WEBVTT 00:00:00.360 --> 00:00:07.000 Please take your Bibles and open them up this morning to the book of Genesis, except this morning we're going backwards a little bit. 00:00:07.000 --> 00:00:09.240 We're going to be in Genesis chapter 12. 00:00:09.879 --> 00:00:20.640 And then when you found that, if you would hold your place there and then flip also to the New Testament and find Galatians chapter 3, verses 7 through 9. 00:00:20.719 --> 00:00:23.980 We're actually taking a quick break from our series in Genesis. 00:00:24.179 --> 00:00:27.039 We've been walking through the book of Genesis this year. 00:00:27.100 --> 00:00:35.620 We're going to take a break over the next five weeks here, going through the end of the year to really drill down into the promises of God. 00:00:35.619 --> 00:00:43.679 So this morning we're back on familiar ground, familiar territory with God's covenant with Abraham here in Genesis chapter 12. 00:00:43.939 --> 00:00:49.159 So Genesis 12, 1 through 3 and Galatians 3, 7 through 9. 00:00:49.219 --> 00:00:53.799 When you found one or both of those, if you would stand in honor of the reading of God's word this morning. 00:00:53.799 --> 00:01:04.560 Now the Lord said to Abram, 00:01:04.560 --> 00:01:10.420 Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 00:01:10.819 --> 00:01:12.819 And I will make of you a great nation. 00:01:13.259 --> 00:01:17.599 And I will bless you and make your name great so that you will be a blessing. 00:01:17.599 --> 00:01:21.519 I will bless those who bless you and him who dishonors you. 00:01:21.979 --> 00:01:28.119 I will curse and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. 00:01:28.439 --> 00:01:31.359 Galatians 3, 7 through 9. 00:01:33.119 --> 00:01:36.919 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 00:01:37.859 --> 00:01:42.519 In the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, 00:01:42.519 --> 00:01:46.159 preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, 00:01:46.780 --> 00:01:49.379 In you shall all the nations be blessed. 00:01:50.280 --> 00:01:56.459 So then those who are of faith are blessed, along with Abraham, the man of faith. 00:01:57.340 --> 00:02:02.019 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of the Lord endures forever. 00:02:02.219 --> 00:02:07.799 Father, we pray now as we open up your word, as we begin this Advent season, 00:02:07.799 --> 00:02:14.759 by focusing in on your promises, Lord, would you fill our heart with faith in the promises of God. 00:02:15.740 --> 00:02:18.199 Help us to look to Christ and see all of them fulfilled. 00:02:18.879 --> 00:02:22.319 Help us to receive them with joy and with gladness this Christmas. 00:02:22.479 --> 00:02:24.319 We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:02:25.159 --> 00:02:26.039 You may be seated. 00:02:30.800 --> 00:02:35.900 Where do we turn for real blessing? 00:02:35.900 --> 00:02:41.319 We're entering into a time of year that's meant to be a season of blessing. 00:02:41.719 --> 00:02:47.000 We just had Thanksgiving, a time where we are supposed to be thankful for our many blessings, 00:02:47.159 --> 00:02:50.860 but oftentimes, you know, you may experience the same thing that I do. 00:02:51.020 --> 00:02:55.640 Thanksgiving is often this mixture of thankfulness on one hand, 00:02:55.719 --> 00:02:57.580 but then also stress on the other. 00:02:58.740 --> 00:03:01.000 You're supposed to be glad to be around your family, 00:03:01.000 --> 00:03:04.980 but sometimes you get frustrated with all of these people that you're supposed to be so thankful for. 00:03:05.900 --> 00:03:11.580 Moms, some of you dads, you slave away all day long in the kitchen. 00:03:11.700 --> 00:03:13.319 The food is usually great. 00:03:13.460 --> 00:03:14.580 Sometimes it's not. 00:03:14.900 --> 00:03:16.980 But either way, at the end of the day, it's gone. 00:03:17.640 --> 00:03:18.840 It doesn't last. 00:03:19.920 --> 00:03:23.939 You have all these expectations of how the holiday is supposed to go, 00:03:24.060 --> 00:03:26.620 how your time with your family is supposed to be spent, 00:03:26.620 --> 00:03:30.939 and oftentimes it doesn't quite go exactly as you planned. 00:03:32.420 --> 00:03:39.560 On top of that, as you know, two of our church members had deaths in the family over Thanksgiving this year. 00:03:39.719 --> 00:03:42.379 It seems like sometimes you just can't catch a break, can you? 00:03:42.379 --> 00:03:44.020 You can't get any relief. 00:03:44.080 --> 00:03:45.659 It's always something. 00:03:45.659 --> 00:03:48.840 And now we head into Christmas. 00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:56.340 This time of year that's meant to be marked by awe and anticipation and joy, 00:03:56.879 --> 00:04:01.439 but Christmas, just like Thanksgiving instead, is often marked by anxiety, 00:04:02.699 --> 00:04:03.719 rushing around. 00:04:03.919 --> 00:04:05.599 There's extra busyness. 00:04:05.740 --> 00:04:06.979 There's family drama. 00:04:07.460 --> 00:04:10.240 Everybody just seems to be wound up a little bit tighter than usual. 00:04:10.460 --> 00:04:12.659 There's all sorts of stress of all kinds. 00:04:12.659 --> 00:04:17.860 There's mental stress, emotional stress, sometimes financial stress around the holidays. 00:04:18.159 --> 00:04:20.800 It just seems hard, doesn't it, 00:04:21.139 --> 00:04:26.399 to experience the blessing that we're meant to experience here at Christmas. 00:04:26.839 --> 00:04:33.500 And you wonder, well, is there anywhere that we can actually turn and experience real and lasting blessing 00:04:33.500 --> 00:04:36.779 in a way that won't be interrupted by tragedy? 00:04:36.939 --> 00:04:38.839 It won't be limited by budget. 00:04:38.980 --> 00:04:41.860 It won't be frustrated by unmet expectations. 00:04:41.860 --> 00:04:44.759 Does such a thing even exist? 00:04:46.420 --> 00:04:52.360 The answer that our passage gives us this morning is a resounding yes. 00:04:54.300 --> 00:05:01.699 God promises great blessing to all who know him by faith. 00:05:02.680 --> 00:05:08.460 It's our big idea this morning as we look at these two passages in Genesis 12 and in Galatians chapter 3. 00:05:08.459 --> 00:05:17.139 Our God promises real, lasting, genuine blessing to any who know him by faith. 00:05:17.299 --> 00:05:22.839 We're going to trace that promise this morning in three stages from Abraham to Christ 00:05:22.839 --> 00:05:26.099 and then ultimately to us this morning. 00:05:26.199 --> 00:05:31.899 So first, first, here in Genesis, we see God promises great blessing to Abraham. 00:05:31.899 --> 00:05:37.839 If anybody was starved for blessing, it was Abraham. 00:05:38.959 --> 00:05:41.699 You zoom out here and remember where we are in the book of Genesis. 00:05:41.899 --> 00:05:44.639 This initial promise here of blessing in chapter 12, 00:05:44.799 --> 00:05:50.019 that is less than 10 chapters removed from the fall, Genesis chapter 3. 00:05:50.019 --> 00:05:54.899 We are not all that far removed from that place, the Garden of Eden, 00:05:55.079 --> 00:06:00.560 that place of real and true blessing where there was nothing but prosperity, 00:06:01.399 --> 00:06:08.019 nothing but joy, nothing but peace in this perfect place with God's presence all around, 00:06:08.159 --> 00:06:12.560 where Adam and Eve were the children of God, walking with him in the garden. 