WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:29.980 What I should say first is take your Bible and open it. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.219 And turn in your Bible this morning to Luke chapter 2. 00:00:37.200 --> 00:00:42.700 I'm going to read from the text beginning in verse 8. 00:00:47.679 --> 00:00:53.240 In the same region there were shepherds out in the field keeping watch over their flocks by night. 00:00:53.240 --> 00:01:02.780 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were filled with fear. 00:01:04.920 --> 00:01:06.320 And the angel said to them, 00:01:06.319 --> 00:01:23.479 And this will be a sign for you. 00:01:23.480 --> 00:01:27.540 You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. 00:01:30.480 --> 00:01:35.400 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God and saying, 00:01:35.740 --> 00:01:40.960 Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased. 00:01:40.959 --> 00:01:46.919 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 00:01:47.159 --> 00:01:52.519 Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us. 00:01:53.799 --> 00:02:01.619 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in a manger. 00:02:01.620 --> 00:02:09.379 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told to them concerning the child. 00:02:10.539 --> 00:02:16.360 And all those who heard it wondered at what the shepherds had told them. 00:02:20.860 --> 00:02:21.580 Let's pray. 00:02:21.580 --> 00:02:34.439 Our Father God, this morning it is so easy for us to be distracted. 00:02:40.220 --> 00:02:48.880 And we confess that we are dependent upon the word that You've given to us. 00:02:51.580 --> 00:02:55.780 And the ministry of the indwelling Spirit in those of us who know Christ. 00:02:58.200 --> 00:03:02.700 And the convicting power of the Spirit in the lives of all who are here. 00:03:04.540 --> 00:03:10.240 To lift up Jesus that He who is our Savior and our Lord. 00:03:11.520 --> 00:03:17.660 The one that someday we will enjoy forever in eternity. 00:03:17.659 --> 00:03:23.979 Is the one that is justly worshipped here as He is in heaven. 00:03:26.300 --> 00:03:31.840 We pray that our affections will be warmed by the passage that we study together. 00:03:32.900 --> 00:03:38.099 That our thoughts and interest in the Lord Jesus Christ will be stirred and strengthened. 00:03:38.780 --> 00:03:41.079 And as a result of our attention to the word. 00:03:41.080 --> 00:03:46.380 That what we have described in 2 Corinthians chapter 3 might be true. 00:03:46.560 --> 00:03:52.460 That we would grow from glory to glory as we behold as in a mirror. 00:03:53.720 --> 00:03:55.600 The truth of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:03:56.880 --> 00:04:00.020 And enjoy the working of the Spirit of God in us. 00:04:01.140 --> 00:04:01.960 This morning. 00:04:04.600 --> 00:04:07.320 And we ask this in Jesus' name and for His glory. 00:04:08.720 --> 00:04:09.160 Amen. 00:04:09.160 --> 00:04:09.280 Amen. 00:04:09.280 --> 00:04:09.340 Amen. 00:04:11.080 --> 00:04:11.480 Amen. 00:04:14.240 --> 00:04:19.520 I want you to stop and think just for a moment this morning at a question that has really, 00:04:20.199 --> 00:04:24.520 I'd say close to obsessed me for the last several weeks. 00:04:26.319 --> 00:04:35.100 And that really is, why did God choose to make the announcement of His Son, 00:04:35.100 --> 00:04:43.080 our Savior, the one on whom we rest for all eternity? 00:04:43.080 --> 00:04:51.480 Why did He choose to make the announcement of His incarnation in such an unassuming and quiet way? 00:04:51.480 --> 00:05:07.080 I didn't do it, but just imagine that this morning when it came time for the preaching of the sermon, 00:05:07.079 --> 00:05:14.139 I had had John ask all of you to stand. 00:05:14.139 --> 00:05:18.759 And then I had walked in to hail to the chief. 00:05:18.759 --> 00:05:24.920 Now, think about that. 00:05:26.199 --> 00:05:29.240 It would have been so inappropriate for me. 00:05:29.560 --> 00:05:30.120 Isn't that true? 00:05:30.120 --> 00:05:34.199 It would have been wrong. 00:05:34.340 --> 00:05:41.840 Now, had the president actually arrived here, I mean, there would have been a motorcade, 00:05:42.060 --> 00:05:47.500 and there would have been helicopters, and there would have been police officers over every overpass, 00:05:47.500 --> 00:05:52.120 and his transfer from Port Columbus over to here would have been, 00:05:52.199 --> 00:05:53.879 all the streets would have been blocked off. 00:05:54.699 --> 00:05:57.399 Every police officer would have been called in off of duty, 00:05:57.540 --> 00:06:00.480 and it would have been just a, and then he walks in, and how, you know, 00:06:00.639 --> 00:06:02.800 even though it was church, probably someone would have said, 00:06:02.899 --> 00:06:04.639 we ought to play hail to the chief, you know. 00:06:04.680 --> 00:06:06.300 It's like, it is the president. 00:06:07.639 --> 00:06:08.339 Here I am. 00:06:08.339 --> 00:06:18.979 So why did Jesus come in such a humble fashion? 00:06:20.779 --> 00:06:22.599 I think it's pretty important for you to think about. 00:06:25.579 --> 00:06:27.859 How many of you, by the way, as this little sidebar, 00:06:28.859 --> 00:06:32.739 have been eating in a restaurant with your wife or your husband, 00:06:32.959 --> 00:06:36.019 and they happen to order something that's really outstanding? 00:06:36.099 --> 00:06:37.019 At least they think so. 00:06:37.019 --> 00:06:43.319 And they're kind of, how many of you, when you are enjoying food, make good sounds? 00:06:43.519 --> 00:06:45.839 You're like, mmm, ah, man. 00:06:46.359 --> 00:06:50.039 In fact, I am that way to the point that my wife sometimes, when she is, you know, 00:06:50.259 --> 00:06:51.319 just stop. 00:06:51.519 --> 00:06:53.180 No, it's like, that adds. 00:06:53.299 --> 00:06:55.259 How many of you understand that that kind of amps it up? 00:06:55.519 --> 00:06:57.079 Just go ahead and verbalize it. 00:06:57.319 --> 00:06:58.359 Mmm, mmm. 00:06:58.759 --> 00:07:01.859 And so here we are, we're in the restaurant, and Judas says, 00:07:01.859 --> 00:07:06.439 man, this, you know, this salmon is just exceptional. 00:07:07.100 --> 00:07:12.439 But, you know, in order to give credit, and I don't mind salmon, I'm just kind of over, 00:07:12.660 --> 00:07:19.459 just, but in order to give credit to the value of that taste, how many of you go ahead and stuff a 00:07:19.459 --> 00:07:23.839 couple extra fries in your mouth, a little bit of ketchup on top of that, and then you just pop the 00:07:23.839 --> 00:07:25.480 salmon in on top behind it, right? 00:07:26.259 --> 00:07:27.379 You don't do that. 00:07:29.680 --> 00:07:35.120 I mean, if you're serious about the taste, you want to give credit to your wife's appreciation. 00:07:35.980 --> 00:07:39.939 I mean, top off, what you do is you rinse your mouth out a little bit with water, you know, 00:07:40.020 --> 00:07:43.120 and switch it around, and now you don't spit it out in a restaurant. 00:07:43.220 --> 00:07:44.000 I understand that. 00:07:44.200 --> 00:07:46.000 You swallow it, but, you know. 00:07:46.000 --> 00:07:50.100 And then, when your palate's marginally clean, then you take the taste. 00:07:50.139 --> 00:07:50.660 Am I right? 00:07:52.100 --> 00:07:53.779 And you say, oh, that's good. 00:07:54.560 --> 00:07:55.180 That's good. 00:07:55.180 --> 00:08:06.319 I would ask that by the help of the Holy Spirit, you kind of clean your palate away from the 00:08:06.319 --> 00:08:13.040 garbage and think carefully about why Jesus chose to come like he did. 00:08:13.040 --> 00:08:25.520 Why did God choose to announce the birth of his son the way he did? 00:08:28.740 --> 00:08:36.500 Well, as we think about this, and I think there's tremendous value in the thought, I want us to 00:08:36.500 --> 00:08:43.960 begin at least by following the text here and recognizing that he announced this to an interesting 00:08:43.960 --> 00:08:44.460 group. 00:08:46.100 --> 00:08:53.000 As we open the lesson this morning, we look there and we see that Christ's first earthly arrival 00:08:53.000 --> 00:08:57.139 was not announced in a dramatic fashion. 00:08:58.279 --> 00:09:05.679 Instead, his birth took place in a neglected corner of Israel in a shack that was normally 00:09:05.679 --> 00:09:07.199 used to shelter animals. 