180 God's holiness 00:25:40.180 --> 00:25:42.380 is of such infinite value 00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:43.980 that there is no remedy 00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:44.720 for that sin 00:25:44.720 --> 00:25:45.600 apart from death. 00:25:47.140 --> 00:25:48.600 And what happens in death 00:25:48.600 --> 00:25:49.600 is that after death 00:25:49.600 --> 00:25:50.320 there is judgment 00:25:50.320 --> 00:25:51.140 that lasts forever. 00:25:52.620 --> 00:25:54.580 And so when you think about that, 00:25:54.660 --> 00:25:55.560 I want you to understand 00:25:55.560 --> 00:25:56.740 that when Jesus died 00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:57.420 on the cross, 00:25:57.540 --> 00:25:59.279 He died to make atonement 00:25:59.279 --> 00:26:00.100 or substitute 00:26:00.100 --> 00:26:02.080 to satisfy God's judgment 00:26:02.080 --> 00:26:02.700 against us. 00:26:02.700 --> 00:26:04.620 Let me bring several verses 00:26:04.620 --> 00:26:05.779 to your attention this morning 00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:06.600 to have you think about. 00:26:07.559 --> 00:26:08.460 Turn in your Bibles 00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:09.220 from Mark 00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:11.299 over to Hebrews chapter 9. 00:26:12.900 --> 00:26:14.420 Hebrews chapter 9. 00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:19.160 Looking at verse 26 00:26:19.160 --> 00:26:20.740 and then 28. 00:26:20.740 --> 00:26:41.680 Let me explain it this way. 00:26:41.680 --> 00:26:45.259 The infinite penalty 00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:47.019 for a sin 00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:49.420 against an infinite God 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:52.500 requires an infinite remedy. 00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:53.259 Do you got that? 00:26:54.099 --> 00:26:55.619 The infinite sin 00:26:55.619 --> 00:26:57.119 against an infinite God 00:26:57.119 --> 00:26:59.220 requires an infinite remedy 00:26:59.220 --> 00:27:01.440 and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:27:01.539 --> 00:27:02.359 Look at verse 28. 00:27:02.819 --> 00:27:03.379 So Christ, 00:27:03.579 --> 00:27:04.960 having been offered once 00:27:04.960 --> 00:27:06.420 to bear the sins of many, 00:27:06.900 --> 00:27:08.220 will appear a second time 00:27:08.220 --> 00:27:09.299 not to deal with sin 00:27:09.299 --> 00:27:10.680 but to save those 00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:12.319 who are eagerly waiting for Him. 00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:13.519 Interesting, 00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:15.019 earlier in the week 00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:15.619 I had an opportunity 00:27:15.619 --> 00:27:16.619 to talk with an individual 00:27:16.619 --> 00:27:17.579 and ask them the question, 00:27:18.179 --> 00:27:20.139 so what's going to happen 00:27:20.139 --> 00:27:20.779 when you die? 00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:22.159 I don't know. 00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:23.759 I said, 00:27:23.839 --> 00:27:24.519 do you have any idea 00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:25.240 where you're going to go? 00:27:26.179 --> 00:27:26.500 Well, 00:27:26.559 --> 00:27:27.599 I suppose I'm going to heaven. 00:27:28.659 --> 00:27:28.939 Oh, 00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:29.539 okay. 00:27:29.819 --> 00:27:30.159 Why? 00:27:30.659 --> 00:27:32.000 Because I'm a pretty good person. 