WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.220 The scripture reading comes from Hebrews chapter 4. 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:14.880 Please follow along on the screen the bulletin of your own Bible. 00:00:16.500 --> 00:00:19.260 Starting in verse 14. 00:00:23.219 --> 00:00:29.420 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.979 Jesus, the son of God. 00:00:34.060 --> 00:00:36.659 Let us hold fast our confession. 00:00:38.500 --> 00:00:46.240 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses. 00:00:47.320 --> 00:00:55.480 But one who in every respect has been tempted as we are. 00:00:55.479 --> 00:00:59.699 Yet without sin. 00:01:01.939 --> 00:01:08.759 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace. 00:01:09.259 --> 00:01:18.759 That we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 00:01:19.540 --> 00:01:21.740 This is the word of God. 00:01:21.739 --> 00:01:22.739 Amen. 00:01:24.799 --> 00:01:27.959 Thanks Joyce for reading the passage for us today. 00:01:29.000 --> 00:01:29.819 Morning everybody. 00:01:30.419 --> 00:01:30.739 Morning. 00:01:31.299 --> 00:01:32.060 That was fantastic. 00:01:32.339 --> 00:01:32.539 Wow. 00:01:32.939 --> 00:01:33.519 We're all awake. 00:01:33.560 --> 00:01:34.099 We had our coffee. 00:01:35.179 --> 00:01:36.439 If you don't know me, my name is Oscar. 00:01:36.439 --> 00:01:41.060 I did come to Watermark for over 10 years now. 00:01:41.359 --> 00:01:44.599 My wife and I actually met at Watermark. 00:01:44.719 --> 00:01:45.459 So it does happen. 00:01:46.799 --> 00:01:47.900 We have three children. 00:01:48.659 --> 00:01:50.400 I don't want to plant any seeds or hopes. 00:01:50.640 --> 00:01:52.920 But I'm just saying it happens. 00:01:52.920 --> 00:02:00.900 And together with our three children, Axel, Keeve, and Elliot, we serve here at Watermark. 00:02:01.040 --> 00:02:01.659 This is our church. 00:02:01.740 --> 00:02:02.379 This is our family. 00:02:03.519 --> 00:02:06.540 Let me pray for us as we dive into God's word today. 00:02:06.540 --> 00:02:13.960 Father God, thank you that your word changes us. 00:02:14.140 --> 00:02:15.599 Thank you that your word is powerful. 00:02:16.000 --> 00:02:22.260 That it's not me, Oscar, just giving an interesting talk because of some great research I did, Lord. 00:02:22.319 --> 00:02:23.819 But your word is powerful. 00:02:24.460 --> 00:02:26.180 It penetrates deep into our hearts. 00:02:26.840 --> 00:02:28.219 It transforms us. 00:02:28.400 --> 00:02:29.640 It convicts us of sin. 00:02:30.200 --> 00:02:32.420 It shows us the beauty of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:32.759 --> 00:02:33.819 It transforms us. 00:02:33.819 --> 00:02:43.379 So, God, today I pray that as we consider your word, this passage from Hebrews, Lord, that you would work in all of our hearts, God. 00:02:43.419 --> 00:02:47.959 I pray for our soft hearts today, for myself, for all of us today here that are listening. 00:02:49.180 --> 00:02:58.359 I pray, God, that we would not just consider the word and then think it's interesting and then leave, Lord, but we would be forever changed, transformed. 00:02:58.500 --> 00:03:02.000 And we would respond to your word today by the power of your Holy Spirit. 00:03:02.000 --> 00:03:03.340 And we pray this in Jesus' name. 00:03:04.319 --> 00:03:04.680 Amen. 00:03:06.859 --> 00:03:11.120 So, this week we are continuing our sermon series on Advent. 00:03:13.120 --> 00:03:20.340 And Advent is a time for us to celebrate, to prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas. 00:03:21.299 --> 00:03:26.259 Some of us have been doing the Advent devotionals, which I have been just really blessed by. 00:03:26.259 --> 00:03:36.379 You know, as a church, we don't want Christmas to just be a time for us to consume a lot of food and wine and open a lot of presents. 00:03:36.859 --> 00:03:40.179 Although I probably will gain a few pounds in the next few weeks. 00:03:40.180 --> 00:03:47.760 But our desire as a church is to be absolutely filled with the wonder and awe of the birth of Jesus. 00:03:48.480 --> 00:03:51.700 We want to be blown away and excited about this. 00:03:52.480 --> 00:03:57.219 And so I encourage all of us to continue doing the Advent devotionals if we haven't been already. 00:03:57.219 --> 00:04:05.840 Now, last week, Chris kicked off this sermon series by teaching on how the Word became flesh. 00:04:05.840 --> 00:04:14.980 Jesus, the Son of God, the creator of all the universe, He became flesh and moved into our neighborhood. 00:04:14.979 --> 00:04:22.139 And today, we're going to take one step further and look at how Jesus identifies with our broken world. 00:04:22.939 --> 00:04:25.459 He identifies with our broken world. 00:04:26.579 --> 00:04:28.459 But first, let me ask us some questions. 00:04:29.980 --> 00:04:33.319 Why do we like people that are similar to us? 00:04:34.420 --> 00:04:42.339 Why is it that our friends are of the same educational, cultural, or ethnic backgrounds to us? 00:04:42.339 --> 00:04:51.739 Why is it that when we go through trauma, we seek out support groups where we can share our experiences with those who've had the same experience as us? 00:04:53.500 --> 00:05:00.239 I think it's because all of us, at some level, desire to be known and to be understood. 00:05:01.539 --> 00:05:06.019 We desire to be in relationships with people that get us, that understand us. 00:05:06.019 --> 00:05:16.500 We want to be in relationships with those who understand our quirks, our faults, our pain, but through it all, still love and accept us. 00:05:17.560 --> 00:05:22.740 But then again, can anyone really get us or understand us? 00:05:23.299 --> 00:05:29.219 Even the most empathetic person in the world has never really stepped in our individual shoes, right? 00:05:29.220 --> 00:05:31.540 But God has. 00:05:32.360 --> 00:05:39.240 God has stepped into our shoes in the person of Jesus when he came into the world and became one of us. 00:05:40.460 --> 00:05:42.180 Jesus perfectly knows us. 00:05:43.140 --> 00:05:45.040 He perfectly understands us. 00:05:45.360 --> 00:05:47.680 And yet, he perfectly loves us. 00:05:48.860 --> 00:05:51.700 Let's dive into this passage from Hebrews. 00:05:51.699 --> 00:06:03.379 Now, the book of Hebrews was written to a Jewish audience in the first century, to those Jewish Christians who had previously put their faith and hope in Jesus, 00:06:03.560 --> 00:06:12.939 but had subsequently rejected Jesus, possibly because of suffering and persecution, and went back to their old Jewish religious beliefs. 00:06:12.939 --> 00:06:24.279 And so the author of Hebrews attempts to show why Jesus, above all the other beings in the Old Testament, over all the other beings, is the supreme God. 00:06:24.879 --> 00:06:28.699 And the author slowly walks through a number of comparisons to do this. 00:06:29.560 --> 00:06:33.540 In chapter 1, we read that Jesus is greater than the angels. 00:06:34.420 --> 00:06:38.240 Angels are these incredible heavenly beings, but Jesus is greater. 00:06:38.240 --> 00:06:40.300 Because he's the son of God. 00:06:41.079 --> 00:06:46.259 The radiance of God's glory, who upholds the universe by the word of his power. 00:06:47.379 --> 00:06:51.019 Chapter 3 of Hebrews, we read that he's superior to Moses. 00:06:51.400 --> 00:06:56.860 Moses, the great patriarch of the Old Testament, who led God's people out of slavery in Egypt, 00:06:57.400 --> 00:07:00.560 who met God on Mount Sinai and brought down the Torah. 00:07:01.379 --> 00:07:03.620 But Jesus, greater than Moses. 00:07:04.000 --> 00:07:05.500 Because Jesus came before Moses. 00:07:05.500 --> 00:07:08.079 He was there at the beginning, from eternity. 00:07:08.240 --> 00:07:09.400 Creating the world. 00:07:10.900 --> 00:07:17.220 Then we get to chapter 4 of Hebrews, where the author spends the next 6 chapters on this thesis, 00:07:17.660 --> 00:07:21.220 that Jesus is greater than the Old Testament high priest. 