WEBVTT 00:00:00.620 --> 00:00:04.620 Great. Good evening. They weren't lying. It really is bright up here. 00:00:05.179 --> 00:00:07.080 My name's Archie. I'm the pastor in training here. 00:00:07.339 --> 00:00:13.820 It's my pleasure this evening to be really just opening the Bible for us over the next 15 minutes or so. 00:00:13.900 --> 00:00:18.500 I love Christmas. I love singing carols. Haven't these guys been brilliant this evening? 00:00:19.179 --> 00:00:24.219 I also love chocolate, and I love the excuse to eat chocolate at this time of year. 00:00:24.219 --> 00:00:30.899 A friend and I went to see Wonka in the cinema last week, partly just because I love chocolate. 00:00:31.039 --> 00:00:34.840 Partly we were just at a loose end. But I thought it was excellent. I highly recommend going to see it. 00:00:35.619 --> 00:00:40.460 If you don't know about Wonka, if you know the story of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the Roald Dahl story, 00:00:40.899 --> 00:00:47.759 this is sort of a prequel to that. It tells the story of how Willy Wonka came to open his famous chocolate factory. 00:00:47.879 --> 00:00:53.259 You should really go and see it. It's great. I don't think that there are going to be any massive spoilers here. 00:00:53.259 --> 00:01:00.019 I certainly don't want to ruin the film for you, but there is this moment in the film where a young Willy Wonka is learning from his mum. 00:01:00.699 --> 00:01:06.879 They live on a canal boat together. She's teaching him how to make chocolate, and it is the best chocolate, right? 00:01:06.920 --> 00:01:14.319 There's just something about it, a secret. And he says that one day he is going to share her chocolate with the world. 00:01:14.319 --> 00:01:22.439 When you do, she says, I'll be right there with you, and you'll know the secret ingredient. 00:01:23.579 --> 00:01:30.899 Promise? He asks. Pinky promise, she replies. That's the most solemn vow that there is. 00:01:32.419 --> 00:01:37.379 We then get a slightly older Wonka. He's now on his own. His mum is no longer in the picture. 00:01:37.379 --> 00:01:41.859 And his whole life, this whole film, it seems, is built on that promise. 00:01:43.000 --> 00:01:46.780 He thinks if he can just share her chocolate with the world, then she'll be there. 00:01:48.219 --> 00:01:53.640 We'll come back to Willy Wonka in a bit, but first I want to ask about those two words. 00:01:54.539 --> 00:01:59.039 I promise. I wonder how those two words make you feel. 00:01:59.040 --> 00:02:06.640 There might be a sense of excitement. When Katie and I got engaged, there was a wonderful promise and a great excitement. 00:02:08.020 --> 00:02:12.300 But maybe you're here this evening and you've made promises that haven't been kept. 00:02:13.420 --> 00:02:15.379 It might be in apparently quite small ways. 00:02:15.520 --> 00:02:20.819 Again, Katie and I have often promised to do things like the dishes or put the toilet seat down. 00:02:20.900 --> 00:02:22.140 I don't always keep those promises. 00:02:23.620 --> 00:02:26.580 But it might be much bigger and much more painful than that. 00:02:26.580 --> 00:02:30.700 Marriage vows, promises broken. 00:02:32.380 --> 00:02:39.000 Parents making promises over and over again that they'll change or protect you or just be there. 00:02:40.380 --> 00:02:44.740 Maybe you've had friends promise to meet up or call back or stay in touch. 