WEBVTT 00:00:00.200 --> 00:00:06.360 If you don't know me, my name is Niels. I'm part of the staff team. It's my joy to bring you God's Word this morning. 00:00:07.200 --> 00:00:11.880 Yeah, it's a really wonderful time. I mean, we know it's December, right? It's a little bit colder. 00:00:12.660 --> 00:00:19.580 I feel slightly less uncomfortable wearing long trousers. It's very nice, right? The air con we can turn off. 00:00:20.059 --> 00:00:24.640 No, it is nearly Christmas, and so we always have a, yeah, it's Advent. 00:00:24.640 --> 00:00:31.859 We are going to think about Christmas and the great news of Jesus coming, yeah, basically every Sunday throughout December. 00:00:32.060 --> 00:00:35.520 And we're starting today with our, yeah, our new series. 00:00:36.240 --> 00:00:42.219 And so why don't I pray before CK comes and brings us God's Word. 00:00:44.980 --> 00:00:47.780 Our Father, thank you for the coming of Jesus. 00:00:48.060 --> 00:00:51.820 Thank you for the good news of great joy for all people. 00:00:51.820 --> 00:00:54.439 It's wonderful that in your love you sent him. 00:00:54.980 --> 00:00:55.719 We pray indeed for that. 00:00:55.799 --> 00:01:03.460 All people would come to know him, that many people who are lost, who are hopeless, would find joy in him. 00:01:03.640 --> 00:01:05.400 But that starts with us. 00:01:05.659 --> 00:01:14.140 Please, Father, today would you, for each one of us here, help us see the wonderful news of Jesus coming and give us great joy in that. 00:01:14.240 --> 00:01:18.379 We pray that you would speak to each of our hearts this morning by your Spirit. 00:01:18.379 --> 00:01:23.719 Show us Jesus, show us his glory, that we would love him and rejoice in him. 00:01:23.899 --> 00:01:25.679 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:01:26.319 --> 00:01:26.840 Great. 00:01:33.039 --> 00:01:35.500 Good morning, church, and happy Advent. 00:01:36.060 --> 00:01:40.840 Today we have a scripture speaking to us about where we can look to for true joy. 00:01:40.840 --> 00:01:44.700 So let's turn to Ecclesiastes 2, verse 1. 00:01:47.840 --> 00:01:48.719 We read, 00:01:48.719 --> 00:01:54.620 I said in my heart, come now, I'll test you with pleasure, enjoy yourself. 00:01:55.260 --> 00:01:58.140 But behold, this also was vanity. 00:01:59.020 --> 00:02:01.900 I said of laughter, this is mad. 00:02:02.560 --> 00:02:05.000 And of pleasure, what use is it? 00:02:05.000 --> 00:02:21.920 I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine, my heart still guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold on fully till I might see what was good for the children of men to do under heaven during the few days of their life. 00:02:22.599 --> 00:02:24.020 I made great works. 00:02:24.539 --> 00:02:27.599 I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. 00:02:27.599 --> 00:02:34.379 I made myself gardens and parks and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. 00:02:35.099 --> 00:02:39.639 I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. 00:02:40.359 --> 00:02:45.479 I bought male and female servants and had slaves who were born in my house. 00:02:46.400 --> 00:02:53.400 I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. 00:02:53.400 --> 00:03:00.640 I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. 00:03:01.480 --> 00:03:07.480 I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the sons of men. 00:03:08.500 --> 00:03:13.219 So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. 