WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.339 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.839 --> 00:00:09.359 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:10.500 Join us. 00:00:12.380 --> 00:00:13.839 Why Christmas? 00:00:15.960 --> 00:00:21.019 In some ways, that seems like a terrible question to ask on Christmas Eve. 00:00:21.019 --> 00:00:22.900 What do you mean, why Christmas? 00:00:23.219 --> 00:00:24.120 We're all excited. 00:00:24.260 --> 00:00:25.900 Why not celebrate, right? 00:00:25.899 --> 00:00:33.820 Well, why Christmas for us, what we've been talking about this Advent season? 00:00:34.079 --> 00:00:40.320 It means to us the reasons that Jesus gives for His coming to earth. 00:00:40.820 --> 00:00:44.980 We're going to discuss the culmination of all of these reasons tonight. 00:00:45.859 --> 00:00:47.219 I'm excited about that. 00:00:47.219 --> 00:00:51.840 But one more this morning where Jesus is very clear. 00:00:52.019 --> 00:00:54.060 He's talking about His purpose. 00:00:54.060 --> 00:01:04.020 And in the final hours before His death, talking to a man who seems to hold His life in His hands, 00:01:04.859 --> 00:01:07.600 the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. 00:01:08.200 --> 00:01:15.579 We'll read just the statement that Jesus makes in John 18, 37, and we'll catch the significant 00:01:15.579 --> 00:01:17.659 context in just a minute. 00:01:17.659 --> 00:01:24.479 Jesus, speaking to Pilate here in verse 37, says, 00:01:24.700 --> 00:01:30.920 For this purpose I was born, and for this purpose I have come into the world, 00:01:31.459 --> 00:01:35.239 to bear witness to the truth. 00:01:37.920 --> 00:01:39.959 God, we give You thanks for Your truth. 00:01:39.959 --> 00:01:53.439 We thank You that You sent Your Son into the world to bear witness to it, to testify to the truth. 00:01:55.439 --> 00:02:05.139 By Your Holy Spirit, would You write Your truth on our hearts and our lives today and for the rest of our lives, 00:02:05.140 --> 00:02:06.599 we ask in Jesus' name. 00:02:07.820 --> 00:02:08.180 Amen. 00:02:12.580 --> 00:02:18.620 I want you to imagine for a minute this morning a world in which Christmas never happened. 00:02:19.840 --> 00:02:23.500 I know I'm really kind of, this is all not very good on Christmas Eve, is it? 00:02:23.879 --> 00:02:25.240 I'm kind of a grinch, okay? 00:02:25.300 --> 00:02:26.420 But just bear with me. 00:02:26.439 --> 00:02:26.979 It gets better. 00:02:26.979 --> 00:02:36.319 Imagine a world in which Christmas never happened, in which Jesus never entered earth to be born. 00:02:37.659 --> 00:02:48.399 In this hypothetical world, God might exist, but if He does, He certainly doesn't seem to have any ongoing relationship 00:02:48.399 --> 00:02:54.560 with people, any interest in this world and what happens in it. 00:02:54.560 --> 00:02:57.680 He's basically a non-factor. 00:02:57.819 --> 00:03:03.219 No miracles, no Bible, no universal king. 00:03:05.000 --> 00:03:08.479 How would life go in this world? 00:03:09.500 --> 00:03:11.060 What would you live for? 00:03:12.219 --> 00:03:14.020 What would give us purpose? 00:03:14.020 --> 00:03:24.660 I would argue we don't have to imagine too hard to come up with those answers. 00:03:25.620 --> 00:03:39.080 We all find ourselves living in a hypothetical kingdom where our lives ignore the truth of God quite often. 00:03:39.080 --> 00:03:50.840 Many in our world explicitly so, being honest about the fact that they don't believe in God's existence or the authority of King Jesus. 00:03:52.100 --> 00:04:02.880 And others of us claiming to follow King Jesus, but quite often finding ourselves caught up many days of our lives in the kingdom of this world. 00:04:02.879 --> 00:04:08.400 It functions in many ways, this kingdom of this world, like the game of life. 00:04:08.439 --> 00:04:10.319 You've played that game before, right, with a little spinner. 00:04:10.840 --> 00:04:12.780 You spin your way through life. 00:04:12.900 --> 00:04:14.599 You see what you get each time. 00:04:14.680 --> 00:04:18.839 You make a few key decisions about how you would like your life to go. 00:04:19.319 --> 00:04:21.060 And you see what comes. 