00:09:11.439 --> 00:09:15.759 I want you to pick up, if you would, there in verse 8 and just remind yourself of how the 00:09:15.759 --> 00:09:17.019 Christmas story plays out. 00:09:17.659 --> 00:09:24.399 And we read there that the angel of the Lord in verse 9 appears to these shepherds that were 00:09:24.399 --> 00:09:26.159 marked out in verse 8. 00:09:26.319 --> 00:09:27.399 They're out in the field. 00:09:27.559 --> 00:09:29.120 They're taking care of sheep. 00:09:29.120 --> 00:09:39.399 And we have kind of idealized shepherds and sheep because, you know, after all, it's part of Christmas. 00:09:39.840 --> 00:09:43.919 And by the way, how many of you know that bales of hay were like nine bucks a bale? 00:09:47.419 --> 00:09:49.120 Is that over the top or what? 00:09:49.960 --> 00:09:51.299 I mean, it's like, I can't believe that. 00:09:51.340 --> 00:09:52.980 By the way, I didn't buy these. 00:09:53.080 --> 00:09:54.720 Sharma lent them to me. 00:09:54.720 --> 00:09:57.220 The pickup truck is where they go back afterwards. 00:09:57.660 --> 00:09:59.060 Horses need them. 00:09:59.899 --> 00:10:06.100 But, you know, I want you to recognize that this passage gives us a picture of some very 00:10:06.100 --> 00:10:11.860 unusual people chosen by God to bring some pretty important information to. 00:10:11.860 --> 00:10:17.980 And I do want you to understand that shepherds were not well respected. 00:10:20.080 --> 00:10:22.899 In fact, you don't need to turn there, but just kind of turn back. 00:10:23.019 --> 00:10:27.340 Think in your mind back to Genesis chapter 46 in verse 24. 00:10:27.779 --> 00:10:34.360 Remember when Joseph is in the land of Egypt and it comes time to bring Jacob and the whole 00:10:34.360 --> 00:10:36.060 clan into Egypt. 00:10:36.059 --> 00:10:42.359 And Pharaoh says to Jacob, so what do you do for a living? 00:10:42.599 --> 00:10:44.000 How many of you have those questions? 00:10:44.279 --> 00:10:44.959 Well, I'm a doctor. 00:10:45.939 --> 00:10:47.099 I'm a shepherd. 00:10:47.359 --> 00:10:47.799 What? 00:10:48.339 --> 00:10:53.119 And it says this, that the Egyptians abhorred. 00:10:54.179 --> 00:10:58.059 Shepherds were an abomination to Egyptians. 00:10:58.059 --> 00:11:05.479 Now, the Bible picture of shepherds is a little more positive. 00:11:05.679 --> 00:11:08.539 I mean, after all, how many of you know the shepherd's psalm? 00:11:08.599 --> 00:11:09.719 I mean, every one of us, right? 00:11:09.839 --> 00:11:12.079 Psalm 23, the Lord is my shepherd. 00:11:12.659 --> 00:11:17.699 And we think about the fact that God in his care for us, he's like a shepherd. 00:11:19.119 --> 00:11:23.899 In fact, Old Testament kings like to carry that idea a little bit. 00:11:23.899 --> 00:11:28.139 But it was more idealized than in practical reality because the truth of the matter is 00:11:28.139 --> 00:11:34.539 is that shepherds were not well regarded in Jewish culture. 00:11:34.740 --> 00:11:45.379 So much so that if Jim Bob had seen Bubba murdering Sally. 00:11:46.860 --> 00:11:47.360 You got that? 00:11:47.500 --> 00:11:48.639 I mean, are we tracking so far? 00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:53.720 Jim Bob saw Bubba murder Sally, and Jim Bob was a shepherd. 00:11:54.379 --> 00:11:58.000 When they asked publicly, did anybody see Bubba murder Sally? 00:11:58.240 --> 00:12:00.500 And Jim Bob raised his hand and said, I did. 00:12:01.259 --> 00:12:02.980 They'd say, disqualified. 00:12:04.080 --> 00:12:08.759 Shepherds were not allowed to ever give testimony publicly. 00:12:13.279 --> 00:12:15.379 God chose a shepherd group. 00:12:18.639 --> 00:12:21.519 To be the ones that he announced the coming of his son to. 00:12:24.539 --> 00:12:27.100 And I want you to stop and think with me just for a moment. 00:12:27.279 --> 00:12:28.519 Why did he do that? 00:12:31.220 --> 00:12:36.220 Why would he have the Lord of glory come the first time 00:12:36.220 --> 00:12:42.360 in such an unassuming, quiet manner to a corner neglected 00:12:42.360 --> 00:12:51.399 and then announce his coming to people that by the community and culture 00:12:51.399 --> 00:12:53.419 were not chosen and regarded? 00:12:54.240 --> 00:12:55.899 Oh, by the way, so that you understand, 00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:59.560 there were some other people that knew about Jesus' birth. 00:12:59.680 --> 00:13:01.779 How many of you know the wise men? 00:13:01.899 --> 00:13:02.720 Where did they come from? 00:13:02.779 --> 00:13:03.820 By the way, they were what? 00:13:03.879 --> 00:13:04.840 What's the word for them? 00:13:05.039 --> 00:13:06.019 They were pagans. 00:13:07.320 --> 00:13:07.720 Pagans. 00:13:07.720 --> 00:13:11.120 Remember, they showed up and they said, 00:13:11.480 --> 00:13:14.060 all right, where is the king of the Jews? 00:13:14.200 --> 00:13:16.440 And Herod was pretty lit up about this, remember? 00:13:16.860 --> 00:13:18.800 And he says, when you find him, 00:13:18.840 --> 00:13:21.100 you come back and let me know where he is. 00:13:23.300 --> 00:13:25.899 And they were advised by angels to go a different way. 00:13:26.019 --> 00:13:27.680 And as a result of that, 00:13:27.680 --> 00:13:31.779 Herod slaughtered all the children in that area up to two years old. 00:13:31.779 --> 00:13:42.139 Shepherds and pagans were the first ones who were given advice 00:13:42.139 --> 00:13:45.559 about the coming of Christ, Joseph and Mary. 00:13:46.839 --> 00:13:49.179 And so I want you to kind of chew on this. 00:13:49.279 --> 00:13:49.620 Why? 00:13:49.879 --> 00:13:50.220 Why? 00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:50.639 Why? 00:13:50.839 --> 00:13:53.059 How many of you understand that one of the more important questions 00:13:53.059 --> 00:13:56.579 to answer when you're studying the Scriptures is that why question? 00:13:56.720 --> 00:13:58.100 Why did he do it this way? 00:13:58.539 --> 00:13:59.539 Why is that here? 00:13:59.539 --> 00:14:01.299 What is its value to me? 00:14:02.220 --> 00:14:06.159 And I have to confess that as this question just lingered in my mind 00:14:06.159 --> 00:14:09.039 over and over again through the last several weeks in particular, 00:14:09.659 --> 00:14:14.639 I could not come to one particular passage that said thus, 00:14:16.240 --> 00:14:17.299 well, here's the answer. 00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:20.360 But on the other hand, 00:14:20.779 --> 00:14:22.459 there is much in the Scripture 00:14:22.459 --> 00:14:28.819 that indicates the gentleness of our God in meeting our need 00:14:28.820 --> 00:14:32.600 and his readiness to condescend on our behalf. 00:14:33.600 --> 00:14:35.200 Let me have you think with me just for a moment 00:14:35.200 --> 00:14:36.240 and kind of frame this out. 00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:38.100 Job. 00:14:39.080 --> 00:14:39.800 Remember Job? 00:14:41.020 --> 00:14:43.720 The King James says he was an upright man who eschewed evil. 00:14:43.879 --> 00:14:45.340 How many of you like that word, eschewed? 00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:49.680 Practice it at home and say it three or four times around the dinner table, okay? 00:14:49.679 --> 00:14:51.659 He was a good guy. 00:14:53.559 --> 00:14:57.699 And God allowed some real difficulties to come into his life. 00:14:58.120 --> 00:14:59.839 And in the face of all these difficulties, 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:03.899 you remember that Job finally at one point in frustration says, 00:15:04.059 --> 00:15:08.459 man, I wish there was someone who would put his hand on God 00:15:08.459 --> 00:15:11.759 and his hand on man and kind of bring them together. 00:15:11.759 --> 00:15:15.840 A daisman. 00:15:15.960 --> 00:15:18.700 Someone who could be a go-between. 00:15:20.860 --> 00:15:24.319 Remember when Moses went up the mount to receive the law 00:15:24.319 --> 00:15:27.439 and God revealed himself to the nation of Israel 00:15:27.439 --> 00:15:30.240 and he comes back, Moses comes back, 00:15:30.299 --> 00:15:33.439 and he lays out the glory of the revelation of God 00:15:33.439 --> 00:15:37.879 and the people, they're kind of overwhelmed by the reality 00:15:37.879 --> 00:15:41.480 of the glory of God and the word that he has for them. 00:15:41.480 --> 00:15:45.259 And they say, Moses, Moses, would you do the talking with him 00:15:45.259 --> 00:15:48.060 and then you come down here and communicate with us? 00:15:48.200 --> 00:15:49.259 We're terrified. 