WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.240
 We're also going to be turning to another three verses as well, but we begin in Ephesians chapter 3.

00:00:09.300 --> 00:00:16.379
! We've gathered here on Christmas Eve and we gather for a time of worship and a time of prayer.

00:00:16.379 --> 00:00:26.780
 But what is our prayer this evening? As we've heard prayers offered up and as we've been praying in our own hearts, what is our prayer?

00:00:27.560 --> 00:00:33.899
 I'm sure it's very similar to the prayer that we find of Paul here as he's writing to the church at Ephesus,

00:00:34.039 --> 00:00:44.380
 and in particular at the end of this chapter, verse 14 to the end, it is a prayer offered up by Paul for the people he was writing to,

00:00:44.380 --> 00:00:52.980
 but also for the wider church as well. He wasn't able to be with them at this time. He was writing to them from prison,

00:00:52.979 --> 00:01:01.619
 and yet his heart was very much with them. He hadn't forgotten about them. They were on his mind and he was often praying for them.

00:01:02.659 --> 00:01:08.219
 But what does he pray for them and what is in our prayerful hearts this evening?

00:01:08.879 --> 00:01:14.640
 Well, as you look through verse 14 down to the end of the chapter, as you read through Paul's prayer,

00:01:14.640 --> 00:01:23.780
 what's interesting in some ways is what he doesn't pray for. He doesn't pray for physical, material, or financial needs.

00:01:23.900 --> 00:01:30.719
 He doesn't pray for persecution to be stopped or healing of the sick or these kinds of things,

00:01:30.719 --> 00:01:36.280
 not because he never did, but because it's not what his focus is at this point.

00:01:36.280 --> 00:01:46.379
 He prays that they might be filled first and foremost. As you look at verse 17 to 19 there,

00:01:46.840 --> 00:01:47.340
 you see there,

00:01:47.460 --> 00:01:53.060
 So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

00:01:53.560 --> 00:02:00.960
 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

00:02:00.959 --> 00:02:08.359
 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with the fullness of God.

00:02:10.159 --> 00:02:14.419
 That's the kind of prayer Paul offers. And we've heard in prayer this evening,

00:02:14.479 --> 00:02:18.659
 and I'm sure we've offered up in prayer in our own quiet hearts as well,

00:02:18.659 --> 00:02:23.780
 that kind of prayer for ourselves and for others around us.

00:02:23.780 --> 00:02:32.159
 And especially maybe as we think of this week, when there's a focus among many in the world on the coming of Jesus Christ,

00:02:32.319 --> 00:02:42.039
 that people would grasp, that comprehend, that means lay hold of the wonder of the love of God towards us.

00:02:42.080 --> 00:02:45.500
 And what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

00:02:45.580 --> 00:02:49.599
 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge.

00:02:49.599 --> 00:02:55.599
 It's a prayer for ourselves first, that we might have this more and more in our own hearts,

00:02:55.620 --> 00:02:58.560
 but it's also a prayer for all around us.

00:02:58.620 --> 00:03:04.519
 We prayed for family and for friends and for people far and wide throughout our community.

00:03:05.519 --> 00:03:11.579
 I'm sure when you have the radio on just now, you're listening to songs coming through whatever device.

00:03:12.159 --> 00:03:17.180
 So many songs that have that sense of a love song, full of love.

00:03:17.180 --> 00:03:24.400
 And yet none of these songs can touch the depth of the love that we have in the Word of God.

00:03:24.980 --> 00:03:32.920
 The love that we see expressed here by Paul, the love that we sang of in Psalm 36,

00:03:33.120 --> 00:03:40.939
 that steadfast love of the Lord, how precious is your steadfast love, what confidence it brings.

00:03:41.379 --> 00:03:45.340
 And then we find that shelter in the shadow of his wings.

00:03:45.340 --> 00:03:52.780
 It's the love expressed in chapter 3 in these verses by Paul in his prayer for the people.

00:03:53.640 --> 00:03:57.099
 And what we're thinking of this evening, and as we think of Christmas Eve,

00:03:57.140 --> 00:04:04.360
 and the incarnation of our Lord, the title, if you wish, I gave to our service this evening is

00:04:04.360 --> 00:04:05.800
 When Love Came Down.

00:04:06.640 --> 00:04:09.300
 That's what we're going to think of, When Love Came Down.