00:04:21.420 --> 00:04:23.480 And at the end of the game, how do you win? 00:04:25.120 --> 00:04:26.620 You count it all up, right? 00:04:26.620 --> 00:04:33.220 Whoever has the most stuff wins the game, wins life. 00:04:34.100 --> 00:04:35.560 That's life, isn't it? 00:04:37.199 --> 00:04:41.560 It makes sense in a world where God is absent. 00:04:43.100 --> 00:04:44.939 Get what you can for yourself. 00:04:46.100 --> 00:04:47.420 Look out for number one. 00:04:48.180 --> 00:04:55.639 Perhaps we could add to the list of values in this world the goal of getting power by any means possible. 00:04:55.639 --> 00:04:58.339 Be in control, right, wherever you can. 00:04:58.819 --> 00:05:00.339 Might makes right. 00:05:02.219 --> 00:05:13.379 So naturally, as scientists and others who are convinced of completely naturalistic explanations for everything around us, 00:05:14.240 --> 00:05:19.360 as they've concluded, only the strong survive, right? 00:05:19.360 --> 00:05:29.500 Now, we all play the game a little bit differently, but that is the basic thrust of every single one of our favorite pop songs. 00:05:29.720 --> 00:05:33.300 Believe me, I read all of the lyrics this week trying to make sure. 00:05:33.699 --> 00:05:35.000 They're all saying that. 00:05:35.240 --> 00:05:42.259 It is the basic message of every single one of our favorite politicians on both sides of the aisle. 00:05:42.259 --> 00:05:50.240 It is the basic lifestyle of nearly all of our favorite celebrities that we like to watch and emulate. 00:05:50.599 --> 00:05:51.240 How do they live? 00:05:51.439 --> 00:05:54.539 It is this idea that you should be yourself. 00:05:55.259 --> 00:05:56.680 Get what you can. 00:05:56.680 --> 00:06:05.199 Figure out how to be bigger, faster, stronger, and more successful, and you'll stay in the game. 00:06:05.500 --> 00:06:10.060 And maybe one day, you'll feel like you've won life in this world. 00:06:10.139 --> 00:06:10.720 You'll get enough. 00:06:10.819 --> 00:06:11.379 You'll have enough. 00:06:11.480 --> 00:06:12.220 You'll be enough. 00:06:12.500 --> 00:06:13.540 You will have arrived. 00:06:13.840 --> 00:06:16.319 And we breathe this air every day. 00:06:17.360 --> 00:06:19.259 It is the kingdom of this world. 00:06:19.259 --> 00:06:23.560 But then we hear about Christmas. 00:06:25.399 --> 00:06:34.920 And if we're listening honestly to the Christmas story, we're going to realize that there is an entirely different world at least being proposed. 00:06:36.099 --> 00:06:38.599 Another kingdom with another king. 00:06:38.600 --> 00:06:51.900 And the easy way forward, I would suggest, when you sit in a place like this and you're living in the kingdom of this world and you're encountered with the message of this other kingdom, the easy way forward is just to downplay the conflict. 00:06:54.080 --> 00:06:55.500 Sing some Christmas songs. 00:06:55.800 --> 00:06:57.740 Exchange some nice gifts. 00:06:58.040 --> 00:07:04.780 Keep right on living as though the values of this world's kingdom are all that matter. 00:07:04.779 --> 00:07:11.479 You can even let Christmas fit right in with the mantra of this world. 00:07:11.819 --> 00:07:14.379 Get whatever you can for yourself. 00:07:14.639 --> 00:07:16.679 It's not actually all that hard, is it, kids? 00:07:17.179 --> 00:07:19.859 For that to be what Christmas is all about. 00:07:19.939 --> 00:07:22.319 Let's see how much stuff I can get. 00:07:24.059 --> 00:07:28.299 That is an easy, often chosen path. 00:07:30.619 --> 00:07:33.279 Jesus says, don't follow that path. 00:07:33.279 --> 00:07:38.739 I've come to testify to the truth. 00:07:39.459 --> 00:07:39.659 Right? 00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:45.119 I've come with a message for you all, for the whole world. 00:07:45.339 --> 00:07:51.299 That there is a true king and a true kingdom for you to be a part of. 00:07:52.039 --> 00:08:00.379 Here in John 18, we find Jesus' kingdom and the world's kingdom in clear conflict. 00:08:00.379 --> 00:08:06.420 As Jesus himself stands before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. 