00:07:22.579 --> 00:07:25.660 Now the author spends such a long time on this comparison, 00:07:26.180 --> 00:07:29.639 because the Old Testament high priest was a central leadership figure, 00:07:29.879 --> 00:07:33.819 who the people of Israel look to, to understand God. 00:07:35.240 --> 00:07:37.019 But the author of Hebrews is saying, 00:07:37.019 --> 00:07:41.379 don't look to the Old Testament high priest to understand God. 00:07:41.879 --> 00:07:45.479 Look to Jesus, the great high priest, who is God. 00:07:46.139 --> 00:07:48.240 And this is where we're going to focus on today. 00:07:49.000 --> 00:07:52.000 Let's look at Hebrews 4.14. 00:07:52.680 --> 00:07:56.579 The first verse of our very short passage today. 00:07:56.579 --> 00:07:57.959 And we read, 00:07:57.959 --> 00:08:03.919 Since then, we have a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God. 00:08:04.319 --> 00:08:06.500 Let us hold fast our confession. 00:08:07.939 --> 00:08:10.819 We don't hear this phrase high priest that much in the New Testament. 00:08:11.039 --> 00:08:15.060 So, again, let's go back to the Old Testament to see what we can glean about this high priest. 00:08:15.060 --> 00:08:22.019 After the Exodus, God told Moses to build this tabernacle or tent, 00:08:22.360 --> 00:08:26.980 this sort of portable temple in the desert where God could meet with his people. 00:08:28.100 --> 00:08:33.720 God also instructed Moses to establish priests to work and serve in the temple. 00:08:34.419 --> 00:08:38.379 And at the center of the priesthood was the office of the high priest, 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:42.200 where only one man could serve at any time. 00:08:42.200 --> 00:08:45.620 The high priest was distinguished from the rest of the priesthood. 00:08:47.120 --> 00:08:49.759 There were a number of special duties that the high priest had, 00:08:49.920 --> 00:08:53.980 the most important of which was that the high priest was the only person in all of Israel 00:08:53.980 --> 00:08:56.960 who one day a year, on the Day of Atonement, 00:08:57.440 --> 00:09:01.940 could go into this inner sanctuary, what's called the Most Holy Place, 00:09:01.980 --> 00:09:04.280 where God's presence literally dwelled. 00:09:04.460 --> 00:09:07.340 And the high priest would come in with a sacrifice, 00:09:07.340 --> 00:09:14.200 to sacrifice for his own sin and for the sins of all of Israel that they committed over the past year. 00:09:15.879 --> 00:09:17.139 This is the point. 00:09:18.200 --> 00:09:23.300 God created this intricate system of the priesthood 00:09:23.300 --> 00:09:27.200 and within it the office of the high priest for one reason, 00:09:27.200 --> 00:09:30.700 to point us to the true high priest, 00:09:30.920 --> 00:09:33.100 the great high priest, and that is Jesus. 00:09:33.100 --> 00:09:39.420 In the Old Testament, every story, every character, every prophecy, 00:09:39.620 --> 00:09:46.720 everything in the Old Testament is just a picture or a shadow of the Savior Messiah to come, 00:09:47.300 --> 00:09:48.580 our Lord Jesus. 00:09:50.159 --> 00:09:52.720 And over a thousand years later, Jesus came. 00:09:53.440 --> 00:09:55.360 He was born into the world at Christmas. 00:09:56.259 --> 00:09:57.779 And the author of Hebrews is saying, 00:09:57.920 --> 00:10:00.440 okay, so you know about this Old Testament high priest. 00:10:00.440 --> 00:10:05.180 He was one man who was supposed to be this mediator between man and God. 00:10:06.060 --> 00:10:06.780 Now pay attention. 00:10:07.960 --> 00:10:09.120 There is one who has come, 00:10:09.800 --> 00:10:11.920 who is far greater, 00:10:13.700 --> 00:10:16.500 far more worthy of glory, honor, and praise, 00:10:16.740 --> 00:10:18.780 and this is Jesus, our great high priest. 00:10:19.160 --> 00:10:19.460 Why? 00:10:20.680 --> 00:10:26.120 Because Jesus' priesthood is perfect, permanent, and personal. 00:10:26.120 --> 00:10:31.200 His priesthood is perfect, permanent, and personal. 00:10:32.159 --> 00:10:33.519 It's a bit of a tongue twister, that one, doesn't it? 00:10:36.039 --> 00:10:37.620 Number one, his priesthood is perfect. 00:10:38.419 --> 00:10:42.279 Although the Old Testament high priest was the chief representative of Israel, 00:10:42.419 --> 00:10:44.960 standing before God in the tabernacle, 00:10:45.100 --> 00:10:48.019 he was still a mortal sinner like you and I. 00:10:49.039 --> 00:10:53.680 Every year he had to offer an offering, a sacrifice for his own sin. 00:10:53.679 --> 00:10:56.120 But then at Christmas, 00:10:56.719 --> 00:11:00.699 God became flesh and moved into our neighborhood in Jesus, 00:11:01.019 --> 00:11:03.639 and he lived a perfect life on earth. 00:11:05.120 --> 00:11:08.759 And Jesus doesn't stand in that earthly tabernacle. 00:11:09.739 --> 00:11:10.819 As our passage says, 00:11:11.179 --> 00:11:12.039 he is in the heavens. 00:11:12.879 --> 00:11:13.799 He has passed through the heavens, 00:11:13.879 --> 00:11:14.599 and right now, 00:11:14.879 --> 00:11:17.199 he is standing before the majestic Father, 00:11:17.459 --> 00:11:18.179 right now, 00:11:18.559 --> 00:11:20.459 advocating on behalf of you and I. 00:11:21.399 --> 00:11:22.399 His priesthood is perfect. 00:11:22.399 --> 00:11:25.379 Second, his priesthood is permanent. 00:11:26.259 --> 00:11:29.500 The Old Testament high priest had to sacrifice bulls and goats every single year 00:11:29.500 --> 00:11:32.779 on the day of atonement for his own sin and for the sins of his people. 00:11:32.840 --> 00:11:33.659 And when he died, 00:11:33.919 --> 00:11:38.079 his sons had to take over to do the same thing over and over and over again. 00:11:39.559 --> 00:11:40.399 But now, 00:11:40.959 --> 00:11:42.220 once and for all, 00:11:42.259 --> 00:11:43.100 at the end of the age, 00:11:43.240 --> 00:11:44.860 at God's appointed time, 00:11:45.259 --> 00:11:46.319 Jesus came into the world, 00:11:46.460 --> 00:11:47.319 lived a perfect life, 00:11:47.579 --> 00:11:49.939 and sacrificed himself on the cross. 00:11:49.980 --> 00:11:50.519 Just once. 00:11:50.519 --> 00:11:53.740 That's enough for all time. 00:11:56.379 --> 00:11:57.579 His priesthood is permanent. 00:11:58.720 --> 00:11:59.059 And third, 00:11:59.120 --> 00:12:00.139 his priesthood is personal. 00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:03.799 Jesus didn't enter that most holy place 00:12:03.799 --> 00:12:05.960 with the blood of bulls or goats. 00:12:06.419 --> 00:12:07.860 He entered heaven, 00:12:09.240 --> 00:12:10.240 the heavenly tabernacle, 00:12:10.620 --> 00:12:11.519 with his own blood. 00:12:11.519 --> 00:12:13.199 In effect, 00:12:13.899 --> 00:12:15.379 Jesus is both the high priest 00:12:15.379 --> 00:12:17.919 and the sacrifice. 00:12:19.120 --> 00:12:20.740 His priesthood is perfect, 00:12:20.899 --> 00:12:21.120 permanent, 00:12:21.259 --> 00:12:21.960 and personal. 00:12:23.199 --> 00:12:23.840 So therefore, 00:12:24.600 --> 00:12:26.799 because Jesus is the great high priest, 00:12:27.139 --> 00:12:29.159 let us hold fast our confession. 00:12:29.159 --> 00:12:31.319 What is our confession? 00:12:32.379 --> 00:12:32.779 Well, 00:12:32.879 --> 00:12:35.159 it is the declaration that some of us have made here, 00:12:35.319 --> 00:12:36.659 in front of God, 00:12:36.799 --> 00:12:39.019 confessing that we desperately need him, 00:12:39.079 --> 00:12:40.240 that we can do nothing without him, 00:12:40.279 --> 00:12:42.860 and putting our faith and hope and lives in him. 00:12:44.360 --> 00:12:45.219 But let's be honest. 00:12:45.959 --> 00:12:46.919 For some of us, 00:12:47.559 --> 00:12:49.219 it's been a tough slog ever since. 00:12:49.220 --> 00:12:52.139 We've had questions and doubts 00:12:52.139 --> 00:12:53.200 about our faith. 00:12:54.540 --> 00:12:55.220 For some of us, 00:12:55.860 --> 00:12:58.220 we struggle with temptation and sin constantly. 00:12:58.840 --> 00:13:00.060 For most of us, probably. 00:13:01.080 --> 00:13:01.960 And for some of us, 00:13:02.019 --> 00:13:03.080 life has just been messy. 