00:15:52.139 --> 00:15:58.740 God in his awesome glory, knowing our frame and our dust, 00:16:02.320 --> 00:16:05.720 chose to come with unbelievable humility 00:16:05.720 --> 00:16:11.259 and in that humility to reveal himself as our Savior. 00:16:11.480 --> 00:16:17.379 I do want you to understand this issue of God coming down, for one, 00:16:18.100 --> 00:16:21.379 reflects this matter of humility in a profound fashion. 00:16:21.580 --> 00:16:22.980 Several different things come to mind. 00:16:23.440 --> 00:16:26.420 I do want you to understand that what it says in Scripture 00:16:26.420 --> 00:16:28.060 is that the ones who are blessed 00:16:28.060 --> 00:16:31.240 are those who are humble and broken. 00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:36.019 And here is God presenting his son in a humble fashion 00:16:36.019 --> 00:16:39.200 and he reminds us of the reality 00:16:39.200 --> 00:16:41.840 that the ones who receive the blessings of God 00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:45.019 are those who are humbled and contrite. 00:16:46.060 --> 00:16:49.320 I think about Isaiah chapter 66 where it says this, 00:16:49.799 --> 00:16:51.919 that the prophet recounts and says, 00:16:52.060 --> 00:16:54.620 who is it that God reveals himself to? 00:16:54.620 --> 00:17:02.279 The one who is humble and broken and trembles at my word. 00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:08.599 I couldn't help as I was praying earlier today 00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:11.460 to stop and think about the culture we have 00:17:11.460 --> 00:17:14.759 that pushes against the idea of humility. 00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:19.500 I mean, what kid doesn't go to school 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:21.480 and hear about from the time they walk in 00:17:21.480 --> 00:17:22.579 through the doors of the school 00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:24.480 to the time they at least come out. 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:26.360 At least in the professional context, 00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:28.960 you're special, you're the best, you're the winner. 00:17:29.140 --> 00:17:31.779 Everybody gets, you know, we're full of ourselves. 00:17:31.779 --> 00:17:35.180 And our community encourages that. 00:17:38.539 --> 00:17:40.240 And yet the Scripture tells us 00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:42.220 that the one that God reveals himself to 00:17:42.220 --> 00:17:46.059 is the one who recognizes his sin 00:17:46.059 --> 00:17:51.180 and is humble in the prospect of his soul's condition. 00:17:51.480 --> 00:17:56.400 I think also of this business of who God calls. 00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:59.400 Turn over in your Bible just for a moment 00:17:59.400 --> 00:18:01.299 to 1 Corinthians chapter 1. 00:18:04.700 --> 00:18:06.960 1 Corinthians chapter 1, 00:18:07.380 --> 00:18:12.819 verse 26 through 29. 00:18:12.819 --> 00:18:20.619 The church at Corinth was a church that was full of people 00:18:20.619 --> 00:18:24.240 that had a fairly inflated view of themselves. 00:18:25.619 --> 00:18:26.119 Hello? 00:18:27.119 --> 00:18:29.740 Let me give you a couple hints of what were indicators 00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:32.119 that they had an inflated view of themselves. 00:18:32.679 --> 00:18:32.839 Okay? 00:18:33.399 --> 00:18:34.199 Number one, 00:18:35.059 --> 00:18:38.539 inflated self-appreciation 00:18:38.539 --> 00:18:40.779 is invariably the cause 00:18:40.779 --> 00:18:42.339 of a lot of dissension 00:18:42.339 --> 00:18:44.220 and bickering among people. 00:18:44.299 --> 00:18:45.279 How many of you understand that? 00:18:46.699 --> 00:18:48.000 Overly simplifying it, 00:18:48.039 --> 00:18:48.939 let me put it this way. 00:18:49.299 --> 00:18:51.039 When Judith and I were younger 00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:53.019 and our four children were still with us 00:18:53.019 --> 00:18:56.199 and we would decide that we were going to go out to dinner, 00:18:56.379 --> 00:18:57.759 we would ask early on, 00:18:57.819 --> 00:18:59.339 this is before we learned the importance 00:18:59.339 --> 00:19:00.899 of the appropriate approach. 00:19:01.179 --> 00:19:01.720 We would say, 00:19:01.879 --> 00:19:02.819 all right, all right, 00:19:03.079 --> 00:19:05.419 where would you like to go to dinner? 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:07.639 And we'd kind of address it as a general view. 00:19:07.980 --> 00:19:09.859 And guess what would happen in the back of the car? 00:19:11.419 --> 00:19:15.980 We had four professional opinions 00:19:15.980 --> 00:19:18.039 of where was best to eat. 00:19:18.299 --> 00:19:20.559 And everyone not only proposed 00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:22.240 where the best place was to go, 00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:23.559 but on top of that, 00:19:23.779 --> 00:19:25.399 they would then begin throwing stones. 00:19:25.579 --> 00:19:27.019 You want to go to McDonald's? 00:19:27.079 --> 00:19:28.159 I can't believe... 00:19:28.160 --> 00:19:29.820 They were over the top 00:19:29.820 --> 00:19:32.380 with approval of their own 00:19:32.380 --> 00:19:34.759 and disapproval of everybody else's vote. 00:19:34.980 --> 00:19:38.160 Why do we have arguments and dissent 00:19:38.160 --> 00:19:40.120 and irritable attitudes? 00:19:40.380 --> 00:19:41.420 Full of ourselves. 00:19:43.720 --> 00:19:46.440 Corinth, full of themselves. 00:19:47.820 --> 00:19:48.519 And Paul says, 00:19:48.980 --> 00:19:52.480 a remedy to your being so full of yourself 00:19:52.480 --> 00:19:54.920 is understanding, number one, 00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:56.060 why God picked you 00:19:56.060 --> 00:19:57.480 and where He drew you from. 00:19:58.160 --> 00:19:59.259 That's what we're dealing with there 00:19:59.259 --> 00:20:00.700 in 1 Corinthians chapter 1. 00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:03.800 And we mark out what it says there in verse 26. 00:20:04.220 --> 00:20:06.180 For consider your calling, brothers. 00:20:08.380 --> 00:20:09.720 Not many of you were wise 00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:11.140 according to the worldly standards. 00:20:11.300 --> 00:20:12.420 Not many were powerful. 00:20:12.580 --> 00:20:14.000 Not many were of noble birth. 00:20:14.340 --> 00:20:16.720 But God chose what is foolish in the world 00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:17.940 to shame the wise. 00:20:18.500 --> 00:20:20.279 God chose what is weak in the world 00:20:20.279 --> 00:20:21.259 to shame the strong. 00:20:21.600 --> 00:20:24.100 God chose what is low and despised in the world, 00:20:24.099 --> 00:20:25.779 even things that are not, 00:20:25.779 --> 00:20:28.459 to bring to nothing things that are, 00:20:29.740 --> 00:20:34.699 so that no human being may boast 00:20:34.699 --> 00:20:36.959 in the presence of God. 00:20:38.439 --> 00:20:40.959 Everywhere the shepherds turned, 00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:44.119 they had people telling them consistently, 00:20:44.699 --> 00:20:45.980 you ain't nobody. 00:20:45.980 --> 00:20:46.059 Nobody. 00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:50.599 And God shows up and says, 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:51.279 and by the way, 00:20:51.339 --> 00:20:53.420 it's the nobodies that I want to use 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:55.700 to draw attention to the fact 00:20:55.700 --> 00:20:58.160 that the Savior of the world has come. 00:21:01.599 --> 00:21:03.380 More importantly than that, though, 00:21:04.380 --> 00:21:07.380 it is appropriate that our Savior 00:21:07.380 --> 00:21:09.279 who came in humiliation 00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:11.059 should present His coming 00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:12.519 in a humble fashion. 00:21:12.519 --> 00:21:13.559 So remind yourself, 00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:14.799 Christ humbled Himself 00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:15.859 to become our Savior. 