00:08:06.519 --> 00:08:13.319 Pilate representing Rome in all its power and wealth and might. 00:08:14.540 --> 00:08:20.779 And he wants to find out if he's got any sort of serious insurrectionist on his hands. 00:08:20.779 --> 00:08:21.779 Pilate. 00:08:21.779 --> 00:08:24.979 Any rival king to the power of Rome? 00:08:25.399 --> 00:08:29.119 Listen to their conversation starting in verse 33. 00:08:29.120 --> 00:08:30.120 Pilate. 00:08:30.120 --> 00:08:35.379 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, 00:08:36.159 --> 00:08:37.759 Are you the king of the Jews? 00:08:39.500 --> 00:08:45.480 Jesus answered, Do you say this of your own accord or did others say it to you about me? 00:08:46.659 --> 00:08:48.519 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? 00:08:48.519 --> 00:08:52.439 Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. 00:08:52.519 --> 00:08:53.379 What have you done? 00:08:53.879 --> 00:08:57.500 Pilate doesn't care about the Jewish squabbles over their leader. 00:08:58.439 --> 00:09:06.879 He wants to know what kind of trouble this upstart leader might cause him. 00:09:06.919 --> 00:09:08.720 Or maybe has already caused. 00:09:08.960 --> 00:09:13.759 Is there anything there that should make Rome want to squash him right now? 00:09:13.759 --> 00:09:23.279 Well, with that clarified, Jesus can assure him that Rome need not issue a call to arms on his account. 00:09:24.559 --> 00:09:26.100 So now he can clarify. 00:09:26.340 --> 00:09:31.460 Verse 36, Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world. 00:09:32.279 --> 00:09:37.939 If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. 00:09:38.240 --> 00:09:41.600 But my kingdom is not from this world. 00:09:42.480 --> 00:09:43.039 Hmm. 00:09:43.759 --> 00:09:47.819 That's a different kind of kingdom altogether, isn't it? 00:09:50.620 --> 00:09:54.700 So Pilate said to him, So, you are a king. 00:09:57.480 --> 00:10:00.700 Jesus answered, You say that I am a king. 00:10:00.860 --> 00:10:04.639 Yes, I'm a king, but of a different type. 00:10:04.639 --> 00:10:21.259 Pilate said to him, Pilate said to him, What is the truth? 00:10:22.259 --> 00:10:23.799 Pilate throws up his arms. 00:10:23.799 --> 00:10:27.859 Pilate Circuit, Pilate said to him, He's a king. 00:10:27.859 --> 00:10:28.179 But Jesus is not God's king. 00:10:28.179 --> 00:10:32.699 But he is confident now that Jesus is posing no threat to his power. 00:10:33.379 --> 00:10:38.240 And so he's happy to let him go and move on with his life. 00:10:39.019 --> 00:10:45.120 Whatever Jesus' kingdom is, he won't let it interfere with his own, right? 00:10:45.120 --> 00:10:51.820 This is the easy path for him, for us. 00:10:53.919 --> 00:11:00.620 But when Jesus says the purpose for which he has come into the world is to testify to the truth, 00:11:01.000 --> 00:11:05.940 he means not some vague philosophical reality out there somewhere, 00:11:06.720 --> 00:11:14.139 but rather a very particular reality of a kingdom whose origin and power 00:11:14.139 --> 00:11:17.899 and influence go far beyond Rome's. 00:11:18.240 --> 00:11:21.899 He has come to announce the true kingdom. 00:11:22.379 --> 00:11:25.259 And this is huge in this conversation, right? 00:11:25.519 --> 00:11:29.659 Because Jesus is saying there really is another kingdom. 00:11:30.439 --> 00:11:35.360 It's not merely that there may be life out there somewhere, maybe on some other planet, 00:11:35.360 --> 00:11:42.279 but that the king of this kingdom cares enough to enter our world personally. 00:11:42.279 --> 00:11:48.919 Jesus has come with something to say, with a message to deliver. 00:11:49.779 --> 00:11:53.120 Like the angels had that first Christmas night, right? 00:11:53.839 --> 00:11:59.339 There is always the telling of the king and his kingdom. 00:11:59.340 --> 00:12:03.840 And they're showing too. 00:12:04.420 --> 00:12:06.440 The king's show and tell. 00:12:07.399 --> 00:12:08.080 They go together. 