00:13:04.300 --> 00:13:04.899 But today, 00:13:05.320 --> 00:13:07.700 God is calling us all to him. 00:13:08.300 --> 00:13:10.700 And wherever we are on our journey of faith, 00:13:10.800 --> 00:13:13.500 whether or not we are still asking questions 00:13:13.500 --> 00:13:15.519 about God, Jesus, and the Bible, 00:13:15.639 --> 00:13:17.700 or whether we have been a Christian all our lives, 00:13:17.700 --> 00:13:19.480 God is calling us, 00:13:19.540 --> 00:13:20.580 every single one of us, 00:13:20.780 --> 00:13:21.460 to him. 00:13:23.400 --> 00:13:25.660 Let us hold fast our confession. 00:13:26.420 --> 00:13:27.500 Let's persevere together. 00:13:28.980 --> 00:13:32.160 And as we celebrate Advent, 00:13:32.420 --> 00:13:33.320 and prepare our hearts 00:13:33.320 --> 00:13:35.200 for the coming of Jesus, 00:13:35.940 --> 00:13:37.700 let's be reminded that Jesus, 00:13:38.480 --> 00:13:40.000 the radiance of God's glory, 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:41.300 who upholds the world 00:13:41.300 --> 00:13:42.820 by the word of his power, 00:13:43.300 --> 00:13:45.840 he could have been born in a gold palace, 00:13:46.420 --> 00:13:47.140 but he wasn't. 00:13:47.700 --> 00:13:50.780 He was born in the unspectacular town of Bethlehem. 00:13:51.500 --> 00:13:52.800 He lived a humble, 00:13:53.640 --> 00:13:54.860 down-to-earth existence, 00:13:55.420 --> 00:13:56.240 teaching the gospel, 00:13:56.440 --> 00:13:57.259 roaming around, 00:13:57.440 --> 00:13:58.180 serving others. 00:14:00.220 --> 00:14:02.480 So although Jesus is the great high priest, 00:14:03.480 --> 00:14:05.259 although he sits at the right hand 00:14:05.259 --> 00:14:06.960 of the majestic Father in heaven, 00:14:07.100 --> 00:14:09.200 ruling the heavens and the earth, 00:14:09.379 --> 00:14:10.560 because he was fully human, 00:14:11.100 --> 00:14:13.440 he has this incredible empathy 00:14:13.440 --> 00:14:16.320 and understanding for what we, 00:14:16.440 --> 00:14:16.800 his people, 00:14:16.900 --> 00:14:18.500 go through on a day-to-day basis. 00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:20.700 Look at verse 15. 00:14:22.180 --> 00:14:24.100 For we do not have a great high priest 00:14:24.100 --> 00:14:26.360 who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, 00:14:26.900 --> 00:14:28.400 but one who in every respect 00:14:28.400 --> 00:14:30.900 has been tempted as we are, 00:14:31.460 --> 00:14:32.340 yet without sin. 00:14:32.340 --> 00:14:35.660 Have you ever seen the TV show, 00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:36.560 Undercover Bosses? 00:14:37.920 --> 00:14:38.320 Nobody. 00:14:38.759 --> 00:14:38.840 Okay. 00:14:39.379 --> 00:14:39.500 Well, 00:14:39.700 --> 00:14:39.879 let me, 00:14:40.220 --> 00:14:40.360 okay, 00:14:40.460 --> 00:14:41.220 Ed Choi has. 00:14:41.420 --> 00:14:41.519 Okay. 00:14:42.800 --> 00:14:44.220 You have too much time to watch TV, 00:14:44.340 --> 00:14:44.420 Ed. 00:14:45.160 --> 00:14:46.460 No one else does here in Hong Kong. 00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:47.259 Well, 00:14:47.300 --> 00:14:48.000 the premise of the show, 00:14:48.100 --> 00:14:48.480 basically, 00:14:48.480 --> 00:14:50.759 is that a CEO in each episode 00:14:50.759 --> 00:14:52.300 would go undercover 00:14:52.300 --> 00:14:53.759 and disguise himself 00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:56.259 and take a normal operational job. 00:14:58.539 --> 00:14:59.700 And during that time 00:14:59.700 --> 00:15:01.800 in his normal operational working, 00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:03.560 he would realize 00:15:03.560 --> 00:15:05.779 how bad the working conditions are. 00:15:06.159 --> 00:15:06.820 He would realize 00:15:06.820 --> 00:15:08.720 how not good 00:15:08.720 --> 00:15:10.159 the compensation and benefits were. 00:15:10.259 --> 00:15:11.379 And he also realized 00:15:11.379 --> 00:15:12.500 that his employees 00:15:12.500 --> 00:15:14.379 have a difficult life. 00:15:16.019 --> 00:15:16.399 Basically, 00:15:16.500 --> 00:15:16.899 the CEO 00:15:16.899 --> 00:15:18.299 doesn't really know 00:15:18.299 --> 00:15:19.319 what's going on 00:15:19.319 --> 00:15:20.179 at the ground level 00:15:20.179 --> 00:15:21.759 because he's so high up there 00:15:21.759 --> 00:15:22.340 in his office 00:15:22.340 --> 00:15:23.279 with so many layers 00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:24.000 in between him 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:26.019 and the employees, 00:15:26.159 --> 00:15:27.240 the operational employees. 00:15:28.439 --> 00:15:29.600 But it isn't like that 00:15:29.600 --> 00:15:30.559 with Jesus at all. 00:15:31.740 --> 00:15:32.899 Although he is the great king 00:15:32.899 --> 00:15:33.860 and the great high priest, 00:15:34.279 --> 00:15:35.459 he humbled himself, 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:36.959 became a man. 00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:40.000 Philippians 2 says 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:41.980 that although Jesus was God, 00:15:42.840 --> 00:15:44.259 he did not count equality with God 00:15:44.259 --> 00:15:45.720 a thing to be grasped, 00:15:45.720 --> 00:15:47.180 but emptied himself 00:15:47.180 --> 00:15:48.320 by taking the form 00:15:48.320 --> 00:15:48.860 of a servant, 00:15:49.480 --> 00:15:50.720 being born in the likeness 00:15:50.720 --> 00:15:51.200 of men 00:15:51.200 --> 00:15:53.040 and being found 00:15:53.040 --> 00:15:53.879 in human form. 00:15:54.860 --> 00:15:55.759 He humbled himself 00:15:55.759 --> 00:15:57.519 by becoming obedient 00:15:57.519 --> 00:15:59.000 to the point of death, 00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:00.820 even death 00:16:00.820 --> 00:16:02.019 on a cross. 00:16:03.940 --> 00:16:05.139 Jesus was fully God. 00:16:06.139 --> 00:16:07.000 He was also 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:08.100 fully man. 00:16:09.100 --> 00:16:10.759 But because he was also 00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:11.360 fully man, 00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:12.360 he experienced 00:16:12.360 --> 00:16:13.180 the same emotional 00:16:13.179 --> 00:16:14.599 highs and lows 00:16:14.599 --> 00:16:16.159 that we all face. 00:16:18.859 --> 00:16:20.099 Have you ever felt homesick 00:16:20.099 --> 00:16:21.839 with COVID? 00:16:22.719 --> 00:16:23.679 No one can travel. 00:16:23.939 --> 00:16:24.199 Clearly, 00:16:24.319 --> 00:16:25.459 no one's going home. 00:16:25.579 --> 00:16:26.120 But with COVID, 00:16:26.500 --> 00:16:27.739 travel basically is impossible. 00:16:29.079 --> 00:16:29.739 Some of us here 00:16:29.739 --> 00:16:30.199 in this room 00:16:30.199 --> 00:16:31.159 have not seen our family 00:16:31.159 --> 00:16:31.819 for years. 00:16:33.559 --> 00:16:33.819 Well, 00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:35.079 Jesus knew what it's like 00:16:35.079 --> 00:16:36.359 to be homesick. 00:16:37.399 --> 00:16:38.459 He left heaven 00:16:38.459 --> 00:16:39.019 in the presence 00:16:39.019 --> 00:16:39.679 of his Father 00:16:39.679 --> 00:16:41.219 to come down to earth. 00:16:42.839 --> 00:16:43.839 Have you ever been abandoned? 00:16:45.039 --> 00:16:45.839 Jesus has. 00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:47.779 He was left all alone 00:16:47.779 --> 00:16:49.000 on that cross, 00:16:49.299 --> 00:16:50.339 apart from his Father, 00:16:50.559 --> 00:16:52.139 separated from his friends 00:16:52.139 --> 00:16:53.199 and his family. 00:16:54.819 --> 00:16:56.079 Have you ever been rejected? 00:16:57.120 --> 00:16:57.879 Jesus has. 00:16:58.299 --> 00:16:58.939 The priests 00:16:58.939 --> 00:17:00.139 and leaders of that day, 00:17:00.219 --> 00:17:00.979 his own people, 00:17:02.139 --> 00:17:02.859 despised him. 00:17:04.059 --> 00:17:05.339 Have you ever been betrayed, 00:17:05.539 --> 00:17:06.399 stabbed in the back 00:17:06.399 --> 00:17:07.460 by a friend? 