00:02:45.860 --> 00:02:49.060 I don't know. Maybe you're here this evening and if you think about it, 00:02:49.060 --> 00:02:54.200 you've become conditioned to promises being sort of meaningless, maybe empty. 00:02:54.199 --> 00:03:01.459 Well, this evening we're going to think about the most outrageous promise that has ever been made. 00:03:02.539 --> 00:03:07.919 And do you know that God who made that promise does not break his promises? 00:03:10.299 --> 00:03:13.219 Kirstie read that passage from Isaiah for us earlier. 00:03:13.319 --> 00:03:15.299 It's probably a familiar passage at this time of year. 00:03:15.300 --> 00:03:18.540 I don't know if you've ever taken the time to really sit down and read it. 00:03:18.620 --> 00:03:24.620 But in that passage that Kirstie read for us, through the prophet Isaiah, 00:03:24.780 --> 00:03:28.260 God really does make some outrageous promises to his people. 00:03:29.240 --> 00:03:32.600 He promises to establish justice and peace. 00:03:33.340 --> 00:03:37.620 And he promises to rule with justice and peace forever. 00:03:37.620 --> 00:03:42.240 And not those promises that we would just love to see come true. 00:03:42.780 --> 00:03:46.159 Like, don't we all want to live in a world where justice is done? 00:03:46.240 --> 00:03:47.800 A world of real peace. 00:03:48.360 --> 00:03:52.200 And don't we want a God who loves us and who rules the world in that way? 00:03:53.039 --> 00:03:57.500 As we look around the world, it's full, isn't it, of conflict and injustice. 00:03:57.500 --> 00:04:00.879 Even as we look closer to home, maybe into our own hearts, 00:04:00.960 --> 00:04:04.480 don't we see the brokenness and the pain of injustice? 00:04:04.479 --> 00:04:08.139 The promise of Christmas is outrageous. 00:04:10.019 --> 00:04:10.899 And here's the promise. 00:04:11.019 --> 00:04:13.599 It was written 700 years before that first Christmas. 00:04:14.759 --> 00:04:16.319 This is what he said was coming. 00:04:16.439 --> 00:04:18.099 First, justice. 00:04:18.740 --> 00:04:20.740 When God says through Isaiah, he says, 00:04:20.839 --> 00:04:23.180 You have shattered the yoke that burdens them, 00:04:24.480 --> 00:04:27.980 the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 00:04:27.980 --> 00:04:32.480 That is a promise to God's people that their enemies would be defeated, 00:04:32.480 --> 00:04:35.620 that justice would be done for them in that way. 00:04:36.460 --> 00:04:39.160 And he promises them peace when he says, 00:04:39.580 --> 00:04:43.080 Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood 00:04:43.080 --> 00:04:46.080 will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 00:04:46.160 --> 00:04:50.620 That's a promise to God's people that there would be no more war, 00:04:51.520 --> 00:04:53.439 that peace would prevail. 00:04:53.439 --> 00:05:01.160 And he promises to keep it that way with a perfect loving rule when he says, 00:05:01.219 --> 00:05:03.199 and this is probably the most familiar bit, 00:05:04.300 --> 00:05:08.720 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, 00:05:09.079 --> 00:05:11.240 and the government will be on his shoulders, 00:05:11.379 --> 00:05:15.139 and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, 00:05:15.639 --> 00:05:18.439 Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 00:05:18.439 --> 00:05:23.219 Of the greatness of his government and peace, there will be no end. 00:05:24.300 --> 00:05:26.740 He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, 00:05:26.959 --> 00:05:32.040 establishing it and upholding it with justice and righteousness 00:05:32.040 --> 00:05:35.519 from that time on and forever. 