00:06:12.859 --> 00:06:14.519 Every desire was met. 00:06:14.519 --> 00:06:18.620 There's no such thing as unmet expectations in the Garden of Eden. 00:06:19.000 --> 00:06:23.859 There's no interruptions of death and no stressors of any kind. 00:06:23.959 --> 00:06:32.039 It was absolute paradise until Genesis chapter 3, Adam and Eve sin. 00:06:33.000 --> 00:06:35.719 They rebel against their creator. 00:06:35.979 --> 00:06:37.979 They disobey his word. 00:06:38.199 --> 00:06:41.680 They assert themselves as rulers of the Garden. 00:06:41.680 --> 00:06:45.840 And so they and all of us with them, all mankind with them, 00:06:45.959 --> 00:06:52.759 are kicked out of the Garden and plunged into this state of sinful rebellion against God. 00:06:54.199 --> 00:06:57.400 Do you want to know why things are the way they are? 00:06:58.680 --> 00:07:00.259 Genesis 3 has your answer. 00:07:01.860 --> 00:07:05.079 Why in the world are the holidays so stressful? 00:07:06.319 --> 00:07:06.800 Seriously. 00:07:08.180 --> 00:07:11.399 Genesis 3 has your answer. 00:07:11.399 --> 00:07:13.779 What's the root of that stress? 00:07:13.899 --> 00:07:15.599 What's the root of that anxiety? 00:07:15.799 --> 00:07:17.699 What's the root of that family drama? 00:07:17.899 --> 00:07:19.639 What's the root of that greed? 00:07:19.839 --> 00:07:22.699 What's the root of that debt and that poverty? 00:07:22.919 --> 00:07:24.779 What's the root of death in the world? 00:07:25.039 --> 00:07:26.039 None of that was in Eden. 00:07:27.299 --> 00:07:29.679 There's a very clear before and after. 00:07:30.079 --> 00:07:35.859 And Genesis 3 is like the hinge here of blessing on one side and cursing on the other. 00:07:35.959 --> 00:07:38.000 And guess which side we live on? 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:44.339 We live in a world that is cursed because of sin. 00:07:45.899 --> 00:07:53.540 We trace everything wrong with the world back here to Genesis chapter 3 and the introduction of sin into the world. 00:07:53.699 --> 00:07:56.699 That is why things are the way they are. 00:07:56.699 --> 00:08:14.079 But right here in Genesis chapter 12, here in the middle of that world of curse, here in the middle of sin and death that's running rampant throughout the book of Genesis to this point, God speaks a promise of blessing. 00:08:14.079 --> 00:08:19.779 This is stunning for us as we read this. 00:08:19.879 --> 00:08:22.599 We ought to pause and marvel at that fact. 00:08:22.699 --> 00:08:36.379 I mean, you mean that the world that we live in, a world where it's just chaos all the time, there's evil all around us, there's evil in our own hearts, there's evil in our families, there's evil in our neighborhoods, there's evil in our nation. 00:08:36.379 --> 00:08:38.600 There's just constant turmoil all the time. 00:08:38.860 --> 00:08:41.600 The whole world is in constant upheaval. 00:08:41.919 --> 00:08:45.960 You mean to tell me that God has spoken and promised blessing? 00:08:46.460 --> 00:08:47.039 Yes, I do. 00:08:48.899 --> 00:08:49.860 Here it is. 00:08:50.659 --> 00:08:53.299 I'll put it there with me again to Genesis chapter 12. 00:08:53.379 --> 00:08:56.840 We're going to start here, but we're going to, I hope you have your Bibles open. 00:08:56.840 --> 00:09:10.920 We're going to flip and trace this promise this morning because what we see is that this same promise that's declared in chapter 12 is then reaffirmed and ratified in a covenant in chapter 15. 00:09:11.240 --> 00:09:17.620 And then it is reaffirmed yet again and given a sign, the sign of circumcision in chapter 17. 00:09:17.899 --> 00:09:22.960 So three different places, but it's the same, same essential promised blessing here. 00:09:22.960 --> 00:09:28.639 God gives the initial promise to Abraham in chapter 12, verses 1 through 3. 00:09:28.740 --> 00:09:29.340 Look there again. 00:09:30.320 --> 00:09:37.920 The Lord said to Abraham, go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 00:09:38.540 --> 00:09:45.379 And I will make of you a great nation and I will bless you and make your name great so that you will be a blessing. 00:09:45.860 --> 00:09:48.820 I will bless those who bless you and him who dishonors you. 00:09:48.820 --> 00:09:55.540 I will curse in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. 00:09:55.660 --> 00:09:57.620 Do you hear that constant refrain of blessing? 00:09:58.379 --> 00:10:03.980 Five times in those three verses, blessing, blessing, blessing, blessing, blessing. 00:10:04.640 --> 00:10:09.000 And God speaks and he actually, he gives Abraham two commands here. 00:10:09.240 --> 00:10:11.260 Go and bless. 00:10:11.820 --> 00:10:15.040 And each command comes with three promises. 00:10:15.380 --> 00:10:17.720 Go and I will make you a great nation. 00:10:17.720 --> 00:10:20.600 Go and I will bless you. 00:10:21.060 --> 00:10:24.000 Go and I will make your name great. 00:10:24.680 --> 00:10:27.660 And as you go, you go and bless. 00:10:27.860 --> 00:10:30.080 Bless and I will bless those who curse you. 00:10:30.200 --> 00:10:30.779 Excuse me. 00:10:31.100 --> 00:10:32.540 I will curse those who curse you. 00:10:32.639 --> 00:10:34.519 Bless and I will bless those who bless you. 00:10:34.620 --> 00:10:41.779 Bless and in you all the families of the earth, all the nations of the earth will be blessed. 00:10:41.779 --> 00:10:43.439 It's an incredible promise of blessing. 00:10:44.319 --> 00:10:48.959 Initially to Abraham, but then to all the world through Abraham. 00:10:49.240 --> 00:10:53.019 Blessing is possible even here on this side of the fall. 00:10:53.159 --> 00:10:55.819 And then you flip ahead to chapter 15. 00:10:56.659 --> 00:11:00.799 Chapter 15, we see that same covenant promise reaffirmed. 00:11:00.879 --> 00:11:04.500 Again, it's the same promise, but now it is formalized in a covenant. 00:11:04.500 --> 00:11:09.080 God tells Abraham, look toward heaven and number the stars if you're able to number them. 00:11:10.039 --> 00:11:13.259 And he said to him, so shall your offspring be. 00:11:13.419 --> 00:11:20.600 And it says in response, verse 6, Abraham believed the Lord and the Lord counted it to him as righteousness. 00:11:20.600 --> 00:11:27.860 And he said to him, I am the Lord who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess. 00:11:28.139 --> 00:11:29.600 This promise is getting clarified. 00:11:30.460 --> 00:11:31.519 It's an incredible promise. 00:11:32.620 --> 00:11:37.159 You consider how old Abram is, well past the normal years of child rearing. 00:11:38.159 --> 00:11:41.500 And you consider that his wife Sarah at this point is barren. 00:11:41.680 --> 00:11:45.000 There is no physical possibility of them bearing children. 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:53.220 And yet, in the midst of this barrenness, in the midst of this hopelessness, God promises blessing. 00:11:55.059 --> 00:12:01.440 I was up in the mountains this past week for Thanksgiving and we were actually able to look up and see stars. 00:12:02.679 --> 00:12:05.779 Many more stars than we were able to look up and see around here. 00:12:06.059 --> 00:12:07.720 And I just thought about this promise. 00:12:07.940 --> 00:12:11.000 More numerous than the stars in the sky. 00:12:11.200 --> 00:12:12.779 That is tremendous blessing. 00:12:12.779 --> 00:12:16.899 And then you flip ahead to chapter 17. 00:12:17.139 --> 00:12:23.299 You look ahead there because here, once again, in chapter 17, God reaffirms this same covenant. 00:12:23.480 --> 00:12:27.279 This promise of blessing is now sealed with a sign. 00:12:27.419 --> 00:12:28.579 The sign of circumcision. 00:12:29.720 --> 00:12:31.819 He says, chapter 17, verse 6, 00:12:32.620 --> 00:12:34.659 I will make you exceedingly fruitful. 