00:04:09.300 --> 00:04:14.120
 There's a hymn by Stuart Townend that has that title,

00:04:14.200 --> 00:04:15.820
 When Love Came Down.

00:04:15.820 --> 00:04:19.639
 When love came down to earth and made his home with men,

00:04:20.120 --> 00:04:23.699
 The hopeless found a hope, the sinner found a friend.

00:04:24.300 --> 00:04:27.740
 Not to the powerful, but to the poor he came,

00:04:28.139 --> 00:04:32.620
 And humble, hungry hearts were satisfied again.

00:04:32.620 --> 00:04:39.480
 When love came down to earth, when God sent his son into this world.

00:04:39.480 --> 00:04:42.600
 That we would not lose sight of the wonder of it,

00:04:42.639 --> 00:04:45.120
 But always lay hold on it for ourselves,

00:04:45.340 --> 00:04:47.639
 Comprehend it for ourselves,

00:04:47.879 --> 00:04:53.280
 And pray that others would comprehend and lay hold of it too.

00:04:53.279 --> 00:04:57.099
 Because in Jesus we see this love so amazing,

00:04:57.279 --> 00:05:03.579
 This love so divine in his coming, in his life, in his death, in his resurrection.

00:05:04.239 --> 00:05:07.379
 We see the wonder of God's love to us.

00:05:07.439 --> 00:05:08.939
 So that's what Paul is praying,

00:05:09.439 --> 00:05:11.899
 That the people in Ephesus will grasp,

00:05:12.099 --> 00:05:15.579
 This love that surpasses all knowledge.

00:05:16.719 --> 00:05:19.599
 We want to think about this love that we see in Ephesians

00:05:19.600 --> 00:05:24.160
 By considering how we see it in other parts of scripture as well.

00:05:24.220 --> 00:05:25.860
 And we're going to take three other verses

00:05:25.860 --> 00:05:30.020
 Into the setting this evening as well.

00:05:30.280 --> 00:05:33.400
 And think of just what kind of love this was

00:05:33.400 --> 00:05:36.560
 That was shown towards us when love came down.

00:05:36.620 --> 00:05:37.960
 And three things we're going to see.

00:05:38.100 --> 00:05:40.240
 The love that left all behind.

00:05:41.000 --> 00:05:43.500
 The love that bridges the divide.

00:05:43.879 --> 00:05:46.240
 And the love that gives life.

00:05:46.240 --> 00:05:50.280
 That's the wonder of the love that came down to earth.

00:05:50.379 --> 00:05:53.379
 So the first thing we see is the love that left all behind.

00:05:54.079 --> 00:05:57.680
 What kind of love did the Lord Jesus show towards us?

00:05:57.759 --> 00:06:00.939
 Well in 2 Corinthians chapter 8 verse 9.

00:06:02.439 --> 00:06:06.639
 The first of our three texts tying into Ephesians.

00:06:06.879 --> 00:06:08.639
 2 Corinthians 8 verse 9.

00:06:08.639 --> 00:06:12.139
 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

00:06:12.259 --> 00:06:16.639
 That though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor.

00:06:17.139 --> 00:06:19.000
 So that through his poverty,

00:06:19.719 --> 00:06:24.279
 So that you through his poverty might become rich.

00:06:24.639 --> 00:06:27.959
 The love that left all behind.

00:06:29.219 --> 00:06:31.180
 When you read these verses,

00:06:31.459 --> 00:06:33.819
 When the Lord Jesus, though he was rich,

00:06:33.959 --> 00:06:36.019
 Immediately our minds,

00:06:36.019 --> 00:06:37.159
 When we think of riches,

00:06:37.319 --> 00:06:38.539
 We think of money.

00:06:38.620 --> 00:06:40.259
 We think of finances.

00:06:40.259 --> 00:06:41.399
 And he was rich,

00:06:41.500 --> 00:06:43.339
 And yet he became poor.

00:06:44.219 --> 00:06:48.359
 Yet it's not about that financial wealth at all.

00:06:48.419 --> 00:06:50.019
 It's about relationship.

00:06:50.259 --> 00:06:53.519
 It's about what he had with his father in heaven.

00:06:53.979 --> 00:06:57.000
 We'll read another text about it in a moment as well.

00:06:57.060 --> 00:06:58.339
 But it's this relationship,

00:06:58.560 --> 00:07:02.459
 This glory that he enjoyed with his father in heaven.

00:07:02.599 --> 00:07:03.719
 And he left it.

