WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.400 And tonight we're going to take a little bit of time to look at the Titus passage, 00:00:04.719 --> 00:00:08.620 which might be odd since we're here at Christmas not looking at the gospel passage, 00:00:08.720 --> 00:00:10.980 but I think you'll see why as we work through the text. 00:00:11.599 --> 00:00:13.339 So again, welcome to Church of the Advent. 00:00:14.720 --> 00:00:18.980 If you're new here, I don't think there could be a better day for you to have joined us. 00:00:20.280 --> 00:00:26.100 As today, presumably, we just took some time to feast and to open presents together wherever we have come from. 00:00:26.100 --> 00:00:32.939 And now we gather together as God's family in the world to feast at his table in a little while. 00:00:33.660 --> 00:00:41.280 And before we do that, we're going to take a look at Titus 2 and unwrap what Paul tells us is God's gift to the whole world, 00:00:41.359 --> 00:00:43.180 the greatest gift we could ever receive. 00:00:44.340 --> 00:00:48.700 So we turn to Titus 2. We are greeted by a beautiful and powerful phrase. 00:00:49.939 --> 00:00:51.740 For the grace of God has appeared. 00:00:51.740 --> 00:00:58.620 For Paul, who wrote this letter, this word grace is the linchpin of the gospel. 00:01:00.219 --> 00:01:01.160 It's the climax. 00:01:01.820 --> 00:01:05.359 It's the story of God and humanity summed up in one word. 00:01:06.620 --> 00:01:09.340 It permeated Paul's thinking and Paul's life. 00:01:10.439 --> 00:01:13.120 All of his ministry revolved around this word grace. 00:01:13.120 --> 00:01:20.520 For Paul, he could not possibly conceive of salvation apart from grace. 00:01:23.320 --> 00:01:24.500 Pause for a second. 00:01:24.640 --> 00:01:25.600 What is grace? 00:01:27.280 --> 00:01:28.140 What is grace? 00:01:29.300 --> 00:01:30.880 Here's a classic definition. 00:01:31.760 --> 00:01:34.000 God's grace is his unmerited favor. 00:01:35.540 --> 00:01:38.300 Grace means that God showers favor and blessing. 00:01:38.299 --> 00:01:44.719 His good gifts on all those who do not in any way merit or deserve it. 00:01:46.379 --> 00:01:50.620 Those who deserve judgment receive mercy through God's grace. 00:01:51.840 --> 00:01:58.479 So, if we do not in any way merit or deserve it, and yet we receive it, then it can only be one thing, right? 00:01:58.840 --> 00:02:03.239 God's grace that Paul talks about here in Titus 2 is a gift. 00:02:03.780 --> 00:02:04.819 It's a Christmas gift. 00:02:04.920 --> 00:02:06.280 It's the Christmas gift. 00:02:06.280 --> 00:02:14.939 So, in verses 11 through 14 tonight of chapter 2 of Titus, we're going to look at two questions that this passage answers. 00:02:15.879 --> 00:02:18.759 What is this gift of grace that Paul talks about? 00:02:19.000 --> 00:02:20.659 And what are we to do with it? 00:02:21.639 --> 00:02:22.560 Let us pray. 00:02:24.500 --> 00:02:28.360 Heavenly Father God, we thank you for Christmas. 00:02:28.360 --> 00:02:33.160 We thank you that the season of Advent comes to a close this day. 00:02:34.160 --> 00:02:36.580 That our hope has been realized in you. 00:02:39.280 --> 00:02:40.960 That our needs have been met in you. 00:02:41.080 --> 00:02:46.680 That Christmas signals and calls us to remember the day where you broke into time and space and rescued us. 00:02:46.680 --> 00:02:52.020 As we open up this passage tonight, God, we ask that you open up our hearts and our minds and our ears. 00:02:52.640 --> 00:02:56.800 That we can not only hear and receive, but we can be changed by your good news. 00:02:56.900 --> 00:02:57.620 In your name we pray. 00:02:58.240 --> 00:02:58.560 Amen. 00:02:58.560 --> 00:03:04.259 So, what is the gift that Paul calls God's grace here in Titus 2? 00:03:05.319 --> 00:03:06.400 It's three things. 00:03:07.520 --> 00:03:17.400 This gift of God's grace is seen in the person of Jesus, coming to fulfill the plan of God, and deal with the problem of sin. 00:03:18.480 --> 00:03:21.780 Now, I used three Ps so I could remember it, and maybe that will help you. 00:03:22.259 --> 00:03:23.900 If not, feel free to forget that. 00:03:23.900 --> 00:03:27.319 Now that I've said that, you probably can't, and that's okay. 00:03:28.200 --> 00:03:32.700 But first things first, the gift of God's grace is seen in the person of Jesus. 00:03:34.599 --> 00:03:38.759 Throughout the Bible, we come across these words, the grace of God appearing. 00:03:39.319 --> 00:03:41.040 The grace of God appears. 00:03:41.620 --> 00:03:45.140 The grace of God has appeared, as we see in tonight's text. 00:03:46.080 --> 00:03:49.680 And every single time, this is a direct reference to the person of Jesus. 