WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.720 John chapter 1, that's on page 886. 00:00:08.240 --> 00:00:11.240 I hope we've all received some Christmas cards this year. 00:00:11.640 --> 00:00:13.000 ! We've had a few in our family. 00:00:13.220 --> 00:00:15.259 Thank you for sending them if that was you. 00:00:16.179 --> 00:00:18.539 And what are the usual scenes on Christmas cards? 00:00:19.199 --> 00:00:20.640 What are the ones that sell? 00:00:21.679 --> 00:00:25.900 They're usually pictures of kind of calm and cosy scenes, aren't they? 00:00:26.879 --> 00:00:29.400 Maybe stockings hanging above a fireplace. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.560 A Christmas tree in the corner of a room. 00:00:32.759 --> 00:00:35.119 A beautiful, peaceful scene of snowy London. 00:00:35.740 --> 00:00:37.899 As if it ever snows or is peaceful here. 00:00:38.200 --> 00:00:40.259 But maybe cute animals in a forest. 00:00:41.000 --> 00:00:44.579 Maybe a warm, cosy nativity scene around the manger. 00:00:46.019 --> 00:00:52.179 The picture of Christmas has become this cute, warm, cosy time of the year. 00:00:53.219 --> 00:00:56.500 You think of the birth of Jesus and you think warm and fuzzy, don't you? 00:00:56.500 --> 00:01:06.000 But this passage in John shows that if we think the birth of Jesus is just meant to make us feel warm and fuzzy, 00:01:06.340 --> 00:01:09.099 we are completely missing the gravity of Christmas. 00:01:10.620 --> 00:01:14.539 Did you notice that this passage doesn't feel too Christmassy, does it? 00:01:15.200 --> 00:01:17.180 There are no sheep, no shepherds. 00:01:17.799 --> 00:01:19.219 No manger is mentioned. 00:01:19.219 --> 00:01:24.439 And that's because John is showing us something we often miss about Christmas. 00:01:25.579 --> 00:01:34.519 At Christmas time, we are dealing with the cosmic, the eternal, the mind-blowing, the unfathomable. 00:01:34.519 --> 00:01:39.079 John is not trying to make Christmas feel warm and cosy. 00:01:39.280 --> 00:01:41.979 He's trying to send shivers down your spine. 00:01:43.420 --> 00:01:47.219 He's showing us when we think about Christmas, we need to get goosebumps. 00:01:48.719 --> 00:01:50.459 Because look where this passage takes us. 00:01:50.759 --> 00:01:52.939 Look where John begins his Christmas story. 00:01:53.599 --> 00:01:55.359 He doesn't begin with Mary. 00:01:56.239 --> 00:01:57.439 He doesn't begin with Joseph. 00:01:57.539 --> 00:01:59.340 He doesn't begin with shepherds. 00:01:59.340 --> 00:02:03.439 He takes us to the beginning of everything. 00:02:04.480 --> 00:02:05.359 Look at verse 1. 00:02:06.880 --> 00:02:12.640 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 00:02:14.360 --> 00:02:16.140 This is the beginning of everything. 00:02:17.000 --> 00:02:22.719 Before all creation, before the universe, when it was just God in timeless eternity. 00:02:22.719 --> 00:02:29.520 John is saying, if you're going to grasp Christmas, if you really want to know what's going on in the manger, 00:02:30.460 --> 00:02:33.259 you need to go way further back than the manger. 00:02:34.159 --> 00:02:36.400 You need to go back to eternity. 00:02:37.379 --> 00:02:40.099 You need to peer into the unfathomable. 00:02:40.579 --> 00:02:42.319 You need your head to explode. 00:02:43.780 --> 00:02:47.319 The Christmas scene of John 1, it wouldn't sell on Christmas cards. 00:02:47.960 --> 00:02:49.699 It wouldn't fit on a Christmas card. 00:02:49.699 --> 00:02:52.859 But John doesn't want us to feel warm and fuzzy here. 00:02:53.519 --> 00:02:56.280 John wants to send shivers down your spine. 00:02:57.619 --> 00:03:01.819 And he does that by writing just five words. 00:03:03.039 --> 00:03:05.539 And maybe some of the most astonishing words in the Bible. 00:03:05.859 --> 00:03:06.620 Verse 14. 00:03:07.859 --> 00:03:10.959 And the Word became flesh. 00:03:13.239 --> 00:03:15.879 Those five words will melt your brain. 00:03:15.879 --> 00:03:19.219 This is what causes the shivers. 00:03:20.099 --> 00:03:23.199 And I want us to feel those shivers down our spines today. 00:03:23.359 --> 00:03:25.799 If you don't feel warm and fuzzy today, that's good. 00:03:26.280 --> 00:03:26.879 I'm glad. 00:03:27.359 --> 00:03:30.900 If you don't quite get everything today, that's okay. 00:03:31.079 --> 00:03:31.799 Neither do I. 00:03:32.680 --> 00:03:36.840 I want us to sense the gravity of what's going on at Christmas. 00:03:37.240 --> 00:03:40.500 Of who exactly that baby is in the manger. 00:03:40.500 --> 00:03:44.539 And so the first thing we need to see is this. 00:03:45.360 --> 00:03:47.340 Jesus is God. 00:03:48.120 --> 00:03:49.500 Jesus is God. 00:03:49.919 --> 00:03:52.020 Look again how John begins the Christmas story. 00:03:52.099 --> 00:03:52.620 Verse 1. 