00:07:03.720 --> 00:07:09.140
 He left it all behind when love came down to earth.

00:07:09.900 --> 00:07:14.180
 He came into this world born as a man.

00:07:14.680 --> 00:07:16.860
 He humbled himself.

00:07:17.940 --> 00:07:21.220
 It wasn't that he was rich financially that he left behind,

00:07:21.300 --> 00:07:24.280
 But just the glory that he enjoyed with his father.

00:07:24.380 --> 00:07:26.440
 He came in that humiliation,

00:07:27.200 --> 00:07:28.900
 As it's so often described.

00:07:29.440 --> 00:07:31.060
 The humiliation of being a man,

00:07:31.060 --> 00:07:32.860
 And being mocked,

00:07:32.939 --> 00:07:34.000
 Being looked down upon,

00:07:34.100 --> 00:07:36.800
 Not being received by his own.

00:07:37.660 --> 00:07:40.860
 And yet it's this love that left all behind.

00:07:41.060 --> 00:07:43.980
 It's a love that we see throughout the Old Testament,

00:07:44.220 --> 00:07:46.139
 As God is making his promise,

00:07:46.579 --> 00:07:48.800
 Through his covenant to his people.

00:07:49.279 --> 00:07:51.019
 How he will be their God,

00:07:51.100 --> 00:07:52.259
 He will be our God,

00:07:52.680 --> 00:07:55.399
 And they we will be his people.

00:07:55.399 --> 00:08:00.039
 It's a love that bears all cost for us.

00:08:00.839 --> 00:08:05.339
 So consider then what Jesus left behind for your sakes.

00:08:06.319 --> 00:08:09.379
 As Paul describes it here,

00:08:10.120 --> 00:08:13.019
 How he left all these things behind.

00:08:13.699 --> 00:08:14.479
 Though he was rich,

00:08:14.579 --> 00:08:17.679
 Yet for your sake he became poor.

00:08:17.680 --> 00:08:22.240
 Now Jesus is described in the Gospels,

00:08:22.340 --> 00:08:24.060
 As the word that became flesh,

00:08:24.500 --> 00:08:25.540
 And dwelt among us.

00:08:25.540 --> 00:08:27.560
 It's that idea where we see that Jesus,

00:08:27.560 --> 00:08:30.160
 Came down for his people.

00:08:31.000 --> 00:08:32.019
 He came down,

00:08:32.259 --> 00:08:34.720
 From that perfect relationship in heaven,

00:08:34.820 --> 00:08:36.940
 Into this broken world.

00:08:37.779 --> 00:08:40.100
 And when you think of the places he was,

00:08:40.159 --> 00:08:41.360
 And the people he saw,

00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:43.340
 And the lives he touched.

00:08:43.460 --> 00:08:45.779
 He saw the world in all its horror,

00:08:45.779 --> 00:08:46.899
 And all its sorrow,

00:08:47.319 --> 00:08:48.120
 And sadness,

00:08:48.399 --> 00:08:49.399
 And all its illness,

00:08:49.600 --> 00:08:50.139
 And death.

00:08:50.579 --> 00:08:51.679
 All of these things,

00:08:51.839 --> 00:08:54.199
 Sin was there all around him.

00:08:54.980 --> 00:08:57.959
 And yet he left all behind for that.

00:08:58.059 --> 00:09:00.519
 He took the form of a servant.

00:09:01.679 --> 00:09:04.879
 He took on him flesh as man.

00:09:05.019 --> 00:09:08.059
 He came to go through this world,

00:09:08.240 --> 00:09:10.199
 To the place called Golgotha,

00:09:10.279 --> 00:09:11.600
 The place of the skull,

00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:14.720
 To suffer the cruelest of death.

00:09:15.779 --> 00:09:17.319
 The most shameful death,

00:09:17.699 --> 00:09:19.019
 That there was at the time.

00:09:19.159 --> 00:09:21.019
 We served for the worst of criminals.

00:09:21.939 --> 00:09:23.559
 And yet here he was,

00:09:23.899 --> 00:09:26.120
 Put to death on the cross.

00:09:26.199 --> 00:09:27.019
 He was rich,

00:09:27.639 --> 00:09:28.899
 Yet for his love,

00:09:29.039 --> 00:09:30.120
 For his lost people,

00:09:30.220 --> 00:09:31.399
 He became poor.