00:05:36.399 --> 00:05:39.519 This is a promise not just of justice and peace, 00:05:40.060 --> 00:05:43.519 but of a God come to keep it that way, 00:05:43.519 --> 00:05:46.799 of a king who would come and sit on David's throne, 00:05:46.919 --> 00:05:51.560 that this rule would be perfect peace and perfect justice forever. 00:05:53.039 --> 00:05:55.219 That's the promise of Isaiah chapter 9. 00:05:55.319 --> 00:05:56.399 It's the promise of Christmas. 00:05:57.919 --> 00:05:59.500 And in Luke's gospel, 00:05:59.740 --> 00:06:02.399 that passage that Delia and Joe read for us just now, 00:06:02.479 --> 00:06:05.939 we begin to see how Jesus is fulfilling those promises. 00:06:07.259 --> 00:06:09.039 But in surprising ways. 00:06:10.019 --> 00:06:11.799 First, the promise of justice. 00:06:11.800 --> 00:06:14.560 As the angels come to the shepherds, 00:06:14.639 --> 00:06:15.160 they say, 00:06:15.540 --> 00:06:17.720 a saviour has been born to you. 00:06:17.960 --> 00:06:20.240 He is the Messiah, the Lord. 00:06:21.620 --> 00:06:25.860 The Messiah was like the long-awaited liberator of the people. 00:06:26.000 --> 00:06:28.199 He was the one who they thought would come 00:06:28.199 --> 00:06:29.879 and save them from their enemies. 00:06:30.199 --> 00:06:33.180 The one who would provide that sort of justice. 00:06:34.460 --> 00:06:37.480 The angels are saying that Jesus is going to fulfill 00:06:37.480 --> 00:06:39.439 the justice promise. 00:06:39.439 --> 00:06:42.259 But what sort of justice is he going to bring? 00:06:43.300 --> 00:06:44.240 We'll come back to that. 00:06:44.300 --> 00:06:46.019 But first, before we do, 00:06:46.139 --> 00:06:48.680 he's also going to fulfill the promise of peace. 00:06:49.920 --> 00:06:51.360 The angels come to the shepherds 00:06:51.360 --> 00:06:52.240 and their message is, 00:06:52.459 --> 00:06:53.319 do not be afraid. 00:06:54.819 --> 00:06:56.360 And they praise God saying, 00:06:56.600 --> 00:06:59.060 glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth. 00:06:59.279 --> 00:07:02.439 Peace to those on whom his favour rests. 00:07:03.939 --> 00:07:05.279 Peace, no more war. 00:07:05.279 --> 00:07:08.139 But how is that peace going to be established, right? 00:07:08.159 --> 00:07:11.859 An insignificant baby born in an insignificant town 00:07:11.859 --> 00:07:16.619 in an insignificant corner of a very war-torn Roman world. 00:07:17.399 --> 00:07:20.119 And the angels say he's going to fulfill the peace promise. 00:07:20.500 --> 00:07:21.919 What sort of peace will this be? 00:07:23.699 --> 00:07:25.619 Well, it is a surprising justice 00:07:25.620 --> 00:07:28.860 and it is a surprising peace. 00:07:29.759 --> 00:07:33.019 Because Jesus fulfills what Isaiah has said 00:07:33.019 --> 00:07:36.280 because he came not just to free God's people 00:07:36.280 --> 00:07:37.759 from bondage to Rome 00:07:37.759 --> 00:07:39.860 or any other kind of earthly empire, 00:07:40.860 --> 00:07:44.139 but instead he brings justice and peace 00:07:44.139 --> 00:07:46.379 by saving the people from their sin 00:07:46.379 --> 00:07:47.840 and from death. 00:07:48.699 --> 00:07:50.280 That's eternal justice. 00:07:50.279 --> 00:07:53.000 And what eternal justice does 00:07:53.000 --> 00:07:54.959 is it casts out all fear 00:07:54.959 --> 00:07:58.299 and brings real existential peace. 