00:03:53.560 --> 00:03:55.879 In the beginning was the Word. 00:03:57.659 --> 00:04:00.539 John hits the rewind button on history here. 00:04:00.539 --> 00:04:04.799 And we rewind and go back before creation. 00:04:05.479 --> 00:04:06.599 So before atoms. 00:04:07.159 --> 00:04:08.439 Before space. 00:04:08.599 --> 00:04:10.359 But before time itself. 00:04:11.859 --> 00:04:13.719 So you know when you rewind a film. 00:04:14.419 --> 00:04:16.560 And the time scrubs backwards. 00:04:17.240 --> 00:04:19.060 And you get closer and closer to zero. 00:04:19.240 --> 00:04:21.099 And then eventually you hit zero. 00:04:22.060 --> 00:04:26.420 And what happens if you try to rewind any further than that? 00:04:27.300 --> 00:04:28.019 What happens? 00:04:28.019 --> 00:04:29.560 You can't, can you? 00:04:29.560 --> 00:04:31.839 That's the beginning of the film. 00:04:31.980 --> 00:04:35.079 The film doesn't exist before that zero. 00:04:35.259 --> 00:04:38.579 There's no film to rewind beyond that. 00:04:40.240 --> 00:04:43.500 Well John takes us beyond zero. 00:04:44.959 --> 00:04:48.959 He shows us what there was before this story. 00:04:49.079 --> 00:04:49.579 History. 00:04:50.060 --> 00:04:51.459 Before anything began. 00:04:53.019 --> 00:04:54.100 And what was there? 00:04:54.220 --> 00:04:54.879 Who was there? 00:04:55.420 --> 00:04:58.959 In the beginning was the Word. 00:04:59.560 --> 00:05:01.459 Now. 00:05:02.579 --> 00:05:05.060 Does this opening line sound familiar to you? 00:05:05.759 --> 00:05:06.959 Does this ring any bells? 00:05:07.480 --> 00:05:09.860 If I said finish the Bible verse. 00:05:10.420 --> 00:05:11.180 In the beginning. 00:05:12.560 --> 00:05:13.720 What would you say? 00:05:14.420 --> 00:05:14.560 Yeah. 00:05:14.840 --> 00:05:16.439 I think our go-to response would be. 00:05:16.680 --> 00:05:17.480 In the beginning. 00:05:17.480 --> 00:05:19.840 God created the heavens and the earth. 00:05:19.839 --> 00:05:22.899 It sounds like Genesis 1. 00:05:22.899 --> 00:05:23.539 Doesn't it? 00:05:23.859 --> 00:05:25.500 The very first line of the Bible. 00:05:25.639 --> 00:05:26.739 The beginning of creation. 00:05:27.099 --> 00:05:27.739 Well John. 00:05:27.859 --> 00:05:29.679 He's taking us to that point. 00:05:30.839 --> 00:05:32.060 And that's intentional. 00:05:32.399 --> 00:05:33.699 He wants us to think. 00:05:33.859 --> 00:05:34.739 In the beginning. 00:05:34.899 --> 00:05:36.239 God created the heavens. 00:05:36.739 --> 00:05:37.819 He wants us. 00:05:38.059 --> 00:05:38.620 For that. 00:05:38.699 --> 00:05:40.019 To roll off our tongues. 00:05:40.500 --> 00:05:42.479 But he wants to catch us there. 00:05:42.480 --> 00:05:45.200 And instead of saying God. 00:05:46.140 --> 00:05:47.120 He says. 00:05:47.319 --> 00:05:48.180 The Word. 00:05:49.259 --> 00:05:50.600 In the beginning was. 00:05:50.819 --> 00:05:51.740 The Word. 00:05:53.379 --> 00:05:54.060 John is saying. 00:05:54.120 --> 00:05:55.200 Before all creation. 00:05:55.340 --> 00:05:56.259 In timeless eternity. 00:05:56.759 --> 00:05:57.580 Was God. 00:05:57.960 --> 00:05:58.420 Yes. 00:05:58.540 --> 00:06:00.720 But let me tell you about that God. 00:06:01.500 --> 00:06:02.280 He is. 00:06:02.280 --> 00:06:03.300 The Word. 00:06:03.300 --> 00:06:03.379 The Word. 00:06:05.060 --> 00:06:06.560 And who is the Word? 00:06:07.660 --> 00:06:08.699 Well the Word. 00:06:08.860 --> 00:06:09.920 Is the Son of God. 00:06:10.900 --> 00:06:12.079 The Word. 00:06:12.439 --> 00:06:14.000 Is Jesus Christ. 00:06:15.280 --> 00:06:16.240 The Word. 00:06:16.379 --> 00:06:16.960 Is the person. 00:06:17.120 --> 00:06:18.639 That this whole gospel. 00:06:18.840 --> 00:06:19.259 Is about. 00:06:19.840 --> 00:06:20.900 The Word. 00:06:21.040 --> 00:06:21.900 Is Jesus. 00:06:23.500 --> 00:06:24.540 It's the person. 00:06:24.540 --> 00:06:25.639 Who came to earth. 00:06:25.720 --> 00:06:27.379 And laid in that manger. 00:06:28.300 --> 00:06:28.819 He. 00:06:29.220 --> 00:06:30.360 Was in the beginning. 00:06:31.840 --> 00:06:32.960 His existence. 00:06:33.300 --> 00:06:34.319 Didn't begin. 00:06:34.939 --> 00:06:35.879 In Mary's womb. 00:06:36.120 --> 00:06:37.319 He has been. 00:06:37.500 --> 00:06:38.639 For all eternity. 00:06:39.879 --> 00:06:40.900 And look what it says. 00:06:40.900 --> 00:06:41.360 About him. 00:06:41.420 --> 00:06:41.920 Verse one. 00:06:43.079 --> 00:06:43.900 In the beginning. 00:06:44.120 --> 00:06:45.040 Was the Word. 00:06:45.100 --> 00:06:45.780 And the Word. 00:06:45.900 --> 00:06:46.960 Was with God. 00:06:47.439 --> 00:06:48.280 And the Word. 00:06:48.620 --> 00:06:49.519 Was God. 00:06:51.180 --> 00:06:52.480 So follow along here. 00:06:52.920 --> 00:06:53.819 Who is Jesus? 00:06:54.819 --> 00:06:56.139 Jesus is the Word. 00:06:57.100 --> 00:06:58.340 Who is the Word? 00:06:59.400 --> 00:07:01.000 The Word is God. 00:07:02.019 --> 00:07:03.019 Fully divine. 