00:09:32.539 --> 00:09:34.860
 And the words that also describe this,

00:09:34.959 --> 00:09:36.759
 Are in Philippians chapter 2.

00:09:37.360 --> 00:09:38.639
 And again you see there,

00:09:38.639 --> 00:09:41.939
 How Jesus left all behind.

00:09:41.940 --> 00:09:43.820
 How he emptied himself,

00:09:43.980 --> 00:09:45.480
 How he made himself nothing.

00:09:46.180 --> 00:09:48.000
 Philippians 2 verse 5,

00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:50.600
 Have this mind among yourselves,

00:09:50.720 --> 00:09:52.620
 Which is yours in Christ Jesus,

00:09:52.820 --> 00:09:55.279
 Who, though he was in the form of God,

00:09:55.360 --> 00:09:57.500
 Did not count equality with God,

00:09:57.940 --> 00:09:59.379
 A thing to be grasped,

00:09:59.799 --> 00:10:02.080
 But made himself nothing.

00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:04.320
 Taking the form of a servant,

00:10:04.460 --> 00:10:06.419
 Being born in the likeness of men,

00:10:06.840 --> 00:10:08.860
 And being found in human form,

00:10:08.940 --> 00:10:10.059
 He humbled himself,

00:10:10.159 --> 00:10:13.059
 By becoming obedient to the point of death,

00:10:13.059 --> 00:10:16.039
 Even death on the cross.

00:10:18.759 --> 00:10:19.899
 It was our love,

00:10:20.179 --> 00:10:21.859
 That left it all behind.

00:10:22.739 --> 00:10:23.639
 Is there something,

00:10:24.059 --> 00:10:26.179
 This evening that you could add,

00:10:26.819 --> 00:10:28.419
 To make the Lord love you more?

00:10:29.099 --> 00:10:30.899
 We always maybe have that sense of,

00:10:31.099 --> 00:10:33.000
 I'm trying to please God,

00:10:33.239 --> 00:10:35.059
 And it's right and good to have that,

00:10:35.119 --> 00:10:36.439
 But is there anything you could do,

00:10:36.439 --> 00:10:39.439
 That could make the Lord love you more?

00:10:39.440 --> 00:10:42.380
 No, because he's loved us,

00:10:42.500 --> 00:10:43.380
 With everything.

00:10:43.560 --> 00:10:45.380
 He gave himself for us,

00:10:45.420 --> 00:10:46.520
 He emptied himself,

00:10:47.140 --> 00:10:48.220
 He humbled himself,

00:10:48.380 --> 00:10:49.340
 He became obedient,

00:10:49.660 --> 00:10:50.840
 To the point of death,

00:10:50.980 --> 00:10:53.600
 Even death on the cross.

00:10:54.680 --> 00:10:55.920
 He bore our sin,

00:10:56.020 --> 00:10:57.020
 He paid our debt,

00:10:57.120 --> 00:10:58.140
 He set us free,

00:10:59.060 --> 00:11:01.360
 There's nothing we could offer him,

00:11:01.460 --> 00:11:03.580
 To make him love us more.

00:11:04.180 --> 00:11:06.080
 He paid the price,

00:11:06.080 --> 00:11:07.960
 He paid the ransom,

00:11:07.960 --> 00:11:09.379
 Being poor,

00:11:09.879 --> 00:11:11.100
 That we might be rich,

00:11:11.620 --> 00:11:12.379
 Through him.

00:11:13.240 --> 00:11:14.280
 So it is that love,

00:11:14.460 --> 00:11:16.440
 That left everything behind,

00:11:16.900 --> 00:11:18.220
 That we might be rich,

00:11:18.800 --> 00:11:19.940
 And know that love,

00:11:20.300 --> 00:11:21.680
 In all its fullness.

00:11:22.879 --> 00:11:24.019
 So that's the first thing,

00:11:24.440 --> 00:11:25.060
 That we see.

00:11:25.139 --> 00:11:26.000
 The second thing we see,

00:11:26.100 --> 00:11:26.820
 Is this love,

00:11:27.340 --> 00:11:28.519
 That reached out.