00:12:35.299 --> 00:12:37.419 And I will make you into nations. 00:12:37.679 --> 00:12:39.600 And kings shall come from you. 00:12:39.600 --> 00:12:51.920 I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant to be God to you and to your offspring after you. 00:12:52.279 --> 00:12:56.639 And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings. 00:12:56.840 --> 00:13:00.120 All the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession. 00:13:00.700 --> 00:13:03.159 I will be their God. 00:13:03.159 --> 00:13:04.339 Do you hear this blessing? 00:13:05.500 --> 00:13:10.059 Over and over and over and over again. 00:13:10.379 --> 00:13:14.959 God speaks and promises blessing to Abram. 00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:23.939 Even here on this side of the fall, God promises incredible blessing to Abram and to his offspring. 00:13:23.940 --> 00:13:30.680 We can essentially summarize this blessing in three ways, three main blessings. 00:13:31.640 --> 00:13:39.180 God promises Abraham the blessing of prosperity, place, and posterity. 00:13:40.520 --> 00:13:43.180 God promises Abram prosperity. 00:13:43.660 --> 00:13:45.240 He's enriched greatly. 00:13:45.460 --> 00:13:48.480 He has material wealth beyond our wildest dreams. 00:13:48.480 --> 00:13:53.039 But more important than that, he says God himself will be his God. 00:13:53.879 --> 00:13:55.460 Well, that's the central blessing, isn't it? 00:13:56.139 --> 00:14:01.379 God himself will go with him and walk with him, go before him. 00:14:01.440 --> 00:14:02.659 He will defend him. 00:14:02.740 --> 00:14:06.620 He will identify with Abraham as the God of Abraham. 00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:09.399 This is a blessing of prosperity, isn't it? 00:14:10.220 --> 00:14:13.980 He says God himself, God promises Abram a place. 00:14:14.960 --> 00:14:17.360 The land of Canaan will be his. 00:14:17.360 --> 00:14:25.340 As far as the eyes can see, God will give him a place for him and his offspring to live and to worship him forever. 00:14:25.519 --> 00:14:29.519 It's like a new little Eden there, this outpost of God's kingdom. 00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:32.560 It's like a new garden here amongst the thorns and the thistles. 00:14:34.220 --> 00:14:38.700 And he promises, again, against all odds, posterity. 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:43.779 Children more numerous than the stars in the sky. 00:14:43.779 --> 00:14:48.000 And again, we ought to pause here and just take a few things, a few truths away from this. 00:14:48.079 --> 00:14:51.959 For one, again, hear me, blessing really is possible. 00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:55.759 And we see it here on this side of the fall. 00:14:55.879 --> 00:15:02.919 I know often it seems like in this world that we live in, that sin and death just cloud it all up. 00:15:02.959 --> 00:15:04.559 And it seems like just a dream. 00:15:04.659 --> 00:15:05.360 It's not a dream. 00:15:06.720 --> 00:15:07.819 Blessing is possible. 00:15:07.820 --> 00:15:12.720 Second, true blessing is a gift of God's grace. 00:15:14.280 --> 00:15:17.740 Who is Abraham that he should deserve this promise? 00:15:19.120 --> 00:15:22.320 Who is Abraham that he should earn this blessing? 00:15:22.420 --> 00:15:23.700 He hasn't earned a thing, has he? 00:15:24.660 --> 00:15:31.620 Out of God's sheer abundant grace, he pours forth blessing into a world that deserves judgment. 00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:36.379 A third truth to take away here in this first point. 00:15:36.799 --> 00:15:40.320 All blessing comes through the word of the Lord. 00:15:40.419 --> 00:15:43.539 He speaks and everything is made. 00:15:44.440 --> 00:15:47.759 He speaks and he promises blessing. 00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:52.720 And even though from our perspective there's a delay between promise and fulfillment, 00:15:53.060 --> 00:15:56.159 when he speaks these promises, we can take it to the bank. 00:15:56.220 --> 00:15:57.740 It's as good as if it's already done. 00:15:57.740 --> 00:16:02.399 His word does not fail. 00:16:04.279 --> 00:16:10.360 All this promised blessing here, just 12 chapters into the book, it's amazing, isn't it? 00:16:11.560 --> 00:16:13.080 But how will it happen? 00:16:13.620 --> 00:16:17.200 It all centers on this promise of posterity. 00:16:17.340 --> 00:16:24.240 So second, second, we see God fulfills his promises in Christ. 00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:31.379 God fulfills these promises of blessing in Jesus Christ. 00:16:31.480 --> 00:16:32.360 Let me say it another way. 00:16:32.820 --> 00:16:42.779 The ultimate true blessing that's promised to Abraham all the way back here in Genesis is fulfilled in Jesus. 00:16:42.779 --> 00:16:45.980 Or we could say it like this. 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:57.500 The blessing that you and I crave, the blessing that the world needs so desperately here in the midst of a sin-cursed universe is Jesus. 00:16:59.439 --> 00:17:03.720 Jesus is the promised blessing to the world. 00:17:03.720 --> 00:17:11.400 Now, of course, as we read the Old Testament, there are small initial fulfillments of these promises in Abraham's life. 00:17:11.460 --> 00:17:12.980 But they are not the whole picture. 00:17:13.860 --> 00:17:16.759 Yes, Abraham is prospered. 00:17:16.839 --> 00:17:19.440 He is blessed incredibly materially. 00:17:19.640 --> 00:17:22.100 He becomes richer than any of us could dream. 00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:24.860 God, yes, he does go with him as his God. 00:17:24.980 --> 00:17:26.860 Yes, he does prosper him. 00:17:26.859 --> 00:17:31.199 But there's still this issue, this lingering problem of sin. 00:17:32.439 --> 00:17:38.759 Every blessing in Abraham's life is just tangled up, is mixed up with this presence of sin. 00:17:38.839 --> 00:17:43.759 Even the greatest blessings, they're still tainted here with this curse of sin. 00:17:43.839 --> 00:17:45.279 It's partial at best. 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:51.919 And yes, we look at the Old Testament and we see, yes, Abraham is blessed with posterity. 00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:52.859 Children. 00:17:54.059 --> 00:17:55.819 God multiplies Abraham. 00:17:55.819 --> 00:17:57.519 He tries it on his own with Hagar. 00:17:58.559 --> 00:18:02.799 But then ultimately, God produces the chosen son of promise, Isaac. 00:18:03.119 --> 00:18:05.700 And beyond that, Abraham bears other children. 00:18:05.819 --> 00:18:07.139 He multiplies greatly. 00:18:07.299 --> 00:18:11.399 But it is not ever quite the stars in the sky that we read about, is it? 00:18:12.319 --> 00:18:15.700 It is not ever quite the sand on the seashore that's promised. 00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:18.019 It's all partial at best. 00:18:18.079 --> 00:18:23.200 And on top of that, every single son of Abraham that we read about in the Old Testament, 00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:27.860 every single one is still just as sinful as we are. 00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:31.840 There's still the presence of sin. 00:18:31.920 --> 00:18:34.620 None of them seem like they're really qualified to bless the world. 00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:40.420 As we read these promises in the Old Testament, we're still, we're leaning forwards. 00:18:40.660 --> 00:18:41.539 We're waiting. 