00:07:59.279 --> 00:08:00.339 It's the great good news 00:08:00.339 --> 00:08:02.959 that the angels came to proclaim to the shepherds. 00:08:03.299 --> 00:08:05.259 And it is great good news for us 00:08:05.259 --> 00:08:07.979 because all of us, we're caught up in sin. 00:08:08.459 --> 00:08:11.759 We might think of that as just like all the bad stuff 00:08:11.759 --> 00:08:12.359 that we do, 00:08:12.459 --> 00:08:14.659 but the Bible actually describes sin 00:08:14.659 --> 00:08:16.379 in a way that is much deeper than that. 00:08:16.439 --> 00:08:17.619 It's a heart problem. 00:08:17.620 --> 00:08:21.680 It's our rejection of the God who created us 00:08:21.680 --> 00:08:23.680 and what he has said is good. 00:08:24.500 --> 00:08:26.459 Let me offer another Willy Wonka illustration. 00:08:26.899 --> 00:08:27.879 And I've used this before. 00:08:27.980 --> 00:08:29.280 Some of you may have heard me use it before, 00:08:29.340 --> 00:08:30.000 but I think it's helpful. 00:08:30.100 --> 00:08:31.120 So I'm going to use it again. 00:08:31.540 --> 00:08:33.120 And if you remember Augustus Gloop, 00:08:34.000 --> 00:08:35.539 Augustus Gloop is one of the kids 00:08:35.539 --> 00:08:38.500 in the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory story. 00:08:38.500 --> 00:08:39.740 And he wins a golden ticket 00:08:39.740 --> 00:08:43.779 to go and visit the amazing Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. 00:08:44.340 --> 00:08:45.600 And at the heart of the story, 00:08:45.680 --> 00:08:47.399 right at the heart of the factory, 00:08:47.620 --> 00:08:48.740 is this room. 00:08:49.120 --> 00:08:51.179 Willy Wonka takes all the kids into this room 00:08:51.179 --> 00:08:53.539 and in it is a sort of garden. 00:08:54.340 --> 00:08:57.259 There's a chocolate river that flows through the middle of it. 00:08:57.860 --> 00:09:00.399 And there's trees and there are flowers. 00:09:00.740 --> 00:09:01.679 And Willy Wonka says, 00:09:01.840 --> 00:09:03.320 everything you can see is edible. 00:09:04.279 --> 00:09:06.159 Even the bark on the trees is chocolate. 00:09:06.460 --> 00:09:08.019 The flowers are made out of candy. 00:09:08.659 --> 00:09:10.879 Just go and eat whatever you like. 00:09:11.759 --> 00:09:12.600 But what does he say? 00:09:13.539 --> 00:09:15.659 Do not drink from the chocolate river. 00:09:15.659 --> 00:09:18.439 And what does Augustus Gloop do? 00:09:19.299 --> 00:09:22.740 He just runs straight to the river and eats, doesn't he? 00:09:23.480 --> 00:09:26.360 And in a way, that's what sin does. 00:09:27.360 --> 00:09:29.639 You might have thought that story is quite similar, 00:09:29.819 --> 00:09:31.480 actually, to the story of Adam and Eve, 00:09:31.539 --> 00:09:34.919 where God gives humanity this wonderful garden 00:09:34.919 --> 00:09:36.879 with lots of good things in it, 00:09:36.879 --> 00:09:38.439 with one instruction, 00:09:38.440 --> 00:09:40.900 do not eat from that tree. 00:09:42.960 --> 00:09:45.280 I wonder if Roald Dahl had that story in mind 00:09:45.280 --> 00:09:47.180 when he wrote Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, 00:09:47.320 --> 00:09:49.940 because that is the story that we're given to understand, 00:09:50.300 --> 00:09:52.320 really the root of the human problem. 