00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:08.899 Jesus has. 00:17:08.900 --> 00:17:10.040 Judas, 00:17:10.180 --> 00:17:11.259 one of his closest friends, 00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:12.780 one of his disciples, 00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:14.140 betrayed him 00:17:14.140 --> 00:17:15.019 for a bag of money. 00:17:16.320 --> 00:17:17.040 His own disciple, 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:17.460 Peter, 00:17:17.580 --> 00:17:18.759 denied that he knew him. 00:17:20.360 --> 00:17:21.360 Have you ever felt pain? 00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:22.900 Jesus has. 00:17:23.580 --> 00:17:24.360 He was left hanging 00:17:24.360 --> 00:17:25.120 on that cross 00:17:25.120 --> 00:17:26.360 to die. 00:17:28.360 --> 00:17:29.200 Have you ever lost 00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:29.880 someone you loved? 00:17:30.980 --> 00:17:31.680 Jesus has. 00:17:32.660 --> 00:17:33.220 His cousin, 00:17:33.320 --> 00:17:33.900 John the Baptist, 00:17:34.019 --> 00:17:34.500 was murdered. 00:17:35.440 --> 00:17:35.840 His friend, 00:17:35.940 --> 00:17:36.460 Lazarus, 00:17:36.860 --> 00:17:37.200 died. 00:17:37.200 --> 00:17:39.700 We can go on 00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:40.259 and on. 00:17:42.420 --> 00:17:43.360 What are you going through 00:17:43.360 --> 00:17:43.799 right now? 00:17:45.480 --> 00:17:46.380 I'm sure this year, 00:17:46.460 --> 00:17:46.779 2021, 00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:47.720 has been a good year 00:17:47.720 --> 00:17:48.440 for some of us. 00:17:49.299 --> 00:17:50.220 But for others, 00:17:50.340 --> 00:17:51.279 I can imagine, 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:52.700 2021 has been 00:17:52.700 --> 00:17:53.600 a very tough year. 00:17:54.299 --> 00:17:54.640 In fact, 00:17:54.680 --> 00:17:55.660 it's probably been a tough year, 00:17:56.080 --> 00:17:57.100 a tough couple years 00:17:57.100 --> 00:17:58.420 for a lot of us. 00:17:58.420 --> 00:18:01.380 some of us have experienced 00:18:01.380 --> 00:18:01.880 loneliness. 00:18:02.160 --> 00:18:03.060 We can't see our family 00:18:03.060 --> 00:18:03.820 because of COVID. 00:18:04.920 --> 00:18:06.300 Some of us are experiencing 00:18:06.300 --> 00:18:08.100 stress, 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:09.019 emotional stress, 00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:11.840 or financial challenges, 00:18:12.560 --> 00:18:13.560 family tension, 00:18:13.920 --> 00:18:14.740 health issues. 00:18:15.500 --> 00:18:16.420 Some of us have lost 00:18:16.420 --> 00:18:17.480 a loved one this year. 00:18:18.480 --> 00:18:19.620 But Jesus Christ 00:18:19.620 --> 00:18:21.640 is not the far-removed CEO 00:18:21.640 --> 00:18:22.860 who is up in the clouds, 00:18:23.100 --> 00:18:24.500 in his ivory tower, 00:18:24.640 --> 00:18:25.700 unaware of what's happening 00:18:25.700 --> 00:18:27.060 at the ground level. 00:18:27.059 --> 00:18:28.679 He knows what it's like 00:18:28.679 --> 00:18:29.799 to be in the trenches 00:18:29.799 --> 00:18:30.980 because he was born 00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:31.899 in the trenches 00:18:31.899 --> 00:18:33.220 and he lived all his life 00:18:33.220 --> 00:18:34.179 in the trenches. 00:18:34.419 --> 00:18:34.940 He was rejected 00:18:34.940 --> 00:18:35.759 and despised 00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:37.019 all his life. 00:18:37.639 --> 00:18:38.700 Even before he was born, 00:18:38.779 --> 00:18:39.639 as Chris reminded us 00:18:39.639 --> 00:18:40.399 last Sunday, 00:18:40.859 --> 00:18:41.419 his parents, 00:18:41.559 --> 00:18:42.159 Mary and Joseph, 00:18:42.279 --> 00:18:43.419 couldn't even find a place 00:18:43.419 --> 00:18:44.839 to birth him in the inn. 00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:47.500 And during his life, 00:18:48.419 --> 00:18:48.899 he never, 00:18:49.139 --> 00:18:50.480 he never had a place 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:51.599 that he called home. 00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:53.179 He roamed from town to town 00:18:53.179 --> 00:18:54.460 teaching and preaching, 00:18:54.460 --> 00:18:55.880 but he also experienced 00:18:55.880 --> 00:18:56.920 the same emotional highs 00:18:56.920 --> 00:18:58.880 and lows that we face. 00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:03.079 But because he's fully God 00:19:03.079 --> 00:19:05.240 and fully man, 00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:07.100 two and both, 00:19:07.180 --> 00:19:07.799 both fully God 00:19:07.799 --> 00:19:08.400 and fully man, 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:10.940 he can look at all of us, 00:19:11.420 --> 00:19:12.600 he can look into our hearts 00:19:12.600 --> 00:19:13.340 and say, 00:19:13.460 --> 00:19:14.279 I understand 00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:15.600 what you're going through 00:19:15.600 --> 00:19:16.299 right now 00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:17.900 because I've experienced 00:19:17.900 --> 00:19:19.340 the exact same thing. 00:19:20.460 --> 00:19:21.680 He knows what it's like 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:23.320 to feel pain and suffering, 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:24.980 stress and anxiety. 00:19:26.019 --> 00:19:26.799 He was also tempted 00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:27.500 like we are. 00:19:28.200 --> 00:19:29.799 The most widely quoted passage 00:19:29.799 --> 00:19:31.519 where our Lord was tempted 00:19:31.519 --> 00:19:33.700 is from Matthew 4 00:19:33.700 --> 00:19:34.799 where the devil tempted Jesus 00:19:34.799 --> 00:19:35.259 in the desert 00:19:35.259 --> 00:19:36.440 for 40 days and 40 nights. 00:19:37.400 --> 00:19:39.220 But if Jesus truly was fully man 00:19:39.220 --> 00:19:41.440 as the Bible says he is 00:19:41.440 --> 00:19:42.759 and as we believe he is, 00:19:42.880 --> 00:19:44.019 I can imagine he was tempted 00:19:44.019 --> 00:19:45.620 in many different ways. 00:19:47.060 --> 00:19:47.920 Think about Jesus 00:19:47.920 --> 00:19:49.580 as a primary school student. 00:19:49.579 --> 00:19:51.819 When I was in elementary school 00:19:51.819 --> 00:19:52.439 back in Canada, 00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:54.399 I remember in grade 7 00:19:54.399 --> 00:19:55.659 we were asked to hand around 00:19:55.659 --> 00:19:56.159 our yearbooks 00:19:56.159 --> 00:19:57.639 for our classmates to sign 00:19:57.639 --> 00:19:58.419 and write comments 00:19:58.419 --> 00:20:00.240 and when I got my yearbook back 00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:01.240 I was horrified 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:03.039 because a lot of the comments said, 00:20:03.119 --> 00:20:03.399 Oscar, 00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:05.460 you're really arrogant. 00:20:05.819 --> 00:20:07.059 You show off too much. 00:20:07.679 --> 00:20:09.039 You brag about how good you are 00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:10.220 at blah, blah, blah, whatever. 00:20:12.419 --> 00:20:13.099 I'm a sinner. 00:20:14.639 --> 00:20:15.799 But think about Jesus. 00:20:16.699 --> 00:20:17.599 In Torah school, 00:20:17.599 --> 00:20:19.959 he could have recited 00:20:19.959 --> 00:20:21.079 the entire Torah 00:20:21.079 --> 00:20:22.279 word for word 00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:22.899 but he didn't. 00:20:23.240 --> 00:20:24.000 He held back 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:24.819 his great knowledge. 00:20:25.359 --> 00:20:26.259 He kept his mouth shut. 00:20:26.619 --> 00:20:27.779 He obeyed his father. 00:20:29.859 --> 00:20:30.679 Think about Jesus 00:20:30.679 --> 00:20:31.439 as a 20-something 00:20:31.439 --> 00:20:32.339 young adult. 