00:03:49.680 --> 00:03:54.520 For Paul, his life word is grace, as we talked about a moment ago. 00:03:54.840 --> 00:03:56.920 And for him, it cannot be separated from salvation. 00:03:57.580 --> 00:04:05.260 Therefore, when we see the grace of God appearing, it leads us to one conclusion, and one conclusion only. 00:04:05.920 --> 00:04:10.760 The grace of God that has appeared is none other than the person of Jesus. 00:04:11.460 --> 00:04:13.100 The person of Jesus Christ. 00:04:13.100 --> 00:04:18.899 Jesus Christ become man, born in the humble setting of a backyard cattle shed. 00:04:19.680 --> 00:04:22.280 To become the gift we all desperately need. 00:04:24.100 --> 00:04:25.840 But he didn't just come as a person. 00:04:25.959 --> 00:04:28.759 He didn't just come to be another guy to walk and talk on the earth. 00:04:29.100 --> 00:04:30.639 He didn't come just to be a human. 00:04:32.120 --> 00:04:36.139 Jesus Christ came as a person to fulfill the plan of God. 00:04:36.439 --> 00:04:38.139 And deal with the problem of sin. 00:04:40.519 --> 00:04:44.180 What is this problem, and what is this plan? 00:04:44.180 --> 00:04:53.199 Well, from the beginning, God created with the desire and the intention to be in perfect relationship with his creation. 00:04:55.040 --> 00:04:59.540 But we, humanity, starting with Adam and Eve at the very beginning, the first people, 00:05:00.040 --> 00:05:06.879 have chosen to follow our own desires, our own passions, our own way of life, instead of a relationship with God. 00:05:06.879 --> 00:05:14.439 A choice that has left us in a hopeless, dire situation that we could not undo or get ourselves out of. 00:05:15.620 --> 00:05:22.139 From that moment on, from that first moment where we chose ourselves instead of God, 00:05:22.459 --> 00:05:24.040 God put a plan into action. 00:05:24.779 --> 00:05:27.879 A plan to rescue us from our destruction and death. 00:05:28.159 --> 00:05:33.180 A plan to break into the world and save us when we weren't even aware that we needed saving. 00:05:33.180 --> 00:05:37.500 Without God's plan to deal with the problem of sin, 00:05:38.300 --> 00:05:42.019 we would still be hopelessly stuck in our self-made problem. 00:05:44.040 --> 00:05:48.139 This need of a miracle and of rescue is much like two stories of shipwreck 00:05:48.139 --> 00:05:51.460 that end up with two very different endings. 00:05:52.600 --> 00:05:54.680 In the spring of 1912, 00:05:55.480 --> 00:05:57.340 a ship named after a Greek myth 00:05:57.340 --> 00:05:59.600 struck an object in the Atlantic. 00:05:59.600 --> 00:06:05.020 Of the roughly 2,200 passengers and crew, 00:06:05.660 --> 00:06:08.040 over 1,500 of them went down with the ship. 00:06:09.360 --> 00:06:12.720 Just about 70% of the lives were lost. 00:06:13.379 --> 00:06:15.220 It was thought to be an unsinkable ship. 00:06:15.960 --> 00:06:19.280 The crew was unprepared to launch the lifeboats. 00:06:19.720 --> 00:06:22.379 And they were untrained in how many of the lifeboats could hold 00:06:22.379 --> 00:06:26.900 as they ended up loading only about 50% capacity into each lifeboat. 00:06:26.899 --> 00:06:32.019 The people on the ship didn't immediately respond to the sirens warning them to evacuate 00:06:32.019 --> 00:06:33.699 because in their minds, 00:06:33.859 --> 00:06:36.179 there was no space for this being a reality. 00:06:36.539 --> 00:06:38.839 There was no conceivable way that this ship, 00:06:39.679 --> 00:06:41.079 named after a Greek myth, 00:06:41.899 --> 00:06:42.799 could go down. 00:06:43.739 --> 00:06:44.120 Why? 00:06:46.099 --> 00:06:47.019 Simply this. 00:06:47.279 --> 00:06:48.419 They thought they were safe. 00:06:48.879 --> 00:06:49.979 They thought this ship, 00:06:50.759 --> 00:06:51.399 the Titanic, 00:06:51.779 --> 00:06:52.819 was indestructible. 00:06:52.819 --> 00:06:57.839 And the second story is of a ship named the SS Andrea Doria, 00:06:58.939 --> 00:07:00.899 sailing the Atlantic in 1956, 00:07:01.159 --> 00:07:02.899 just 40-some years after the Titanic. 00:07:03.779 --> 00:07:06.000 She was hardly more prepared than the Titanic. 00:07:08.139 --> 00:07:10.259 But there was one life-altering difference. 00:07:11.360 --> 00:07:13.699 After a collision off the coast of Massachusetts, 00:07:13.699 --> 00:07:17.120 a multitude of other ships, 00:07:17.240 --> 00:07:20.060 having seen on their radar this collision happen, 00:07:20.360 --> 00:07:23.199 and hearing through their radios the calls for help, 00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:24.199 came to the rescue, 00:07:24.339 --> 00:07:28.019 offering safety to the majority of the passengers and crew. 00:07:29.039 --> 00:07:31.899 Of the 1,706 passengers and crew, 00:07:32.539 --> 00:07:34.360 all but 46 survived. 00:07:35.599 --> 00:07:36.419 The difference? 