00:12:08.200 --> 00:12:12.379 Just as the angels told the good news of great joy, 00:12:12.620 --> 00:12:20.920 today in David's town, a king, in fact, the king, a savior is born to you. 00:12:20.919 --> 00:12:25.579 And then they showed it to the shepherds, right? 00:12:25.799 --> 00:12:27.779 Come see a baby in a manger. 00:12:29.659 --> 00:12:32.879 Jesus is about this all the time. 00:12:33.919 --> 00:12:41.299 Already we know this kingdom will be marked by completely different values from the world's kingdom. 00:12:41.299 --> 00:12:50.699 Because the king is a baby in a manger in little Bethlehem. 00:12:51.379 --> 00:12:54.319 His birth announced to shepherds. 00:12:56.459 --> 00:13:02.479 And then when Jesus begins his public ministry, he announces the kingdom of God is at hand. 00:13:02.599 --> 00:13:03.859 That's the message, right? 00:13:05.319 --> 00:13:08.259 Repent and believe the good news. 00:13:09.839 --> 00:13:10.599 Do you hear the call? 00:13:11.300 --> 00:13:14.360 The message of the kingdom has a call for us to respond to. 00:13:14.460 --> 00:13:15.240 It's repent. 00:13:16.139 --> 00:13:17.399 This is no small thing. 00:13:17.700 --> 00:13:19.320 In kingdom terms, what's he saying? 00:13:19.779 --> 00:13:20.740 You need a new king. 00:13:21.720 --> 00:13:23.300 Change your loyalties. 00:13:24.019 --> 00:13:25.240 Upend your values. 00:13:26.320 --> 00:13:28.500 Follow a different direction. 00:13:29.139 --> 00:13:31.159 The good news of the true king. 00:13:31.500 --> 00:13:34.920 Quit living as though it doesn't exist or doesn't matter. 00:13:35.920 --> 00:13:37.080 That's the message. 00:13:37.080 --> 00:13:39.980 Jesus says he has come to spread. 00:13:41.560 --> 00:13:43.220 Mark 1.38. 00:13:43.220 --> 00:13:47.399 After some time in prayer. 00:13:48.180 --> 00:13:52.519 Making sure that his will is aligned with his father's. 00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:57.460 Jesus is told by his followers, there's a chance for you to become a big time celebrity. 00:13:57.460 --> 00:13:59.200 Everyone is looking for you. 00:13:59.400 --> 00:14:01.360 Come out and give the people what they want. 00:14:01.879 --> 00:14:02.879 And Jesus says what? 00:14:05.019 --> 00:14:06.340 Let's move to other villages. 00:14:06.340 --> 00:14:11.980 Because I came to testify to the truth. 00:14:11.980 --> 00:14:15.940 To announce this good news to people everywhere. 00:14:16.440 --> 00:14:17.740 So he keeps going. 00:14:18.620 --> 00:14:19.899 Everywhere preaching. 00:14:19.899 --> 00:14:21.379 That's the tell part. 00:14:21.639 --> 00:14:23.639 And casting out demons. 00:14:23.980 --> 00:14:25.600 The show part, right? 00:14:25.600 --> 00:14:30.600 Part of an announcement of this magnitude of a kingdom coming. 00:14:31.259 --> 00:14:32.259 A new kingdom. 00:14:32.700 --> 00:14:35.899 Is that you've got to show it at some point. 00:14:36.440 --> 00:14:38.960 I mean, you can chant, we're number one. 00:14:39.060 --> 00:14:40.159 We're number one. 00:14:40.220 --> 00:14:40.980 All day. 00:14:41.080 --> 00:14:46.100 But unless you eventually show up on the field and win a game. 00:14:46.100 --> 00:14:49.040 Nobody's going to think you're number one. 00:14:51.060 --> 00:14:54.320 Jesus is announcing the true kingdom. 00:14:55.019 --> 00:15:01.259 And he's showing his authority to make such a claim over all the evil powers. 00:15:01.899 --> 00:15:03.220 Everywhere he goes. 00:15:03.360 --> 00:15:06.000 We read he's preaching and healing. 00:15:06.600 --> 00:15:09.040 He's telling and showing. 00:15:09.039 --> 00:15:15.099 I think of his announcement in Luke 4 when Jesus reads from the prophet Isaiah. 00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:17.740 The spirit of the Lord is upon me. 00:15:17.899 --> 00:15:21.120 Because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. 00:15:21.860 --> 00:15:24.240 He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives. 00:15:24.299 --> 00:15:25.939 And recovering of sight to the blind. 00:15:26.259 --> 00:15:28.240 To set at liberty those who are oppressed. 00:15:28.480 --> 00:15:30.539 To proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. 00:15:30.899 --> 00:15:32.139 And Jesus goes on to say, 00:15:32.439 --> 00:15:36.779 Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. 