00:27:33.099 --> 00:27:34.559 I like being around 00:27:34.559 --> 00:27:35.240 pretty good people. 00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:36.759 So I said, 00:27:37.079 --> 00:27:38.099 how good are you? 00:27:38.099 --> 00:27:38.819 And, 00:27:40.079 --> 00:27:41.519 well, 00:27:41.579 --> 00:27:42.099 that's when things 00:27:42.099 --> 00:27:42.779 began to break down 00:27:42.779 --> 00:27:43.119 a little bit. 00:27:43.240 --> 00:27:43.399 You know, 00:27:43.419 --> 00:27:43.659 it's like, 00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:44.759 how good are you? 00:27:44.859 --> 00:27:45.039 Well, 00:27:45.139 --> 00:27:46.079 I really am pretty. 00:27:46.139 --> 00:27:46.799 At least I'm better 00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:47.379 than my neighbor. 00:27:48.819 --> 00:27:49.159 You know, 00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:50.179 and here's the fact 00:27:50.179 --> 00:27:50.619 of the matter. 00:27:51.899 --> 00:27:53.240 Sin is supremely offensive 00:27:53.240 --> 00:27:54.079 to God 00:27:54.079 --> 00:27:55.279 and He is not going 00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:55.659 to overlook 00:27:55.659 --> 00:27:56.779 a single piece of it. 00:27:57.740 --> 00:27:58.579 And so when you stop 00:27:58.579 --> 00:27:59.480 and recognize 00:27:59.480 --> 00:28:00.740 that what the Scripture says, 00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:02.299 Jesus had to die 00:28:02.299 --> 00:28:03.279 for our sins 00:28:03.279 --> 00:28:04.779 to satisfy the debt. 00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:07.200 And so here we are 00:28:07.200 --> 00:28:08.420 looking at that passage 00:28:08.420 --> 00:28:09.839 and reminding ourselves 00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:10.420 of the fact 00:28:10.420 --> 00:28:11.720 that Jesus died 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:13.059 for our sins. 00:28:13.579 --> 00:28:14.980 Don't ever buy 00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:16.059 into the idea 00:28:16.059 --> 00:28:18.660 that you may satisfy 00:28:18.660 --> 00:28:20.440 the debt of your sin 00:28:20.440 --> 00:28:21.660 by your own behavior 00:28:21.660 --> 00:28:22.899 and your own efforts. 00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:23.740 Why is that? 00:28:24.579 --> 00:28:25.619 Because even 00:28:25.619 --> 00:28:27.480 in our own best efforts, 00:28:27.639 --> 00:28:28.700 we are really looking 00:28:28.700 --> 00:28:29.420 to do what? 00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:29.879 You know? 00:28:30.420 --> 00:28:31.460 To serve ourselves, 00:28:31.680 --> 00:28:32.899 bring glory to ourself, 00:28:32.899 --> 00:28:34.319 and we're self-focused. 00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:36.759 Only Christ 00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:38.319 can satisfy 00:28:38.319 --> 00:28:38.960 the debt 00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:40.079 of our sin. 00:28:40.599 --> 00:28:41.319 Let me have you look 00:28:41.319 --> 00:28:42.099 at one other passage 00:28:42.099 --> 00:28:43.399 in relationship to this 00:28:43.399 --> 00:28:45.139 over in 1 Peter 1. 00:28:46.180 --> 00:28:47.639 1 Peter 1, 00:28:47.960 --> 00:28:49.740 verse 18 and 19. 00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:50.220 Again, 00:28:50.339 --> 00:28:51.139 reminding us 00:28:51.139 --> 00:28:53.099 of Christ's coming 00:28:53.099 --> 00:28:53.799 and purpose. 00:28:55.079 --> 00:28:55.940 1 Peter 1, 00:28:56.019 --> 00:28:56.519 verse 18. 