00:07:03.019 --> 00:07:03.819 In every way. 00:07:03.819 --> 00:07:03.819 00:07:04.099 --> 00:07:05.180 Not less than God. 00:07:05.279 --> 00:07:06.759 Not almost God. 00:07:06.899 --> 00:07:08.859 The Word is fully God. 00:07:08.939 --> 00:07:09.959 In every way. 00:07:10.839 --> 00:07:13.000 So what must we say of Jesus? 00:07:14.259 --> 00:07:16.639 Jesus is God. 00:07:17.699 --> 00:07:18.919 Let me say that again. 00:07:19.519 --> 00:07:21.539 Jesus is God. 00:07:23.039 --> 00:07:23.680 Jesus. 00:07:23.959 --> 00:07:24.839 The Son of God. 00:07:24.899 --> 00:07:27.079 Has existed from all eternity. 00:07:27.079 --> 00:07:28.979 And he is fully. 00:07:28.979 --> 00:07:28.979 00:07:29.339 --> 00:07:29.579 Truly. 00:07:29.879 --> 00:07:30.879 And in every way. 00:07:31.099 --> 00:07:31.459 God. 00:07:31.699 --> 00:07:33.279 That is his identity. 00:07:34.719 --> 00:07:35.959 The Son of God. 00:07:36.019 --> 00:07:37.219 Is all powerful. 00:07:38.379 --> 00:07:39.519 The Son of God. 00:07:39.719 --> 00:07:40.459 Is all knowing. 00:07:40.579 --> 00:07:41.519 The Son of God. 00:07:41.599 --> 00:07:42.620 Is all good. 00:07:43.240 --> 00:07:44.219 The Son of God. 00:07:44.339 --> 00:07:45.279 Is infinite. 00:07:45.279 --> 00:07:46.500 And perfect. 00:07:46.500 --> 00:07:47.579 In every way. 00:07:48.759 --> 00:07:50.199 And he's the creator. 00:07:50.199 --> 00:07:51.379 Of all things. 00:07:51.839 --> 00:07:52.500 Did you see that? 00:07:52.560 --> 00:07:53.180 In verse 3. 00:07:53.180 --> 00:07:56.360 All things were made through him. 00:07:56.840 --> 00:07:57.639 And without him. 00:07:57.740 --> 00:07:58.660 Was not anything made. 00:07:58.720 --> 00:07:59.360 That was made. 00:08:00.720 --> 00:08:02.900 All things were made through the Word. 00:08:03.740 --> 00:08:04.459 All things. 00:08:04.660 --> 00:08:05.819 Everything in the universe. 00:08:05.819 --> 00:08:07.860 So. 00:08:08.139 --> 00:08:09.839 If we could shrink down. 00:08:10.040 --> 00:08:11.560 Everything that has been made. 00:08:11.860 --> 00:08:12.879 Every atom. 00:08:13.699 --> 00:08:15.360 Every wave of energy. 00:08:15.860 --> 00:08:17.480 All of time and space. 00:08:17.620 --> 00:08:18.839 Even heaven. 00:08:19.040 --> 00:08:19.800 And angels. 00:08:19.939 --> 00:08:20.939 And spiritual forces. 00:08:21.060 --> 00:08:21.459 Everything. 00:08:21.839 --> 00:08:23.740 If we could shrink that all down. 00:08:23.980 --> 00:08:24.319 And just. 00:08:24.420 --> 00:08:25.819 And put it in a pile here. 00:08:26.779 --> 00:08:27.939 The Word. 00:08:28.300 --> 00:08:29.800 Would not be part of that. 00:08:30.980 --> 00:08:32.639 The Word is uncreated. 00:08:32.639 --> 00:08:34.100 He's always existed. 00:08:34.100 --> 00:08:36.180 But the Word. 00:08:36.180 --> 00:08:37.879 Can come over to that pile. 00:08:38.540 --> 00:08:38.879 And say. 00:08:39.200 --> 00:08:39.960 All of that. 00:08:40.120 --> 00:08:41.200 Was made through me. 00:08:43.000 --> 00:08:43.659 Jesus. 00:08:44.100 --> 00:08:45.060 Is the creator. 00:08:45.060 --> 00:08:46.320 Of all things. 00:08:47.240 --> 00:08:48.540 He's uncreated. 00:08:48.779 --> 00:08:49.460 And eternal. 00:08:49.860 --> 00:08:51.300 He's always existed. 00:08:51.300 --> 00:08:52.379 From eternity past. 00:08:52.700 --> 00:08:54.240 He was in the beginning. 00:08:55.300 --> 00:08:56.580 He is the source. 00:08:56.580 --> 00:08:57.180 Of life. 00:08:57.240 --> 00:08:57.980 For all things. 00:08:58.180 --> 00:08:58.620 Jesus. 00:08:59.240 --> 00:09:00.200 Is God. 00:09:02.740 --> 00:09:04.080 There'll be some people here. 00:09:04.100 --> 00:09:05.120 Who think. 00:09:05.519 --> 00:09:06.139 That Jesus. 00:09:06.139 --> 00:09:08.100 Was just a good moral teacher. 00:09:09.500 --> 00:09:10.779 There'll be some here. 00:09:10.860 --> 00:09:11.540 Who think that. 00:09:11.680 --> 00:09:12.519 Jesus was simply. 00:09:12.700 --> 00:09:14.000 A very important prophet. 00:09:15.480 --> 00:09:16.779 There'll be some people here. 00:09:17.019 --> 00:09:18.180 Who don't really know. 00:09:18.300 --> 00:09:18.840 Who Jesus is. 00:09:18.920 --> 00:09:20.019 But you respect him. 00:09:20.820 --> 00:09:21.560 You don't really. 00:09:21.920 --> 00:09:23.000 Follow the religious aspect. 00:09:23.120 --> 00:09:23.840 But you respect. 00:09:23.920 --> 00:09:24.879 What's going on at Christmas. 00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:26.060 And with Jesus. 00:09:27.820 --> 00:09:29.340 Well let's be clear here. 00:09:30.379 --> 00:09:30.879 Jesus. 00:09:30.879 --> 00:09:32.120 Is not just. 00:09:32.120 --> 00:09:33.419 A good moral teacher. 00:09:33.799 --> 00:09:34.700 His teaching. 00:09:34.700 --> 00:09:35.700 Is unparalleled. 00:09:35.820 --> 00:09:36.440 His morality. 00:09:36.440 --> 00:09:37.100 Is perfect. 00:09:37.679 --> 00:09:39.299 But he's not just that. 00:09:40.440 --> 00:09:41.960 He's not just a prophet. 