00:15:36.779 --> 00:15:40.639 There is a message to announce to the poor. 00:15:40.919 --> 00:15:41.980 And the captive. 00:15:42.459 --> 00:15:43.379 And the blind. 00:15:43.539 --> 00:15:44.699 And the oppressed. 00:15:45.059 --> 00:15:48.159 The promised king has come. 00:15:48.839 --> 00:15:51.159 And in case you think he's all talk. 00:15:51.500 --> 00:15:53.319 Sometimes he makes the blind see. 00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:55.519 And the lame walk, right? 00:15:56.519 --> 00:15:57.620 Many times. 00:15:58.159 --> 00:16:01.759 So when John's disciples come to ask if Jesus is the true king. 00:16:02.039 --> 00:16:02.879 Jesus doesn't say, 00:16:02.980 --> 00:16:03.259 Listen. 00:16:04.039 --> 00:16:04.819 No, he says, 00:16:04.819 --> 00:16:05.179 Look. 00:16:05.179 --> 00:16:05.500 Look. 00:16:06.299 --> 00:16:07.379 What do you see? 00:16:07.899 --> 00:16:09.039 The lame are healed. 00:16:09.279 --> 00:16:10.379 The blind are seeing. 00:16:10.679 --> 00:16:13.659 The poor are rejoicing in good news for them. 00:16:15.939 --> 00:16:22.819 You noticing just a little bit how different this king and this kingdom are from the one we know well? 00:16:23.919 --> 00:16:26.379 From the one Pilate understood naturally? 00:16:28.120 --> 00:16:30.779 There's not a lot about the rich and famous in here, is there? 00:16:30.779 --> 00:16:42.139 Jesus tells and then shows in his kingdom true power comes not through control and status, 00:16:42.139 --> 00:16:44.139 but through weakness. 00:16:44.139 --> 00:16:50.899 But through weakness and suffering, the poor, the meek, the merciful are blessed. 00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:55.799 In his kingdom, only the dependent survive. 00:16:56.519 --> 00:17:02.100 Apart from him, from being connected to him, the righteous vine, you can do nothing. 00:17:02.100 --> 00:17:06.279 And you will eventually be withered and dead branches. 00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:08.000 He really means this. 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:11.059 Nothing unless you're connected to him. 00:17:12.019 --> 00:17:17.079 In fact, in his kingdom, life is given when you admit not how much stuff you've gathered, 00:17:17.799 --> 00:17:21.960 when you admit your emptiness, your need. 00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:25.579 All of a sudden, his life enters right there. 00:17:25.900 --> 00:17:29.759 It's not when you accumulate the most stuff and prove your worth to him. 00:17:30.840 --> 00:17:32.900 Oh, he promises abundant life. 00:17:33.840 --> 00:17:38.500 And just as surely promises that life does not consist in the abundance of one's possessions. 00:17:40.039 --> 00:17:42.779 It's an upside-down kingdom for sure, isn't it? 00:17:43.620 --> 00:17:46.940 It's an upside-down kingdom to kids who are looking at Christmas presents. 00:17:46.940 --> 00:17:51.680 It's an upside-down kingdom to adults who have worked hard and tried to achieve. 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:57.940 And if you ever doubt that it's upside-down, look how he shows it on the cross. 00:17:59.600 --> 00:18:09.559 When the king of this kingdom is crowned with thorns, is mocked and cursed, 00:18:10.580 --> 00:18:12.960 cries out in agony, 00:18:12.960 --> 00:18:17.980 even eventually dies. 00:18:20.140 --> 00:18:21.640 But he's already whispered, 00:18:22.039 --> 00:18:24.279 this is the way to glory. 00:18:25.920 --> 00:18:27.600 Follow me downward. 00:18:29.120 --> 00:18:32.259 Because one day, the world is going to be flipped right side up. 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:34.860 One day, I'll rise from the grave. 00:18:35.120 --> 00:18:36.059 Death will work backwards. 00:18:36.319 --> 00:18:39.620 And the kingdom of life, an abundant life ruled by the king of life, 00:18:39.680 --> 00:18:42.059 will reign forever and ever. 00:18:42.059 --> 00:18:43.619 It's coming, he says. 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:45.119 In fact, it's here. 00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:49.700 Man, how do I get to live in that true kingdom? 