00:11:29.379 --> 00:11:31.280
 For this we turn to Romans,

00:11:31.740 --> 00:11:32.940
 Chapter 5,

00:11:34.440 --> 00:11:36.060
 And verse 8,

00:11:36.059 --> 00:11:38.579
 And again you see,

00:11:38.919 --> 00:11:40.579
 Demonstrating the love of God,

00:11:40.659 --> 00:11:41.599
 Here tied into,

00:11:42.159 --> 00:11:43.959
 The prayer that Paul has,

00:11:44.079 --> 00:11:45.239
 In Ephesians 3,

00:11:46.379 --> 00:11:47.179
 Romans 5,

00:11:47.259 --> 00:11:48.139
 Verse 8 says,

00:11:48.299 --> 00:11:49.639
 But God demonstrates,

00:11:49.719 --> 00:11:51.059
 His own love for us,

00:11:51.179 --> 00:11:51.579
 In this,

00:11:51.939 --> 00:11:53.659
 While we were still sinners,

00:11:54.299 --> 00:11:56.939
 Christ died for us.

00:11:58.519 --> 00:12:01.359
 While we were still sinners,

00:12:01.360 --> 00:12:04.340
 Christ died for us.

00:12:05.139 --> 00:12:06.240
 It was the love,

00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:07.960
 That reached out.

00:12:08.700 --> 00:12:10.580
 It wasn't that we came to him,

00:12:11.159 --> 00:12:12.500
 And loved him,

00:12:12.940 --> 00:12:14.419
 But that he loved us,

00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:16.639
 And reached out for us.

00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:18.220
 As somebody put it,

00:12:18.279 --> 00:12:20.519
 The Lord Jesus did not come into the world,

00:12:20.899 --> 00:12:22.440
 To meet with his friends,

00:12:22.940 --> 00:12:24.100
 He came to die,

00:12:24.100 --> 00:12:25.200
 For his enemies.

00:12:25.200 --> 00:12:29.460
 These words hit us powerfully,

00:12:29.540 --> 00:12:30.220
 Maybe when we think,

00:12:30.960 --> 00:12:33.259
 I'm no enemy of the Lord,

00:12:33.420 --> 00:12:35.100
 That cannot be me.

00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:37.200
 And yet Romans 5,

00:12:37.259 --> 00:12:37.600
 Verse 8,

00:12:37.660 --> 00:12:39.080
 Makes it clear to us,

00:12:39.560 --> 00:12:40.200
 That we were,

00:12:40.620 --> 00:12:42.040
 We were all at one time,

00:12:42.600 --> 00:12:44.180
 At enmity with God.

00:12:45.540 --> 00:12:47.660
 While we were still sinners,

00:12:48.400 --> 00:12:49.960
 Christ died for us.

00:12:49.960 --> 00:12:55.040
 We are entrusting our life to him,

00:12:55.620 --> 00:12:57.860
 We are looking to him for life,

00:12:58.460 --> 00:12:59.740
 But it's the wonder,

00:13:00.340 --> 00:13:03.019
 Of the love that reached out to us.

00:13:03.220 --> 00:13:05.440
 As Martin was praying in his prayer,

00:13:06.139 --> 00:13:07.759
 How he came to know,

00:13:08.139 --> 00:13:09.480
 The wonder of this love,

00:13:09.560 --> 00:13:10.960
 How the Lord reached out,

00:13:11.300 --> 00:13:12.100
 And how it's true,

00:13:12.440 --> 00:13:13.780
 For every one of us.

00:13:14.580 --> 00:13:15.060
 How it's true,

00:13:15.139 --> 00:13:16.040
 How we were lost,

00:13:16.580 --> 00:13:17.500
 In this world,

00:13:17.600 --> 00:13:18.900
 Until by his grace,

00:13:18.899 --> 00:13:20.500
 He reached out,

00:13:20.600 --> 00:13:22.939
 He took hold of us,

00:13:23.879 --> 00:13:25.799
 While we were still sinners,

00:13:26.579 --> 00:13:28.679
 He died for us.

00:13:30.399 --> 00:13:32.139
 And you think of that love,

00:13:32.579 --> 00:13:34.439
 We can show love to others,

00:13:34.579 --> 00:13:35.480
 We can show love,

00:13:35.559 --> 00:13:36.840
 And it's easy to show love,

00:13:36.939 --> 00:13:38.039
 To some more than others,

00:13:38.139 --> 00:13:39.740
 But we think of friends,

00:13:39.860 --> 00:13:41.179
 And families who we love,

00:13:41.299 --> 00:13:43.740
 But enemies is much more difficult,

00:13:44.819 --> 00:13:47.240
 It's sometimes a step too far for us,

00:13:47.240 --> 00:13:49.240
 But not for Christ,

00:13:49.980 --> 00:13:52.460
 Because while we were in enmity with him,

00:13:52.500 --> 00:13:53.779
 While we were still sinners,

00:13:53.779 --> 00:13:54.820
 Before him,

00:13:55.399 --> 00:13:57.680
 Christ died for us.