00:03:14.520 --> 00:03:17.099 Also, my wisdom remained with me. 00:03:18.000 --> 00:03:21.960 And whatever my eyes desired, I did not keep from them. 00:03:21.960 --> 00:03:31.260 I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. 00:03:32.319 --> 00:03:38.780 Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it. 00:03:39.640 --> 00:03:47.860 And behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun. 00:03:47.860 --> 00:03:54.000 Then in 1 John 1, verse 1, we read, 00:03:54.000 --> 00:04:05.800 That which was the beginning, which we had heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and touched with our hands, 00:04:06.620 --> 00:04:17.100 concerning the word of life, the life was made manifest, and we have seen it and testified to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, 00:04:17.100 --> 00:04:21.760 which was with the Father, and was made manifest to us. 00:04:22.379 --> 00:04:30.560 That which we have seen and heard, and we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us. 00:04:31.220 --> 00:04:36.220 And indeed, our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. 00:04:36.220 --> 00:04:41.120 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. 00:04:41.780 --> 00:04:42.780 This is the word of God. 00:04:42.779 --> 00:04:49.379 Great. Thanks, CK. That's great. 00:04:50.859 --> 00:04:52.000 Now, yeah, Christmas. 00:04:52.119 --> 00:04:53.919 I don't know if you're looking forward to Christmas. 00:04:54.179 --> 00:04:59.859 It depends a little bit on your stage of life and family situation and those kind of things. 00:05:00.199 --> 00:05:02.359 But I think most of us are looking forward to it, right? 00:05:02.399 --> 00:05:03.599 Even if it's a time off. 00:05:04.099 --> 00:05:08.359 But actually, the main reason, I think for most of us, is that it's about joy, right? 00:05:08.399 --> 00:05:10.979 As you've heard in the reading, Christmas is about joy. 00:05:10.980 --> 00:05:12.680 I mean, what do people wish each other? 00:05:13.180 --> 00:05:14.140 A Merry Christmas. 00:05:14.540 --> 00:05:17.960 And Merry, it's an old English word, but it means, well, joyful, right? 00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:19.640 Have a happy Christmas. 00:05:20.660 --> 00:05:23.140 And then you go, I mean, that's pretty common. 00:05:23.420 --> 00:05:24.860 All kinds of other languages. 00:05:25.160 --> 00:05:27.379 Maybe you're French, and it's a Joyeux Noël. 00:05:27.920 --> 00:05:31.379 And other, you know, I've looked at various languages. 00:05:31.620 --> 00:05:35.319 You know, it's always a Merry Happy Christmas because that's what we want. 00:05:35.319 --> 00:05:38.520 I mean, traditionally, right, we sing joy to the world. 00:05:38.939 --> 00:05:40.680 God rest ye merry gentlemen. 00:05:40.980 --> 00:05:43.080 Good tidings of comfort and joy. 00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:45.680 Even the secular Christmas, right? 00:05:45.740 --> 00:05:47.319 Have a jolly, holly Christmas. 00:05:48.120 --> 00:05:50.640 And have yourself a merry little Christmas. 00:05:51.160 --> 00:05:53.200 It is a feast of joy. 00:05:53.680 --> 00:05:57.340 And if we're honest, isn't that what we actually want? 00:05:57.960 --> 00:05:59.040 We want joy, right? 00:05:59.759 --> 00:06:04.700 One thing that we have as humans, I guess my first point, we have a desire for joy. 00:06:05.520 --> 00:06:07.000 I mean, what do we want in life? 00:06:07.140 --> 00:06:08.900 We want to be happy, right? 00:06:08.899 --> 00:06:10.339 We want to be fulfilled. 00:06:10.479 --> 00:06:11.379 We want to be satisfied. 00:06:11.560 --> 00:06:12.759 We want to be joyful. 