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:43.960 When will true blessing come? 00:18:43.960 --> 00:18:53.700 And yes, again, as we read the Old Testament, Abraham does get a small taste of this promised place, doesn't he? 00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:54.420 It's not much. 00:18:55.340 --> 00:19:03.140 In fact, in Abram's life, you remember, the only piece of land that he owns here in Canaan is the cave where he and Sarah are buried. 00:19:03.140 --> 00:19:07.780 But eventually, Israel does inherit the promised land. 00:19:07.900 --> 00:19:08.380 They conquer. 00:19:08.580 --> 00:19:10.180 They overtake. 00:19:10.300 --> 00:19:11.500 They live there. 00:19:11.580 --> 00:19:12.920 They worship God there. 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:14.480 They establish the temple there. 00:19:14.560 --> 00:19:16.759 It's like a little taste of Eden. 00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:19.120 But it's a little bit too much like Eden. 00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:28.020 Because as we know, the same cursed problem of sin ruins it all just like it happened in the garden. 00:19:28.019 --> 00:19:33.500 Israel, just like Adam, sins against the Lord. 00:19:33.680 --> 00:19:35.259 They rebel against him. 00:19:35.359 --> 00:19:40.639 And Israel, just like Adam, they are kicked out of the promised land. 00:19:40.799 --> 00:19:42.900 This too is a partial blessing. 00:19:44.379 --> 00:19:52.200 So we're left wondering, how will God actually bless us in a way that lasts? 00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:56.900 How will God actually bless us in a way that can't be spoiled by sin? 00:19:58.019 --> 00:20:02.539 How will God actually bless us in a way that's not threatened by death or decay? 00:20:02.940 --> 00:20:06.960 Where can we turn for real and true and lasting blessing? 00:20:07.539 --> 00:20:12.019 Friend, the answer to that question is what we celebrate at Christmas. 00:20:16.019 --> 00:20:22.819 Christmas is the announcement to the world that blessing has come. 00:20:22.819 --> 00:20:27.700 The promises have been kept. 00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:36.299 But it's the announcement that yes, despite all the darkness around us, the light of the world has come. 00:20:36.679 --> 00:20:40.960 And the true lasting blessing is really possible. 00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:41.519 It's here. 00:20:41.659 --> 00:20:43.960 Jesus is the blessing to the world. 00:20:45.659 --> 00:20:49.039 Now there are manger scenes all over the place. 00:20:49.119 --> 00:20:50.119 You drive through Mount Pleasant. 00:20:50.119 --> 00:20:51.779 You'll see them everywhere you look. 00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:53.799 There's advent calendars on the shelves. 00:20:53.799 --> 00:20:59.179 But we need to stop and make sure before we get too far into the season, 00:20:59.379 --> 00:21:02.779 we need to understand who is this baby in the manger? 00:21:05.459 --> 00:21:14.639 Matthew chapter 1 tells us he is Jesus Christ, son of David, the son of Abraham. 00:21:14.640 --> 00:21:18.480 Well, this is what Christmas is about. 00:21:19.560 --> 00:21:22.560 What are we celebrating this Christmas season? 00:21:22.940 --> 00:21:29.020 We are celebrating the good news that the promised blessing to the world has come. 00:21:29.120 --> 00:21:29.820 Here he is. 00:21:30.860 --> 00:21:36.240 The promised child is the one through whom God will bless the world. 00:21:36.360 --> 00:21:37.480 There he is in the manger. 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:45.480 And we're meant to look at this child in the manger and make this connection that this child, he is the one. 00:21:46.200 --> 00:21:49.240 This baby is the promised son of Abraham. 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:53.120 He is the one who's come to crush the head of the serpent. 00:21:53.500 --> 00:22:02.980 You know, the anticipation of advent, it's not looking forward to stuff or to food or to gatherings with friends and family. 00:22:02.980 --> 00:22:12.940 As good as those things are, church, we are called to set our hearts on Christ, the true and lasting blessing to the world. 00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:19.160 We look at the baby in the manger and see Jesus Christ. 00:22:19.380 --> 00:22:22.400 He is the fulfillment of this promise of prosperity. 00:22:23.039 --> 00:22:25.339 He is the blessing to the world. 00:22:26.940 --> 00:22:30.079 The hymn, O Holy Night, captures it well. 00:22:31.120 --> 00:22:32.000 You all know the words. 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:32.420 It says, 00:22:33.359 --> 00:22:36.039 Long lay the world in sin and error pining. 00:22:36.140 --> 00:22:37.500 That describes Genesis, doesn't it? 00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:40.400 That describes the world that we live in, doesn't it? 00:22:41.140 --> 00:22:48.380 Long lay the world in sin and error pining till he appeared and the soul felt his worth. 00:22:49.220 --> 00:22:50.480 A thrill of hope. 00:22:50.579 --> 00:22:56.000 The weary world rejoices for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. 00:22:56.839 --> 00:22:58.519 You know, that new and glorious morn. 00:22:58.519 --> 00:23:01.119 That's the day of God's blessing in Christ. 00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:11.819 True blessing is found in the one who humbled himself, who left the throne of heaven to be born in human flesh. 00:23:11.819 --> 00:23:19.019 Who came to live and to die for us so that in him we might be truly blessed. 00:23:19.019 --> 00:23:28.799 We look at the manger and we see every promise made to Abraham is amplified and is magnified in Christ. 00:23:28.920 --> 00:23:29.839 I mean, think about it. 00:23:30.759 --> 00:23:34.240 God promised to be with Abraham, to be his God. 00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:37.859 Jesus Christ is Emmanuel, God with us. 00:23:38.660 --> 00:23:40.599 He is the God-man. 00:23:41.400 --> 00:23:42.799 The word become flesh. 00:23:44.140 --> 00:23:46.299 God promised Abraham a place. 00:23:46.400 --> 00:23:47.500 A place of rest. 00:23:47.700 --> 00:23:48.819 A place of peace. 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:53.500 A place where God would be with them as their God and they would be his people. 00:23:53.620 --> 00:23:55.819 You know, we desire that place too, don't we? 00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:59.740 How many Christmas songs can you think of that talk about going home for Christmas? 00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:02.659 I'll be home for Christmas. 00:24:04.139 --> 00:24:06.679 There's no place like home for the holidays. 00:24:07.859 --> 00:24:08.899 Now, why is it such a theme? 00:24:08.899 --> 00:24:16.079 They're tapping into this universal human longing that all of us have for home. 00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:18.839 For simpler times. 00:24:19.079 --> 00:24:21.480 For a place where we belong. 00:24:21.619 --> 00:24:24.799 A place where you can just let down your guard and rest. 00:24:24.799 --> 00:24:28.940 Church, true rest. 00:24:29.159 --> 00:24:30.359 True safety. 00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:31.839 True home. 00:24:32.039 --> 00:24:33.139 True worship. 00:24:33.339 --> 00:24:36.119 The place where God and man can dwell together. 00:24:36.399 --> 00:24:38.159 It's not ultimately in Canaan. 