00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:43.419 He's not just the best. 00:09:43.419 --> 00:09:44.600 Among other prophets. 00:09:44.759 --> 00:09:44.860 No. 00:09:44.980 --> 00:09:46.100 That does not do. 00:09:46.100 --> 00:09:46.860 Jesus justice. 00:09:48.039 --> 00:09:48.840 Look what the Bible. 00:09:48.840 --> 00:09:49.440 Says here. 00:09:50.480 --> 00:09:51.039 Jesus. 00:09:51.500 --> 00:09:51.980 Is. 00:09:52.259 --> 00:09:52.620 God. 00:09:54.200 --> 00:09:55.740 That is his identity. 00:09:55.740 --> 00:09:57.419 No. 00:09:57.419 --> 00:09:57.440 No. 00:09:57.759 --> 00:09:58.539 Mere teacher. 00:09:58.779 --> 00:10:00.000 Makes solar systems. 00:10:01.220 --> 00:10:03.080 Even the greatest prophet. 00:10:03.320 --> 00:10:03.820 Had a beginning. 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:04.600 But Jesus. 00:10:05.620 --> 00:10:06.180 Jesus. 00:10:06.519 --> 00:10:06.840 Is. 00:10:07.080 --> 00:10:07.419 God. 00:10:09.340 --> 00:10:10.860 And this should transform. 00:10:11.279 --> 00:10:11.799 Everything. 00:10:12.000 --> 00:10:13.279 About how you relate to Jesus. 00:10:14.919 --> 00:10:15.799 Did you see. 00:10:16.740 --> 00:10:18.200 Since Jesus is God. 00:10:18.620 --> 00:10:20.940 You can't just respect him. 00:10:21.639 --> 00:10:22.759 And just leave it there. 00:10:22.840 --> 00:10:23.379 This Christmas. 00:10:23.379 --> 00:10:25.879 God deserves. 00:10:25.879 --> 00:10:26.700 More than that. 00:10:27.379 --> 00:10:28.620 You can't just. 00:10:28.740 --> 00:10:29.799 Respect Jesus. 00:10:30.559 --> 00:10:31.340 You need to. 00:10:31.480 --> 00:10:32.220 Worship him. 00:10:33.539 --> 00:10:34.779 You can't just think. 00:10:34.980 --> 00:10:36.200 He's a great source. 00:10:36.200 --> 00:10:36.980 Of teaching. 00:10:37.919 --> 00:10:38.519 No. 00:10:38.559 --> 00:10:38.659 No. 00:10:38.740 --> 00:10:39.700 You need to see him. 00:10:39.820 --> 00:10:41.059 As the source. 00:10:41.259 --> 00:10:42.120 Of everything. 00:10:43.960 --> 00:10:45.299 You can't just think. 00:10:45.399 --> 00:10:46.059 He's a prophet. 00:10:46.200 --> 00:10:47.460 Speaking great words. 00:10:47.539 --> 00:10:47.659 No. 00:10:47.940 --> 00:10:48.100 No. 00:10:48.179 --> 00:10:49.299 You need to see him. 00:10:49.419 --> 00:10:50.639 As the word. 00:10:51.100 --> 00:10:52.120 Who has existed. 00:10:52.120 --> 00:10:53.259 From all eternity. 00:10:53.379 --> 00:10:55.939 You can't. 00:10:55.939 --> 00:10:56.860 Know Jesus. 00:10:56.860 --> 00:10:57.700 Without knowing. 00:10:57.700 --> 00:10:58.439 His eternity. 00:11:00.840 --> 00:11:02.080 And for those of us. 00:11:02.159 --> 00:11:02.639 In Christ. 00:11:02.740 --> 00:11:03.220 Here today. 00:11:04.539 --> 00:11:05.340 It's funny. 00:11:05.439 --> 00:11:06.279 But this is something. 00:11:06.279 --> 00:11:07.379 About our saviour. 00:11:07.460 --> 00:11:08.559 We can lose sight of. 00:11:09.840 --> 00:11:10.939 Our saviour. 00:11:10.939 --> 00:11:11.960 Is not just. 00:11:12.200 --> 00:11:13.240 Some superpowered. 00:11:13.240 --> 00:11:13.919 Creature. 00:11:14.919 --> 00:11:15.439 No. 00:11:15.860 --> 00:11:16.759 Our saviour. 00:11:16.919 --> 00:11:17.899 Is God. 00:11:19.659 --> 00:11:21.440 Who is the good shepherd. 00:11:21.440 --> 00:11:22.420 Over your life. 00:11:23.460 --> 00:11:24.300 It's God. 00:11:25.820 --> 00:11:27.060 Who protects. 00:11:27.280 --> 00:11:28.080 And defends. 00:11:28.080 --> 00:11:29.560 And loves his church. 00:11:30.520 --> 00:11:31.500 It's God. 00:11:32.860 --> 00:11:33.880 Not just someone. 00:11:33.880 --> 00:11:34.800 Really powerful. 00:11:35.060 --> 00:11:35.780 It's more than that. 00:11:35.860 --> 00:11:36.860 It's God himself. 00:11:37.000 --> 00:11:38.520 It's the eternal word. 00:11:38.720 --> 00:11:40.220 Who was in the beginning. 00:11:40.460 --> 00:11:40.880 Jesus. 00:11:41.280 --> 00:11:42.240 Is God. 00:11:42.240 --> 00:11:42.340 God. 00:11:44.580 --> 00:11:45.659 Which is why. 00:11:46.600 --> 00:11:47.919 When we come to verse 14. 00:11:48.080 --> 00:11:48.860 Our heads. 00:11:48.860 --> 00:11:49.779 Should explode. 00:11:51.720 --> 00:11:53.060 How do we get from. 00:11:53.220 --> 00:11:54.419 Timeless eternity. 00:11:55.259 --> 00:11:56.259 To the manger. 00:11:57.860 --> 00:11:58.879 Well this is where. 00:11:58.879 --> 00:11:59.519 John gives us. 00:11:59.659 --> 00:12:00.580 Five words. 00:12:00.919 --> 00:12:02.440 That should send shivers. 00:12:02.440 --> 00:12:03.519 Down our spines. 00:12:04.519 --> 00:12:05.240 Verse 14. 00:12:05.240 --> 00:12:07.980 And the word. 00:12:08.539 --> 00:12:09.100 Became. 00:12:09.700 --> 00:12:10.220 Flesh. 00:12:11.700 --> 00:12:12.879 And this is the next thing. 00:12:12.940 --> 00:12:13.720 I want us to say. 00:12:13.919 --> 00:12:14.340 God. 00:12:14.759 --> 00:12:15.360 Became. 00:12:15.620 --> 00:12:16.019 Flesh. 00:12:16.860 --> 00:12:17.240 God. 00:12:17.360 --> 00:12:17.759 Became. 00:12:17.919 --> 00:12:18.240 Flesh. 