00:07:37.539 --> 00:07:38.139 Someone, 00:07:38.980 --> 00:07:39.980 some crew, 00:07:39.980 --> 00:07:43.259 a host of ships outside of themselves, 00:07:43.460 --> 00:07:45.439 broke onto the scene and rescued them, 00:07:45.879 --> 00:07:48.220 or it would have been the Titanic 2.0. 00:07:49.280 --> 00:07:50.379 In the same way, 00:07:50.500 --> 00:07:51.300 Jesus Christ, 00:07:52.100 --> 00:07:53.960 without our asking or even knowing, 00:07:54.439 --> 00:07:56.080 the eternal problem we are facing, 00:07:57.060 --> 00:07:58.319 came on a rescue mission. 00:07:58.780 --> 00:08:01.540 A rescue mission to save us from our brokenness and death. 00:08:02.759 --> 00:08:04.520 A rescue mission called Christmas. 00:08:04.519 --> 00:08:10.139 He came to save us and rescue us from the sinking ship 00:08:10.139 --> 00:08:11.659 that is our sin. 00:08:12.740 --> 00:08:15.519 And it's a death that I think we don't even recognize most of the time, 00:08:15.599 --> 00:08:16.620 if you're anything like me. 00:08:17.859 --> 00:08:19.199 We have earned this death. 00:08:19.639 --> 00:08:21.439 We have chosen to follow our own desires 00:08:21.439 --> 00:08:22.939 instead of God's will, 00:08:23.039 --> 00:08:24.219 but just the same, 00:08:25.060 --> 00:08:27.539 regardless of what we've done or what we do, 00:08:27.959 --> 00:08:29.919 Jesus came as the gift of grace 00:08:29.919 --> 00:08:32.860 to rescue us from our situation. 00:08:32.860 --> 00:08:33.259 So, 00:08:35.539 --> 00:08:37.560 the answer to the first question is this, 00:08:37.659 --> 00:08:38.940 the gift of grace has appeared 00:08:38.940 --> 00:08:40.379 in the person of Jesus, 00:08:41.460 --> 00:08:43.200 come to fulfill the plan of God, 00:08:43.960 --> 00:08:46.159 and deal with the problem of sin. 00:08:48.419 --> 00:08:48.860 However, 00:08:49.779 --> 00:08:51.539 is any gift a good gift 00:08:51.539 --> 00:08:52.659 unless it is received? 00:08:53.800 --> 00:08:55.360 That's the real question, isn't it? 00:08:56.279 --> 00:08:57.820 Or is it simply a package, 00:08:58.420 --> 00:08:59.120 a box, 00:08:59.279 --> 00:09:00.220 an unknown thing, 00:09:00.320 --> 00:09:01.039 neatly wrapped, 00:09:01.039 --> 00:09:03.459 residing under a Christmas tree? 00:09:05.019 --> 00:09:06.139 Essentially useless. 00:09:07.120 --> 00:09:07.240 Right? 00:09:07.299 --> 00:09:09.679 Even the passengers of the SS Andrea Doria, 00:09:10.279 --> 00:09:13.980 they had to choose to actively participate in the gift that was their rescue. 00:09:14.179 --> 00:09:16.480 They had to actively receive this gift 00:09:16.480 --> 00:09:19.819 by boarding the ships that came to rescue. 00:09:20.480 --> 00:09:22.599 They could not stay on their sinking ship 00:09:22.599 --> 00:09:23.740 and receive the gift. 00:09:23.879 --> 00:09:24.899 Something had to happen. 00:09:24.899 --> 00:09:28.539 So, the second question for us tonight is this, 00:09:29.259 --> 00:09:31.379 what are we to do with this gift of grace, 00:09:31.699 --> 00:09:32.639 this gift of Jesus, 00:09:33.639 --> 00:09:34.879 that we celebrate at Christmas? 00:09:35.819 --> 00:09:37.079 Paul says two things. 00:09:38.059 --> 00:09:38.419 He says, 00:09:38.539 --> 00:09:39.259 receive it freely, 00:09:39.639 --> 00:09:40.879 and he says, 00:09:40.980 --> 00:09:42.799 let it change our hearts and our lives. 00:09:44.240 --> 00:09:45.299 The first thing then, 00:09:45.360 --> 00:09:46.240 receive it freely. 00:09:46.600 --> 00:09:47.919 Learn to receive it freely. 00:09:48.699 --> 00:09:50.299 Verse 11 says in our text, 00:09:51.099 --> 00:09:54.120 that it is a salvation for the whole world, 00:09:54.679 --> 00:09:56.599 unmerited and unearned. 00:09:58.279 --> 00:10:01.879 Oftentimes, receiving gifts can be the hardest part of gift giving. 00:10:01.879 --> 00:10:04.439 I have to admit, 00:10:04.539 --> 00:10:05.879 if someone offers me lunch, 00:10:06.240 --> 00:10:09.439 I'm very quick to ask them when I might get them back 00:10:09.439 --> 00:10:12.519 or offer to get them back the next time we have lunch. 00:10:13.120 --> 00:10:15.320 Or, and maybe you can resonate with this, 00:10:15.960 --> 00:10:20.460 I try to repay this non-existing debt to my friend even more quickly 00:10:20.460 --> 00:10:22.299 by asking, 00:10:22.700 --> 00:10:23.960 can I Venmo you? 00:10:25.080 --> 00:10:27.700 Maybe you can resonate with this. 00:10:27.820 --> 00:10:30.100 Maybe you yourselves have offered Venmo 00:10:30.100 --> 00:10:32.540 as a way of paying a non-existent debt 00:10:32.540 --> 00:10:34.940 to someone offering you a beverage or a meal 00:10:34.940 --> 00:10:36.399 or a gift. 00:10:41.139 --> 00:10:43.159 But for that gift to remain a gift, 00:10:43.800 --> 00:10:45.820 for any gift to remain a gift, 00:10:46.379 --> 00:10:47.620 we cannot repay it. 00:10:48.500 --> 00:10:50.360 We cannot turn it into a transaction. 