00:21:16.759 --> 00:21:18.000 Turn in your Bible, if you would, 00:21:18.019 --> 00:21:19.119 to Philippians chapter 2. 00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:20.819 You're there in Luke. 00:21:20.920 --> 00:21:21.500 Keep your finger 00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:22.599 because we're coming back to it. 00:21:22.639 --> 00:21:23.500 But I want you to turn 00:21:23.500 --> 00:21:25.339 to Philippians chapter 2 00:21:25.339 --> 00:21:26.279 and mark what it says 00:21:26.279 --> 00:21:27.519 in verse 5 through 9. 00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:34.000 Have this mind among yourselves, 00:21:34.119 --> 00:21:35.680 which is yours in Christ Jesus, 00:21:36.759 --> 00:21:38.960 who though He was in the form of God, 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:41.639 did not count equality with God 00:21:41.640 --> 00:21:43.759 a thing to be grasped, 00:21:45.920 --> 00:21:48.259 but made Himself nothing, 00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:49.780 taking the form of a servant, 00:21:50.820 --> 00:21:54.060 being born in the likeness of a man. 00:21:55.060 --> 00:21:56.080 Hey, guys, listen. 00:21:58.460 --> 00:22:03.100 To lay aside His regal splendor 00:22:03.100 --> 00:22:06.060 as the second person of the Godhead 00:22:06.059 --> 00:22:11.859 and to take upon Himself 00:22:11.859 --> 00:22:13.500 the fashion of a man 00:22:13.500 --> 00:22:18.619 was the incredible, 00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:23.079 unfathomable step of humility. 00:22:24.940 --> 00:22:26.700 And so to choose 00:22:26.700 --> 00:22:30.460 to come in that profoundly humble way 00:22:30.460 --> 00:22:31.980 and then to come in 00:22:31.980 --> 00:22:34.500 with any kind of flair and panache 00:22:34.500 --> 00:22:35.480 would have come off 00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:37.400 actually being inconsistent. 00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:42.799 And so I want you to understand 00:22:42.799 --> 00:22:45.420 that as the Bible tells us, 00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:47.559 Christ came with this humility 00:22:47.559 --> 00:22:48.619 for our sakes. 00:22:50.740 --> 00:22:51.980 And He did it so that 00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:53.480 He would be humbled unto death, 00:22:54.119 --> 00:22:56.019 even the death on the cross for us. 00:22:57.119 --> 00:22:58.460 I think about another passage 00:22:58.460 --> 00:22:59.559 in relationship to this 00:22:59.559 --> 00:23:01.839 over in 2 Corinthians chapter 8 verse 9. 00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:03.839 And in essence what it says is this, 00:23:03.899 --> 00:23:04.839 is though He was rich, 00:23:04.879 --> 00:23:06.819 He became poor for us. 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:09.480 How many of you ever stop 00:23:09.480 --> 00:23:13.179 and realize that the shepherds, 00:23:14.179 --> 00:23:15.259 the manger, 00:23:16.439 --> 00:23:18.359 is not an idealized 00:23:18.359 --> 00:23:20.199 little Christmas decoration, 00:23:20.659 --> 00:23:21.619 it is a reminder 00:23:21.619 --> 00:23:24.159 of the abject humility 00:23:24.159 --> 00:23:25.740 with which Christ came 00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:28.419 to meet our broken state? 00:23:28.420 --> 00:23:34.580 So how else 00:23:34.580 --> 00:23:39.580 to announce the unbelievable grace of God 00:23:39.580 --> 00:23:41.720 in sending His Son, 00:23:41.800 --> 00:23:42.920 the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:23:43.080 --> 00:23:44.640 who willingly humbled Himself 00:23:44.640 --> 00:23:45.800 to be my Savior 00:23:45.800 --> 00:23:47.000 and die in my place? 00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:49.279 How else to make that announcement 00:23:49.279 --> 00:23:51.779 but to do it with the same kind 00:23:51.779 --> 00:23:52.539 of humility 00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:55.120 that we find in the passage of Scripture 00:23:55.120 --> 00:23:56.340 that we look at this morning? 00:23:56.339 --> 00:23:59.500 But I want you to look at 00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:01.179 a second part of the text this morning 00:24:01.179 --> 00:24:02.279 because it's not just 00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:03.980 the fact that Jesus came 00:24:03.980 --> 00:24:05.799 and His coming was something 00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:07.099 that was announced by shepherds. 00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:08.720 That's a small sidebar 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:09.459 and an issue that, 00:24:10.179 --> 00:24:11.259 while it deserves our attention, 00:24:11.359 --> 00:24:12.720 is not the center of the story. 00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:15.980 I want you to recognize 00:24:15.980 --> 00:24:17.039 what we find there 00:24:17.039 --> 00:24:19.139 in the passage in verse 10. 00:24:19.240 --> 00:24:19.359 It says, 00:24:19.359 --> 00:24:28.240 So I want you to think about 00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:30.339 this issue of good news for all. 00:24:33.339 --> 00:24:34.579 It was for the nation. 00:24:35.799 --> 00:24:37.039 It was for the world. 00:24:38.639 --> 00:24:39.500 And I want you to stop 00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:40.699 and think with me just for a moment 00:24:40.699 --> 00:24:41.899 about what that little word 00:24:41.899 --> 00:24:43.240 good news means. 00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:45.879 Am I right? 00:24:45.880 --> 00:24:49.400 Tonight in the program, 00:24:49.540 --> 00:24:50.500 Steve, I know you're the one 00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:51.200 who rocks it out, 00:24:51.280 --> 00:24:51.680 so I got to, 00:24:51.820 --> 00:24:52.040 you're the, 00:24:52.440 --> 00:24:54.400 aren't we doing this good news number? 00:24:54.600 --> 00:24:55.440 John, where are you? 00:24:55.540 --> 00:24:55.760 Way back. 00:24:56.260 --> 00:24:57.180 It's, by the way, 00:24:57.380 --> 00:24:59.260 little solicitation off the page. 00:25:00.540 --> 00:25:01.660 The Christmas program 00:25:01.660 --> 00:25:03.760 is knockout good. 00:25:05.620 --> 00:25:07.280 I went home and I told my wife, 00:25:07.360 --> 00:25:08.000 she's in the nursery 00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:08.720 so she can't hear, 00:25:08.860 --> 00:25:09.720 don't tell her what I said. 00:25:11.140 --> 00:25:11.980 Everybody always does. 00:25:11.980 --> 00:25:13.280 I came home, 00:25:13.420 --> 00:25:13.640 I said, 00:25:13.740 --> 00:25:13.980 man, 00:25:14.060 --> 00:25:15.620 it was a really good Christmas program. 00:25:16.660 --> 00:25:18.060 It was really good. 00:25:18.200 --> 00:25:18.560 I mean, 00:25:18.920 --> 00:25:19.380 by the way, 00:25:19.560 --> 00:25:20.520 clapping is allowed. 00:25:20.660 --> 00:25:21.320 I will clap 00:25:21.320 --> 00:25:22.560 if nobody else does tonight. 00:25:23.180 --> 00:25:23.900 It was, 00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:25.200 but one of the numbers 00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:25.860 in particular 00:25:25.860 --> 00:25:27.060 that I really like, 00:25:27.180 --> 00:25:28.600 I did not know 00:25:28.600 --> 00:25:30.260 that 00:25:30.260 --> 00:25:33.280 white Anglo-Saxons 00:25:33.280 --> 00:25:34.120 could be as 00:25:34.120 --> 00:25:35.180 into it. 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:41.900 I'm a lot of friends. 00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:48.060 I know, 00:25:48.260 --> 00:25:48.620 I know, 00:25:48.700 --> 00:25:49.640 I grew up with that, 00:25:50.060 --> 00:25:51.280 don't you be moving like that, 00:25:51.320 --> 00:25:52.240 that could be dancing, 00:25:52.340 --> 00:25:52.520 you know. 00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:00.760 Okay. 00:26:00.760 --> 00:26:00.860 Okay. 00:26:06.800 --> 00:26:07.480 Good news. 00:26:08.600 --> 00:26:09.540 What's the good news? 00:26:09.539 --> 00:26:12.159 I'm not going to bore you 00:26:12.159 --> 00:26:12.839 with the details, 00:26:13.019 --> 00:26:13.779 but not bore you, 00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:14.319 that's not the way 00:26:14.319 --> 00:26:14.799 I want to say it. 00:26:14.819 --> 00:26:15.619 I'm not going to 00:26:15.619 --> 00:26:16.539 overweight you 00:26:16.539 --> 00:26:18.339 with the Greek here, 00:26:18.460 --> 00:26:19.920 but the word euangelion, 00:26:20.139 --> 00:26:20.980 which is the word 00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:22.200 from which we get good news, 00:26:22.639 --> 00:26:24.480 is a word that was used 00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:25.639 in the Roman world 00:26:25.639 --> 00:26:28.539 for special things. 