00:12:19.519 --> 00:12:20.840 I want us to do something here. 00:12:20.919 --> 00:12:21.980 I want us to hold. 00:12:22.220 --> 00:12:23.379 Two verses together. 00:12:24.060 --> 00:12:25.299 I want us to read. 00:12:25.620 --> 00:12:26.480 Verse 1. 00:12:26.539 --> 00:12:27.840 And verse 14. 00:12:28.019 --> 00:12:28.440 Together. 00:12:29.060 --> 00:12:30.299 Like squish them together. 00:12:30.960 --> 00:12:32.539 And let these two verses. 00:12:32.539 --> 00:12:33.779 Roll into each other. 00:12:34.180 --> 00:12:34.759 Are you ready? 00:12:35.240 --> 00:12:37.399 In the beginning was the word. 00:12:38.139 --> 00:12:39.940 And the word was with God. 00:12:40.019 --> 00:12:42.139 And the word was God. 00:12:42.680 --> 00:12:44.299 And the word. 00:12:44.680 --> 00:12:45.480 Became. 00:12:45.820 --> 00:12:46.419 Flesh. 00:12:47.259 --> 00:12:48.580 And dwelt among us. 00:12:50.279 --> 00:12:52.620 The eternal word. 00:12:52.879 --> 00:12:53.399 God. 00:12:54.200 --> 00:12:54.840 Became. 00:12:55.299 --> 00:12:55.820 Flesh. 00:12:57.659 --> 00:12:59.220 Now what does flesh mean? 00:13:00.259 --> 00:13:01.220 Flesh means. 00:13:01.460 --> 00:13:01.759 Human. 00:13:02.779 --> 00:13:04.960 It means all that it means to be human. 00:13:04.960 --> 00:13:08.000 So it doesn't just mean skin and muscle. 00:13:08.360 --> 00:13:09.740 It doesn't just mean meat. 00:13:10.139 --> 00:13:12.080 But it means everything else as well. 00:13:12.800 --> 00:13:14.060 It means a body. 00:13:14.980 --> 00:13:15.660 A brain. 00:13:17.120 --> 00:13:17.680 Thoughts. 00:13:18.060 --> 00:13:18.740 Emotions. 00:13:18.980 --> 00:13:19.580 A will. 00:13:20.440 --> 00:13:21.019 Desires. 00:13:21.240 --> 00:13:21.740 It means dreams. 00:13:23.340 --> 00:13:23.980 Pain. 00:13:24.280 --> 00:13:24.980 Weakness. 00:13:25.920 --> 00:13:27.340 It also means a soul. 00:13:28.340 --> 00:13:29.420 That's what flesh means. 00:13:29.420 --> 00:13:29.420 00:13:29.560 --> 00:13:33.040 The word became truly human. 00:13:34.680 --> 00:13:36.480 Now two quick things to see here. 00:13:36.740 --> 00:13:38.160 Flesh doesn't mean sin. 00:13:39.139 --> 00:13:40.920 Jesus wasn't sinful at all. 00:13:41.040 --> 00:13:42.440 To be truly human actually. 00:13:42.820 --> 00:13:44.680 It means to not be sinful. 00:13:45.320 --> 00:13:46.540 And that was Jesus. 00:13:47.680 --> 00:13:50.259 And another thing to see in this case is this. 00:13:50.259 --> 00:13:53.659 Flesh means the ability to die. 00:13:54.919 --> 00:13:56.059 It means mortal. 00:13:56.539 --> 00:13:57.600 You could say here. 00:13:58.360 --> 00:14:01.279 The word became killable. 00:14:03.159 --> 00:14:05.659 And the word became flesh. 00:14:05.659 --> 00:14:06.579 Flesh. 00:14:07.980 --> 00:14:10.299 This is what has happened in the manger. 00:14:10.799 --> 00:14:12.519 Or actually in Mary's womb. 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:15.539 God has become human. 00:14:16.480 --> 00:14:20.559 The eternal words has become flesh. 00:14:20.559 --> 00:14:24.739 So imagine yourself at the nativity scene. 00:14:25.579 --> 00:14:26.099 Imagine yourself. 00:14:26.199 --> 00:14:27.459 Maybe you're one of the shepherds. 00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:29.839 And you walk over to the manger. 00:14:30.439 --> 00:14:31.539 And you look down. 00:14:31.739 --> 00:14:32.939 And what do you see in the manger? 00:14:33.859 --> 00:14:38.299 You see a real truly human baby. 00:14:39.239 --> 00:14:40.719 You see flesh. 00:14:42.259 --> 00:14:45.339 But who is that flesh? 00:14:46.019 --> 00:14:47.599 Who is that baby? 00:14:48.259 --> 00:14:49.759 Who is his identity? 00:14:50.559 --> 00:14:53.839 It is the eternal word. 00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:56.839 He's both. 00:14:57.699 --> 00:14:59.459 At the same time. 00:14:59.939 --> 00:15:03.299 The word has become flesh. 00:15:04.239 --> 00:15:10.579 The identity and glory of God is now seen in flesh. 00:15:11.279 --> 00:15:13.699 It's that baby in the manger. 00:15:15.599 --> 00:15:19.039 Now that doesn't mean God changed into flesh. 00:15:19.039 --> 00:15:21.019 He didn't stop being God. 00:15:21.219 --> 00:15:24.659 He didn't become kind of this half God, half human mix. 00:15:25.159 --> 00:15:26.659 No, he's still the word. 00:15:26.779 --> 00:15:27.980 Still truly God. 00:15:28.719 --> 00:15:32.519 But at the same time, he is now also flesh. 00:15:33.959 --> 00:15:39.240 If you want to be technical here, you can say God has taken on a human nature. 00:15:39.240 --> 00:15:44.299 Now, this is mind-boggling, isn't it? 00:15:44.299 --> 00:15:48.519 If you're scratching your head right now, that's okay. 00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:50.879 That's the right reaction. 