00:13:58.620 --> 00:14:00.279
 That is how wide,

00:14:00.860 --> 00:14:01.539
 How long,

00:14:01.680 --> 00:14:02.200
 How high,

00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:02.919
 And how deep,

00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:05.620
 The love of Christ is for sinners.

00:14:06.460 --> 00:14:07.919
 While we were still sinners,

00:14:08.060 --> 00:14:10.440
 While we were still enemies,

00:14:10.700 --> 00:14:12.620
 He died for us.

00:14:12.620 --> 00:14:16.240
 And when you read through the Gospels,

00:14:16.320 --> 00:14:18.620
 And when you read through Paul's letters,

00:14:18.720 --> 00:14:20.840
 And you read through the book of Acts,

00:14:21.840 --> 00:14:24.700
 You see how often Jesus was rejected,

00:14:25.259 --> 00:14:28.620
 How often Jesus was shunned.

00:14:28.620 --> 00:14:31.779
 He came to die for people,

00:14:31.779 --> 00:14:33.740
 Who made idols,

00:14:34.320 --> 00:14:36.399
 And false images in his place.

00:14:36.940 --> 00:14:38.759
 He came to die for people,

00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:41.500
 Who had turned away from the truth of his word,

00:14:41.840 --> 00:14:43.240
 And turned to a lie.

00:14:44.200 --> 00:14:48.379
 There was this chasm between God and people.

00:14:49.500 --> 00:14:52.060
 We were separated from him.

00:14:52.059 --> 00:14:55.519
 And the only way for this to be rectified,

00:14:55.939 --> 00:14:58.439
 Was for the divide to be bridged.

00:14:59.339 --> 00:15:02.119
 And only Christ could do it.

00:15:03.119 --> 00:15:06.899
 Only he could come and bridge that gap.

00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:09.259
 The love of Christ,

00:15:09.679 --> 00:15:13.299
 Is what reconciles us through faith to God.

00:15:13.859 --> 00:15:18.079
 Because he came to give his life on the cross.

00:15:19.319 --> 00:15:21.219
 And so when we know that we are sinners,

00:15:21.220 --> 00:15:25.500
 When we know that we fall short of his glory so often,

00:15:25.720 --> 00:15:29.259
 We can see this great love that reached out.

00:15:29.779 --> 00:15:33.379
 We can remind ourselves that he took hold of us.

00:15:33.860 --> 00:15:35.720
 And that as Paul is praying here,

00:15:35.779 --> 00:15:38.500
 That we would comprehend with all the saints.

00:15:38.540 --> 00:15:42.700
 That we would lay hold of this love more and more,

00:15:43.019 --> 00:15:44.300
 And again and again,

00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:46.040
 Daily in our lives,

00:15:46.040 --> 00:15:49.879
 To be in that relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

00:15:51.220 --> 00:15:54.560
 There's that wonderful phrase in Christianity explored,

00:15:54.660 --> 00:15:56.120
 I'm sure you've heard it before,

00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:57.460
 Where it says,

00:15:57.600 --> 00:16:00.600
 We are more sinful than we ever realized,

00:16:01.340 --> 00:16:04.180
 But more loved than we ever dreamed.

00:16:04.179 --> 00:16:09.000
 That's what the Lord reaching out to us shows us.

00:16:09.599 --> 00:16:13.159
 We are more sinful than we ever realized.

00:16:13.299 --> 00:16:15.159
 That's what we see when the Lord works.

00:16:15.579 --> 00:16:17.479
 When he brings us before him,

00:16:17.479 --> 00:16:18.699
 And he shows us our sin,

00:16:18.779 --> 00:16:21.479
 We are more sinful than we ever realized.

00:16:22.459 --> 00:16:23.739
 But then we look beyond that,

00:16:23.779 --> 00:16:26.799
 And we see we are more loved than we ever dreamed.

00:16:26.799 --> 00:16:29.699
 Because while we were still sinners,

00:16:29.819 --> 00:16:31.819
 Christ died for us.