00:26:30.599 --> 00:26:30.839 You know, 00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:32.279 we overuse words 00:26:32.279 --> 00:26:32.899 and they kind of 00:26:32.899 --> 00:26:35.619 lose their effect. 00:26:35.619 --> 00:26:37.339 it's like, 00:26:37.679 --> 00:26:38.319 outstanding, 00:26:39.239 --> 00:26:39.559 you know. 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:41.559 My favorite one 00:26:41.559 --> 00:26:42.399 is when you go 00:26:42.399 --> 00:26:43.059 to the restaurant, 00:26:43.179 --> 00:26:43.779 I'm picking on 00:26:43.779 --> 00:26:44.519 restaurants today, 00:26:45.099 --> 00:26:45.399 but, 00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:46.019 you know, 00:26:46.099 --> 00:26:48.039 and you tell the waitress 00:26:48.039 --> 00:26:48.479 that you're going 00:26:48.479 --> 00:26:49.079 to order something 00:26:49.079 --> 00:26:49.619 and she says, 00:26:49.699 --> 00:26:50.679 excellent choice. 00:26:51.299 --> 00:26:51.619 Like, 00:26:51.839 --> 00:26:52.839 give me a break. 00:26:53.339 --> 00:26:54.619 Every time I've been here 00:26:54.619 --> 00:26:55.899 you've said the same thing, 00:26:55.959 --> 00:26:56.159 you know. 00:26:56.199 --> 00:26:56.519 It's like, 00:26:57.099 --> 00:26:57.459 really? 00:26:58.679 --> 00:26:59.339 I'm going to have 00:26:59.339 --> 00:27:00.559 a hamburger again? 00:27:01.000 --> 00:27:01.959 Excellent choice. 00:27:02.439 --> 00:27:02.599 You know, 00:27:02.659 --> 00:27:04.299 sometimes we overdo words. 00:27:05.619 --> 00:27:07.739 euangelion was not 00:27:07.739 --> 00:27:08.939 a word that was overdone. 00:27:10.919 --> 00:27:12.119 It was a word 00:27:12.119 --> 00:27:14.359 that when Luke penned it, 00:27:15.139 --> 00:27:17.000 had a fairly narrow 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:21.199 use and understanding 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:22.419 in the ancient world. 00:27:23.919 --> 00:27:25.119 It was a word 00:27:25.119 --> 00:27:26.039 that was used 00:27:26.039 --> 00:27:29.139 to kind of announce 00:27:29.139 --> 00:27:31.259 exceptional things. 00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:34.279 Two primary illustrations 00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:34.899 come to mind, 00:27:34.939 --> 00:27:35.399 maybe three. 00:27:35.619 --> 00:27:36.839 One was that 00:27:36.839 --> 00:27:37.719 when an emperor 00:27:37.719 --> 00:27:39.019 had a son born, 00:27:39.159 --> 00:27:40.619 this was the heir, 00:27:40.779 --> 00:27:41.239 a parent, 00:27:41.459 --> 00:27:42.379 and he was the one 00:27:42.379 --> 00:27:43.079 the kingdom was going 00:27:43.079 --> 00:27:43.979 to be handed off to 00:27:43.979 --> 00:27:44.539 and everybody could, 00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:45.259 okay, 00:27:45.339 --> 00:27:46.019 we're not going to go 00:27:46.019 --> 00:27:46.679 through a messy, 00:27:46.839 --> 00:27:47.959 bloody kind of transition 00:27:47.959 --> 00:27:48.979 when the king dies. 00:27:49.179 --> 00:27:50.139 Maybe be reasonable. 00:27:50.679 --> 00:27:52.019 And when the king 00:27:52.019 --> 00:27:53.199 had a son, 00:27:53.539 --> 00:27:54.159 it was like, 00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:55.319 this is euangelion, 00:27:55.439 --> 00:27:56.559 this is good news. 00:27:58.799 --> 00:27:59.579 Another thing 00:27:59.579 --> 00:28:00.559 that really brought 00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:01.319 about good news 00:28:01.319 --> 00:28:02.939 is when the army 00:28:02.939 --> 00:28:04.419 came back victorious 00:28:04.420 --> 00:28:05.640 from a campaign 00:28:05.640 --> 00:28:07.060 that had defeated 00:28:07.060 --> 00:28:09.080 a mortal enemy, 00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:11.720 the news would come 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:12.000 and it would, 00:28:12.240 --> 00:28:13.000 good news, 00:28:13.100 --> 00:28:14.320 the Roman legion 00:28:14.320 --> 00:28:15.060 has won. 00:28:17.640 --> 00:28:18.600 Another good news 00:28:18.600 --> 00:28:19.640 would be 00:28:19.640 --> 00:28:22.560 when a city 00:28:22.560 --> 00:28:25.060 that had irritated 00:28:25.060 --> 00:28:25.860 the emperor 00:28:25.860 --> 00:28:28.800 and all the legion 00:28:28.800 --> 00:28:30.160 had kind of circled 00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:30.920 around the city 00:28:30.920 --> 00:28:31.700 and there they were. 00:28:31.700 --> 00:28:32.460 And by the way, 00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:33.140 I want you to know 00:28:33.140 --> 00:28:34.080 that the Roman legion 00:28:34.080 --> 00:28:35.380 was not someone 00:28:35.380 --> 00:28:36.259 to mess with. 00:28:39.140 --> 00:28:40.819 So there's the foreign legion, 00:28:40.900 --> 00:28:41.680 the Roman legion 00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:42.440 around the city 00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:44.980 and they send out delegates 00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:45.380 and say, 00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:46.360 we're really sorry, 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:47.140 we're sorry, 00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:48.100 we offended the emperor, 00:28:48.180 --> 00:28:48.660 we're going to pay 00:28:48.660 --> 00:28:49.880 all our taxes back 00:28:49.880 --> 00:28:51.259 and you don't have 00:28:51.259 --> 00:28:51.779 to kill us, 00:28:51.860 --> 00:28:52.700 we'll be good people 00:28:52.700 --> 00:28:55.340 and good news, 00:28:55.420 --> 00:28:55.860 you're not going 00:28:55.860 --> 00:28:56.700 to be slaughtered, 00:28:57.240 --> 00:28:57.519 right? 00:28:57.840 --> 00:28:58.279 Wow! 00:28:58.600 --> 00:28:59.559 That's good news. 00:28:59.559 --> 00:29:01.879 And so here, 00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:02.859 you get this picture, 00:29:03.359 --> 00:29:04.519 here in Luke, 00:29:05.899 --> 00:29:06.879 the angels say, 00:29:07.159 --> 00:29:08.359 don't you be afraid, 00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:12.240 I bring you good news. 00:29:12.740 --> 00:29:13.799 What is the good news? 00:29:15.639 --> 00:29:16.119 You see, 00:29:16.859 --> 00:29:18.659 the good news 00:29:18.659 --> 00:29:19.759 that we find here 00:29:19.759 --> 00:29:21.980 is one that deserves 00:29:21.980 --> 00:29:22.919 great joy 00:29:22.919 --> 00:29:23.440 and that's the thing 00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:24.379 I want you to recognize. 00:29:24.380 --> 00:29:27.060 woven into this passage 00:29:27.060 --> 00:29:30.020 is the reality 00:29:30.020 --> 00:29:32.620 that there is something 00:29:32.620 --> 00:29:34.840 that God is doing for us 00:29:34.840 --> 00:29:36.120 that is incredible. 00:29:37.340 --> 00:29:38.460 I wonder this morning 00:29:38.460 --> 00:29:38.920 as you stop 00:29:38.920 --> 00:29:39.660 and think about it, 00:29:40.220 --> 00:29:41.220 whether or not 00:29:41.220 --> 00:29:42.700 every time you think 00:29:42.700 --> 00:29:43.880 about your salvation, 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:46.000 you do not kind of thrill 00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:47.840 at the thought of it. 00:29:49.040 --> 00:29:50.140 Stop just for a moment. 00:29:51.040 --> 00:29:51.680 Check your pulse. 00:29:51.680 --> 00:29:54.900 Mine is about 62. 00:29:55.240 --> 00:29:56.320 Sometimes when I'm worked up 00:29:56.320 --> 00:29:57.259 it goes a little higher, 00:29:57.380 --> 00:29:57.900 but you know. 00:30:00.019 --> 00:30:00.460 Hey, 00:30:01.180 --> 00:30:02.400 if you're a Christian, 00:30:03.160 --> 00:30:04.440 if you know Jesus, 00:30:06.100 --> 00:30:08.259 the thought of your salvation 00:30:08.259 --> 00:30:09.759 is good news 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:11.400 and it ought to cause 00:30:11.400 --> 00:30:12.779 your soul to thrill. 