00:15:51.019 --> 00:15:55.680 Because this is the most mind-boggling miracle God has done. 00:15:55.679 --> 00:15:57.959 And there's nothing like it. 00:15:58.059 --> 00:16:00.199 There's nothing we can compare this to. 00:16:00.599 --> 00:16:03.059 Jesus is the only example of this happening. 00:16:03.059 --> 00:16:09.059 That being said, let's try to understand a little bit of what's going on here. 00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:15.939 Kids, or adults, who's asking for Lego for Christmas? 00:16:16.939 --> 00:16:20.679 Maybe asking for Harry Potter or Star Wars or Lego City? 00:16:21.539 --> 00:16:22.500 Lego's great, isn't it? 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:25.659 Do you ever make worlds out of Lego? 00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:32.179 With people and buildings and spaceships and a story holding it all together? 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:33.440 I used to love doing that. 00:16:33.539 --> 00:16:35.419 My room would become this Lego world. 00:16:35.960 --> 00:16:36.840 I had underwater Lego. 00:16:36.919 --> 00:16:37.399 It was my favourite. 00:16:38.639 --> 00:16:42.679 Well, imagine you make this world out of Lego. 00:16:43.139 --> 00:16:44.059 This amazing world. 00:16:44.279 --> 00:16:45.980 And you've designed the whole thing. 00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:49.279 And you've been really careful to make every part of it. 00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:53.220 And then, imagine this. 00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:56.579 You become a Lego man or a Lego woman. 00:16:57.539 --> 00:17:01.679 And you start walking around the Lego world you made. 00:17:03.240 --> 00:17:04.819 What's just happened there? 00:17:05.700 --> 00:17:10.639 The creator has become a part of the creation. 00:17:12.160 --> 00:17:15.940 That is a little bit like the word became flesh. 00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:18.559 Or you can think of it like this. 00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:20.799 Imagine you write a story. 00:17:21.619 --> 00:17:22.899 You're the author of a novel. 00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:26.379 Maybe there are some aspiring authors here today. 00:17:27.279 --> 00:17:27.759 And imagine this. 00:17:27.839 --> 00:17:28.940 You write a book. 00:17:29.539 --> 00:17:31.139 And you make all these characters. 00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:32.799 You write all these characters into your book. 00:17:32.919 --> 00:17:34.679 And you make up this world. 00:17:35.059 --> 00:17:36.139 And this story. 00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:38.919 And it's so intricate and well crafted. 00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:40.879 And then, imagine this. 00:17:41.339 --> 00:17:44.940 You start writing yourself into the story. 00:17:44.940 --> 00:17:50.559 You make yourself into a character of the world that you made. 00:17:51.200 --> 00:17:52.779 So you, the author. 00:17:53.360 --> 00:17:56.360 You start living in the world you created. 00:17:56.620 --> 00:17:59.559 You become one of them and start speaking to them. 00:17:59.559 --> 00:18:06.139 Well, that is a little bit like the word became flesh. 00:18:07.359 --> 00:18:10.279 But of course, that doesn't fully capture it, does it? 00:18:10.839 --> 00:18:14.299 Because we're created and Lego is created as well. 00:18:14.299 --> 00:18:19.579 And so verse 14, it's even more mind-blowing than that. 00:18:19.579 --> 00:18:22.099 But just think. 00:18:22.859 --> 00:18:30.480 In that manger, as the baby Jesus is cold and crying and hungry, 00:18:31.079 --> 00:18:39.259 in that moment, the creator of all things has become a creature. 00:18:39.259 --> 00:18:45.039 The infinite is now also finite. 00:18:46.259 --> 00:18:50.759 The timeless has stepped into time. 00:18:51.940 --> 00:18:57.740 The one who formed the solar systems is now crying for milk. 00:18:58.799 --> 00:19:03.079 He spins the galaxies while he's wrapped in swaddling cloths. 00:19:03.079 --> 00:19:09.319 The one who is too pure and holy for angels to even look at. 00:19:10.059 --> 00:19:13.039 He's now surrounded by mud and mucus. 00:19:14.179 --> 00:19:20.139 The author of life itself has now become killable. 00:19:21.579 --> 00:19:25.439 And the word became flesh. 00:19:25.440 --> 00:19:31.840 Something beyond our comprehension has happened at Christmas. 00:19:32.860 --> 00:19:36.019 Something unfathomable is lying in that manger. 00:19:37.840 --> 00:19:43.620 This is why choirs of angels come to earth and sing about a birth. 00:19:44.820 --> 00:19:50.460 This is why wise men travel and bow down to and worship a baby. 00:19:50.460 --> 00:19:55.279 This is why it is right for us to celebrate this Christmas. 00:19:56.220 --> 00:20:00.180 And the word became flesh. 00:20:01.980 --> 00:20:04.299 It deserves goosebumps. 