00:09:53.180 --> 00:09:54.200 And it's this, 00:09:55.080 --> 00:09:58.000 always questioning what God has said is good. 00:09:58.000 --> 00:10:02.940 hearts and desires pulling us away from him. 00:10:04.139 --> 00:10:06.320 And that ends up consuming us, 00:10:06.340 --> 00:10:07.679 and we fall into it, right? 00:10:07.700 --> 00:10:09.799 That's what happens to Augustus in that story. 00:10:09.879 --> 00:10:11.500 He falls into the chocolate river. 00:10:11.659 --> 00:10:14.220 He's consumed by his own temptation 00:10:14.220 --> 00:10:16.659 and carried away by his rebellion. 00:10:19.059 --> 00:10:20.899 We're about to hear another reading 00:10:20.899 --> 00:10:22.419 from Philippians chapter 2, 00:10:22.419 --> 00:10:25.259 and that kind of tells the story of Christmas too, 00:10:25.360 --> 00:10:25.779 in a way, 00:10:25.879 --> 00:10:27.360 of God become man, 00:10:27.459 --> 00:10:29.240 and yet born in a stable, 00:10:29.740 --> 00:10:31.639 a king born in a stable, 00:10:31.939 --> 00:10:33.579 who stepped down in that way. 00:10:34.279 --> 00:10:35.740 But in Philippians chapter 2, 00:10:35.819 --> 00:10:37.139 the story doesn't stop there, 00:10:37.159 --> 00:10:39.019 because he keeps on stepping down, 00:10:39.299 --> 00:10:41.519 even to death on a cross. 00:10:42.979 --> 00:10:43.399 Why? 00:10:44.519 --> 00:10:46.740 Because that is how justice was done, 00:10:47.199 --> 00:10:49.279 and that is how peace was established. 00:10:49.899 --> 00:10:51.199 You know, I think at first glance, 00:10:51.200 --> 00:10:54.700 the cross of Jesus looks to completely deny this. 00:10:55.800 --> 00:10:57.900 It just looks totally unjust, 00:10:58.060 --> 00:11:01.020 the death of a perfectly innocent man. 00:11:02.540 --> 00:11:04.800 And yet nowhere is God's justice 00:11:04.800 --> 00:11:08.400 more apparent than it in Jesus at the cross. 00:11:09.340 --> 00:11:11.840 That's where he took the punishment for our sin. 00:11:12.100 --> 00:11:13.040 That's justice. 00:11:14.540 --> 00:11:17.160 So that we could be forgiven by God. 00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:19.080 And that's peace. 00:11:19.080 --> 00:11:21.879 It's a surprising fulfillment. 00:11:22.920 --> 00:11:24.740 You know, in that new Wonka film, 00:11:24.900 --> 00:11:27.240 Wonka's mum is faithful to her promise. 00:11:28.320 --> 00:11:30.520 There is a sense in which she is with him 00:11:30.520 --> 00:11:32.879 when he shares her chocolate with the world, 00:11:32.920 --> 00:11:34.780 and the secret to that joy is revealed. 00:11:34.860 --> 00:11:36.580 It's a really touching moment, 00:11:36.720 --> 00:11:39.160 but it is a surprising fulfillment of that promise. 00:11:39.259 --> 00:11:40.480 I won't tell you what it is. 00:11:40.500 --> 00:11:42.139 You'll have to go and watch the film to see what I mean. 00:11:42.139 --> 00:11:43.019 But it's wonderful. 00:11:44.659 --> 00:11:45.539 And in some ways, 00:11:45.600 --> 00:11:49.279 the promises of Isaiah are fulfilled in surprising ways too. 00:11:50.240 --> 00:11:52.580 Surprising, but wonderful. 00:11:53.639 --> 00:11:56.799 As Jesus comes and he brings justice, 00:11:56.980 --> 00:11:58.559 paying the price for all our sin. 00:11:58.559 --> 00:12:01.559 And as he brings peace, 00:12:02.259 --> 00:12:05.219 but a peace with the God who created us. 00:12:06.219 --> 00:12:08.859 If you're listening in tonight and you're not a Christian, 00:12:08.979 --> 00:12:10.819 this is really, really good news. 00:12:11.239 --> 00:12:12.500 It's an outrageous promise. 