00:30:16.680 --> 00:30:17.680 So here we look 00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:18.580 at this passage 00:30:18.579 --> 00:30:20.740 and we understand 00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:21.919 that the great joy 00:30:21.919 --> 00:30:24.740 of this blessing 00:30:24.740 --> 00:30:27.639 is not freedom from tax 00:30:27.639 --> 00:30:29.539 or deliverance 00:30:29.539 --> 00:30:30.599 from having your head cut off. 00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:31.559 It's more than that. 00:30:31.619 --> 00:30:32.659 It's of eternal consequence 00:30:32.659 --> 00:30:34.139 and this blessing 00:30:34.139 --> 00:30:36.299 as we read in the passage here 00:30:36.299 --> 00:30:37.299 is good news 00:30:37.299 --> 00:30:38.299 not only for the Jews 00:30:38.299 --> 00:30:39.599 but for the entire world. 00:30:39.779 --> 00:30:40.299 What is it? 00:30:41.740 --> 00:30:43.399 Salvation and forgiveness 00:30:43.399 --> 00:30:44.299 for sin 00:30:44.299 --> 00:30:45.960 is available to all 00:30:45.960 --> 00:30:46.859 because of Christ. 00:30:46.859 --> 00:30:48.740 That's what this is saying. 00:30:50.179 --> 00:30:50.619 Salvation 00:30:50.619 --> 00:30:51.619 and forgiveness 00:30:51.619 --> 00:30:52.379 from sin 00:30:52.379 --> 00:30:54.479 available to all 00:30:54.479 --> 00:30:55.479 because of Christ. 00:30:56.639 --> 00:30:57.199 Now Mark, 00:30:57.299 --> 00:30:57.639 if you will, 00:30:57.719 --> 00:30:58.619 there at the last point 00:30:58.619 --> 00:30:59.240 as you look there 00:30:59.240 --> 00:30:59.879 in verse 11 00:30:59.879 --> 00:31:00.139 it says, 00:31:00.299 --> 00:31:00.899 For unto you 00:31:00.899 --> 00:31:02.579 is born this day 00:31:02.579 --> 00:31:03.639 in the city of David 00:31:03.639 --> 00:31:04.559 a Savior. 00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:09.619 What does it 00:31:09.619 --> 00:31:10.799 say 00:31:10.799 --> 00:31:12.019 to us 00:31:12.019 --> 00:31:15.019 when you read 00:31:15.019 --> 00:31:15.559 that word 00:31:15.559 --> 00:31:16.139 Savior? 00:31:16.140 --> 00:31:17.980 what does it 00:31:17.980 --> 00:31:19.360 say about you 00:31:19.360 --> 00:31:21.820 when you admit 00:31:21.820 --> 00:31:22.860 that you need 00:31:22.860 --> 00:31:23.340 a Savior? 00:31:25.160 --> 00:31:25.900 I want you 00:31:25.900 --> 00:31:26.640 to think about that 00:31:26.640 --> 00:31:27.160 because 00:31:27.160 --> 00:31:29.300 when we 00:31:29.300 --> 00:31:30.160 come to grips 00:31:30.160 --> 00:31:30.940 with the reality 00:31:30.940 --> 00:31:32.220 of our own condition 00:31:32.220 --> 00:31:34.380 and we are 00:31:34.380 --> 00:31:34.940 persuaded 00:31:34.940 --> 00:31:36.460 by the Spirit 00:31:36.460 --> 00:31:36.900 of God 00:31:36.900 --> 00:31:37.460 at just how 00:31:37.460 --> 00:31:37.960 miserable 00:31:37.960 --> 00:31:38.960 and how broken 00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:39.540 we are 00:31:39.540 --> 00:31:40.640 it becomes 00:31:40.640 --> 00:31:41.680 reasonable for us 00:31:41.680 --> 00:31:42.320 to recognize 00:31:42.320 --> 00:31:43.400 I need a Savior. 00:31:43.400 --> 00:31:45.360 I need someone 00:31:45.360 --> 00:31:46.100 who can do 00:31:46.100 --> 00:31:46.460 for me 00:31:46.460 --> 00:31:47.240 what I cannot 00:31:47.240 --> 00:31:48.300 do for myself. 00:31:50.120 --> 00:31:50.960 And so I want you 00:31:50.960 --> 00:31:51.420 to recognize 00:31:51.420 --> 00:31:51.960 this morning 00:31:51.960 --> 00:31:52.380 as you look 00:31:52.380 --> 00:31:52.940 at this passage 00:31:52.940 --> 00:31:53.880 that what the 00:31:53.880 --> 00:31:54.480 Scripture makes 00:31:54.480 --> 00:31:55.140 clear is that 00:31:55.140 --> 00:31:56.220 salvation is 00:31:56.220 --> 00:31:56.880 through God's 00:31:56.880 --> 00:31:57.140 Son. 00:31:58.019 --> 00:31:58.420 That's what 00:31:58.420 --> 00:31:58.960 happened at 00:31:58.960 --> 00:31:59.259 Christmas. 00:32:00.200 --> 00:32:00.900 This little 00:32:00.900 --> 00:32:01.519 child 00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:03.500 would become 00:32:03.500 --> 00:32:04.080 our Savior 00:32:04.079 --> 00:32:04.159 Savior. 00:32:05.439 --> 00:32:06.399 Saving us 00:32:06.399 --> 00:32:08.179 from our 00:32:08.179 --> 00:32:08.919 greatest fear 00:32:08.919 --> 00:32:09.220 and our 00:32:09.220 --> 00:32:10.220 greatest problem 00:32:10.220 --> 00:32:11.839 namely from 00:32:11.839 --> 00:32:12.220 the holy 00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:12.899 wrath of God 00:32:12.899 --> 00:32:13.500 against sin 00:32:13.500 --> 00:32:14.019 and how did 00:32:14.019 --> 00:32:14.699 He do that? 00:32:14.700 --> 00:32:18.779 I want you 00:32:18.779 --> 00:32:19.340 to recognize 00:32:19.340 --> 00:32:19.920 as we look 00:32:19.920 --> 00:32:20.480 at the passage 00:32:20.480 --> 00:32:20.920 and think 00:32:20.920 --> 00:32:21.360 about this 00:32:21.360 --> 00:32:21.819 issue of 00:32:21.819 --> 00:32:22.340 Christ being 00:32:22.340 --> 00:32:22.819 our Savior 00:32:22.819 --> 00:32:24.340 that it is 00:32:24.340 --> 00:32:25.039 fair for us 00:32:25.039 --> 00:32:25.660 to understand 00:32:25.660 --> 00:32:26.299 that at the 00:32:26.299 --> 00:32:27.019 heart of this 00:32:27.019 --> 00:32:27.700 is first of 00:32:27.700 --> 00:32:28.380 all a 00:32:28.380 --> 00:32:28.840 recognition 00:32:28.840 --> 00:32:29.460 that man 00:32:29.460 --> 00:32:30.100 cannot save 00:32:30.100 --> 00:32:30.539 himself. 00:32:31.640 --> 00:32:32.299 Man cannot 00:32:32.299 --> 00:32:33.080 save himself. 00:32:34.400 --> 00:32:36.000 I cannot 00:32:36.000 --> 00:32:36.880 help but think 00:32:36.880 --> 00:32:37.880 of a little 00:32:37.880 --> 00:32:38.539 review that I 00:32:38.539 --> 00:32:39.340 did earlier 00:32:39.340 --> 00:32:39.920 this week 00:32:39.920 --> 00:32:40.759 doing some 00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:41.299 reading about 00:32:41.299 --> 00:32:41.720 Islam 00:32:41.720 --> 00:32:42.980 and then 00:32:42.980 --> 00:32:43.519 making some 00:32:43.519 --> 00:32:44.319 comparison with 00:32:44.319 --> 00:32:44.859 Hinduism 00:32:44.859 --> 00:32:46.119 and I was 00:32:46.119 --> 00:32:46.519 doing that 00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:46.960 just because 00:32:46.960 --> 00:32:47.439 of all things 00:32:47.439 --> 00:32:47.919 happening in 00:32:47.919 --> 00:32:48.220 the world 00:32:48.220 --> 00:32:48.659 today and 00:32:48.659 --> 00:32:49.559 we hear a 00:32:49.559 --> 00:32:50.059 lot about 00:32:50.059 --> 00:32:50.439 Islam, 00:32:50.539 --> 00:32:50.799 Islam, 00:32:50.960 --> 00:32:51.379 Islam and 00:32:51.379 --> 00:32:51.899 I recognize 00:32:51.899 --> 00:32:52.819 that it 00:32:52.819 --> 00:32:54.259 kind of has 00:32:54.259 --> 00:32:55.919 a presence 00:32:55.919 --> 00:32:56.720 in a lot 00:32:56.720 --> 00:32:56.939 of our 00:32:56.939 --> 00:32:58.139 thinking but 00:32:58.139 --> 00:32:58.439 it is not 00:32:58.439 --> 00:32:58.960 the only 00:32:58.960 --> 00:33:00.299 religion out 00:33:00.299 --> 00:33:01.259 there and 00:33:01.259 --> 00:33:01.740 having grown 00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:02.019 up in 00:33:02.019 --> 00:33:02.480 India I 00:33:02.480 --> 00:33:03.019 saw that 00:33:03.019 --> 00:33:03.460 Muslims 00:33:03.460 --> 00:33:04.339 and Hindus 00:33:04.339 --> 00:33:04.960 hated each 00:33:04.960 --> 00:33:05.379 other as 00:33:05.379 --> 00:33:05.759 much as 00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:06.000 you can 00:33:06.000 --> 00:33:06.379 imagine. 00:33:06.859 --> 00:33:07.179 In fact 00:33:07.179 --> 00:33:07.859 it was not 00:33:07.859 --> 00:33:08.679 atypical for 00:33:08.679 --> 00:33:09.200 slaughters to 00:33:09.200 --> 00:33:09.639 take back 00:33:09.639 --> 00:33:10.460 and forth 00:33:10.460 --> 00:33:13.079 and both 00:33:13.079 --> 00:33:13.579 actually 00:33:13.579 --> 00:33:14.159 proposed 00:33:14.160 --> 00:33:17.279 that man 00:33:17.279 --> 00:33:18.040 ultimately has 00:33:18.040 --> 00:33:19.060 responsibility for 00:33:19.060 --> 00:33:19.920 the outcome of 00:33:19.920 --> 00:33:20.700 his soul in 00:33:20.700 --> 00:33:21.980 that his own 00:33:21.980 --> 00:33:23.019 effort is what 00:33:23.019 --> 00:33:23.820 is at the 00:33:23.820 --> 00:33:24.900 heart of his 00:33:24.900 --> 00:33:25.500 redemption. 