00:20:35.139 --> 00:20:36.079 Longing to pursue 00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:36.819 a career 00:20:36.819 --> 00:20:37.719 and to hopefully 00:20:37.719 --> 00:20:39.019 have some sort of stability 00:20:39.019 --> 00:20:40.119 and to enjoy 00:20:40.119 --> 00:20:41.159 the pleasures of life 00:20:41.159 --> 00:20:42.799 for the next 50, 60 years. 00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:45.319 But instead, 00:20:46.159 --> 00:20:47.059 he obeyed his father. 00:20:48.039 --> 00:20:49.159 He pursued the life 00:20:49.159 --> 00:20:50.079 that he was called to pursue 00:20:50.079 --> 00:20:50.639 of ministry, 00:20:50.819 --> 00:20:51.779 of teaching and healing 00:20:51.779 --> 00:20:53.119 and that led him 00:20:53.119 --> 00:20:54.559 to his death 00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:55.279 on the cross. 00:20:57.019 --> 00:20:57.879 And think about 00:20:57.879 --> 00:20:58.759 what Jesus went through 00:20:58.759 --> 00:20:59.379 the night 00:20:59.379 --> 00:21:01.059 he went to the cross. 00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:02.180 Actually, 00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:02.740 for this, 00:21:03.059 --> 00:21:04.279 we don't have to imagine. 00:21:04.859 --> 00:21:05.819 Scripture tells us. 00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:07.240 Luke 22 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:08.440 says that the night 00:21:08.440 --> 00:21:09.379 he was arrested, 00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:10.240 he went up to the 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:10.859 Mount of Olives 00:21:10.859 --> 00:21:11.479 and he prayed 00:21:11.479 --> 00:21:12.240 this prayer. 00:21:13.459 --> 00:21:13.859 Father, 00:21:14.119 --> 00:21:15.019 if you are willing, 00:21:15.879 --> 00:21:16.719 remove this cup 00:21:16.719 --> 00:21:17.240 from me. 00:21:18.679 --> 00:21:19.159 Nevertheless, 00:21:19.779 --> 00:21:20.539 not my will 00:21:20.539 --> 00:21:21.639 but yours be done. 00:21:22.899 --> 00:21:23.639 And then the passage 00:21:23.639 --> 00:21:24.379 says that Jesus, 00:21:24.599 --> 00:21:25.279 being in agony, 00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:26.879 he prayed more earnestly 00:21:26.879 --> 00:21:28.339 and his sweat 00:21:28.339 --> 00:21:29.019 became like 00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:29.759 great drops 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:30.679 of blood 00:21:30.679 --> 00:21:32.179 falling to the ground. 00:21:33.779 --> 00:21:34.500 Jesus experienced 00:21:34.500 --> 00:21:35.479 significant stress, 00:21:36.059 --> 00:21:36.459 pressure, 00:21:36.839 --> 00:21:37.479 and anxiety 00:21:37.479 --> 00:21:37.939 knowing 00:21:37.939 --> 00:21:39.199 he was about to go 00:21:39.199 --> 00:21:40.240 to the cross. 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:41.259 He could have 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:41.759 wiped out 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:42.759 the entire Roman army 00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:43.839 with a wave 00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:44.940 of his hand 00:21:44.940 --> 00:21:46.500 but he said, 00:21:46.660 --> 00:21:47.220 not my will, 00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:47.799 Father, 00:21:48.500 --> 00:21:49.079 but yours 00:21:49.079 --> 00:21:50.240 be done. 00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:52.779 Now you may argue, 00:21:52.940 --> 00:21:53.099 well, 00:21:54.140 --> 00:21:55.240 Jesus never had to deal 00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:57.039 with screaming children 00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:59.039 or internet pornography, 00:21:59.200 --> 00:21:59.420 right? 00:22:00.980 --> 00:22:01.200 Well, 00:22:01.599 --> 00:22:02.579 so does he really know 00:22:02.579 --> 00:22:03.059 what it's like 00:22:03.059 --> 00:22:03.799 to feel temptation? 00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:05.420 He never sinned. 00:22:06.599 --> 00:22:06.839 Well, 00:22:06.859 --> 00:22:07.759 here's a helpful quote 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:08.980 from C.S. Lewis 00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:10.059 to help us think 00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:10.539 through this. 00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:12.900 And C.S. Lewis writes, 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:14.359 no man knows 00:22:14.359 --> 00:22:15.420 how bad he is 00:22:15.420 --> 00:22:17.259 until he has tried hard, 00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:18.359 very hard, 00:22:18.420 --> 00:22:18.879 to be good. 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:20.819 Only those 00:22:20.819 --> 00:22:22.259 who try to resist temptation 00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:23.900 know how strong it is. 00:22:24.359 --> 00:22:24.960 After all, 00:22:25.440 --> 00:22:25.980 you find out 00:22:25.980 --> 00:22:26.519 the strength 00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:27.279 of the German army 00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:28.599 by fighting against it, 00:22:28.839 --> 00:22:29.819 not by giving in. 00:22:30.500 --> 00:22:31.059 You find out 00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:31.700 the strength 00:22:31.700 --> 00:22:32.779 of the wind 00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:33.700 by trying to walk 00:22:33.700 --> 00:22:34.440 against it, 00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:35.779 not by lying down. 00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:37.700 A man who gives 00:22:37.700 --> 00:22:38.399 in to temptation 00:22:38.399 --> 00:22:39.359 after five minutes 00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:40.799 simply does not know 00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:42.660 what it would have been like 00:22:42.660 --> 00:22:43.379 an hour later. 00:22:44.700 --> 00:22:46.160 That is why bad people, 00:22:46.399 --> 00:22:47.200 in one sense, 00:22:47.579 --> 00:22:48.440 know very little 00:22:48.440 --> 00:22:49.819 about badness. 00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:52.279 They live a sheltered life 00:22:52.279 --> 00:22:54.420 by always giving in. 00:22:55.599 --> 00:22:56.240 We never find out 00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:56.779 the strength 00:22:56.779 --> 00:22:58.259 of the evil impulse 00:22:58.259 --> 00:22:59.099 inside us 00:22:59.099 --> 00:23:00.420 until we try 00:23:00.420 --> 00:23:01.099 to fight it. 00:23:01.099 --> 00:23:01.960 And Christ, 00:23:02.619 --> 00:23:03.119 because he was 00:23:03.119 --> 00:23:03.839 the only man 00:23:03.839 --> 00:23:05.419 who never yielded 00:23:05.419 --> 00:23:06.000 to temptation 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:07.619 is also the only man 00:23:07.619 --> 00:23:08.959 who knows to the full 00:23:08.959 --> 00:23:10.220 what temptation means. 00:23:10.459 --> 00:23:13.439 The only complete realist. 00:23:15.139 --> 00:23:16.099 So no, 00:23:16.859 --> 00:23:18.059 Jesus didn't face 00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:18.699 screaming kids, 00:23:18.980 --> 00:23:20.740 nor was he tempted 00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:21.619 by internet porn. 00:23:22.399 --> 00:23:23.240 But at the root, 00:23:24.039 --> 00:23:25.259 he faced the same 00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:26.859 struggle for control, 00:23:27.639 --> 00:23:28.959 the same desire 00:23:28.959 --> 00:23:29.619 for pleasure 00:23:29.619 --> 00:23:30.899 that we face 00:23:30.900 --> 00:23:32.519 in a far greater way 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:34.080 than we have ever had. 00:23:35.840 --> 00:23:37.019 The only difference 00:23:37.019 --> 00:23:38.900 is that our Lord 00:23:38.900 --> 00:23:39.660 never gave in. 00:23:41.140 --> 00:23:41.940 He was given 00:23:41.940 --> 00:23:42.680 the same decision 00:23:42.680 --> 00:23:43.400 to sin 00:23:43.400 --> 00:23:44.620 or not to sin 00:23:44.620 --> 00:23:45.740 as we are given, 00:23:45.840 --> 00:23:46.820 but time and again, 00:23:47.320 --> 00:23:48.420 he never gave in. 00:23:49.620 --> 00:23:50.759 He fought the temptation, 00:23:51.259 --> 00:23:51.660 which means 00:23:51.660 --> 00:23:52.840 he is the only person 00:23:52.840 --> 00:23:54.320 who perfectly understands 00:23:54.320 --> 00:23:55.920 what it's like 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:56.960 to be tempted. 