00:12:12.619 --> 00:12:14.239 It's a wonderful promise. 00:12:15.579 --> 00:12:17.439 And it's the promise of Christmas today, 00:12:17.619 --> 00:12:19.559 justice and peace. 00:12:19.559 --> 00:12:21.959 And yet, 00:12:22.619 --> 00:12:24.519 God, through Isaiah, 00:12:24.659 --> 00:12:26.079 promised more than that, didn't he? 00:12:27.259 --> 00:12:28.479 He didn't just promise 00:12:28.479 --> 00:12:30.839 that justice and peace would be established, 00:12:31.059 --> 00:12:32.279 but that he'd rule 00:12:32.279 --> 00:12:35.479 with perfect peace and perfect justice forever. 00:12:36.559 --> 00:12:37.639 And let's be honest, 00:12:38.039 --> 00:12:40.419 that doesn't feel true today, does it? 00:12:41.579 --> 00:12:42.799 Like we've already said, 00:12:42.859 --> 00:12:43.959 as you look around you, 00:12:44.019 --> 00:12:45.359 as you look inside you, 00:12:46.359 --> 00:12:49.219 we know that there isn't perfect peace or justice 00:12:49.220 --> 00:12:50.560 in this world. 00:12:52.340 --> 00:12:55.180 But there is even more good news here. 00:12:56.720 --> 00:12:57.940 Because he came, 00:12:58.019 --> 00:12:58.920 again, we're going to hear this 00:12:58.920 --> 00:13:00.420 in Philippians chapter two shortly. 00:13:00.580 --> 00:13:02.139 He came and he died, 00:13:02.259 --> 00:13:03.700 but he didn't stay dead. 00:13:04.480 --> 00:13:07.379 And he promises that if we trust in him, 00:13:07.440 --> 00:13:09.080 then we don't have to either. 00:13:10.139 --> 00:13:11.420 He's done it before, 00:13:11.540 --> 00:13:12.480 that's Christmas. 00:13:13.100 --> 00:13:14.740 And he'll do it again. 00:13:15.759 --> 00:13:18.060 He's brought justice for our sin. 00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:19.619 He's brought us peace 00:13:19.619 --> 00:13:21.399 with the God who created us. 00:13:21.439 --> 00:13:24.039 And he promises that if we trust in him, 00:13:24.099 --> 00:13:26.799 we will live forever with him 00:13:26.799 --> 00:13:28.759 in a place of perfect peace 00:13:28.759 --> 00:13:30.519 and perfect justice. 00:13:31.159 --> 00:13:32.379 And that makes all the difference 00:13:32.379 --> 00:13:33.419 in the world, doesn't it? 00:13:34.859 --> 00:13:37.000 I've been to a handful of funerals 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:37.919 here at Brunsfield 00:13:37.919 --> 00:13:39.059 over the last couple of years, 00:13:39.099 --> 00:13:40.359 and some of them have been for people 00:13:40.359 --> 00:13:42.079 that I never even met. 00:13:42.080 --> 00:13:44.540 Actually, just earlier this week 00:13:44.540 --> 00:13:46.060 at Sylvia's funeral, 00:13:46.860 --> 00:13:48.700 I'd never met Sylvia before. 00:13:48.840 --> 00:13:51.120 And as we heard about Sylvia's life, 00:13:51.740 --> 00:13:53.340 and especially about the impact 00:13:53.340 --> 00:13:55.180 that she's had on this church 00:13:55.180 --> 00:13:56.540 that I now call my family, 00:13:57.020 --> 00:13:58.960 I was overcome, if I'm honest, 00:13:59.020 --> 00:13:59.940 really with sadness 00:13:59.940 --> 00:14:01.520 at never having had the pleasure 00:14:01.520 --> 00:14:02.379 of knowing her. 00:14:04.180 --> 00:14:05.780 But then we were reminded 00:14:05.780 --> 00:14:07.480 on Monday at her funeral 00:14:07.480 --> 00:14:09.440 of this wonderful promise 00:14:09.440 --> 00:14:12.440 that Sylvia, trusting in Jesus, 00:14:12.639 --> 00:14:14.039 doesn't stay dead, 00:14:14.639 --> 00:14:16.100 but that she lives forever. 