00:33:27.120 --> 00:33:28.200 How many of you 00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:30.460 would like to 00:33:30.460 --> 00:33:31.300 have your salvation 00:33:31.300 --> 00:33:32.259 based upon your 00:33:32.259 --> 00:33:32.820 own efforts? 00:33:34.200 --> 00:33:35.200 Think about that. 00:33:35.200 --> 00:33:37.200 God's 00:33:37.200 --> 00:33:38.019 The only reason 00:33:38.019 --> 00:33:38.580 you shake 00:33:38.580 --> 00:33:39.080 your head 00:33:39.080 --> 00:33:41.660 is because 00:33:41.660 --> 00:33:42.420 by the 00:33:42.420 --> 00:33:43.039 spirit of 00:33:43.039 --> 00:33:43.539 God you 00:33:43.539 --> 00:33:44.220 have become 00:33:44.220 --> 00:33:45.140 fully persuaded 00:33:45.140 --> 00:33:46.620 of your own 00:33:46.620 --> 00:33:47.400 complete 00:33:47.400 --> 00:33:48.120 inability. 00:33:50.319 --> 00:33:51.000 Were it 00:33:51.000 --> 00:33:51.700 not for the 00:33:51.700 --> 00:33:52.200 grace of 00:33:52.200 --> 00:33:52.920 God which 00:33:52.920 --> 00:33:54.580 lovingly revealed 00:33:54.580 --> 00:33:55.380 to you your 00:33:55.380 --> 00:33:56.180 inability to 00:33:56.180 --> 00:33:56.860 save yourself 00:33:56.860 --> 00:33:57.779 you would be 00:33:57.779 --> 00:33:58.700 like the rest 00:33:58.700 --> 00:33:59.279 who when you 00:33:59.279 --> 00:33:59.779 asked them 00:33:59.779 --> 00:34:00.680 how is it that 00:34:00.680 --> 00:34:01.120 you're going to 00:34:01.120 --> 00:34:01.620 get to heaven 00:34:01.620 --> 00:34:02.100 guess what 00:34:02.100 --> 00:34:02.580 their answer 00:34:02.579 --> 00:34:03.359 usually is? 00:34:04.519 --> 00:34:05.139 Well I'm doing 00:34:05.139 --> 00:34:06.000 the best I can. 00:34:07.339 --> 00:34:08.319 I hope he grades 00:34:08.319 --> 00:34:09.059 on the curve. 00:34:09.980 --> 00:34:10.819 I'm at least 00:34:10.819 --> 00:34:11.639 better than some 00:34:11.639 --> 00:34:12.299 of the people I 00:34:12.299 --> 00:34:12.880 know who live in 00:34:12.880 --> 00:34:13.440 my neighborhood. 00:34:14.440 --> 00:34:15.579 I mean I do go 00:34:15.579 --> 00:34:15.980 to church 00:34:15.980 --> 00:34:16.759 occasionally and 00:34:16.759 --> 00:34:17.559 they never go. 00:34:17.819 --> 00:34:18.840 They got a boat. 00:34:19.000 --> 00:34:19.400 You know it's 00:34:19.400 --> 00:34:20.259 really bugging me 00:34:20.259 --> 00:34:20.500 but 00:34:20.500 --> 00:34:23.119 no. 00:34:24.719 --> 00:34:25.460 The truth of 00:34:25.460 --> 00:34:26.000 the matter is 00:34:26.000 --> 00:34:26.579 is that man 00:34:26.579 --> 00:34:27.480 cannot save 00:34:27.480 --> 00:34:28.280 himself and 00:34:28.280 --> 00:34:29.639 underlying the 00:34:29.639 --> 00:34:30.519 reality of the 00:34:30.519 --> 00:34:31.320 need that I have 00:34:31.320 --> 00:34:32.179 for a savior is 00:34:32.179 --> 00:34:33.139 that I can't do 00:34:33.139 --> 00:34:34.000 anything to change 00:34:34.000 --> 00:34:34.360 me. 00:34:36.320 --> 00:34:37.440 As a sidebar 00:34:37.440 --> 00:34:39.199 one of the 00:34:39.199 --> 00:34:39.940 things that I so 00:34:39.940 --> 00:34:40.599 love about the 00:34:40.599 --> 00:34:41.300 gospel is the 00:34:41.300 --> 00:34:42.139 reality that 00:34:42.139 --> 00:34:43.199 because of 00:34:43.199 --> 00:34:44.219 salvation not 00:34:44.219 --> 00:34:45.039 only do I have 00:34:45.039 --> 00:34:45.619 the certainty 00:34:45.619 --> 00:34:46.440 of a home in 00:34:46.440 --> 00:34:47.420 heaven but I 00:34:47.420 --> 00:34:48.340 also have great 00:34:48.340 --> 00:34:49.260 confidence that 00:34:49.260 --> 00:34:50.380 because of what 00:34:50.380 --> 00:34:51.180 he has done in 00:34:51.180 --> 00:34:52.460 me Tim Kenoyer 00:34:52.460 --> 00:34:53.200 doesn't have to 00:34:53.200 --> 00:34:53.980 stay the way he 00:34:53.980 --> 00:34:54.460 has been. 00:34:55.580 --> 00:34:57.160 I can change by 00:34:57.160 --> 00:34:58.560 grace and you 00:34:58.560 --> 00:34:59.080 can too. 00:35:00.120 --> 00:35:00.900 I want you to 00:35:00.900 --> 00:35:01.660 recognize as we 00:35:01.660 --> 00:35:02.200 think about this 00:35:02.200 --> 00:35:03.040 matter of salvation 00:35:03.040 --> 00:35:03.980 man cannot save 00:35:03.980 --> 00:35:04.820 himself we accept 00:35:04.820 --> 00:35:05.360 that but there's 00:35:05.360 --> 00:35:06.060 another thing that 00:35:06.060 --> 00:35:07.460 that stands out in 00:35:07.460 --> 00:35:08.000 this verse and 00:35:08.000 --> 00:35:09.300 when it says good 00:35:09.300 --> 00:35:12.520 news namely you 00:35:12.520 --> 00:35:13.820 have a savior we 00:35:13.820 --> 00:35:14.760 recognize that only 00:35:14.760 --> 00:35:15.580 God can save 00:35:15.580 --> 00:35:16.300 fallen man. 00:35:17.580 --> 00:35:18.480 That's why God 00:35:18.480 --> 00:35:19.140 sent his son 00:35:19.139 --> 00:35:19.759 the Lord Jesus 00:35:19.759 --> 00:35:20.259 Christ. 00:35:21.219 --> 00:35:22.179 That's why Jesus 00:35:22.179 --> 00:35:23.039 came and died on 00:35:23.039 --> 00:35:24.179 the cross and 00:35:24.179 --> 00:35:24.759 rose again. 00:35:26.179 --> 00:35:27.400 He did all that 00:35:27.400 --> 00:35:29.239 because salvation 00:35:29.239 --> 00:35:30.119 is of the Lord. 00:35:30.199 --> 00:35:30.579 How many of you 00:35:30.579 --> 00:35:31.379 recognize and kind 00:35:31.379 --> 00:35:31.879 of have it stick in 00:35:31.879 --> 00:35:32.819 your mind that 00:35:32.819 --> 00:35:33.819 actually the name 00:35:33.819 --> 00:35:34.759 of Jesus means 00:35:34.759 --> 00:35:35.039 what? 00:35:35.119 --> 00:35:35.480 How many of you 00:35:35.480 --> 00:35:35.859 know what it 00:35:35.859 --> 00:35:36.179 means? 00:35:38.099 --> 00:35:38.539 Jesus, 00:35:39.219 --> 00:35:39.859 Yehoshua, 00:35:40.679 --> 00:35:42.179 God saves. 00:35:43.400 --> 00:35:44.420 Even in giving 00:35:44.420 --> 00:35:45.619 Jesus the name 00:35:45.619 --> 00:35:46.579 that he received 00:35:46.579 --> 00:35:48.739 what God chose 00:35:48.739 --> 00:35:49.360 to do was 00:35:49.360 --> 00:35:50.279 communicate to 00:35:50.279 --> 00:35:51.019 us that we 00:35:51.019 --> 00:35:51.819 cannot save 00:35:51.819 --> 00:35:52.719 ourselves that 00:35:52.719 --> 00:35:53.460 God has to be 00:35:53.460 --> 00:35:53.960 the one that 00:35:53.960 --> 00:35:54.699 saves us. 00:35:56.980 --> 00:35:57.480 And so I want 00:35:57.480 --> 00:35:58.159 you to recognize 00:35:58.159 --> 00:35:59.779 that that first 00:35:59.779 --> 00:36:00.880 Christmas morn when 00:36:00.880 --> 00:36:02.559 the shepherds with 00:36:02.559 --> 00:36:04.840 that rejected 00:36:04.840 --> 00:36:07.239 attitude in the 00:36:07.239 --> 00:36:08.099 community that they 00:36:08.099 --> 00:36:09.799 kind of endured 00:36:09.799 --> 00:36:10.420 under, they 00:36:10.420 --> 00:36:11.139 received the 00:36:11.139 --> 00:36:11.739 information. 00:36:11.920 --> 00:36:12.380 I want you to 00:36:12.380 --> 00:36:13.099 know there's good 00:36:13.099 --> 00:36:14.179 news because 00:36:14.179 --> 00:36:15.619 today in the 00:36:15.619 --> 00:36:16.659 city of Bethlehem 00:36:16.659 --> 00:36:18.819 is born your 00:36:18.819 --> 00:36:20.719 Savior, God 00:36:20.719 --> 00:36:21.519 having done this 00:36:21.519 --> 00:36:22.039 for you. 00:36:23.319 --> 00:36:23.960 So you look at 00:36:23.960 --> 00:36:24.659 the passage here 00:36:24.659 --> 00:36:25.420 and bring it 00:36:25.420 --> 00:36:25.960 together, it 00:36:25.960 --> 00:36:28.299 says, this day 00:36:28.299 --> 00:36:29.480 in the city of 00:36:29.480 --> 00:36:30.719 David a Savior 00:36:30.719 --> 00:36:31.739 who is Christ 00:36:31.739 --> 00:36:32.500 the Lord. 00:36:33.880 --> 00:36:34.500 So let me ask 00:36:34.500 --> 00:36:34.819 you a couple 00:36:34.819 --> 00:36:35.659 questions as I 00:36:35.659 --> 00:36:36.380 close this morning 00:36:36.380 --> 00:36:36.960 and have you think 00:36:36.960 --> 00:36:37.619 with me about it. 00:36:38.179 --> 00:36:38.940 First of all, 00:36:40.400 --> 00:36:41.259 very practically, 00:36:41.260 --> 00:36:45.140 have you come 00:36:45.140 --> 00:36:45.840 broken and 00:36:45.840 --> 00:36:47.260 wounded by your 00:36:47.260 --> 00:36:48.060 sin to God and 00:36:48.060 --> 00:36:48.780 asked Him to be 00:36:48.780 --> 00:36:49.220 your Savior? 