00:10:51.779 --> 00:10:54.139 Because just like we saw with grace at the beginning, 00:10:54.320 --> 00:10:57.379 a gift by nature is freely received. 00:10:57.379 --> 00:11:02.740 We see this in the great musical-turned-film Les Miserables, 00:11:03.259 --> 00:11:06.159 after Jean Valjean, a convict and a thief, 00:11:06.259 --> 00:11:07.399 is caught red-handed 00:11:07.399 --> 00:11:11.320 and returned to the bishop from whom he stole a bag full of silver. 00:11:12.379 --> 00:11:14.220 If you've seen this movie, you know where I'm going. 00:11:15.340 --> 00:11:17.559 Upon his arrest and return to the bishop, 00:11:18.399 --> 00:11:20.100 the bishop looks at the guards and says, 00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:21.879 feel free to leave. 00:11:22.360 --> 00:11:23.740 This man stole nothing from me. 00:11:23.740 --> 00:11:24.480 This was a gift. 00:11:24.840 --> 00:11:26.980 He's not a thief, but my guest. 00:11:28.919 --> 00:11:31.379 Jean Valjean, having received this grace, 00:11:31.620 --> 00:11:32.560 is confused. 00:11:33.080 --> 00:11:34.360 He's at a loss for words. 00:11:34.480 --> 00:11:35.879 He's utterly speechless. 00:11:36.879 --> 00:11:39.960 And the bishop offers this beautiful summary of grace. 00:11:40.659 --> 00:11:41.940 The scene goes like this. 00:11:42.779 --> 00:11:44.159 The bishop drew near to him 00:11:44.159 --> 00:11:46.740 and said in a low voice, 00:11:46.740 --> 00:11:48.799 Do not forget, 00:11:49.960 --> 00:11:51.180 never forget, 00:11:52.220 --> 00:11:54.539 that you have promised to use this money 00:11:54.539 --> 00:11:57.419 in becoming an honest man. 00:11:59.240 --> 00:12:01.980 Jean Valjean, who had no recollection 00:12:01.980 --> 00:12:04.399 of ever having promised anything, 00:12:04.960 --> 00:12:05.799 remained speechless. 00:12:05.799 --> 00:12:09.479 The bishop, 00:12:10.419 --> 00:12:12.599 having emphasized the words when he uttered them, 00:12:12.699 --> 00:12:14.339 continued on to Jean Valjean. 00:12:14.759 --> 00:12:15.620 He says this, 00:12:15.620 --> 00:12:17.240 Jean Valjean, 00:12:17.679 --> 00:12:19.359 my brother, 00:12:20.519 --> 00:12:22.419 you no longer belong to evil, 00:12:22.819 --> 00:12:23.879 but to good. 00:12:24.639 --> 00:12:27.139 It is your soul that I buy from you. 00:12:28.019 --> 00:12:30.779 I withdraw it from black thoughts and perdition, 00:12:31.319 --> 00:12:33.399 and I give it to God. 00:12:33.399 --> 00:12:36.720 Isn't that beautiful? 00:12:38.740 --> 00:12:40.279 This is the gift of Christmas. 00:12:41.779 --> 00:12:43.439 This is the gift of grace 00:12:43.439 --> 00:12:45.059 that we see here in Les Miserables, 00:12:45.459 --> 00:12:49.459 which we neither deserve or can earn, 00:12:50.059 --> 00:12:51.600 and yet it changes us forever. 00:12:53.279 --> 00:12:55.919 Think about how countercultural it is 00:12:55.919 --> 00:12:58.319 to have unmerited favor and blessing. 00:13:00.759 --> 00:13:02.100 In our schools, 00:13:02.100 --> 00:13:04.980 you work to earn a good grade 00:13:04.980 --> 00:13:07.279 so you can earn a scholarship 00:13:07.279 --> 00:13:08.080 or an award 00:13:08.080 --> 00:13:10.920 that'll earn you a degree 00:13:10.920 --> 00:13:13.240 that positions you well 00:13:13.240 --> 00:13:14.200 to get a good job 00:13:14.200 --> 00:13:16.420 in a prestigious firm or company 00:13:16.420 --> 00:13:18.800 or career path. 00:13:19.019 --> 00:13:20.600 But it doesn't stop there, does it? 00:13:21.420 --> 00:13:22.620 No, you get the job, 00:13:22.879 --> 00:13:24.860 and then you work to do well 00:13:24.860 --> 00:13:26.519 to earn your raise or your promotion, 00:13:27.220 --> 00:13:30.300 knowing that if you do sloppy or poor work, 00:13:30.299 --> 00:13:32.479 eventually you'll be demoted or worse, 00:13:32.979 --> 00:13:33.500 fired. 00:13:38.219 --> 00:13:38.659 Relationships. 00:13:41.079 --> 00:13:42.899 Relationships are that way in our culture, I think. 00:13:44.779 --> 00:13:46.779 Most of the time they operate on the question, 00:13:46.899 --> 00:13:47.899 what are you doing for me 00:13:47.899 --> 00:13:49.379 that I should love you? 00:13:49.379 --> 00:13:54.000 Are you loving me well enough to earn my love, 00:13:54.559 --> 00:13:55.759 my trust, and my allegiance? 00:13:57.820 --> 00:13:59.700 Relationships end up in shambles 00:13:59.700 --> 00:14:02.480 because of this idea of merit-based worth. 00:14:03.259 --> 00:14:05.159 Work becomes life-taking 00:14:05.159 --> 00:14:08.360 instead of enjoyable and God-glorifying 00:14:08.360 --> 00:14:10.840 because of merit-based worth. 00:14:12.320 --> 00:14:15.300 But Jesus offers us an upside-down kingdom, 00:14:16.300 --> 00:14:18.419 an upside-down way of living, 00:14:19.320 --> 00:14:20.940 an upside-down love. 00:14:21.800 --> 00:14:23.120 We do not earn it. 