00:06:13.359 --> 00:06:14.399 That's what we all want. 00:06:14.500 --> 00:06:16.579 I mean, you want, what kind of job do you want? 00:06:16.620 --> 00:06:19.000 I hope you want a job that you enjoy, right? 00:06:19.179 --> 00:06:20.859 No one wants a job that they don't enjoy. 00:06:21.479 --> 00:06:23.500 What kind of marriage do you want to have? 00:06:23.579 --> 00:06:25.279 What kind of family do you want to have? 00:06:25.339 --> 00:06:27.620 Well, a family that brings you joy, right? 00:06:27.620 --> 00:06:31.639 Now, sometimes people, they are in situations where they're less joyful. 00:06:31.800 --> 00:06:35.000 Maybe you're working in a very brutal, demanding job. 00:06:35.180 --> 00:06:38.000 But ultimately, it's still for joy, right? 00:06:38.019 --> 00:06:41.939 Because you will earn money that you can spend and have a good life. 00:06:41.939 --> 00:06:45.100 Or maybe you can provide for your family and they can have joy, right? 00:06:45.160 --> 00:06:46.259 Ultimately, it's for joy. 00:06:47.060 --> 00:06:52.620 You know, you sometimes see the monks and with their fasting and their beating themselves. 00:06:52.620 --> 00:06:54.819 They still do it for joy. 00:06:54.939 --> 00:06:59.139 They want to go to heaven and think, well, yeah, I want joy there. 00:06:59.240 --> 00:07:00.280 So let me do this, right? 00:07:00.819 --> 00:07:04.600 The person who tries to help others, who spends all his time serving the poor, 00:07:05.519 --> 00:07:07.579 actually, they get joy out of doing that. 00:07:08.199 --> 00:07:10.000 I mean, no one wants to be miserable, right? 00:07:10.019 --> 00:07:11.120 No one wants to be angry. 00:07:11.740 --> 00:07:13.800 We all want to have joy. 00:07:14.399 --> 00:07:16.720 It's like it's hardwired into us, right? 00:07:16.740 --> 00:07:17.560 We need joy. 00:07:17.720 --> 00:07:19.240 We seek joy. 00:07:19.560 --> 00:07:21.540 And when we don't have it, we feel it. 00:07:21.540 --> 00:07:24.980 And when we do have it, we, yeah, we feel good. 00:07:25.080 --> 00:07:25.819 We notice it. 00:07:26.420 --> 00:07:27.560 We want joy. 00:07:28.340 --> 00:07:32.700 And also we want joy, I guess, it has to come from somewhere, right? 00:07:33.180 --> 00:07:36.500 None of us, we just have joy automatically within ourselves. 00:07:36.660 --> 00:07:37.860 It comes from something. 00:07:37.980 --> 00:07:39.160 Maybe it comes from your job. 00:07:39.259 --> 00:07:40.400 Maybe it comes from your family. 00:07:40.980 --> 00:07:43.840 Maybe it comes from the things you do. 00:07:44.360 --> 00:07:46.920 We need a source of joy. 00:07:47.939 --> 00:07:48.920 And what is that? 00:07:48.920 --> 00:07:54.340 Well, no wonder we're looking forward to Christmas because Christmas, it does promise joy, doesn't it? 00:07:54.339 --> 00:08:01.139 You go to the shops and everything looks so happy and colorful and all the wonderful things, right? 00:08:01.199 --> 00:08:06.779 As soon as things, as soon as, what is it, Halloween here, that's over, the Christmas decorations come up in the shops. 00:08:07.339 --> 00:08:08.319 Buy these presents. 00:08:08.479 --> 00:08:09.639 Make your loved ones happy. 00:08:10.139 --> 00:08:10.899 Come and celebrate. 00:08:11.199 --> 00:08:13.839 Buy these, you know, buy all these wonderful foods. 00:08:14.679 --> 00:08:15.979 And they are great things, right? 00:08:15.980 --> 00:08:19.000 I mean, most of us, we know that they do provide joy. 00:08:19.280 --> 00:08:22.160 Presence, that can be a wonderful thing. 00:08:23.140 --> 00:08:24.900 I mean, sometimes people just buy you socks. 