00:36:49.340 --> 00:36:50.180 Have you confessed 00:36:50.180 --> 00:36:52.240 the need you have 00:36:52.240 --> 00:36:53.120 for Christ and 00:36:53.120 --> 00:36:54.800 recognized that the 00:36:54.800 --> 00:36:55.760 absolute darkness 00:36:55.760 --> 00:36:56.760 of your soul has 00:36:56.760 --> 00:36:57.760 no remedy apart 00:36:57.760 --> 00:36:58.860 from the work of 00:36:58.860 --> 00:37:00.060 God in saving you? 00:37:01.240 --> 00:37:01.820 And I would 00:37:01.820 --> 00:37:02.500 encourage you as 00:37:02.500 --> 00:37:03.220 you sit here this 00:37:03.220 --> 00:37:03.880 morning, don't just 00:37:03.880 --> 00:37:04.440 think to yourself, 00:37:04.560 --> 00:37:05.340 well, hey, listen, 00:37:05.420 --> 00:37:06.280 I grew up in this 00:37:06.280 --> 00:37:06.960 church, man, I've 00:37:06.960 --> 00:37:07.460 heard this a 00:37:07.460 --> 00:37:08.520 thousand times. 00:37:11.260 --> 00:37:13.580 Do not think 00:37:13.580 --> 00:37:16.120 that sitting in a 00:37:16.120 --> 00:37:17.780 pew is a guarantee 00:37:17.780 --> 00:37:18.500 of salvation. 00:37:19.420 --> 00:37:20.600 Do not think that 00:37:20.600 --> 00:37:21.180 going to a 00:37:21.180 --> 00:37:22.640 Juana, do not 00:37:22.640 --> 00:37:23.940 think that anything 00:37:23.940 --> 00:37:25.380 apart from broken, 00:37:25.600 --> 00:37:27.220 contrite humility and 00:37:27.220 --> 00:37:28.940 dependence upon God 00:37:28.940 --> 00:37:30.340 being your Savior is 00:37:30.340 --> 00:37:31.520 remedy for the need 00:37:31.520 --> 00:37:32.100 of your soul. 00:37:33.400 --> 00:37:34.760 And it takes humility 00:37:34.760 --> 00:37:35.700 to be able to come to 00:37:35.700 --> 00:37:36.440 Him and say, look, I 00:37:36.440 --> 00:37:37.540 stand condemned before 00:37:37.540 --> 00:37:39.400 God and I realize the 00:37:39.400 --> 00:37:40.619 bankruptcy of my soul. 00:37:40.980 --> 00:37:42.440 I need Christ to be 00:37:42.440 --> 00:37:43.220 my Savior. 00:37:45.920 --> 00:37:46.720 Incidentally, let me 00:37:46.720 --> 00:37:48.820 tell you this, if 00:37:48.820 --> 00:37:49.440 you're sitting here 00:37:49.440 --> 00:37:50.519 this morning and you 00:37:50.519 --> 00:37:51.960 are one who still is 00:37:51.960 --> 00:37:53.160 resisting the grace of 00:37:53.160 --> 00:37:54.740 God, let me appeal to 00:37:54.740 --> 00:37:56.079 you, practically 00:37:56.079 --> 00:37:57.700 speaking, how much 00:37:57.700 --> 00:37:59.200 more evidence do you 00:37:59.200 --> 00:38:00.579 need of how messy 00:38:00.579 --> 00:38:01.880 your life can get? 00:38:03.019 --> 00:38:03.860 Make sense? 00:38:05.340 --> 00:38:07.579 Apart from God and 00:38:07.579 --> 00:38:10.059 His grace, our lives 00:38:10.059 --> 00:38:10.619 are a mess. 00:38:11.900 --> 00:38:12.940 And I would appeal to 00:38:12.940 --> 00:38:13.739 you this morning, say, 00:38:13.819 --> 00:38:14.380 I've got enough 00:38:14.380 --> 00:38:14.960 information. 00:38:15.279 --> 00:38:16.559 I don't need to have 00:38:16.559 --> 00:38:17.719 any more experience. 00:38:18.079 --> 00:38:19.420 I need Jesus as my 00:38:19.420 --> 00:38:20.539 Savior and I recognize 00:38:20.539 --> 00:38:21.079 that. 00:38:22.840 --> 00:38:24.000 On the other hand, let 00:38:24.000 --> 00:38:24.900 me ask you this. 00:38:25.559 --> 00:38:26.360 Have you discovered 00:38:26.360 --> 00:38:28.779 the joy of complete 00:38:28.779 --> 00:38:29.739 forgiveness for all of 00:38:29.739 --> 00:38:30.239 your sins? 00:38:31.019 --> 00:38:31.579 Has that happened? 00:38:32.960 --> 00:38:34.079 Does that thought 00:38:34.079 --> 00:38:35.299 resonate and make a 00:38:35.299 --> 00:38:36.139 difference in the life 00:38:36.139 --> 00:38:36.739 that you live? 00:38:36.739 --> 00:38:37.359 Right? 00:38:38.199 --> 00:38:41.939 By nature, by nature, 00:38:42.659 --> 00:38:45.399 it's fairly easy for 00:38:45.399 --> 00:38:47.779 us to become kind of 00:38:47.779 --> 00:38:49.019 focused on the 00:38:49.019 --> 00:38:50.279 circumstantial issues 00:38:50.279 --> 00:38:51.799 around us and take 00:38:51.799 --> 00:38:53.179 our eyes off of the 00:38:53.179 --> 00:38:55.039 absolute certainty of 00:38:55.039 --> 00:38:56.539 our salvation and our 00:38:56.539 --> 00:38:57.599 eternal destiny. 00:38:57.819 --> 00:38:58.359 Isn't that right? 00:38:58.939 --> 00:38:59.059 Huh? 00:39:01.579 --> 00:39:02.659 And I want to 00:39:02.659 --> 00:39:03.439 encourage you this 00:39:03.439 --> 00:39:04.459 morning as you stop 00:39:04.460 --> 00:39:05.340 and consider this 00:39:05.340 --> 00:39:06.420 wonderful, wonderful 00:39:06.420 --> 00:39:07.500 news that we find in 00:39:07.500 --> 00:39:09.260 Luke that here is this 00:39:09.260 --> 00:39:10.579 kernel of information 00:39:10.579 --> 00:39:12.539 about the reality of God 00:39:12.539 --> 00:39:13.599 being our Savior. 00:39:14.159 --> 00:39:15.800 And when you, who are 00:39:15.800 --> 00:39:17.360 children of the living 00:39:17.360 --> 00:39:19.780 God, hear that truth, 00:39:20.920 --> 00:39:23.940 it ought to make a 00:39:23.940 --> 00:39:24.960 difference in your life. 00:39:24.960 --> 00:39:29.539 I got to tell you, I look 00:39:29.539 --> 00:39:30.699 forward to this evening's 00:39:30.699 --> 00:39:31.400 Christmas program. 00:39:32.920 --> 00:39:33.760 How many of you are in for 00:39:33.760 --> 00:39:34.300 cold chills? 00:39:34.400 --> 00:39:35.099 Do you like cold chills? 00:39:35.220 --> 00:39:36.000 How many of you, I get 00:39:36.000 --> 00:39:36.460 cold chills. 00:39:36.579 --> 00:39:38.420 I'm a cold chills specialist. 00:39:38.579 --> 00:39:39.460 I'm not talking about the 00:39:39.460 --> 00:39:39.679 heating. 00:39:39.840 --> 00:39:40.659 It's over the top. 00:39:41.000 --> 00:39:42.220 I'm talking, I just, I get 00:39:42.220 --> 00:39:43.340 those, it happens. 00:39:44.199 --> 00:39:45.559 Hair kind of stands up on the 00:39:45.559 --> 00:39:46.340 back of my neck. 00:39:46.699 --> 00:39:47.679 Listen to some of the 00:39:47.679 --> 00:39:48.339 singing tonight. 00:39:49.139 --> 00:39:50.799 But that's not to be 00:39:50.799 --> 00:39:54.919 compared to the joy of my 00:39:54.919 --> 00:39:55.419 salvation. 00:39:58.639 --> 00:39:59.619 What about you? 00:40:01.119 --> 00:40:02.099 What about you? 00:40:05.159 --> 00:40:06.199 Let's close in prayer. 00:40:10.599 --> 00:40:12.159 Our Father God, this morning 00:40:12.159 --> 00:40:14.699 as we stop and think about 00:40:14.699 --> 00:40:18.239 the absolute wonder of 00:40:18.239 --> 00:40:19.359 salvation through the Lord 00:40:19.359 --> 00:40:24.399 Jesus Christ, we marvel that 00:40:24.399 --> 00:40:27.199 you who abide in heaven, who 00:40:27.199 --> 00:40:28.460 have no need for us, 00:40:28.599 --> 00:40:32.199 nevertheless, willingly, sent 00:40:32.199 --> 00:40:33.339 your Son, the Lord Jesus 00:40:33.339 --> 00:40:35.199 Christ, to take upon Himself 00:40:35.199 --> 00:40:37.899 the absolute humiliation of 00:40:37.899 --> 00:40:41.259 being a man instead of just 00:40:41.260 --> 00:40:42.420 the glory of heaven, and He 00:40:42.420 --> 00:40:44.220 became a man for our sakes. 00:40:46.860 --> 00:40:48.360 We're thankful that He came 00:40:48.360 --> 00:40:49.480 to be our Savior, that He 00:40:49.480 --> 00:40:51.060 lived here, that He died on 00:40:51.060 --> 00:40:53.840 the cross and rose again, that 00:40:53.840 --> 00:40:55.180 all who believe in Him might 00:40:55.180 --> 00:40:56.500 have everlasting life. 00:40:58.400 --> 00:41:01.640 And this morning as we think 00:41:01.640 --> 00:41:02.780 about the gospel, we're 00:41:02.780 --> 00:41:04.320 thankful for what Jesus has 00:41:04.320 --> 00:41:05.140 done for us. 00:41:06.940 --> 00:41:08.620 And I ask practically that 00:41:08.620 --> 00:41:09.840 those who are here that do 00:41:09.840 --> 00:41:11.200 not know Christ will be drawn 00:41:11.199 --> 00:41:12.919 to confess their sins and 00:41:12.919 --> 00:41:14.219 believe in Jesus alone. 00:41:16.299 --> 00:41:18.139 I pray, Lord, also for our 00:41:18.139 --> 00:41:20.779 baptism now as we have the 00:41:20.779 --> 00:41:21.839 privilege of hearing one 00:41:21.839 --> 00:41:23.399 young man share the testimony 00:41:23.399 --> 00:41:24.859 of what you did in saving 00:41:24.859 --> 00:41:27.619 him, that we would thrill 00:41:27.619 --> 00:41:30.919 together at the good work of 00:41:30.919 --> 00:41:33.460 God and broken and ruined 00:41:33.460 --> 00:41:33.839 sinners. 00:41:34.719 --> 00:41:36.460 We ask this in Jesus' name. 00:41:36.460 --> 00:41:37.399 Amen. 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.639 00:41:41.639 --> 00:42:11.619 Thank you.