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:25.759 We cannot get more of it 00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:27.100 through success or loyalty. 00:14:28.259 --> 00:14:30.279 And best of all, we cannot lose it. 00:14:30.279 --> 00:14:34.059 I imagine if all human relationships 00:14:34.059 --> 00:14:35.000 worked this way, 00:14:36.740 --> 00:14:38.319 that we would begin to see 00:14:38.319 --> 00:14:39.480 more and more of a glimpse 00:14:39.480 --> 00:14:40.600 of what this world 00:14:40.600 --> 00:14:42.620 can and will be 00:14:42.620 --> 00:14:44.819 when Christ comes again in glory 00:14:44.819 --> 00:14:47.819 to reclaim all of this world that is His. 00:14:48.799 --> 00:14:50.720 He's broken in on Christmas Day 00:14:50.720 --> 00:14:53.279 and He's coming back 00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:55.539 to redeem this whole thing. 00:14:55.539 --> 00:14:58.579 For those of us who have been trying 00:14:58.579 --> 00:15:00.299 to carry the burden all on our own, 00:15:01.079 --> 00:15:02.240 trying to do enough, 00:15:02.679 --> 00:15:03.519 to be enough, 00:15:03.779 --> 00:15:04.959 to succeed enough, 00:15:05.059 --> 00:15:06.839 to be worth someone else's love 00:15:06.839 --> 00:15:07.539 or recognition, 00:15:08.159 --> 00:15:10.459 this gift of Jesus, 00:15:10.679 --> 00:15:11.620 this gift of Christmas, 00:15:12.379 --> 00:15:14.219 has got to be the sweetest sound 00:15:14.219 --> 00:15:15.740 our ears could ever hear. 00:15:16.959 --> 00:15:18.299 There's nothing like it. 00:15:19.879 --> 00:15:21.799 And yet there's a little bit more 00:15:21.799 --> 00:15:23.480 to this idea of receiving a gift. 00:15:23.779 --> 00:15:25.259 When you get a Christmas present, 00:15:25.539 --> 00:15:28.199 are you content to just freely receive it? 00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:29.919 If someone buys you lunch, 00:15:30.339 --> 00:15:32.019 are you content to just have them 00:15:32.019 --> 00:15:32.679 buy it for you 00:15:32.679 --> 00:15:34.000 and have it set in front of you? 00:15:34.860 --> 00:15:36.339 Isn't there a little part of you 00:15:36.339 --> 00:15:37.860 that wants to open up the present 00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:38.620 that you've received 00:15:38.620 --> 00:15:39.719 and see what's inside, 00:15:39.939 --> 00:15:41.099 to put it to use, 00:15:41.939 --> 00:15:42.819 to play with it? 00:15:45.860 --> 00:15:48.159 Children absolutely lead the way for us 00:15:48.159 --> 00:15:50.000 in learning how to receive God's grace 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:52.620 and how to receive good gifts. 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:55.099 Christmas morning just happened. 00:15:56.099 --> 00:15:57.659 Many of you probably had children 00:15:57.659 --> 00:15:59.039 around the Christmas tree with you. 00:16:00.819 --> 00:16:01.819 Like a child, 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:03.559 they wake up in the morning, 00:16:03.939 --> 00:16:05.379 the earliest morning of the year 00:16:05.379 --> 00:16:06.099 for most children. 00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:07.659 At least it was for me as a child. 00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:09.819 It was the one morning sleeping in, 00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:10.360 didn't matter, 00:16:10.679 --> 00:16:11.620 cartoons didn't matter, 00:16:12.319 --> 00:16:12.980 gifts mattered. 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:14.419 They get up, 00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:15.299 they run to the tree, 00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:17.019 they tear off the wrapping paper, 00:16:17.279 --> 00:16:18.559 they rip open the box, 00:16:18.559 --> 00:16:22.139 they hurriedly rip through all of it 00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:25.279 in a hurry to see and use this new gift. 00:16:25.619 --> 00:16:26.819 It changes them. 00:16:27.019 --> 00:16:28.839 It changes them and their priorities. 00:16:30.019 --> 00:16:31.899 With a child and his or her toy, 00:16:31.979 --> 00:16:33.199 it changes them for a while, 00:16:33.619 --> 00:16:33.879 right? 00:16:34.059 --> 00:16:34.879 For an hour, 00:16:35.159 --> 00:16:35.879 or a day, 00:16:35.939 --> 00:16:36.419 or a week, 00:16:36.979 --> 00:16:38.299 until it's broken, 00:16:38.299 --> 00:16:40.859 or until they get a next gift or present. 00:16:41.639 --> 00:16:42.519 If they're young enough, 00:16:42.579 --> 00:16:43.679 maybe until brother and sister 00:16:43.679 --> 00:16:44.479 open their present 00:16:44.479 --> 00:16:45.859 and it seems better at the time. 00:16:46.899 --> 00:16:47.959 But for us, 00:16:48.740 --> 00:16:50.959 for us receiving the gift of Jesus, 00:16:51.219 --> 00:16:52.879 receiving the gift of God's grace, 00:16:53.359 --> 00:16:55.099 it lasts forever. 