00:14:16.940 --> 00:14:19.139 And that one day, I will too. 00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:21.080 And I'll get to meet her. 00:14:21.899 --> 00:14:23.420 And if you trust Jesus, 00:14:24.240 --> 00:14:26.820 that can be true for you today too. 00:14:27.920 --> 00:14:29.139 Because he promises 00:14:29.139 --> 00:14:30.620 that if we trust in him, 00:14:30.820 --> 00:14:32.200 we will live forever 00:14:32.200 --> 00:14:35.360 in a place where he rules 00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:37.160 with perfect peace 00:14:37.160 --> 00:14:39.620 and with perfect justice. 00:14:40.759 --> 00:14:42.520 That's the outrageous promise 00:14:42.520 --> 00:14:43.160 of Christmas. 00:14:45.200 --> 00:14:46.140 And so as we finish, 00:14:46.259 --> 00:14:47.200 especially again, 00:14:47.240 --> 00:14:48.080 if you're here this evening 00:14:48.080 --> 00:14:49.360 and you're not a Christian, 00:14:49.460 --> 00:14:50.440 I just want to leave you 00:14:50.440 --> 00:14:51.600 with two questions 00:14:51.600 --> 00:14:53.580 that I want you to keep on asking. 00:14:54.460 --> 00:14:55.720 First, keep asking, 00:14:55.920 --> 00:14:57.120 is this true? 00:14:58.379 --> 00:14:59.660 Is any of this true? 00:14:59.879 --> 00:15:00.720 Let me implore you 00:15:00.720 --> 00:15:02.740 to go and explore the evidence. 00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:04.680 We've got these little copies 00:15:04.680 --> 00:15:06.080 of Luke's gospel in the foyer. 00:15:06.259 --> 00:15:07.740 Please help yourself to these. 00:15:07.800 --> 00:15:09.560 That's really the best place to start. 00:15:09.620 --> 00:15:10.420 We've also got a couple 00:15:10.420 --> 00:15:12.200 of good Christmas books. 00:15:12.300 --> 00:15:13.360 These would be helpful too, 00:15:13.440 --> 00:15:14.440 but keep digging. 00:15:15.660 --> 00:15:16.920 It has been my experience 00:15:16.920 --> 00:15:19.460 as I keep asking those questions. 00:15:19.600 --> 00:15:20.899 The more I push 00:15:20.899 --> 00:15:21.759 at whether Christianity 00:15:21.759 --> 00:15:22.840 is true or not, 00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:24.160 the more the claims 00:15:24.160 --> 00:15:25.279 of this faith 00:15:25.279 --> 00:15:26.220 really do hold up 00:15:26.220 --> 00:15:27.820 to my investigations of it. 00:15:28.540 --> 00:15:29.700 What have you got to lose 00:15:29.700 --> 00:15:31.340 by doing that? 00:15:32.360 --> 00:15:33.740 And as you do that, 00:15:33.860 --> 00:15:34.640 as you explore 00:15:34.640 --> 00:15:35.700 the claims of Christianity, 00:15:35.700 --> 00:15:36.580 don't just ask 00:15:36.580 --> 00:15:37.440 whether it's true, 00:15:37.980 --> 00:15:39.140 but ask whether it might 00:15:39.140 --> 00:15:40.080 have the potential 00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:41.440 to make a positive difference 00:15:41.440 --> 00:15:42.240 in your life. 00:15:43.340 --> 00:15:43.680 Ask, 00:15:43.920 --> 00:15:44.800 what would it mean 00:15:44.800 --> 00:15:46.040 for this to be true? 00:15:46.700 --> 00:15:47.700 What could it mean 00:15:47.700 --> 00:15:49.200 to follow this king? 00:15:50.040 --> 00:15:51.220 It's great to come along 00:15:51.220 --> 00:15:52.780 to a carol service like this 00:15:52.780 --> 00:15:54.700 to feel a bit festive, 00:15:54.900 --> 00:15:56.140 to grab a mince pie 00:15:56.139 --> 00:15:56.620 at the end, 00:15:56.699 --> 00:15:58.019 but there is so much more 00:15:58.019 --> 00:15:59.899 to Jesus than that. 00:16:00.379 --> 00:16:01.240 And we would love 00:16:01.240 --> 00:16:01.980 to help you out 00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:02.439 and point you 00:16:02.439 --> 00:16:03.340 in the right direction. 