00:18:50.599 --> 00:18:53.619 Is there a kingdom like that where people operate like that? 00:18:53.899 --> 00:18:55.679 Listen, pastor, you've got my ear. 00:18:55.740 --> 00:18:56.359 I'm interested. 00:18:56.679 --> 00:19:01.419 I can't just ignore Jesus and go along with the world's easy path of living for myself. 00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:02.559 Everybody does that. 00:19:03.899 --> 00:19:07.319 Maybe what I need to do is just get out of this world and avoid it altogether. 00:19:07.500 --> 00:19:09.859 That's the problem is being around all these people. 00:19:09.859 --> 00:19:12.979 Well, no. 00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:22.679 If you listen to Jesus, his kingdom is not so much set against the creation, humanity, and cultures. 00:19:22.680 --> 00:19:32.880 It is offering, even demanding, to renew and redefine and reorient all of them. 00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:35.600 Jesus tells us to pray what? 00:19:36.380 --> 00:19:41.100 Please take us out of this terrible place so that we can enjoy your kingdom in heaven one day. 00:19:41.519 --> 00:19:42.200 Is that how it goes? 00:19:42.200 --> 00:19:52.460 Father, your kingdom come on earth here as it is in heaven. 00:19:52.460 --> 00:20:04.720 He wants his upside down values and lifestyles to be experienced and expressed, to be shown and told right where we live. 00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:14.319 Our mouths have to be moving as we proclaim his excellencies, as we share the reason for the hope that is in us, as we declare his glory among the nations. 00:20:14.579 --> 00:20:16.039 Go tell it on the mountain, right? 00:20:16.880 --> 00:20:18.519 We have a message to announce. 00:20:18.660 --> 00:20:19.759 We do too, don't we? 00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:21.640 There's a king. 00:20:22.839 --> 00:20:24.559 There's a different kind of kingdom. 00:20:26.879 --> 00:20:30.740 And we also show it with our hands and feet. 00:20:31.799 --> 00:20:35.339 The reality of the poor being loved. 00:20:37.339 --> 00:20:39.180 Suffering being endured. 00:20:39.720 --> 00:20:42.500 Joy being found beyond self-promotion. 00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:48.980 Did you know that's part of what you announce? 00:20:51.619 --> 00:20:55.579 When you endure cancer treatment without losing hope? 00:20:55.579 --> 00:21:02.279 When you invest in the lives of your neighbors more than your own. 00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:09.399 When you sacrifice your reputation to befriend someone that others despise. 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:15.599 You're announcing that there is a kingdom beyond this world. 00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:16.980 That it really exists. 00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:18.599 That it's really worth it. 00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:20.279 Don't miss out on it. 00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:27.059 How do we make sure we're aligned with that kingdom? 00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:29.200 With the true kingdom? 00:21:29.940 --> 00:21:31.720 Jesus tells Pilate the answer. 00:21:32.720 --> 00:21:38.059 Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice. 00:21:38.059 --> 00:21:40.759 You align with the true king. 00:21:42.500 --> 00:21:43.899 Won't you listen, Pilate? 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:46.919 Jesus is giving him a version of what he's elsewhere said. 00:21:47.119 --> 00:21:49.359 When he said, I am the truth. 00:21:49.460 --> 00:21:50.419 I am the way. 00:21:50.679 --> 00:21:51.339 The truth. 00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:52.339 And the life. 00:21:52.679 --> 00:21:54.940 Face to face with the truth himself. 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:56.339 The true king. 00:21:58.019 --> 00:21:59.339 Pilate rejects this offer. 