00:16:55.100 --> 00:16:58.040 And we must let this gift of grace 00:16:58.040 --> 00:16:58.860 change our hearts 00:16:58.860 --> 00:16:59.779 and our lives 00:16:59.779 --> 00:17:01.100 forever with it. 00:17:02.659 --> 00:17:04.860 We'll return to Les Miserables for a second. 00:17:07.120 --> 00:17:10.039 This beautiful, beautiful reality of Les Miserables 00:17:10.039 --> 00:17:11.680 is seen in Jean Valjean, 00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:13.299 the character who becomes 00:17:13.299 --> 00:17:15.720 the main character throughout the film. 00:17:16.660 --> 00:17:18.860 Having received freely this grace 00:17:18.860 --> 00:17:20.120 in the opening of the film, 00:17:21.120 --> 00:17:23.279 the rest of the film shows us 00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:24.599 what happened 00:17:24.599 --> 00:17:26.279 once he received this grace. 00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:26.959 You see, 00:17:27.059 --> 00:17:28.359 Jean Valjean doesn't go back 00:17:28.359 --> 00:17:29.419 to the life he lived before. 00:17:29.859 --> 00:17:31.259 Jean Valjean doesn't forget 00:17:31.259 --> 00:17:32.500 this gift that he received 00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:32.939 from the bishop. 00:17:33.079 --> 00:17:33.339 No. 00:17:34.439 --> 00:17:35.279 No, he goes on 00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:36.199 and he does exactly 00:17:36.199 --> 00:17:37.639 what the gift was intended to do. 00:17:38.379 --> 00:17:40.079 He goes and he runs a business 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:41.959 that's just and right. 00:17:43.939 --> 00:17:45.079 He later on 00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:46.159 saves an old man 00:17:46.159 --> 00:17:47.299 from an injury at work 00:17:47.299 --> 00:17:48.819 and offers him a pension 00:17:48.819 --> 00:17:51.339 that he neither earned 00:17:51.339 --> 00:17:52.279 nor deserved. 00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:55.639 He saves a woman 00:17:55.639 --> 00:17:57.259 who is a social outcast 00:17:57.259 --> 00:17:58.939 and takes care of her 00:17:58.939 --> 00:18:00.240 through her dying days. 00:18:00.419 --> 00:18:02.259 And even once she has passed, 00:18:02.259 --> 00:18:03.679 he risks his life 00:18:03.679 --> 00:18:04.859 to go and save 00:18:04.859 --> 00:18:06.079 this woman's daughter 00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:08.959 who is living as a servant 00:18:08.959 --> 00:18:10.399 in another part of the area. 00:18:11.679 --> 00:18:12.699 He later on 00:18:12.699 --> 00:18:14.799 offers up his life 00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:15.599 and his freedom 00:18:15.599 --> 00:18:17.659 to set another man free. 00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:20.799 Grace changed him 00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:22.879 and so too 00:18:22.879 --> 00:18:24.180 shall it define our lives 00:18:24.180 --> 00:18:25.119 once we receive it 00:18:25.119 --> 00:18:25.740 from Christ. 00:18:27.079 --> 00:18:28.460 So receiving this grace 00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:29.440 and being changed by it 00:18:29.440 --> 00:18:30.359 means two things. 00:18:31.539 --> 00:18:32.259 First of all, 00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:33.259 it means turning away 00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:34.399 from worldly ways 00:18:34.399 --> 00:18:35.919 and our own human passions 00:18:35.919 --> 00:18:36.639 and desires. 00:18:37.500 --> 00:18:38.079 And second, 00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:40.700 it means turning towards God. 00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:43.819 It means turning towards God 00:18:43.819 --> 00:18:45.039 and living a self-controlled, 00:18:45.299 --> 00:18:45.579 upright, 00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:46.700 and godly life. 00:18:47.399 --> 00:18:48.399 Another translation 00:18:48.399 --> 00:18:48.940 of the passage 00:18:48.940 --> 00:18:49.599 says this, 00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:51.179 turning from drunkenness 00:18:51.179 --> 00:18:53.079 and living a sober life. 00:18:54.039 --> 00:18:55.599 I like that language 00:18:55.599 --> 00:18:57.199 because it shows us 00:18:57.199 --> 00:18:57.779 the point 00:18:57.779 --> 00:18:59.959 of the text we read tonight. 00:19:01.859 --> 00:19:03.019 The two options 00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:04.119 are mutually exclusive. 