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:05.139 Please don't just head home 00:16:05.139 --> 00:16:06.039 and put Jesus back 00:16:06.039 --> 00:16:07.419 in his box until next year. 00:16:08.059 --> 00:16:09.740 We'd love to see you here again. 00:16:09.919 --> 00:16:10.819 You're welcome, 00:16:10.960 --> 00:16:11.179 honestly, 00:16:11.279 --> 00:16:11.740 anytime. 00:16:13.039 --> 00:16:14.340 Keep pushing at that question. 00:16:14.439 --> 00:16:15.019 What difference 00:16:15.019 --> 00:16:16.159 might this make for me? 00:16:17.500 --> 00:16:18.340 Because he doesn't 00:16:18.340 --> 00:16:19.179 break his promises. 00:16:20.379 --> 00:16:21.200 And the promise 00:16:21.200 --> 00:16:22.139 of eternal peace 00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:22.620 and justice 00:16:22.620 --> 00:16:23.919 is a properly 00:16:23.919 --> 00:16:25.319 outrageous promise. 00:16:26.399 --> 00:16:27.620 It's well worth exploring. 00:16:28.939 --> 00:16:29.740 In a moment's time, 00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:30.939 Tophel's going to come up 00:16:30.939 --> 00:16:32.860 and read Philippians chapter 2 00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:33.399 for us, 00:16:33.460 --> 00:16:33.939 where we really, 00:16:34.159 --> 00:16:34.799 like I said, 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:36.559 hear the story of Christmas 00:16:36.559 --> 00:16:39.559 and what Jesus has done 00:16:39.559 --> 00:16:40.740 for us beyond that too. 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:41.860 And as he comes up, 00:16:41.919 --> 00:16:43.039 let's just still our hearts 00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:43.580 as I pray, 00:16:43.659 --> 00:16:44.100 why don't we? 00:16:44.580 --> 00:16:45.039 Let's pray. 00:16:47.439 --> 00:16:48.220 Heavenly Father, 00:16:48.299 --> 00:16:49.659 we thank you so much 00:16:49.659 --> 00:16:50.299 for Christmas. 00:16:52.139 --> 00:16:53.299 We thank you 00:16:53.299 --> 00:16:54.279 that you are a God 00:16:54.279 --> 00:16:55.159 who does not break 00:16:55.159 --> 00:16:55.720 his promises. 00:16:57.519 --> 00:16:58.580 We thank you 00:16:58.580 --> 00:17:00.500 for those wonderful promises 00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:01.220 of justice 00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:02.379 and of peace, 00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:03.019 of all the ways 00:17:03.019 --> 00:17:04.019 that you have fulfilled 00:17:04.019 --> 00:17:05.119 them for us 00:17:05.119 --> 00:17:06.379 as we trust in you. 00:17:07.839 --> 00:17:08.299 And Lord, 00:17:08.339 --> 00:17:08.960 we look forward 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:09.680 to a time 00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:10.379 where we will live 00:17:10.379 --> 00:17:11.079 with you forever 00:17:11.079 --> 00:17:12.420 in a place 00:17:12.420 --> 00:17:13.420 of perfect peace 00:17:13.420 --> 00:17:14.960 and perfect justice. 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:17.119 In Jesus' name. 00:17:17.839 --> 00:17:18.160 Amen.