00:21:59.339 --> 00:22:08.980 While not hating Jesus or outright rejecting his claims, Pilate ends the conversation with, 00:22:09.359 --> 00:22:10.119 what is truth? 00:22:11.399 --> 00:22:15.359 He doesn't want to condemn Jesus, but he doesn't bow to him either. 00:22:15.359 --> 00:22:19.039 He decides to stick with the life he's got. 00:22:19.379 --> 00:22:21.299 Life by the kingdom of this world. 00:22:21.299 --> 00:22:30.180 Lord, please don't leave here this morning making that same choice. 00:22:32.099 --> 00:22:34.039 Don't leave here saying, you know what? 00:22:34.879 --> 00:22:35.960 It's okay. 00:22:36.839 --> 00:22:38.419 The way I live. 00:22:39.019 --> 00:22:40.200 The things I pursue. 00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:42.119 The places I've put my hope. 00:22:44.019 --> 00:22:45.960 Jesus is nice, but I've got enough. 00:22:45.960 --> 00:22:51.180 Jesus is calling each of us to bow to him. 00:22:51.720 --> 00:22:53.940 To embrace the true king. 00:22:54.079 --> 00:23:01.039 And as a result, his true kingdom that will often feel quite jarring to our natural sensibilities. 00:23:01.460 --> 00:23:02.759 You'll feel left out. 00:23:03.720 --> 00:23:06.799 You will feel at times like the only one who doesn't get it. 00:23:07.660 --> 00:23:09.920 Like you're missing out on life. 00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:12.600 You're not. 00:23:12.600 --> 00:23:12.680 You're not. 00:23:15.960 --> 00:23:17.660 Because here's the catch. 00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:24.100 Where Jesus is different again in a wonderfully glorious way. 00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:30.000 With most kings, you know you're a part of their kingdom. 00:23:30.200 --> 00:23:35.860 That you are in with them when you commit to laying down your life for the king, right? 00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:37.640 You commit to that. 00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:38.519 You are in. 00:23:40.579 --> 00:23:42.680 This is how the kings of this world work. 00:23:42.680 --> 00:23:49.960 This king, the one born at Christmas, is so different. 00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:59.120 Part of his coming to testify to the truth involved the announcement of an upside-down kingdom. 00:23:59.580 --> 00:24:01.720 He flips that on its head. 00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:15.019 He, the king, would first lay down his life to welcome you into life in his kingdom before demanding anything from you of laying down your own life. 00:24:15.279 --> 00:24:18.620 He first lays down his for you. 00:24:18.619 --> 00:24:28.159 He came so that every one of you here this morning would receive the announcement of the good news of such a king. 00:24:28.619 --> 00:24:30.259 He is born. 00:24:30.599 --> 00:24:32.119 He reigns. 00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:34.559 His kingdom is real. 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:36.719 And you have eternal hope. 00:24:37.439 --> 00:24:38.159 Merry Christmas. 00:24:38.379 --> 00:24:38.899 Let's pray. 00:24:38.900 --> 00:24:52.880 Jesus, what a wonderful gift that you would bear witness to the truth to people like us who hear a lot of different messages of truth every day. 00:24:55.500 --> 00:25:00.620 It's easy for us to believe the only true things are the things we can see right in front of us. 00:25:00.619 --> 00:25:08.299 It's easy to think the only things that are valuable are the ones we can touch and taste and hold. 00:25:10.579 --> 00:25:23.159 We need your reminder that there is another kingdom with a king who has welcomed us in by his birth and life and death and resurrection. 00:25:24.539 --> 00:25:27.159 Thank you, Jesus, for what you have done. 00:25:27.160 --> 00:25:33.120 Give us joy in celebrating the gift that you have given us this Christmas. 00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:34.480 We ask in your name. 00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:35.519 Amen. 00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:40.259 For more information, visit us online at southwood.org.