00:19:06.119 --> 00:19:07.740 You can't have one 00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:08.519 and the other. 00:19:10.099 --> 00:19:11.339 It becomes clear then 00:19:11.339 --> 00:19:12.279 that the first list, 00:19:12.419 --> 00:19:13.059 the do-nots 00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:14.500 that Paul lists for us, 00:19:15.639 --> 00:19:16.879 are all inward 00:19:16.879 --> 00:19:18.439 and self-serving things, 00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:20.360 motives for us. 00:19:20.820 --> 00:19:21.860 And the second list, 00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:23.059 the do's, 00:19:23.620 --> 00:19:24.380 the ways in which 00:19:24.380 --> 00:19:25.220 the gift of grace 00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:26.059 changes us, 00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:27.220 are all outward 00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:28.559 and selfless motives, 00:19:29.120 --> 00:19:30.900 meant to serve the world, 00:19:31.279 --> 00:19:31.860 God's kingdom, 00:19:32.059 --> 00:19:33.100 and God himself. 00:19:34.160 --> 00:19:35.180 But how do we learn 00:19:35.180 --> 00:19:36.299 to begin to practice 00:19:36.299 --> 00:19:37.400 turning towards God? 00:19:37.400 --> 00:19:40.560 just a few suggestions. 00:19:41.840 --> 00:19:42.440 Friends, 00:19:42.560 --> 00:19:43.780 spend time opening 00:19:43.780 --> 00:19:44.720 and reading the Bible. 00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:46.800 And as you do, 00:19:46.980 --> 00:19:47.600 remember that 00:19:47.600 --> 00:19:49.300 every story in the book, 00:19:49.820 --> 00:19:50.860 every story 00:19:50.860 --> 00:19:51.500 that this book 00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:52.220 has in it 00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:54.180 points you to Jesus 00:19:54.180 --> 00:19:56.840 and nowhere else. 00:19:56.839 --> 00:19:58.579 is the life 00:19:58.579 --> 00:19:59.220 that we learn 00:19:59.220 --> 00:19:59.699 secondly, 00:19:59.819 --> 00:20:00.419 by worshiping 00:20:00.419 --> 00:20:01.480 on Sundays together. 00:20:01.879 --> 00:20:03.139 It shapes us, 00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:04.019 it forms us, 00:20:04.099 --> 00:20:05.559 it helps us practice 00:20:05.559 --> 00:20:06.659 turning towards God 00:20:06.659 --> 00:20:07.679 actively together. 00:20:08.799 --> 00:20:09.519 And thirdly, 00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:10.759 by praying, 00:20:11.059 --> 00:20:11.319 eating, 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:12.039 and playing 00:20:12.039 --> 00:20:13.919 with other Christians. 00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:15.639 If you're a member 00:20:15.639 --> 00:20:16.339 here at Advent, 00:20:16.859 --> 00:20:17.779 you may recognize 00:20:17.779 --> 00:20:18.579 this as the life 00:20:18.579 --> 00:20:19.419 of our core groups, 00:20:20.259 --> 00:20:21.459 our small group ministry 00:20:21.459 --> 00:20:22.459 here at Church of the Advent. 00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:25.880 If you're new here tonight, 00:20:26.620 --> 00:20:27.279 I would encourage you 00:20:27.279 --> 00:20:28.000 to check out 00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:29.700 and join one of our core groups 00:20:29.700 --> 00:20:31.559 as they are intended 00:20:31.559 --> 00:20:33.319 to be the place 00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:34.039 in our church 00:20:34.039 --> 00:20:35.620 that helps us practice 00:20:35.620 --> 00:20:36.259 this life 00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:37.519 of turning towards God. 00:20:39.019 --> 00:20:40.440 So just a few habits 00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:41.000 and practices, 00:20:41.140 --> 00:20:42.100 and there's many more. 00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:44.079 But I encourage you 00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:44.840 to try some, 00:20:45.559 --> 00:20:46.840 to put them to practice. 00:20:47.539 --> 00:20:48.759 Let them turn you around, 00:20:48.860 --> 00:20:49.640 let them shape you. 00:20:50.039 --> 00:20:50.860 What I love most 00:20:50.860 --> 00:20:51.779 about this idea 00:20:51.779 --> 00:20:52.340 that Paul 00:20:52.339 --> 00:20:53.399 has for us tonight 00:20:53.399 --> 00:20:55.619 of actively receiving 00:20:55.619 --> 00:20:56.519 by turning away 00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:57.419 and turning towards 00:20:57.419 --> 00:20:59.339 is you cannot by nature 00:20:59.339 --> 00:21:01.220 turn away from something 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:03.139 and turn towards something 00:21:03.139 --> 00:21:03.819 at the same time. 00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:05.579 They're opposites, right? 