00:16:32.779 --> 00:16:37.419
 John Stott, reflecting on these verses in Ephesians chapter 3,

00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:40.939
 On just the enormity of the love of God,

00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:41.779
 He says this,

00:16:41.779 --> 00:16:46.059
 The love of Christ is broad enough to encompass all mankind,

00:16:46.719 --> 00:16:48.979
 Long enough to last for eternity,

00:16:49.699 --> 00:16:52.539
 Deep enough to reach the most degraded sinner,

00:16:53.039 --> 00:16:56.179
 And high enough to exalt him to heaven.

00:16:56.799 --> 00:16:59.799
 There's no bounds to the love of God.

00:17:00.519 --> 00:17:03.779
 It reaches out in every direction.

00:17:04.639 --> 00:17:10.079
 That is the love we see when we see Christ has come down for his people.

00:17:10.079 --> 00:17:13.500
 He has reached out for his people.

00:17:14.599 --> 00:17:19.259
 The third thing that we see here is the love that gives life.

00:17:20.519 --> 00:17:25.279
 The wonder of this love is the love that came down and gives us life.

00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:28.660
 And for this we look at John chapter 10.

00:17:32.839 --> 00:17:34.319
 John chapter 10,

00:17:34.759 --> 00:17:36.079
 In verse 10 and 11.

00:17:36.559 --> 00:17:40.559
 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.

00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:44.180
 But I have come that they may have life,

00:17:44.779 --> 00:17:47.180
 And have it to the full.

00:17:47.180 --> 00:17:49.700
 I am the good shepherd.

00:17:50.180 --> 00:17:54.320
 The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.

00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:58.259
 He came that we might have life to the full.

00:17:58.380 --> 00:18:02.820
 The thief comes to kill and to steal and destroy.

00:18:02.819 --> 00:18:08.919
 There was footage recorded outside somebody's house.

00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:11.220
 They had their car parked in the driveway.

00:18:11.339 --> 00:18:13.419
 The car was valued at £90,000.

00:18:14.819 --> 00:18:17.759
 And two thieves appeared at this house.

00:18:18.480 --> 00:18:20.659
 And within about 10 seconds,

00:18:21.419 --> 00:18:23.000
 They'd got into this car,

00:18:23.179 --> 00:18:25.039
 Started it and drove away.

00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:31.519
 It was almost crazy just how quickly it happened.

00:18:31.879 --> 00:18:35.960
 10 seconds to break into a car that should never be broken into.

00:18:36.420 --> 00:18:38.799
 And yet they had the equipment to do it.

00:18:39.899 --> 00:18:41.720
 And that's what sin does.

00:18:41.799 --> 00:18:43.039
 When we think we're protected,

00:18:43.159 --> 00:18:45.180
 When we think we've got everything together,

00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:46.960
 It can come in just so quickly.

00:18:47.639 --> 00:18:49.539
 And rob us of everything.

00:18:49.539 --> 00:18:51.599
 That's what the thief does.

00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:56.299
 But Jesus has come that we might have life.

00:18:57.059 --> 00:19:01.700
 And he came to lay down his life for his sheep.

00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:04.039
 That we might have life in him.

00:19:04.960 --> 00:19:08.019
 And so the greatness of this love is expressed.

00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:14.099
 That he came to give his life that we might have life in him.

00:19:14.879 --> 00:19:16.480
 And when we look at our lives,

00:19:17.480 --> 00:19:18.500
 And we look at God,

00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:21.880
 We see just how far away we are from him.

00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:27.059
 The holiness of God is something that we just cannot come before at times.

00:19:27.680 --> 00:19:30.039
 How can we come before a holy God?

00:19:32.099 --> 00:19:33.460
 He is righteous.

00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:37.839
 And any righteousness that we have is like filthy rags,

00:19:37.900 --> 00:19:39.180
 As the word of God says.

00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:40.839
 How could we possibly come?

00:19:42.079 --> 00:19:45.019
 Well, it's only through the righteousness of Christ,

00:19:45.819 --> 00:19:47.519
 Which we receive by faith.

00:19:48.500 --> 00:19:51.339
 And that's what we see when we look at these kinds of verses,

00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:52.519
 Like John 10.

00:19:53.640 --> 00:19:56.200
 The thief comes to kill and destroy.

00:19:57.059 --> 00:19:58.859
 But I am come that they might have life.

00:19:59.920 --> 00:20:02.180
 He is the one who gives us this life.