00:28:56.619 --> 00:28:57.279 Knowing that you were 00:28:57.279 --> 00:28:57.639 ransomed 00:28:57.639 --> 00:28:58.680 from the feudal ways 00:28:58.680 --> 00:29:00.500 inherited from your forefathers, 00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:02.599 not with perishable things 00:29:02.599 --> 00:29:04.519 such as silver or gold, 00:29:04.779 --> 00:29:07.139 can you imagine that? 00:29:07.799 --> 00:29:09.160 Going to a religious leader 00:29:09.160 --> 00:29:09.539 and saying, 00:29:09.660 --> 00:29:10.379 okay, I've sinned. 00:29:10.440 --> 00:29:11.200 What do I need to do? 00:29:11.279 --> 00:29:12.440 Well, you need to burn 00:29:12.440 --> 00:29:13.539 X number of candles, 00:29:13.839 --> 00:29:14.799 and you need to give 00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:15.960 X number of dollars, 00:29:16.180 --> 00:29:17.139 and you need to do 00:29:17.139 --> 00:29:17.799 such and such, 00:29:17.879 --> 00:29:19.019 and that will accommodate 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:19.639 your sin. 00:29:19.940 --> 00:29:20.700 No, no, no. 00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:23.299 You were ransomed 00:29:23.299 --> 00:29:24.379 from the feudal ways 00:29:24.379 --> 00:29:25.879 inherited from your forefathers, 00:29:26.079 --> 00:29:28.180 not with perishable things, 00:29:28.180 --> 00:29:30.619 but with the precious blood 00:29:30.619 --> 00:29:31.159 of Christ 00:29:31.159 --> 00:29:32.519 like that of a lamb 00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:34.899 without blemish or spot. 00:29:37.179 --> 00:29:38.599 I want you to understand 00:29:38.599 --> 00:29:39.079 this morning 00:29:39.079 --> 00:29:39.899 as we think about 00:29:39.899 --> 00:29:40.979 why Jesus came, 00:29:41.119 --> 00:29:42.079 recognize this. 00:29:42.779 --> 00:29:44.079 Jesus came to take 00:29:44.079 --> 00:29:45.139 the full weight 00:29:45.139 --> 00:29:46.839 of my sin 00:29:46.839 --> 00:29:48.139 and your sin 00:29:48.139 --> 00:29:49.259 and to die 00:29:49.259 --> 00:29:50.699 in my place. 00:29:50.779 --> 00:29:51.339 What He did 00:29:51.339 --> 00:29:52.639 was He atoned 00:29:52.639 --> 00:29:53.799 for our sin 00:29:53.799 --> 00:29:55.119 by stepping in 00:29:55.119 --> 00:29:56.159 and taking our place 00:29:56.160 --> 00:29:57.259 and satisfying 00:29:57.259 --> 00:29:57.880 the penalty 00:29:57.880 --> 00:29:58.840 for our sins. 00:30:00.540 --> 00:30:01.580 So how does that 00:30:01.580 --> 00:30:03.160 fit my life? 00:30:03.880 --> 00:30:04.759 How does that 00:30:04.759 --> 00:30:06.200 fit your life? 00:30:07.519 --> 00:30:08.480 Every person 00:30:08.480 --> 00:30:10.000 that is here this morning 00:30:10.000 --> 00:30:11.340 is in one of two conditions. 00:30:12.860 --> 00:30:14.380 Only one of two conditions. 00:30:15.080 --> 00:30:16.320 You are either here 00:30:16.320 --> 00:30:17.080 as a person 00:30:17.080 --> 00:30:18.279 who has come 00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:19.140 to realize 00:30:19.140 --> 00:30:20.519 by the grace of God 00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:22.000 that you stand 00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:22.460 condemned 00:30:22.460 --> 00:30:23.620 before a holy God 00:30:23.620 --> 00:30:25.860 and that Christ Jesus 00:30:25.859 --> 00:30:26.639 came to pay 00:30:26.639 --> 00:30:27.139 the penalty 00:30:27.139 --> 00:30:28.059 for your sins 00:30:28.059 --> 00:30:29.879 and realizing 00:30:29.879 --> 00:30:30.799 that you're a sinner 00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:31.740 