00:24:38.879 --> 00:24:40.740 It's not ultimately in America. 00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:43.779 It's not ultimately at Grandma's house for Christmas. 00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:47.779 It is found in Christ. 00:24:49.159 --> 00:24:51.919 A child in the manger that we celebrate at Christmas. 00:24:52.119 --> 00:24:54.460 He himself is our peace. 00:24:54.799 --> 00:25:00.960 He himself is the true location of all real, genuine Christian worship. 00:25:01.159 --> 00:25:04.180 We come to the Father in and through him. 00:25:04.899 --> 00:25:06.440 He himself is the one who says, 00:25:06.899 --> 00:25:09.680 Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden. 00:25:09.940 --> 00:25:11.859 I will give you rest. 00:25:12.680 --> 00:25:14.940 He is our prophet to teach us. 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:17.480 He is our priest to intercede for us. 00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:19.919 He is our king to rule over us. 00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:26.140 Every shadow in the Old Testament comes to full fruition in the flesh in Jesus Christ. 00:25:26.140 --> 00:25:31.860 Jesus is the promised blessing to the world. 00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:33.520 Church, this is good news for us. 00:25:35.360 --> 00:25:35.800 Blessing. 00:25:36.860 --> 00:25:39.140 True blessing has come. 00:25:39.140 --> 00:25:44.980 You might be asking, well, how do I get in on this? 00:25:47.500 --> 00:25:53.340 Third, God blesses us by faith in Christ. 00:25:53.339 --> 00:25:58.119 God blesses us by faith in Christ. 00:25:58.220 --> 00:26:00.619 Now let's flip over to Galatians chapter 3. 00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:02.299 We'll see the key here. 00:26:02.399 --> 00:26:04.819 How do we get in on this blessing in Christ? 00:26:05.819 --> 00:26:07.699 How do you and I get in? 00:26:07.759 --> 00:26:11.679 How do we become included in these promises that God made to Abraham? 00:26:11.680 --> 00:26:13.240 Because I'm looking around the room here. 00:26:13.380 --> 00:26:15.480 I don't think any of us are Jewish. 00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:18.920 Not that I'm aware of. 00:26:19.740 --> 00:26:22.120 So how do we get in on this? 00:26:22.220 --> 00:26:24.560 Didn't God promise all these things to Abraham? 00:26:25.039 --> 00:26:26.460 The father of the Jewish people? 00:26:27.180 --> 00:26:31.019 Didn't he promise all these things to Abraham and to his offspring? 00:26:31.340 --> 00:26:33.460 That just counts us out from the jump, doesn't it? 00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:37.279 Look there with me to Galatians 3. 00:26:37.279 --> 00:26:44.420 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 00:26:45.559 --> 00:26:50.500 In the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith. 00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:51.700 That's us, Gentiles. 00:26:52.579 --> 00:26:55.879 Preach the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, 00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:58.819 In you shall all the nations be blessed. 00:26:59.480 --> 00:27:05.119 So then those who are of faith are blessed, along with Abraham, the man of faith. 00:27:05.119 --> 00:27:06.539 Do you see what this means? 00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:12.579 This tells us that being a son of Abraham, 00:27:13.019 --> 00:27:16.960 and therefore being eligible for all of this blessing, 00:27:17.660 --> 00:27:22.940 is not a matter of physical descent from Abraham's body at all. 00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:25.119 If it were, then none of us would qualify. 00:27:26.839 --> 00:27:28.980 True Jewishness, 00:27:29.920 --> 00:27:32.379 being a true son of Abraham, 00:27:32.379 --> 00:27:35.379 is not according to the flesh. 00:27:35.380 --> 00:27:39.060 It is according to faith. 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:41.380 To be a son of Abraham, 00:27:42.120 --> 00:27:44.560 you must share the faith of Abraham. 00:27:44.680 --> 00:27:45.260 That's what it says. 00:27:45.320 --> 00:27:46.280 Let me read it again. 00:27:47.060 --> 00:27:50.340 Know then it is those who are of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 00:27:50.980 --> 00:27:51.620 Verse 9, 00:27:51.720 --> 00:27:54.580 Those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, 00:27:54.780 --> 00:27:55.440 the man of faith. 00:27:55.960 --> 00:27:57.300 Look down to verse 26. 00:27:57.640 --> 00:27:58.660 In Christ Jesus, 00:27:58.660 --> 00:28:01.540 You are all sons of God through faith. 00:28:02.340 --> 00:28:06.000 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 00:28:06.120 --> 00:28:07.940 There is neither Jew nor Greek. 00:28:08.040 --> 00:28:09.540 There is neither slave nor free. 00:28:09.680 --> 00:28:11.300 There is no male and female. 00:28:11.840 --> 00:28:13.820 You are all one in Jesus Christ. 00:28:14.600 --> 00:28:15.220 Verse 29, 00:28:15.720 --> 00:28:17.140 If you are Christ's, 00:28:17.680 --> 00:28:19.620 then you are Abraham's offspring. 00:28:19.619 --> 00:28:21.619 If you are Christ's, 00:28:22.419 --> 00:28:25.439 you are heirs according to promise. 00:28:25.559 --> 00:28:26.219 Do you hear that? 00:28:27.619 --> 00:28:32.119 True Jewishness is not about physical descent. 00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:34.659 Let me say it another way. 00:28:35.559 --> 00:28:38.339 The promise of having God as your God, 00:28:38.339 --> 00:28:42.579 the promise of an eternal perfect home, 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:46.119 the promise of belonging to him, 00:28:46.899 --> 00:28:52.859 the promise of real, true, lasting, unshakable blessing, 00:28:52.859 --> 00:28:56.220 is available to everyone in the room this morning. 00:28:58.059 --> 00:28:59.919 It's available to everyone in the world, 00:29:00.339 --> 00:29:01.659 Jew and Gentile alike. 00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:04.899 How do we get in on it? 00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:07.019 It's very simple. 00:29:08.339 --> 00:29:09.899 By faith. 00:29:11.039 --> 00:29:12.539 By faith. 00:29:13.379 --> 00:29:15.059 By faith alone. 00:29:16.679 --> 00:29:20.599 True blessing is for anyone 00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:24.539 who shares the faith of Abraham. 00:29:26.119 --> 00:29:27.679 What is that faith? 00:29:28.439 --> 00:29:29.759 What is that faith? 00:29:29.859 --> 00:29:30.980 It is the trust. 00:29:31.799 --> 00:29:34.959 It is the trust that this baby in the manger 00:29:34.959 --> 00:29:36.919 is your only hope. 00:29:36.920 --> 00:29:38.539 That he's not just another child, 00:29:38.660 --> 00:29:40.220 but this child in the manger 00:29:40.220 --> 00:29:42.779 is truly God in the flesh. 00:29:44.019 --> 00:29:45.500 And that as the scriptures tell us, 00:29:45.720 --> 00:29:47.039 this child in the manger 00:29:47.039 --> 00:29:49.480 has come to bless the world 00:29:49.480 --> 00:29:51.480 by earning that blessing for himself 00:29:52.140 --> 00:29:53.740 by his own perfect life. 00:29:54.539 --> 00:29:57.779 And then by taking away our curse, 00:29:57.860 --> 00:30:00.240 the curse that we've earned by our sin, 00:30:00.320 --> 00:30:02.680 by dying in our place on the cross. 00:30:02.680 --> 00:30:06.660 And then by rising again from the grave 00:30:06.660 --> 00:30:09.279 to crush the powers of sin and death. 