00:20:06.819 --> 00:20:09.000 But not everyone has reacted that way. 00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:16.019 Because look what we did to the creator when he came to his creation. 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:19.319 Look how we treated him. 00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:21.159 Did you see that in verse 10? 00:20:22.899 --> 00:20:23.559 Verse 10. 00:20:23.679 --> 00:20:24.980 He was in the world. 00:20:25.639 --> 00:20:27.579 And the world was made through him. 00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:29.759 Yet the world did not know him. 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:32.099 He came to his own. 00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:34.779 And his own people did not receive him. 00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:39.700 This is what happens when God comes to us. 00:20:41.159 --> 00:20:42.939 When the word became flesh. 00:20:43.559 --> 00:20:44.899 We rejected him. 00:20:46.599 --> 00:20:48.579 We don't want anything to do with him. 00:20:48.579 --> 00:20:51.679 God comes to the world he made. 00:20:52.220 --> 00:20:54.460 He says, come, know your creator. 00:20:55.500 --> 00:20:56.859 And we turned our heads. 00:20:58.059 --> 00:20:59.599 We pushed him aside. 00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:00.679 We ignored him. 00:21:02.039 --> 00:21:03.299 And not just that. 00:21:03.819 --> 00:21:05.000 We killed him. 00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:09.440 The word became flesh. 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:11.440 And we murdered him. 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:11.460 And we murdered him. 00:21:13.860 --> 00:21:16.380 This is the reality of the cross. 00:21:17.600 --> 00:21:22.140 Jesus' death is not merely people just rejecting his moral teaching. 00:21:22.840 --> 00:21:28.360 It's the creation rejecting the creator and crucifying him. 00:21:28.359 --> 00:21:32.659 It's the maker becoming a Lego man. 00:21:32.959 --> 00:21:36.519 And all the other Lego people start breaking him into pieces. 00:21:37.879 --> 00:21:41.119 It's the author writing himself into the book. 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:43.459 And all the other characters. 00:21:43.619 --> 00:21:46.939 They grab the pen and start scribbling him out of the story. 00:21:46.940 --> 00:21:50.580 The world was made through him. 00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:52.759 Yet the world did not know him. 00:21:55.680 --> 00:21:56.900 This is our sin. 00:21:58.080 --> 00:21:59.600 This is the sin of the world. 00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:01.920 This is what the world is guilty of. 00:22:01.920 --> 00:22:06.519 If you're not worshipping Jesus in your life right now. 00:22:07.100 --> 00:22:08.279 This is the reality. 00:22:08.800 --> 00:22:10.519 You're rejecting your creator. 00:22:11.380 --> 00:22:12.240 Your author. 00:22:14.660 --> 00:22:16.019 But the good news is. 00:22:16.920 --> 00:22:18.880 That God became flesh. 00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:20.980 So that you would believe in him. 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:23.460 And this is the final point today. 00:22:23.580 --> 00:22:24.700 God became flesh. 00:22:25.160 --> 00:22:26.460 So that we would believe in him. 00:22:27.300 --> 00:22:28.880 Look how verse 14 ends. 00:22:29.940 --> 00:22:31.539 And the word became flesh. 00:22:31.920 --> 00:22:33.019 And dwelt among us. 00:22:33.820 --> 00:22:36.060 And we have seen his glory. 00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:38.920 Glory as of the only son from the father. 00:22:39.039 --> 00:22:41.039 Full of grace and truth. 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:43.920 The glory. 00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:45.500 And majesty. 00:22:45.860 --> 00:22:46.880 And goodness of God. 00:22:46.880 --> 00:22:48.960 His grace and his truth. 00:22:49.660 --> 00:22:53.259 It is all seen in the word becoming flesh. 00:22:54.680 --> 00:22:56.080 That flesh. 00:22:56.400 --> 00:22:59.580 Is where we see the grace and the glory of God. 00:22:59.579 --> 00:22:59.679 God. 00:23:00.679 --> 00:23:02.859 But it's not only in the manger. 00:23:03.859 --> 00:23:05.379 It's on the cross. 00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:10.579 The glory of God is seen in his death. 00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:16.220 The goodness of God is seen in crucified flesh. 00:23:17.839 --> 00:23:19.220 Because on the cross. 00:23:19.859 --> 00:23:21.699 The creator died. 00:23:22.399 --> 00:23:24.379 To save his world that rejected him. 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:27.679 The word became flesh. 