00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:59.200 Okay. 00:24:00.079 --> 00:24:00.980 Are you with me? 00:24:02.500 --> 00:24:03.319 Someone over there 00:24:03.319 --> 00:24:03.640 is with me. 00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:03.900 Great. 00:24:04.059 --> 00:24:04.220 Okay. 00:24:05.620 --> 00:24:06.160 So, 00:24:06.539 --> 00:24:07.120 we've established 00:24:07.120 --> 00:24:08.140 that Jesus understands 00:24:08.140 --> 00:24:08.720 what it's like 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:10.519 to face emotional highs 00:24:10.519 --> 00:24:11.140 and lows. 00:24:11.799 --> 00:24:12.759 He knows what it's like 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:13.980 to face temptation, 00:24:14.860 --> 00:24:15.819 but he doesn't just 00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:16.940 understand 00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:18.200 and then leave us 00:24:18.200 --> 00:24:19.240 to our own devices 00:24:19.240 --> 00:24:20.440 to go figure it out. 00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:22.200 He understands us, 00:24:22.279 --> 00:24:23.120 but he also comes 00:24:23.120 --> 00:24:23.900 towards us 00:24:23.900 --> 00:24:24.700 to comfort 00:24:24.700 --> 00:24:26.259 and heal us. 00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:26.940 He understands us 00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:28.220 after only a few months 00:24:28.220 --> 00:24:28.700 in ministry, 00:24:28.900 --> 00:24:30.660 Jesus was quickly 00:24:30.660 --> 00:24:31.480 becoming famous. 00:24:32.380 --> 00:24:33.059 He could have set up 00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:34.059 shop anywhere in Israel 00:24:34.059 --> 00:24:34.880 and kicked his feet up 00:24:34.880 --> 00:24:35.460 and many would have 00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:36.259 come to him daily, 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:37.960 but he didn't do that. 00:24:38.360 --> 00:24:39.039 He went out 00:24:39.039 --> 00:24:40.559 actively and intentionally. 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:42.120 He went out 00:24:42.120 --> 00:24:42.640 into the wilderness 00:24:42.640 --> 00:24:43.220 to teach, 00:24:43.380 --> 00:24:43.900 preach, heal. 00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:45.340 He went into the city 00:24:45.340 --> 00:24:45.840 of Jerusalem 00:24:45.840 --> 00:24:46.640 to do the same. 00:24:47.160 --> 00:24:47.740 He met the woman 00:24:47.740 --> 00:24:48.279 at the well. 00:24:48.440 --> 00:24:49.200 He met with sinners. 00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:50.360 He met with tax collectors. 00:24:51.019 --> 00:24:51.279 Jesus, 00:24:51.420 --> 00:24:51.900 and today, 00:24:52.059 --> 00:24:53.440 Jesus is still at work 00:24:53.440 --> 00:24:55.380 calling you and I 00:24:55.380 --> 00:24:56.460 to follow him. 00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:58.559 to trust him, 00:24:59.220 --> 00:25:00.200 be with him. 00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:02.059 He's calling your name 00:25:02.059 --> 00:25:03.000 and my name right now. 00:25:04.120 --> 00:25:05.100 He always moves 00:25:05.100 --> 00:25:06.759 towards us. 00:25:08.059 --> 00:25:09.200 Now the question is, 00:25:09.460 --> 00:25:11.319 how are we responding? 00:25:12.319 --> 00:25:13.120 Are we moving back 00:25:13.120 --> 00:25:13.740 towards him? 00:25:16.420 --> 00:25:17.059 So therefore, 00:25:17.900 --> 00:25:18.799 a lot of therefores, 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:19.620 so therefore, 00:25:19.980 --> 00:25:20.759 since Jesus is the 00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:21.480 great high priest 00:25:21.480 --> 00:25:23.400 who perfectly understands us, 00:25:23.400 --> 00:25:24.620 verse 16, 00:25:25.620 --> 00:25:26.880 let us then with confidence 00:25:26.880 --> 00:25:28.000 draw near to the throne 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:28.580 of grace 00:25:28.580 --> 00:25:30.100 that we may receive 00:25:30.100 --> 00:25:31.519 mercy and grace 00:25:31.519 --> 00:25:34.180 in our time of need. 00:25:35.820 --> 00:25:36.540 And this is where 00:25:36.540 --> 00:25:36.900 we're landing. 00:25:38.200 --> 00:25:38.960 Now draw near 00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:39.800 suggests that we have 00:25:39.800 --> 00:25:40.540 to be active 00:25:40.540 --> 00:25:41.720 and intentional 00:25:41.720 --> 00:25:43.420 with our walk 00:25:43.420 --> 00:25:44.340 with God. 00:25:45.100 --> 00:25:45.980 We've been saying 00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:47.460 that Jesus always moves 00:25:47.460 --> 00:25:48.640 towards us. 00:25:48.860 --> 00:25:49.880 He's active and intentional 00:25:49.880 --> 00:25:51.600 towards us. 00:25:52.260 --> 00:25:53.120 He moves towards 00:25:53.120 --> 00:25:54.460 people when he preached, 00:25:55.220 --> 00:25:55.480 taught, 00:25:55.600 --> 00:25:56.040 and healed. 00:25:57.340 --> 00:25:57.940 And today, 00:25:58.140 --> 00:25:58.960 he is coming to us 00:25:58.960 --> 00:25:59.800 and asking us 00:25:59.800 --> 00:26:01.360 to lay our burdens 00:26:01.360 --> 00:26:01.900 on him, 00:26:02.640 --> 00:26:04.020 to ask for forgiveness 00:26:04.020 --> 00:26:04.860 in his name. 00:26:05.800 --> 00:26:06.660 So how are we responding? 00:26:08.060 --> 00:26:09.120 It's nice to hear 00:26:09.120 --> 00:26:10.240 a sermon that 00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:11.760 he is a great high priest 00:26:11.760 --> 00:26:12.960 and that he understands us, 00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:14.560 but what are we doing 00:26:14.560 --> 00:26:15.020 about it? 00:26:15.020 --> 00:26:16.300 We have to be active 00:26:16.300 --> 00:26:16.820 and intentional 00:26:16.820 --> 00:26:18.080 in our relationship 00:26:18.079 --> 00:26:18.500 with him. 00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:22.460 And we can draw near 00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:23.879 to his throne 00:26:23.879 --> 00:26:25.619 because it's a throne 00:26:25.619 --> 00:26:26.199 of grace, 00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:27.919 as our passage says. 00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:29.419 It's not a throne 00:26:29.419 --> 00:26:29.879 of judgment. 00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:31.480 He doesn't summon us 00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:32.519 to his throne room 00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:33.639 to be punished 00:26:33.639 --> 00:26:34.980 for the sake of punishment 00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:36.460 or to satisfy his wrath. 