00:30:09.480 --> 00:30:12.240 That is what we put our faith in. 00:30:13.880 --> 00:30:16.880 Abraham had that faith in a forward-looking way, 00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:17.420 but you and I, 00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:19.360 we get to look back on the work of Christ 00:30:19.360 --> 00:30:19.799 and say, 00:30:20.200 --> 00:30:20.900 this man, 00:30:21.019 --> 00:30:22.019 this child, 00:30:22.160 --> 00:30:24.060 he is the blessing to the world. 00:30:24.059 --> 00:30:29.240 Do you have that faith? 00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:34.700 Have you put your full trust 00:30:34.700 --> 00:30:35.899 in the promises of God, 00:30:36.059 --> 00:30:36.460 namely, 00:30:36.779 --> 00:30:39.779 namely the promise of salvation in Christ? 00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:40.759 If not, 00:30:41.059 --> 00:30:41.259 friend, 00:30:41.579 --> 00:30:43.319 what keeps you 00:30:43.319 --> 00:30:45.379 from putting your faith in Christ this morning? 00:30:45.380 --> 00:30:50.620 Why would you prefer to live in this world of curse? 00:30:51.460 --> 00:30:53.400 Why won't you come and enjoy the blessing 00:30:53.400 --> 00:30:55.140 that God holds out for you this Christmas? 00:30:55.460 --> 00:30:57.360 Why won't you come and enjoy 00:30:57.360 --> 00:30:59.440 what God has offered to us in Christ? 00:30:59.700 --> 00:31:01.280 It is available for you 00:31:01.280 --> 00:31:03.260 if you would only come by faith. 00:31:05.660 --> 00:31:06.300 And if so, 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:06.780 Christian, 00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:08.000 if you have, 00:31:08.200 --> 00:31:10.000 let me just tell you a few of the blessings 00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:11.180 that we have in Christ. 00:31:12.460 --> 00:31:13.600 And they'll sound familiar. 00:31:13.599 --> 00:31:15.019 I have three of them here. 00:31:15.379 --> 00:31:16.119 In Christ, 00:31:16.319 --> 00:31:16.679 church, 00:31:16.919 --> 00:31:20.099 we have the blessings of posterity, 00:31:20.559 --> 00:31:21.819 of prosperity, 00:31:22.459 --> 00:31:24.179 and of place. 00:31:24.359 --> 00:31:24.779 For one, 00:31:25.419 --> 00:31:27.139 if you are in Christ by faith, 00:31:27.559 --> 00:31:31.039 you are the spiritual posterity of God. 00:31:33.179 --> 00:31:34.859 John 1 tells us, 00:31:36.000 --> 00:31:36.299 Jesus, 00:31:36.539 --> 00:31:37.279 the true light, 00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:38.859 which gives light to everyone, 00:31:38.980 --> 00:31:40.879 was coming into the world. 00:31:41.539 --> 00:31:42.639 He was in the world, 00:31:42.699 --> 00:31:43.539 and the world was made, 00:31:43.599 --> 00:31:44.139 through him, 00:31:44.199 --> 00:31:46.359 yet the world did not know him. 00:31:47.099 --> 00:31:48.219 He came to his own, 00:31:48.279 --> 00:31:50.219 and his own people did not receive him, 00:31:50.379 --> 00:31:50.639 but, 00:31:50.740 --> 00:31:51.279 verse 12, 00:31:51.599 --> 00:31:53.779 to all who did receive him, 00:31:53.879 --> 00:31:55.779 who believed in his name, 00:31:55.839 --> 00:31:56.419 that's faith, 00:31:57.019 --> 00:32:00.799 he gave the right to become children of God, 00:32:01.919 --> 00:32:04.399 who were born not of blood, 00:32:04.519 --> 00:32:06.240 nor of the will of the flesh, 00:32:06.339 --> 00:32:07.559 nor of the will of man, 00:32:07.559 --> 00:32:09.240 but of God. 00:32:09.240 --> 00:32:09.799 God. 00:32:11.240 --> 00:32:13.119 Jesus Christ is, 00:32:13.299 --> 00:32:14.259 he is alone. 00:32:14.440 --> 00:32:16.839 He is the promised son of Abraham. 00:32:17.179 --> 00:32:18.919 But if you are in him, 00:32:19.019 --> 00:32:19.619 by faith, 00:32:19.700 --> 00:32:20.720 united to him, 00:32:20.980 --> 00:32:21.519 good news, 00:32:21.619 --> 00:32:21.859 church, 00:32:22.159 --> 00:32:24.319 you too are a son of Abraham. 00:32:26.240 --> 00:32:27.599 Christ Jesus alone, 00:32:27.720 --> 00:32:30.139 is the only begotten son of God. 00:32:30.140 --> 00:32:33.280 But if you are united to him by faith, 00:32:33.360 --> 00:32:33.900 good news, 00:32:34.720 --> 00:32:35.540 you too, 00:32:36.160 --> 00:32:37.560 are a child of God. 00:32:38.880 --> 00:32:40.200 Jesus alone, 00:32:40.200 --> 00:32:41.380 is the rightful heir, 00:32:41.440 --> 00:32:42.560 of all of God's promises. 00:32:42.880 --> 00:32:43.360 He alone, 00:32:43.360 --> 00:32:44.380 has earned this, 00:32:44.440 --> 00:32:45.660 by his own perfect life. 00:32:45.900 --> 00:32:46.520 But guess what? 00:32:47.640 --> 00:32:48.759 If you are united, 00:32:48.759 --> 00:32:50.060 to him by faith, 00:32:50.380 --> 00:32:51.240 you too, 00:32:51.320 --> 00:32:52.800 are made heirs with him, 00:32:52.799 --> 00:32:54.440 of every spiritual blessing. 00:32:54.740 --> 00:32:56.579 What greater blessing could you want this Christmas? 00:32:58.980 --> 00:32:59.539 Second, 00:33:00.419 --> 00:33:02.119 if you are in Christ by faith, 00:33:02.399 --> 00:33:04.099 you have the blessing of, 00:33:04.099 --> 00:33:06.519 of spiritual prosperity, 00:33:07.079 --> 00:33:08.799 beyond our wildest dreams. 00:33:10.180 --> 00:33:11.759 Paul says in Ephesians 1, 00:33:12.720 --> 00:33:14.399 God has blessed us in Christ, 00:33:14.500 --> 00:33:16.720 with every spiritual blessing, 00:33:16.919 --> 00:33:17.879 in the heavenly places. 00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:18.319 I mean, 00:33:18.359 --> 00:33:19.099 what does that even mean? 00:33:20.960 --> 00:33:22.500 Can you wrap your mind around that? 00:33:23.559 --> 00:33:24.619 God has blessed us, 00:33:24.619 --> 00:33:26.819 with every spiritual blessing, 00:33:27.419 --> 00:33:28.119 in Christ. 00:33:29.220 --> 00:33:29.399 Oh, 00:33:29.419 --> 00:33:31.519 we can't fathom what that is, 00:33:31.599 --> 00:33:33.119 because we can't see it, 00:33:33.159 --> 00:33:35.059 we can't put it on our Christmas list, 00:33:35.119 --> 00:33:36.119 or wrap it up in a box, 00:33:36.180 --> 00:33:37.559 and open it up on Christmas morning. 00:33:38.599 --> 00:33:39.899 God tells us in his word, 00:33:39.899 --> 00:33:41.440 he has blessed you, 00:33:41.659 --> 00:33:42.000 Christian. 00:33:42.119 --> 00:33:44.279 If you are united to Christ by faith, 00:33:44.399 --> 00:33:45.639 you have inherited, 00:33:45.940 --> 00:33:47.960 every spiritual blessing, 00:33:48.079 --> 00:33:49.079 in the heavenly places. 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:50.759 Do you count yourself blessed? 00:33:50.759 --> 00:33:55.700 I see at least two of those blessings, 00:33:55.839 --> 00:33:56.779 here in Galatians 3. 00:33:58.579 --> 00:33:59.879 One of those blessings, 00:33:59.879 --> 00:34:02.160 is the blessing of justification. 00:34:04.339 --> 00:34:05.400 That's just amazing. 00:34:07.400 --> 00:34:08.300 I'm baffled, 00:34:08.619 --> 00:34:09.920 by this passage. 00:34:10.079 --> 00:34:10.420 It says, 00:34:10.639 --> 00:34:11.260 the scripture, 00:34:11.840 --> 00:34:13.239 foreseeing that God, 00:34:13.340 --> 00:34:15.500 would justify the Gentiles, 00:34:15.579 --> 00:34:16.260 by faith, 00:34:16.579 --> 00:34:17.760 preached the gospel, 00:34:17.760 --> 00:34:19.280 beforehand to Abraham, 00:34:20.160 --> 00:34:20.600 saying, 00:34:20.820 --> 00:34:21.460 in you, 00:34:21.560 --> 00:34:22.700 shall all the nations, 00:34:22.840 --> 00:34:23.560 be blessed. 