00:23:27.679 --> 00:23:29.799 To take away the sin. 00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:31.500 Of rejecting the creator. 00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:35.279 As we killed our creator. 00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:37.980 He was actually saving his creation. 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:41.960 And so whoever believes in Jesus. 00:23:42.799 --> 00:23:45.579 They will be brought back to their creator. 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:48.160 Look at verse 12. 00:23:48.160 --> 00:23:51.240 But to all who did receive him. 00:23:51.600 --> 00:23:53.400 Who believed in his name. 00:23:54.140 --> 00:23:56.720 He gave the right to become children of God. 00:23:58.560 --> 00:24:00.000 Whoever believes the word. 00:24:00.880 --> 00:24:02.380 Whoever comes to Jesus. 00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:03.940 And says to him. 00:24:04.240 --> 00:24:06.540 You are my Lord and my God. 00:24:07.540 --> 00:24:09.120 You are my creator. 00:24:09.300 --> 00:24:10.680 You are the source of everything. 00:24:11.060 --> 00:24:12.300 Whoever comes to him. 00:24:13.120 --> 00:24:15.080 If you believe in him. 00:24:15.079 --> 00:24:18.039 You will be brought back to your creator. 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:23.599 You will be given the right to become a child of God. 00:24:24.199 --> 00:24:25.659 You'll belong to him. 00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:30.500 And this is what has happened to all of us in Christ here today. 00:24:31.699 --> 00:24:34.240 Your creator has come to you. 00:24:34.659 --> 00:24:36.720 And made you a child of God. 00:24:37.939 --> 00:24:39.639 You now exist in this world. 00:24:39.720 --> 00:24:41.259 Not merely as a creature. 00:24:42.099 --> 00:24:43.720 But as a child. 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:45.400 You are loved by God. 00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:48.420 You belong to him. 00:24:50.059 --> 00:24:52.420 The word has become flesh. 00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:54.140 To bring us back. 00:24:56.640 --> 00:24:58.299 And if you don't know him today. 00:24:59.240 --> 00:25:00.720 This is why Christmas exists. 00:25:00.880 --> 00:25:02.039 This is what it's all about. 00:25:02.160 --> 00:25:02.880 All this happened. 00:25:03.059 --> 00:25:04.500 God became flesh. 00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:06.759 So that we would believe in him. 00:25:08.160 --> 00:25:09.500 The word became flesh. 00:25:09.680 --> 00:25:11.600 Not just so that you could stand in awe. 00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:14.079 But so that you would believe in him. 00:25:15.139 --> 00:25:18.559 So that you would see his glory and grace on the cross. 00:25:18.679 --> 00:25:21.439 And know that your creator calls you back. 00:25:22.639 --> 00:25:24.019 And there is now a way. 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:25.939 It's through Jesus Christ. 00:25:26.939 --> 00:25:28.899 Your creator has come. 00:25:29.399 --> 00:25:30.039 Know him. 00:25:30.679 --> 00:25:31.639 Believe in him. 00:25:31.640 --> 00:25:34.759 If you're here today. 00:25:35.320 --> 00:25:38.180 And you think the idea of God becoming flesh. 00:25:38.180 --> 00:25:39.280 Is blasphemy. 00:25:40.620 --> 00:25:42.660 And you think a great God. 00:25:42.980 --> 00:25:43.660 Could not. 00:25:43.780 --> 00:25:44.920 Would not do that. 00:25:45.660 --> 00:25:47.840 Becoming flesh ruins his glory. 00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:50.120 If that's you. 00:25:50.240 --> 00:25:51.100 Can you see here. 00:25:51.520 --> 00:25:52.580 It's the exact opposite. 00:25:52.579 --> 00:25:55.799 God becoming flesh. 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:57.279 Reveals his glory. 00:25:58.059 --> 00:26:00.899 It shows how gracious God is. 00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:03.779 It shows how great God is. 00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:08.480 The glory and grace and greatness of God. 00:26:08.759 --> 00:26:12.439 It is there in the flesh of Jesus Christ. 00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:16.000 And now he calls us all. 00:26:16.860 --> 00:26:18.799 Come and see his glory. 00:26:19.620 --> 00:26:22.080 Come and experience his grace. 00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:24.440 Come and know his greatness. 00:26:26.920 --> 00:26:28.920 And it's there in five words. 00:26:30.360 --> 00:26:33.120 Five words that send shivers down your spine. 00:26:34.080 --> 00:26:37.059 But five words that capture the glory of Christmas. 00:26:37.059 --> 00:26:42.419 And the word became flesh. 00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:44.919 Amen. 00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:45.419 Let me pray.