00:26:37.119 --> 00:26:38.639 It isn't a throne of fear. 00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:40.659 He doesn't demand 00:26:40.659 --> 00:26:41.619 that we come before him 00:26:41.619 --> 00:26:42.259 so he can yell 00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:43.179 and scream at us 00:26:43.179 --> 00:26:44.159 to strike fear 00:26:44.159 --> 00:26:45.079 in our hearts 00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:46.099 to satisfy his ego. 00:26:46.099 --> 00:26:49.000 It's a throne of grace 00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:50.279 because one 00:26:50.279 --> 00:26:51.619 of the fundamentally 00:26:51.619 --> 00:26:52.939 deepest desires 00:26:52.939 --> 00:26:53.719 of Jesus 00:26:53.719 --> 00:26:55.679 is for us to come 00:26:55.679 --> 00:26:56.119 to him 00:26:56.119 --> 00:26:58.480 with all that we have, 00:26:58.619 --> 00:26:59.439 all our messiness, 00:26:59.959 --> 00:27:00.899 all our ugliness, 00:27:01.139 --> 00:27:02.099 just as we are, 00:27:02.379 --> 00:27:03.399 all our imperfections, 00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:04.959 so that he can lavish 00:27:04.959 --> 00:27:07.119 his wonderful love 00:27:07.119 --> 00:27:09.279 and grace upon us. 00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:12.039 Now, 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:14.359 mercy and grace 00:27:14.359 --> 00:27:15.759 are a little bit different. 00:27:16.819 --> 00:27:17.779 So this is a bit technical. 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:20.619 So mercy is not receiving 00:27:20.619 --> 00:27:21.379 what we deserve 00:27:21.379 --> 00:27:23.559 while grace is receiving 00:27:23.559 --> 00:27:25.019 what we don't deserve. 00:27:26.219 --> 00:27:27.179 Let me repeat that. 00:27:28.259 --> 00:27:29.519 Mercy is not receiving 00:27:29.519 --> 00:27:30.859 what we deserve 00:27:30.859 --> 00:27:32.879 and grace is receiving 00:27:32.879 --> 00:27:34.339 what we don't deserve. 00:27:36.039 --> 00:27:37.359 Mercy is when we deserve 00:27:37.359 --> 00:27:38.899 punishment for our actions. 00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:40.400 We are all sinners. 00:27:40.540 --> 00:27:41.220 We all fall 00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:42.440 very short 00:27:42.440 --> 00:27:43.500 of the mark. 00:27:44.160 --> 00:27:44.900 But because Jesus 00:27:44.900 --> 00:27:45.720 paid the price 00:27:45.720 --> 00:27:47.320 as our great high priest 00:27:47.320 --> 00:27:48.220 on the cross 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:48.880 and if our faith 00:27:48.880 --> 00:27:49.280 and hope 00:27:49.280 --> 00:27:50.160 and lives 00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:50.840 are in him, 00:27:50.960 --> 00:27:51.480 that punishment 00:27:51.480 --> 00:27:52.420 is already on him 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:54.100 and not on us. 00:27:54.680 --> 00:27:55.700 We deserve death 00:27:55.700 --> 00:27:56.840 but Christ died 00:27:56.840 --> 00:27:58.080 in our place. 00:27:58.900 --> 00:28:00.300 Mercy is not receiving 00:28:00.300 --> 00:28:01.080 what we deserve. 00:28:02.540 --> 00:28:02.759 Now, 00:28:02.800 --> 00:28:03.800 grace is slightly different. 00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:06.180 Grace is receiving 00:28:06.180 --> 00:28:07.280 something we don't deserve. 00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:08.559 For example, 00:28:09.259 --> 00:28:10.099 hypothetically, 00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:10.799 say I yell 00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:12.740 or I snap at my wife Celeste. 00:28:13.539 --> 00:28:14.000 Hypothetically, 00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:14.279 of course, 00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:15.119 I never would do that. 00:28:15.859 --> 00:28:16.579 Just kidding. 00:28:16.859 --> 00:28:17.200 Obviously, 00:28:17.319 --> 00:28:18.000 that's a joke. 00:28:19.940 --> 00:28:21.359 And after snapping at her, 00:28:21.440 --> 00:28:22.319 I ask for her forgiveness. 00:28:23.420 --> 00:28:23.599 Now, 00:28:23.639 --> 00:28:24.639 I probably deserve her 00:28:24.639 --> 00:28:25.819 snapping back at me 00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:26.519 or worse, 00:28:26.660 --> 00:28:27.480 the silent treatment. 00:28:28.420 --> 00:28:28.960 We all know 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:29.639 how bad that is. 00:28:30.119 --> 00:28:30.660 But instead, 00:28:31.019 --> 00:28:31.519 she says, 00:28:31.799 --> 00:28:32.779 it's okay. 00:28:34.180 --> 00:28:35.099 I forgive you. 00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:36.740 She gives me 00:28:36.740 --> 00:28:37.220 a big hug. 00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:39.539 Grace is receiving 00:28:39.539 --> 00:28:41.059 what we don't deserve. 00:28:43.819 --> 00:28:45.319 So what does it look like 00:28:45.319 --> 00:28:46.940 to draw near 00:28:46.940 --> 00:28:48.099 to his throne 00:28:48.099 --> 00:28:49.019 of grace? 00:28:49.940 --> 00:28:50.420 Well, 00:28:50.940 --> 00:28:52.160 it's simple, 00:28:52.259 --> 00:28:52.519 actually. 00:28:53.879 --> 00:28:54.359 We have to come 00:28:54.359 --> 00:28:55.000 to him in prayer, 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:56.319 humbly, 00:28:57.920 --> 00:28:58.319 honestly, 00:28:59.359 --> 00:29:00.000 and often. 00:29:01.379 --> 00:29:02.740 Humbly because we realize 00:29:02.740 --> 00:29:04.420 that we desperately need him. 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:05.339 We can do nothing 00:29:05.339 --> 00:29:06.480 without him. 00:29:06.539 --> 00:29:07.639 He is our sustenance. 00:29:08.199 --> 00:29:09.379 He is our daily bread. 00:29:10.559 --> 00:29:10.959 Honestly, 00:29:11.019 --> 00:29:12.339 because we lay everything 00:29:12.339 --> 00:29:13.059 at his feet. 00:29:13.559 --> 00:29:14.879 All of our worries 00:29:14.879 --> 00:29:15.419 and anxiety, 00:29:15.559 --> 00:29:16.079 all our fears, 00:29:16.159 --> 00:29:16.859 all our goals, 00:29:18.279 --> 00:29:18.899 all our sin 00:29:18.899 --> 00:29:19.740 and temptations. 00:29:20.000 --> 00:29:20.779 We leave nothing. 00:29:21.599 --> 00:29:22.500 He knows everything already, 00:29:22.679 --> 00:29:23.179 but he wants us 00:29:23.179 --> 00:29:23.679 to come to him 00:29:23.679 --> 00:29:24.639 and to confess everything, 00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:25.779 to give everything to him. 00:29:26.879 --> 00:29:27.759 And often, 00:29:28.419 --> 00:29:29.579 because we need him 00:29:29.579 --> 00:29:30.399 every day, 00:29:31.559 --> 00:29:32.319 every single day, 00:29:32.379 --> 00:29:32.859 we need him. 00:29:35.659 --> 00:29:36.480 Let me close 00:29:36.480 --> 00:29:37.559 by reading this 00:29:37.559 --> 00:29:39.000 excerpt from a sermon 00:29:39.000 --> 00:29:41.500 by Pastor James Allen Francis 00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:43.240 from the 1920s 00:29:43.240 --> 00:29:44.939 as he describes Jesus. 00:29:44.940 --> 00:29:49.299 Here is a man 00:29:49.299 --> 00:29:50.059 who was born 00:29:50.059 --> 00:29:52.500 in an obscure village, 00:29:52.960 --> 00:29:53.539 the child 00:29:53.539 --> 00:29:54.900 of a peasant woman. 00:29:55.860 --> 00:29:56.480 He grew up 00:29:56.480 --> 00:29:57.120 in another village. 00:29:58.059 --> 00:29:59.140 He worked in a carpenter shop 00:29:59.140 --> 00:29:59.900 until he was 30. 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:01.460 And for three years, 00:30:02.039 --> 00:30:03.120 he was an itinerant preacher. 00:30:04.600 --> 00:30:05.720 He never owned a home. 00:30:06.360 --> 00:30:07.160 He never wrote a book. 00:30:07.880 --> 00:30:08.820 He never held an office. 00:30:09.259 --> 00:30:10.140 He never had a family. 00:30:11.000 --> 00:30:11.900 He never went to college. 00:30:12.400 --> 00:30:13.400 He never put his foot 00:30:13.400 --> 00:30:14.259 inside a big city. 00:30:15.099 --> 00:30:16.619 Never traveled 200 miles 00:30:16.619 --> 00:30:17.259 from the place 00:30:17.259 --> 00:30:17.879 he was born. 00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:19.539 He never did 00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:20.299 one of the things 00:30:20.299 --> 00:30:20.839 that usually 00:30:20.839 --> 00:30:22.059 accompanies greatness. 00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:23.819 He had no credentials 00:30:23.819 --> 00:30:24.680 but himself. 