00:34:23.680 --> 00:34:24.140 So then, 00:34:24.460 --> 00:34:25.600 those who are of faith, 00:34:25.680 --> 00:34:26.440 are blessed, 00:34:26.680 --> 00:34:27.560 along with Abraham, 00:34:27.680 --> 00:34:28.420 the man of faith. 00:34:28.460 --> 00:34:29.080 What's he saying? 00:34:29.400 --> 00:34:30.380 The blessing, 00:34:30.700 --> 00:34:31.740 that God promised, 00:34:31.740 --> 00:34:32.660 to the nations, 00:34:32.920 --> 00:34:33.420 that's us, 00:34:33.640 --> 00:34:34.540 is the blessing, 00:34:34.540 --> 00:34:35.640 of justification, 00:34:35.640 --> 00:34:37.040 by faith in Christ. 00:34:37.140 --> 00:34:38.080 That's the gospel. 00:34:38.920 --> 00:34:39.840 That's what was preached, 00:34:39.980 --> 00:34:40.580 to Abraham. 00:34:40.579 --> 00:34:45.739 Do you realize, 00:34:45.860 --> 00:34:46.119 Christian, 00:34:46.199 --> 00:34:47.699 how blessed you are, 00:34:47.739 --> 00:34:49.139 to be justified, 00:34:49.400 --> 00:34:50.139 by faith alone, 00:34:50.199 --> 00:34:50.739 in Christ? 00:34:53.420 --> 00:34:54.559 If you were to hold up, 00:34:54.599 --> 00:34:55.199 your record, 00:34:55.259 --> 00:34:56.219 before a holy God, 00:34:56.279 --> 00:34:56.519 and say, 00:34:56.599 --> 00:34:57.139 look at me, 00:34:57.319 --> 00:34:58.340 would you accept me? 00:34:58.599 --> 00:34:59.659 I've been so good. 00:35:00.400 --> 00:35:01.500 I've done what I think, 00:35:01.539 --> 00:35:02.139 I ought to do. 00:35:02.639 --> 00:35:03.279 I've been better, 00:35:03.400 --> 00:35:04.179 than the next guy. 00:35:04.259 --> 00:35:05.019 I'm more moral, 00:35:05.119 --> 00:35:05.679 than my neighbor. 00:35:06.639 --> 00:35:07.699 I'm the same one, 00:35:07.759 --> 00:35:08.340 in my family. 00:35:10.579 --> 00:35:13.480 You would be turned away, 00:35:13.619 --> 00:35:14.500 from the kingdom of God. 00:35:15.840 --> 00:35:16.980 But in Christ, 00:35:17.259 --> 00:35:17.579 Jesus, 00:35:17.819 --> 00:35:18.480 by faith, 00:35:18.799 --> 00:35:19.840 we inherit, 00:35:20.119 --> 00:35:22.079 his perfect righteousness, 00:35:22.480 --> 00:35:23.099 and in Christ, 00:35:23.199 --> 00:35:23.460 Jesus, 00:35:23.599 --> 00:35:24.139 by faith, 00:35:24.380 --> 00:35:25.840 we are justified, 00:35:26.360 --> 00:35:27.480 declared righteous, 00:35:27.599 --> 00:35:28.880 in the sight of a holy God, 00:35:29.039 --> 00:35:30.039 and accepted, 00:35:30.319 --> 00:35:31.779 into his holy kingdom. 00:35:32.719 --> 00:35:33.759 Every spiritual blessing, 00:35:33.860 --> 00:35:34.579 flows downstream, 00:35:34.920 --> 00:35:36.259 from that great blessing, 00:35:36.340 --> 00:35:37.239 of justification. 00:35:37.659 --> 00:35:38.340 Here's another one, 00:35:38.980 --> 00:35:39.659 Galatians 3. 00:35:40.579 --> 00:35:42.739 We have his spirit, 00:35:43.199 --> 00:35:43.799 in us, 00:35:44.000 --> 00:35:44.360 Christian. 00:35:46.440 --> 00:35:47.319 Galatians 3, 00:35:47.420 --> 00:35:48.139 verse 13, 00:35:48.299 --> 00:35:48.559 says, 00:35:49.039 --> 00:35:50.219 Christ redeemed us, 00:35:50.279 --> 00:35:51.500 from the curse of the law, 00:35:51.599 --> 00:35:52.699 by becoming a curse, 00:35:52.960 --> 00:35:53.940 for us. 00:35:54.539 --> 00:35:55.279 For it is written, 00:35:55.480 --> 00:35:56.619 cursed is everyone, 00:35:56.779 --> 00:35:57.920 who's hanged on a tree. 00:35:58.679 --> 00:35:59.119 So that, 00:35:59.420 --> 00:36:00.679 in Christ Jesus, 00:36:01.039 --> 00:36:02.400 the blessing of Abraham, 00:36:02.639 --> 00:36:04.400 might come to the Gentiles. 00:36:04.440 --> 00:36:04.559 Well, 00:36:04.559 --> 00:36:05.539 what blessing is that? 00:36:06.239 --> 00:36:08.139 So that we might receive, 00:36:08.239 --> 00:36:09.880 the promised spirit. 00:36:09.880 --> 00:36:11.660 through faith. 00:36:13.660 --> 00:36:14.519 By faith, 00:36:15.660 --> 00:36:17.180 the spirit of God, 00:36:17.260 --> 00:36:17.840 himself, 00:36:18.099 --> 00:36:19.180 now dwells, 00:36:19.300 --> 00:36:20.860 within us. 00:36:21.039 --> 00:36:22.340 All of his children, 00:36:22.800 --> 00:36:23.860 are indwelt, 00:36:24.360 --> 00:36:25.500 by the Holy Spirit. 00:36:25.599 --> 00:36:26.780 He's not just God, 00:36:26.900 --> 00:36:27.539 with us, 00:36:27.599 --> 00:36:27.980 Emmanuel, 00:36:28.180 --> 00:36:29.059 now he is God, 00:36:29.140 --> 00:36:30.000 within us. 00:36:31.119 --> 00:36:32.140 What a blessing. 00:36:32.139 --> 00:36:35.759 One more, 00:36:35.839 --> 00:36:37.219 third blessing here. 00:36:37.639 --> 00:36:38.859 In Christ Jesus, 00:36:39.199 --> 00:36:39.879 you and I, 00:36:40.099 --> 00:36:41.639 have the certain hope, 00:36:41.839 --> 00:36:42.699 of a true, 00:36:43.179 --> 00:36:43.639 spiritual, 00:36:44.379 --> 00:36:44.920 place, 00:36:45.400 --> 00:36:45.759 to come. 00:36:46.920 --> 00:36:48.739 Do you know what awaits us, 00:36:48.799 --> 00:36:49.659 at Christ's return, 00:36:49.940 --> 00:36:50.239 Christian? 00:36:51.920 --> 00:36:53.179 And we call this season, 00:36:53.359 --> 00:36:53.759 Advent, 00:36:54.059 --> 00:36:55.319 and you know what that means? 00:36:55.519 --> 00:36:56.059 It means, 00:36:56.179 --> 00:36:57.139 it means coming, 00:36:57.440 --> 00:36:57.579 or, 00:36:57.699 --> 00:36:58.599 or arrival. 00:36:58.819 --> 00:36:59.259 And for us, 00:36:59.339 --> 00:36:59.460 we, 00:36:59.579 --> 00:37:01.279 we look at that in two directions, 00:37:01.280 --> 00:37:02.000 don't we? 00:37:03.120 --> 00:37:03.740 Now Christmas, 00:37:03.880 --> 00:37:04.820 we look backwards, 00:37:04.820 --> 00:37:06.380 to see the first coming, 00:37:06.420 --> 00:37:06.920 of Christ. 00:37:07.060 --> 00:37:07.160 We, 00:37:07.280 --> 00:37:08.640 we look at him, 00:37:08.680 --> 00:37:09.240 in the manger, 00:37:09.380 --> 00:37:10.860 and see the blessedness, 00:37:10.860 --> 00:37:11.540 for the world. 00:37:11.620 --> 00:37:12.500 The promised blessing, 00:37:12.500 --> 00:37:13.160 has come. 00:37:13.260 --> 00:37:13.420 He's, 00:37:13.480 --> 00:37:14.180 he's here, 00:37:14.260 --> 00:37:14.920 he's arrived, 00:37:14.980 --> 00:37:15.700 he's accomplished, 00:37:15.700 --> 00:37:16.340 the plan. 00:37:16.500 --> 00:37:18.360 But we also look forwards, 00:37:18.480 --> 00:37:19.440 to his second coming. 00:37:20.480 --> 00:37:21.220 When he will come, 00:37:21.280 --> 00:37:22.880 and finish what he started. 00:37:23.760 --> 00:37:24.480 He will come, 00:37:24.560 --> 00:37:25.620 and usher in, 00:37:25.760 --> 00:37:26.740 the kingdom of God, 00:37:26.820 --> 00:37:27.420 in full, 00:37:27.600 --> 00:37:27.660 and, 00:37:27.740 --> 00:37:28.860 and bring us, 00:37:28.880 --> 00:37:29.320 all who, 00:37:29.320 --> 00:37:30.380 are united to him, 00:37:30.440 --> 00:37:30.940 by faith, 00:37:31.160 --> 00:37:32.160 into a perfect, 00:37:32.700 --> 00:37:33.160 home. 00:37:34.280 --> 00:37:34.800 Where you and I, 00:37:34.840 --> 00:37:34.980 can, 00:37:35.100 --> 00:37:36.260 can worship him, 00:37:36.360 --> 00:37:37.400 and enjoy him, 00:37:37.440 --> 00:37:38.460 for the rest of eternity. 00:37:38.660 --> 00:37:38.800 You know, 00:37:38.840 --> 00:37:39.680 that's what Romans 4, 00:37:39.760 --> 00:37:40.320 tells us. 00:37:42.019 --> 00:37:42.880 Romans 4, 00:37:43.720 --> 00:37:44.500 tells us, 00:37:44.580 --> 00:37:45.480 that God, 00:37:45.720 --> 00:37:46.880 promised Abraham, 00:37:47.120 --> 00:37:48.000 and his offspring, 00:37:48.400 --> 00:37:49.680 that they would be, 00:37:49.880 --> 00:37:50.300 heirs, 00:37:50.440 --> 00:37:51.660 not just of Canaan, 00:37:52.080 --> 00:37:52.840 but heirs, 00:37:52.960 --> 00:37:54.019 of the world. 