00:20:02.180 --> 00:20:06.460
 How can we come before him through faith in the Lord Jesus?

00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:09.740
 Just like Psalm 130 verse 7.

00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:11.840
 O Israel, hope in the Lord.

00:20:12.360 --> 00:20:14.620
 For with the Lord there is steadfast love,

00:20:14.660 --> 00:20:17.140
 And with him is plentiful redemption.

00:20:17.140 --> 00:20:20.940
 And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

00:20:20.940 --> 00:20:27.460
 It is only through Christ that we can come before God.

00:20:28.100 --> 00:20:35.259
 This love that came down in Christ is so we might be restored in our relationship with him.

00:20:35.900 --> 00:20:38.799
 And what love God has shown to us.

00:20:39.080 --> 00:20:43.880
 The love that came down was because God sent his son into this world.

00:20:44.240 --> 00:20:45.420
 His only son.

00:20:45.420 --> 00:20:48.580
 As John 3.16 says,

00:20:48.579 --> 00:21:02.839
 That is the love that has been shown to us.

00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:04.939
 The love that has come down.

00:21:04.940 --> 00:21:12.140
 And that is the love that Paul prayed that we would grasp in this passage in Ephesians chapter 3.

00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:14.860
 The wonder of it.

00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:18.019
 The height, the length, the breadth, the depth.

00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:22.960
 And it is not just thinking about the Lord Jesus coming into the world.

00:21:23.320 --> 00:21:24.799
 His incarnation, his birth.

00:21:24.880 --> 00:21:29.039
 It is not just looking at the cradle as they would say, but to the cross.

00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:31.039
 It is life complete.

00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:31.680
 It is life complete.

00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:35.799
 Because it is a love unlike any other.

00:21:37.220 --> 00:21:44.379
 Christ's love is beyond understanding in many ways unless we know his grace.

00:21:44.599 --> 00:21:46.420
 And that is why Paul here is praying.

00:21:47.379 --> 00:21:50.879
 That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

00:21:50.960 --> 00:21:57.279
 That you being rooted and grounded in love may have strength to lay hold with all the saints.

00:21:57.279 --> 00:22:00.680
 What is the breadth and length and height and depth.

00:22:00.859 --> 00:22:04.799
 And to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge.

00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:09.700
 That you may be filled with the fullness of God.

00:22:10.819 --> 00:22:13.480
 Love has come down.

00:22:15.220 --> 00:22:17.079
 And may we remember that love.

00:22:17.779 --> 00:22:24.639
 And may our prayer be that we will be filled with more and more a sense of wonder of this love.

00:22:24.640 --> 00:22:27.460
 The love that reached out.

00:22:27.860 --> 00:22:30.960
 The love that we see in Jesus Christ.

00:22:31.500 --> 00:22:34.740
 The love that surpasses all knowledge.

00:22:35.360 --> 00:22:38.720
 That will be our prayer for ourselves and for all around us.

00:22:39.180 --> 00:22:46.320
 To see the wonder, the breadth and length and height and depth of our love like no other.

00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:48.040
 Well let us pray.

00:22:48.039 --> 00:22:54.399
 Lord our gracious God.

00:22:54.480 --> 00:23:03.379
 We thank you that your word continually opens our eyes to see more and more of the wonder of your love towards us.

00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:05.420
 The love that came down.

00:23:06.159 --> 00:23:08.899
 The love that was dwelt among us.

00:23:09.579 --> 00:23:16.480
 The love that we see in the birth, in the life, in the death and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:17.559
 And may we comprehend.

00:23:18.339 --> 00:23:20.839
 May we lay hold of it all the more.

00:23:21.360 --> 00:23:23.700
 In these days and in all the days ahead.

00:23:23.819 --> 00:23:30.099
 May you help us, as Paul prayed, to grasp all of these things.

00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:31.700
 To take hold of them.

00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:34.400
 The love that surpasses knowledge.

00:23:34.900 --> 00:23:37.660
 That we might be filled with the fullness of God.

00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:40.599
 So hear our prayers and go before us now.

00:23:40.779 --> 00:23:41.819
 Pardoning our sin.

00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:43.400
 In Jesus name.

00:23:43.819 --> 00:23:44.200
 Amen.

00:23:44.200 --> 00:23:44.299
 Amen.

00:23:46.480 --> 00:23:48.880
 Thank you.

00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880


00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:48.880