00:30:26.140 --> 00:30:27.259 While still a young man, 00:30:27.559 --> 00:30:28.980 the tide of popular opinion 00:30:28.980 --> 00:30:29.980 turned against him. 00:30:31.059 --> 00:30:32.160 His friends ran away. 00:30:32.920 --> 00:30:34.299 One of them denied him. 00:30:35.339 --> 00:30:36.099 He was turned over 00:30:36.099 --> 00:30:36.819 to his enemies. 00:30:37.779 --> 00:30:38.259 He went through 00:30:38.259 --> 00:30:39.879 the mockery of a trial. 00:30:40.619 --> 00:30:42.000 He was nailed upon a cross 00:30:42.000 --> 00:30:43.079 between two thieves. 00:30:43.079 --> 00:30:44.439 While he was dying, 00:30:45.099 --> 00:30:46.339 his executioner's gambled 00:30:46.339 --> 00:30:47.460 for the only piece of property 00:30:47.460 --> 00:30:48.379 he had on earth, 00:30:48.819 --> 00:30:49.419 his coat. 00:30:50.539 --> 00:30:51.240 When he was dead, 00:30:51.919 --> 00:30:53.720 he was laid in a borrowed grave 00:30:53.720 --> 00:30:54.960 through the pity 00:30:54.960 --> 00:30:56.199 of a friend. 00:30:57.819 --> 00:30:59.019 Nineteen long centuries 00:30:59.019 --> 00:31:00.859 have come and gone, 00:31:01.139 --> 00:31:01.759 and today, 00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:03.099 he is the centerpiece 00:31:03.099 --> 00:31:04.319 of the human race 00:31:04.319 --> 00:31:05.659 and leader of the column 00:31:05.659 --> 00:31:06.439 of progress. 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:09.720 I am far within the mark 00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:10.620 when I say that 00:31:10.620 --> 00:31:11.480 all the armies 00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:12.220 that ever marched, 00:31:12.600 --> 00:31:13.580 all the navies 00:31:13.580 --> 00:31:14.480 that were ever built, 00:31:14.799 --> 00:31:15.740 all the parliaments 00:31:15.740 --> 00:31:16.440 that ever sat, 00:31:16.660 --> 00:31:17.400 and all the kings 00:31:17.400 --> 00:31:18.019 that ever reigned 00:31:18.019 --> 00:31:18.860 put together 00:31:18.860 --> 00:31:20.580 have not affected 00:31:20.580 --> 00:31:21.299 the life of man 00:31:21.299 --> 00:31:22.080 upon this earth 00:31:22.080 --> 00:31:23.080 as powerfully 00:31:23.080 --> 00:31:24.660 as has that one 00:31:24.660 --> 00:31:25.660 solitary life, 00:31:25.900 --> 00:31:27.779 the life of our Lord 00:31:27.779 --> 00:31:29.000 Jesus Christ. 00:31:29.000 --> 00:31:29.140 Christ. 00:31:31.059 --> 00:31:32.420 Say amen to that. 00:31:32.579 --> 00:31:32.880 Amen. 00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:33.839 Amen. 00:31:35.160 --> 00:31:36.079 So brothers and sisters, 00:31:36.700 --> 00:31:37.700 I'm closing here. 00:31:38.700 --> 00:31:39.720 As we look to Christmas, 00:31:40.579 --> 00:31:41.599 as we look to the day 00:31:41.599 --> 00:31:43.440 that God became flesh 00:31:43.440 --> 00:31:44.720 and moved into 00:31:44.720 --> 00:31:45.359 our neighborhood, 00:31:46.380 --> 00:31:47.900 as we prepare our hearts 00:31:47.900 --> 00:31:49.640 to celebrate the day 00:31:49.640 --> 00:31:50.500 that our Lord Jesus 00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:51.299 was born, 00:31:52.940 --> 00:31:53.640 let's meditate 00:31:53.640 --> 00:31:55.000 on this incredible reality 00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:58.000 that the sovereign God 00:31:58.579 --> 00:31:59.680 of all creation, 00:31:59.759 --> 00:32:00.740 of the universe, 00:32:01.599 --> 00:32:03.740 took on our humanity. 00:32:04.839 --> 00:32:06.640 He became one of us. 00:32:07.480 --> 00:32:08.160 Because of that, 00:32:08.799 --> 00:32:09.839 He understands us. 00:32:10.700 --> 00:32:11.619 He knows us. 00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:12.759 He understands. 00:32:12.980 --> 00:32:14.240 He experienced 00:32:14.240 --> 00:32:14.960 all our pain, 00:32:16.079 --> 00:32:16.920 all our suffering, 00:32:17.799 --> 00:32:19.000 all our stress and anxiety, 00:32:19.579 --> 00:32:20.619 all our temptation. 00:32:22.140 --> 00:32:23.440 He's the great high priest 00:32:23.440 --> 00:32:24.460 who understands 00:32:24.460 --> 00:32:25.059 what it's like 00:32:25.059 --> 00:32:25.880 to live 00:32:25.880 --> 00:32:27.620 in our broken world. 00:32:28.980 --> 00:32:29.880 And He is the God 00:32:29.880 --> 00:32:30.600 who constantly 00:32:30.600 --> 00:32:33.299 moves towards us. 00:32:34.680 --> 00:32:35.860 Let's respond today 00:32:35.860 --> 00:32:37.299 and move 00:32:37.299 --> 00:32:38.620 towards Him. 00:32:39.720 --> 00:32:41.319 Let's lay at Jesus' feet 00:32:41.319 --> 00:32:43.220 everything. 00:32:44.340 --> 00:32:45.000 All our stress, 00:32:45.940 --> 00:32:47.039 all our hopes and fears, 00:32:47.680 --> 00:32:48.559 all our anxieties, 00:32:48.740 --> 00:32:49.319 all our sin, 00:32:51.160 --> 00:32:51.920 and all our temptation. 00:32:54.460 --> 00:32:56.120 We're going to 00:32:56.120 --> 00:32:57.700 shortly enter 00:32:57.700 --> 00:32:58.500 into a time 00:32:58.500 --> 00:32:59.519 of communion. 00:33:02.920 --> 00:33:03.779 A communion 00:33:03.779 --> 00:33:04.640 is a celebration. 00:33:06.380 --> 00:33:07.759 We're going to celebrate 00:33:07.759 --> 00:33:09.720 this incredible reality 00:33:09.720 --> 00:33:11.440 that although Jesus 00:33:11.440 --> 00:33:12.400 was very comfortable 00:33:12.400 --> 00:33:12.860 in heaven 00:33:12.860 --> 00:33:14.840 with His Father, 00:33:14.920 --> 00:33:15.480 He didn't have to come 00:33:15.480 --> 00:33:15.720 to earth, 00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:16.340 but He did. 00:33:17.180 --> 00:33:18.539 He took on flesh. 00:33:19.319 --> 00:33:20.420 The Word became flesh 00:33:20.420 --> 00:33:21.460 and He came into this world 00:33:21.460 --> 00:33:22.920 and He died for our sins. 00:33:22.920 --> 00:33:23.960 We want to celebrate that today 00:33:23.960 --> 00:33:25.740 because that is glory for us. 00:33:26.640 --> 00:33:27.440 But first, 00:33:28.700 --> 00:33:30.960 the Bible also says 00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:31.560 that communion 00:33:31.560 --> 00:33:32.240 is a time 00:33:32.240 --> 00:33:33.140 for us to search 00:33:33.140 --> 00:33:34.279 our hearts. 00:33:35.960 --> 00:33:36.480 You know, 00:33:36.519 --> 00:33:37.480 none of us are perfect. 00:33:38.300 --> 00:33:39.440 All of us are sinners. 00:33:40.300 --> 00:33:41.440 Church is not a place 00:33:41.440 --> 00:33:42.779 for perfect people. 00:33:43.700 --> 00:33:44.019 Jesus 00:33:44.019 --> 00:33:46.140 asks us 00:33:46.140 --> 00:33:46.779 to come to Him 00:33:46.779 --> 00:33:48.100 not because we're perfect, 00:33:48.200 --> 00:33:49.000 because we're imperfect. 00:33:49.000 --> 00:33:52.160 Jesus is for those 00:33:52.160 --> 00:33:52.900 who are imperfect, 00:33:53.900 --> 00:33:55.380 but in need 00:33:55.380 --> 00:33:57.160 of His grace 00:33:57.160 --> 00:33:57.859 and His mercy. 00:33:59.099 --> 00:34:00.160 So spend some time 00:34:00.160 --> 00:34:00.619 in prayer 00:34:00.619 --> 00:34:01.920 in the next few minutes, 00:34:02.920 --> 00:34:03.440 asking God 00:34:03.440 --> 00:34:04.000 to reveal 00:34:04.000 --> 00:34:05.819 the hardest 00:34:05.819 --> 00:34:06.440 in your heart, 00:34:06.519 --> 00:34:07.220 whatever it is 00:34:07.220 --> 00:34:08.300 that you're going through, 00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:10.059 and at the same time, 00:34:10.239 --> 00:34:11.940 let's also spend some time 00:34:11.940 --> 00:34:12.840 laying our burdens 00:34:12.840 --> 00:34:13.320 on Him. 00:34:13.360 --> 00:34:13.840 All the stuff 00:34:13.840 --> 00:34:14.880 that we've been worrying about, 00:34:15.260 --> 00:34:16.079 whether it's school, 00:34:16.559 --> 00:34:17.239 our education, 00:34:17.239 --> 00:34:17.839 money, 00:34:18.279 --> 00:34:19.539 all our frustration 00:34:19.539 --> 00:34:20.419 with travel 00:34:20.419 --> 00:34:21.239 and other things, 00:34:21.500 --> 00:34:22.079 whatever it is, 00:34:22.099 --> 00:34:23.139 let's lay it upon Him 00:34:23.139 --> 00:34:24.239 right now.