00:21:05.679 --> 00:21:07.519 If I'm turned towards you all, 00:21:08.119 --> 00:21:09.199 if I'm facing you 00:21:09.199 --> 00:21:10.199 as I talk tonight, 00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:11.459 I am by nature 00:21:11.459 --> 00:21:12.179 turned away 00:21:12.179 --> 00:21:12.879 from the cross 00:21:12.879 --> 00:21:13.939 and table behind me. 00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:14.859 And likewise, 00:21:15.259 --> 00:21:16.279 if I turn around 00:21:16.279 --> 00:21:17.279 and I face the cross 00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:17.799 and the table, 00:21:18.099 --> 00:21:19.559 I'm turned away from you 00:21:19.559 --> 00:21:22.319 because they can't coincide. 00:21:22.319 --> 00:21:24.639 They can't be together. 00:21:25.779 --> 00:21:26.179 And yet, 00:21:26.379 --> 00:21:27.480 if you're anything like me, 00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:28.500 I try to do this 00:21:28.500 --> 00:21:29.500 way too often. 00:21:29.919 --> 00:21:31.419 I want all of the world 00:21:31.419 --> 00:21:33.279 and I want all of Jesus. 00:21:33.740 --> 00:21:35.359 I want both camps 00:21:35.359 --> 00:21:36.819 and I want to have it all. 00:21:36.819 --> 00:21:40.299 The gospel tells us, 00:21:40.379 --> 00:21:40.679 friends, 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:42.639 it just isn't possible. 00:21:43.879 --> 00:21:45.399 It just isn't possible. 00:21:46.099 --> 00:21:47.000 But for us, 00:21:47.139 --> 00:21:48.119 the offer is this. 00:21:49.399 --> 00:21:50.759 The grace of God 00:21:50.759 --> 00:21:51.379 has appeared 00:21:51.379 --> 00:21:54.240 and is freely given 00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:55.500 to us for salvation. 00:21:57.279 --> 00:21:58.599 Won't you receive it? 00:21:59.279 --> 00:22:00.399 Won't you unwrap 00:22:00.399 --> 00:22:01.519 this gift of grace 00:22:01.519 --> 00:22:03.379 and let it change you 00:22:03.379 --> 00:22:04.039 by turning you 00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:04.759 towards God 00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:06.480 and how you live 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:07.759 and how you think 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:09.059 about relationships 00:22:09.059 --> 00:22:10.180 and how you think 00:22:10.180 --> 00:22:11.000 about your work, 00:22:11.400 --> 00:22:11.900 your home, 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:12.500 your family, 00:22:12.579 --> 00:22:13.259 and your play. 00:22:13.859 --> 00:22:14.720 As we begin 00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:15.839 to live this way, 00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:17.639 the worldly desires 00:22:17.639 --> 00:22:18.299 and passions 00:22:18.299 --> 00:22:19.819 that boil up 00:22:19.819 --> 00:22:20.440 inside of us 00:22:20.440 --> 00:22:20.980 will begin 00:22:20.980 --> 00:22:22.259 to get pushed out. 00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:23.240 We'll be pushed 00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:23.900 to the edges 00:22:23.900 --> 00:22:25.460 as our heart grows 00:22:25.460 --> 00:22:26.519 bigger and fuller 00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:28.240 with God's desires 00:22:28.240 --> 00:22:28.720 and will. 00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:30.480 for Paul, 00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:32.660 for Jean Valjean, 00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:34.120 and for us, 00:22:35.000 --> 00:22:36.339 this gift of grace, 00:22:37.240 --> 00:22:38.180 the birth of Jesus, 00:22:39.079 --> 00:22:40.200 the true joy 00:22:40.200 --> 00:22:40.759 of Christmas, 00:22:41.559 --> 00:22:43.900 it turns us 00:22:43.900 --> 00:22:44.559 towards God. 00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:46.259 It turns us 00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:47.640 towards His kingdom work 00:22:47.640 --> 00:22:49.799 as we wait 00:22:49.799 --> 00:22:50.920 for Jesus to return. 00:22:51.680 --> 00:22:52.759 And while we wait, 00:22:53.559 --> 00:22:54.559 we join with Him 00:22:54.559 --> 00:22:55.180 in the restoration 00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:56.120 of this world. 00:22:56.119 --> 00:22:58.419 in the name 00:22:58.419 --> 00:22:58.959 of the Father, 00:22:59.399 --> 00:22:59.859 the Son, 00:22:59.979 --> 00:23:00.819 and the Holy Spirit. 00:23:01.819 --> 00:23:02.059 Amen. 00:23:02.059 --> 00:23:02.199 Amen. 00:23:03.339 --> 00:23:03.699 Let's pray.