you've cried out 00:30:31.740 --> 00:30:32.119 and said 00:30:32.119 --> 00:30:33.259 I confess 00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:34.179 that I'm a sinner 00:30:34.179 --> 00:30:35.859 and I deserve judgment 00:30:35.859 --> 00:30:37.339 but God sent His Son 00:30:37.339 --> 00:30:38.740 to be my sacrifice 00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:39.779 and substitute 00:30:39.779 --> 00:30:40.799 and I believe 00:30:40.799 --> 00:30:41.500 in what He has done 00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:42.079 for me. 00:30:44.079 --> 00:30:45.139 Or you are here 00:30:45.139 --> 00:30:45.799 this morning 00:30:45.799 --> 00:30:48.379 thinking about Christmas 00:30:48.379 --> 00:30:50.099 and thinking 00:30:50.099 --> 00:30:50.919 about yourself 00:30:50.919 --> 00:30:52.759 and failing 00:30:52.759 --> 00:30:53.459 to recognize 00:30:53.459 --> 00:30:54.339 that the day 00:30:54.339 --> 00:30:54.799 is coming 00:30:54.799 --> 00:30:55.559 where you will 00:30:55.559 --> 00:30:56.159 give an account 00:30:56.159 --> 00:30:56.740 for your sin 00:30:56.740 --> 00:30:57.259 to God 00:30:57.259 --> 00:30:59.119 and you 00:30:59.119 --> 00:31:01.839 having overlooked 00:31:01.839 --> 00:31:02.680 what God 00:31:02.680 --> 00:31:03.960 has done for you 00:31:03.960 --> 00:31:04.899 will endure 00:31:04.899 --> 00:31:06.159 eternal judgment 00:31:06.159 --> 00:31:07.419 because you've denied 00:31:07.419 --> 00:31:08.639 God's plan 00:31:08.639 --> 00:31:09.720 and His purpose 00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:10.799 in sending Christ 00:31:10.799 --> 00:31:11.799 to be the Savior 00:31:11.799 --> 00:31:12.519 of the world. 00:31:15.240 --> 00:31:15.779 Periodically 00:31:15.779 --> 00:31:16.839 when I ask individuals 00:31:16.839 --> 00:31:17.399 the question 00:31:17.399 --> 00:31:18.319 so why should God 00:31:18.319 --> 00:31:19.039 let you into heaven 00:31:19.039 --> 00:31:19.819 and they tell me 00:31:19.819 --> 00:31:22.279 well I'm working hard 00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:23.879 at making my way 00:31:23.879 --> 00:31:24.899 my answer 00:31:24.899 --> 00:31:25.639 or a question 00:31:25.639 --> 00:31:26.579 that follows up at 00:31:26.579 --> 00:31:27.139 and particularly 00:31:27.139 --> 00:31:27.879 around this season 00:31:27.879 --> 00:31:28.679 is hey 00:31:28.679 --> 00:31:29.960 so why would God 00:31:29.960 --> 00:31:30.599 send His Son 00:31:30.599 --> 00:31:31.519 to die on the cross 00:31:31.519 --> 00:31:32.579 if you could get to heaven 00:31:32.579 --> 00:31:33.919 by your good works? 00:31:34.679 --> 00:31:35.359 Do you follow that? 00:31:35.939 --> 00:31:36.279 No. 00:31:37.200 --> 00:31:38.139 The reason God 00:31:38.139 --> 00:31:38.939 sent His Son 00:31:38.939 --> 00:31:40.500 is because we cannot 00:31:40.500 --> 00:31:41.419 save ourselves 00:31:41.419 --> 00:31:42.679 by our own good effort 00:31:42.679 --> 00:31:44.179 and here's the fact 00:31:44.180 --> 00:31:47.039 God having sent 00:31:47.039 --> 00:31:47.640 His Son 00:31:47.640 --> 00:31:49.320 and we turning around 00:31:49.320 --> 00:31:49.740 and saying 00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:51.259 I don't need His help 00:31:51.259 --> 00:31:52.019 and I don't need 00:31:52.019 --> 00:31:52.759 His sacrifice 00:31:52.759 --> 00:31:54.680 and I don't need Him 00:31:54.680 --> 00:31:55.560 as my Savior 00:31:55.560 --> 00:31:56.820 is a supremely 00:31:56.820 --> 00:31:57.900 offensive thing to God 00:31:57.900 --> 00:32:00.299 and I would appeal 00:32:00.299 --> 00:32:00.980 