00:37:54.019 --> 00:37:57.159 friend, 00:37:57.219 --> 00:37:57.820 if you have, 00:37:59.179 --> 00:38:00.579 a longing for home, 00:38:00.940 --> 00:38:01.480 this year, 00:38:02.199 --> 00:38:03.920 for a place, 00:38:04.000 --> 00:38:04.619 where you can go, 00:38:04.780 --> 00:38:06.019 and be at peace, 00:38:06.179 --> 00:38:06.320 where, 00:38:06.400 --> 00:38:07.099 where sin, 00:38:07.219 --> 00:38:08.199 will not disrupt, 00:38:08.320 --> 00:38:08.980 where tragedy, 00:38:09.139 --> 00:38:10.059 will not come in, 00:38:10.139 --> 00:38:10.239 and, 00:38:10.360 --> 00:38:11.759 and break up the laughter, 00:38:12.800 --> 00:38:13.480 if you long, 00:38:13.559 --> 00:38:14.019 for a place, 00:38:14.099 --> 00:38:14.579 where the food, 00:38:14.659 --> 00:38:15.579 won't run out, 00:38:15.719 --> 00:38:15.840 and, 00:38:16.280 --> 00:38:17.259 where our capacity, 00:38:17.259 --> 00:38:18.679 to enjoy good gifts, 00:38:18.699 --> 00:38:19.699 will not ever be, 00:38:19.820 --> 00:38:20.559 too small, 00:38:20.800 --> 00:38:21.820 that sort, 00:38:21.820 --> 00:38:22.440 of blessing, 00:38:22.559 --> 00:38:23.719 will not be found. 00:38:24.019 --> 00:38:25.019 in anything, 00:38:25.360 --> 00:38:25.980 here and now, 00:38:26.639 --> 00:38:28.920 that blessing, 00:38:29.619 --> 00:38:30.940 is only found, 00:38:31.340 --> 00:38:32.679 in the new heavens, 00:38:33.380 --> 00:38:34.179 and the new earth, 00:38:34.599 --> 00:38:35.360 the true, 00:38:35.599 --> 00:38:36.659 promised land, 00:38:37.320 --> 00:38:37.960 in the presence, 00:38:38.219 --> 00:38:39.119 of Christ our King. 00:38:41.199 --> 00:38:41.679 Friend, 00:38:41.759 --> 00:38:42.699 do you desire blessing, 00:38:44.239 --> 00:38:45.320 prosperity? 00:38:45.659 --> 00:38:46.199 Of course you do. 00:38:46.960 --> 00:38:48.519 We all want to be blessed, 00:38:48.579 --> 00:38:50.119 if there's nobody on earth, 00:38:50.159 --> 00:38:51.259 that wants curse, 00:38:51.340 --> 00:38:52.400 in place of blessing, 00:38:52.400 --> 00:38:53.740 the good news, 00:38:53.740 --> 00:38:54.440 of the gospel, 00:38:55.599 --> 00:38:56.380 with the announcement, 00:38:56.559 --> 00:38:57.200 of Christmas, 00:38:58.099 --> 00:38:59.260 is that God, 00:38:59.420 --> 00:39:00.320 has spoken, 00:39:00.639 --> 00:39:01.340 a promise, 00:39:01.559 --> 00:39:02.260 of blessing, 00:39:02.480 --> 00:39:04.039 into this cursed world, 00:39:04.119 --> 00:39:04.840 you know where it's found? 00:39:05.639 --> 00:39:06.780 It's not in anything, 00:39:06.920 --> 00:39:08.180 this season has to offer, 00:39:09.019 --> 00:39:10.420 it's not in, 00:39:10.940 --> 00:39:12.059 sentimentality, 00:39:12.180 --> 00:39:13.340 or family memories, 00:39:13.539 --> 00:39:14.039 it's not in, 00:39:14.139 --> 00:39:15.139 in presents, 00:39:15.260 --> 00:39:15.980 and stuff, 00:39:16.099 --> 00:39:16.900 or nostalgia, 00:39:16.900 --> 00:39:18.900 true, 00:39:19.240 --> 00:39:19.860 and lasting, 00:39:20.180 --> 00:39:20.480 blessing, 00:39:20.700 --> 00:39:21.400 is found, 00:39:21.660 --> 00:39:22.220 in this, 00:39:22.300 --> 00:39:23.740 promised child, 00:39:24.820 --> 00:39:25.820 and it is available, 00:39:26.019 --> 00:39:27.119 to all the world, 00:39:27.360 --> 00:39:28.019 right now, 00:39:28.539 --> 00:39:28.860 any, 00:39:29.180 --> 00:39:30.099 who would come to him, 00:39:30.360 --> 00:39:30.980 in faith. 00:39:33.079 --> 00:39:33.960 Isaac Watts, 00:39:34.180 --> 00:39:34.940 wrote the song, 00:39:35.019 --> 00:39:35.740 Joy to the World, 00:39:35.820 --> 00:39:36.519 and it's sung, 00:39:36.700 --> 00:39:37.920 at Christmas time, 00:39:38.300 --> 00:39:39.380 around the world, 00:39:39.480 --> 00:39:40.440 but I share this, 00:39:40.680 --> 00:39:41.320 little tidbit, 00:39:41.440 --> 00:39:42.180 every year, 00:39:42.559 --> 00:39:43.700 it's my annual petition, 00:39:43.820 --> 00:39:44.519 to have it sung, 00:39:44.599 --> 00:39:45.800 around the clock, 00:39:45.800 --> 00:39:46.640 year round, 00:39:46.880 --> 00:39:48.500 because he didn't write it, 00:39:48.560 --> 00:39:49.480 about the first coming, 00:39:49.500 --> 00:39:49.900 of Jesus, 00:39:50.060 --> 00:39:51.519 it wasn't a Christmas song, 00:39:52.700 --> 00:39:53.420 Isaac Watts, 00:39:53.440 --> 00:39:53.980 wrote this, 00:39:54.060 --> 00:39:55.560 about the second coming, 00:39:55.660 --> 00:39:56.220 of Jesus, 00:39:57.620 --> 00:39:58.440 it's not just about, 00:39:58.760 --> 00:39:59.800 the baby in the manger, 00:39:59.960 --> 00:40:00.620 it's about Christ, 00:40:00.740 --> 00:40:01.240 the king, 00:40:01.360 --> 00:40:01.620 when he, 00:40:01.740 --> 00:40:02.420 when he comes, 00:40:02.500 --> 00:40:02.980 and finishes, 00:40:02.980 --> 00:40:03.760 what he started, 00:40:05.140 --> 00:40:05.820 when at last, 00:40:05.900 --> 00:40:07.019 all of God's people, 00:40:07.180 --> 00:40:08.100 by faith in Christ, 00:40:08.200 --> 00:40:09.120 can sing together, 00:40:09.300 --> 00:40:10.740 no more let sins, 00:40:10.820 --> 00:40:11.860 and sorrows grow, 00:40:12.900 --> 00:40:13.600 nor thorns, 00:40:13.600 --> 00:40:14.700 infest the ground, 00:40:14.699 --> 00:40:16.019 he comes, 00:40:16.019 --> 00:40:17.359 to make his blessings, 00:40:17.819 --> 00:40:18.079 flow, 00:40:19.079 --> 00:40:20.379 far as the curse, 00:40:20.500 --> 00:40:20.980 is found, 00:40:21.319 --> 00:40:21.679 let's pray, 00:40:21.919 --> 00:40:22.239 father, 00:40:22.879 --> 00:40:23.939 that's our hope, 00:40:24.539 --> 00:40:26.599 we long, 00:40:26.839 --> 00:40:27.119 for, 00:40:27.239 --> 00:40:28.039 we look forward, 00:40:28.219 --> 00:40:29.059 to the day, 00:40:29.119 --> 00:40:29.639 when Christ, 00:40:29.679 --> 00:40:30.319 will return, 00:40:30.859 --> 00:40:31.359 and we'll, 00:40:31.359 --> 00:40:32.599 we'll peel back, 00:40:32.679 --> 00:40:33.799 and undo this curse, 00:40:33.839 --> 00:40:34.279 of sin, 00:40:34.319 --> 00:40:35.179 from all the earth, 00:40:35.779 --> 00:40:37.439 we thank you, 00:40:37.480 --> 00:40:38.279 that we look back, 00:40:38.359 --> 00:40:38.960 to the manger, 00:40:39.079 --> 00:40:39.939 and see your promises, 00:40:40.139 --> 00:40:40.419 kept, 00:40:40.539 --> 00:40:41.480 that real, 00:40:41.819 --> 00:40:42.599 true blessing, 00:40:42.599 --> 00:40:43.359 can be had, 00:40:43.360 --> 00:40:44.059 right now, 00:40:44.120 --> 00:40:45.240 by faith in Christ, 00:40:45.519 --> 00:40:45.900 but Lord, 00:40:45.940 --> 00:40:46.539 we long, 00:40:46.680 --> 00:40:47.220 for the day, 00:40:47.300 --> 00:40:48.000 when it will come, 00:40:48.320 --> 00:40:49.700 unmingled with sin, 00:40:51.220 --> 00:40:52.539 without the presence, 00:40:52.680 --> 00:40:53.220 of death, 00:40:53.300 --> 00:40:53.860 and decay, 00:40:54.039 --> 00:40:54.720 and darkness, 00:40:55.900 --> 00:40:56.160 Lord, 00:40:56.200 --> 00:40:56.500 would you, 00:40:56.900 --> 00:40:57.800 put that hope, 00:40:57.900 --> 00:40:58.500 in our hearts, 00:40:59.740 --> 00:41:00.559 may we believe, 00:41:00.660 --> 00:41:01.320 in all your promises, 00:41:01.480 --> 00:41:01.980 by faith, 00:41:02.059 --> 00:41:03.000 we pray in Jesus name, 00:41:04.039 --> 00:41:04.260 amen, 00:41:04.260 --> 00:41:04.360 amen, 00:41:04.360 --> 00:41:04.420 amen, 00:41:04.420 --> 00:41:04.420 00:41:04.420 --> 00:41:04.420 00:41:04.420 --> 00:41:04.420 00:41:04.420 --> 00:41:04.420 00:41:04.420 --> 00:41:04.420 00:41:04.420 --> 00:41:06.420 amen, 00:41:06.420 --> 00:41:06.420 00:41:06.420 --> 00:41:06.420 00:41:06.420 --> 00:41:08.420 amen, 00:41:08.420 --> 00:41:08.420 00:41:08.420 --> 00:41:08.420 00:41:08.420 --> 00:41:08.420 00:41:08.420 --> 00:41:08.420