to you this morning 00:32:00.980 --> 00:32:01.960 if you are here today 00:32:01.960 --> 00:32:03.680 and you do not know Christ 00:32:03.680 --> 00:32:06.140 don't walk out of here 00:32:06.140 --> 00:32:07.000 this morning saying 00:32:07.000 --> 00:32:07.980 I really don't care 00:32:07.980 --> 00:32:09.200 about this matter of sin 00:32:09.200 --> 00:32:11.779 because the day of judgment 00:32:11.779 --> 00:32:12.340 is coming 00:32:12.339 --> 00:32:14.699 and I would appeal to you 00:32:14.699 --> 00:32:15.419 that you don't walk 00:32:15.419 --> 00:32:16.159 out of here saying 00:32:16.159 --> 00:32:16.439 listen 00:32:16.439 --> 00:32:17.679 I really don't care 00:32:17.679 --> 00:32:18.659 why Jesus came 00:32:18.659 --> 00:32:20.139 He came to be your Savior 00:32:20.139 --> 00:32:22.319 and the day is coming 00:32:22.319 --> 00:32:23.519 when you will stand 00:32:23.519 --> 00:32:24.179 before Him 00:32:24.179 --> 00:32:24.980 and give an account 00:32:24.980 --> 00:32:27.059 and I would plead with you 00:32:27.059 --> 00:32:28.079 today is the day 00:32:28.079 --> 00:32:28.759 of salvation 00:32:28.759 --> 00:32:30.159 now is the hour 00:32:30.159 --> 00:32:31.879 to repent and confess 00:32:31.879 --> 00:32:33.500 and believe on Jesus 00:32:33.500 --> 00:32:35.439 let's close in prayer 00:32:35.439 --> 00:32:41.799 our Father God 00:32:41.799 --> 00:32:42.319 this morning 00:32:42.319 --> 00:32:42.940 as we 00:32:42.940 --> 00:32:46.200 remind ourselves 00:32:46.200 --> 00:32:47.519 of why Jesus really came 00:32:47.519 --> 00:32:48.619 we're so very thankful 00:32:48.619 --> 00:32:49.879 that He came 00:32:49.879 --> 00:32:51.019 to be our sacrifice 00:32:51.019 --> 00:32:51.799 to make atonement 00:32:51.799 --> 00:32:52.700 for our sins 00:32:52.700 --> 00:32:54.659 and this morning 00:32:54.659 --> 00:32:55.240 as we 00:32:55.240 --> 00:32:56.980 bring this service 00:32:56.980 --> 00:32:57.659 to a close 00:32:57.659 --> 00:32:58.799 we remind ourselves 00:32:58.799 --> 00:33:00.019 that Christmas 00:33:00.019 --> 00:33:01.139 is about more 00:33:01.139 --> 00:33:02.000 than gifts 00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:02.960 that we receive 00:33:02.960 --> 00:33:04.279 it's about the gift 00:33:04.279 --> 00:33:05.279 that you gave us 00:33:05.279 --> 00:33:05.940 of salvation 00:33:05.940 --> 00:33:06.539 through the Lord 00:33:06.539 --> 00:33:07.399 Jesus Christ 00:33:07.399 --> 00:33:09.339 and I pray Lord 00:33:09.339 --> 00:33:10.500 for those that are here today 00:33:10.500 --> 00:33:11.259 that know Jesus 00:33:11.259 --> 00:33:12.079 as their Savior 00:33:12.079 --> 00:33:13.039 that their life 00:33:13.039 --> 00:33:15.119 reflects their thankfulness 00:33:15.119 --> 00:33:16.019 for their salvation 00:33:16.019 --> 00:33:17.880 I pray also 00:33:17.880 --> 00:33:19.019 for those that are here today 00:33:19.019 --> 00:33:19.859 that do not know 00:33:19.859 --> 00:33:20.559 the Lord Jesus 00:33:20.559 --> 00:33:21.640 that today 00:33:21.640 --> 00:33:22.539 they would not 00:33:22.539 --> 00:33:23.500 walk out of here 00:33:23.500 --> 00:33:25.200 resisting and refusing 00:33:25.200 --> 00:33:26.480 the offer of salvation 00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:27.480 through the finished work 00:33:27.480 --> 00:33:28.039 of Christ 00:33:28.039 --> 00:33:30.220 you work 00:33:30.220 --> 00:33:32.680 that you might be glorified 00:33:32.680 --> 00:33:34.160 and we ask this 00:33:34.160 --> 00:33:35.059 in Jesus name 00:33:35.059 --> 00:33:35.779 Amen 00:33:35.779 --> 00:33:36.799 let's 00:33:36.799 --> 00:33:37.019 pray