00:08:25.080 --> 00:08:28.520 But, you know, some children, you know, you get an Xbox. 00:08:28.780 --> 00:08:30.819 Surely that makes them happy, right? 00:08:31.040 --> 00:08:32.879 Or some new headphones or whatever. 00:08:34.300 --> 00:08:35.639 They provide some joy. 00:08:35.840 --> 00:08:37.039 It's a thoughtful gift, you know. 00:08:37.700 --> 00:08:40.440 And having a meal together, isn't that what we always do? 00:08:40.440 --> 00:08:49.180 So, every birthday, let's have a meal together, Chinese New Year, mid-autumn and Christmas, having a wonderful meal together, those kind of things. 00:08:49.660 --> 00:08:50.860 It brings us joy, right? 00:08:50.880 --> 00:08:51.620 It brings us pleasure. 00:08:52.780 --> 00:08:58.260 But, as we thought about earlier, the big question before us is, does it last? 00:08:59.080 --> 00:09:01.760 Does it actually keep bringing us joy? 00:09:02.320 --> 00:09:08.700 Because when we look at the normal Christmas things, we see that it brings just, yeah, it's just failing joy. 00:09:08.700 --> 00:09:11.100 I mean, it's great joy during the meal. 00:09:11.180 --> 00:09:12.080 You have a wonderful time. 00:09:12.940 --> 00:09:14.660 But how long does that last? 00:09:15.060 --> 00:09:17.160 You know, two days later, you go back to work. 00:09:17.960 --> 00:09:19.780 How much of the feeling is still there? 00:09:20.759 --> 00:09:22.160 It doesn't really last, right? 00:09:22.240 --> 00:09:23.280 How much do you still remember? 00:09:23.379 --> 00:09:28.480 And those presents, I mean, some kids, even before they go back to school, they're already bored of their present. 00:09:29.820 --> 00:09:33.600 You know, maybe that, like before, that iPhone, it seems like for a bit. 00:09:33.820 --> 00:09:35.600 But how long does it really last? 00:09:35.780 --> 00:09:36.520 Maybe a year? 00:09:36.519 --> 00:09:36.559 Maybe a year. 00:09:37.840 --> 00:09:38.980 Think about the big picture. 00:09:39.079 --> 00:09:40.079 How about 10 years later? 00:09:40.980 --> 00:09:41.860 100 years later? 00:09:42.840 --> 00:09:42.980 Right? 00:09:43.059 --> 00:09:45.319 Actually, it's only temporary. 00:09:46.240 --> 00:09:49.799 And even then, does it provide full joy? 00:09:50.079 --> 00:09:51.279 How much joy does it provide? 00:09:51.360 --> 00:09:52.720 So maybe you have a new iPhone. 00:09:53.699 --> 00:09:55.759 And you go to work, and your work is terrible. 00:09:55.980 --> 00:09:57.019 Does it make up for it? 00:09:57.079 --> 00:10:00.600 Hey, I don't care about my terrible work, because I now have an iPhone. 00:10:01.159 --> 00:10:03.659 To be honest, it doesn't really, it's not really enough, right? 00:10:03.659 --> 00:10:09.219 Hey, I've got an iPhone, but yeah, my marriage is still breaking apart, you know? 00:10:10.339 --> 00:10:12.620 It's actually not right, and not enough joy. 00:10:13.079 --> 00:10:15.240 It doesn't last, and it's not enough. 00:10:17.120 --> 00:10:18.879 Anyway, we know that. 00:10:18.980 --> 00:10:20.839 I mean, that's why we're looking forward to Christmas, right? 00:10:20.860 --> 00:10:22.319 Because the previous one didn't work. 00:10:22.659 --> 00:10:25.839 If the previous year was so good, why are we looking forward to it now? 00:10:25.840 --> 00:10:28.740 But how do we respond? 00:10:29.680 --> 00:10:35.580 You know, certainly in the world, if Christmas doesn't satisfy, how do we solve that? 00:10:36.399 --> 00:10:41.680 And I think one big problem is that, for most of us, the message of the world is just try harder. 00:10:42.740 --> 00:10:44.560 Spend more, right? 00:10:44.820 --> 00:10:47.399 Just buy a bigger present, and then your kids will be happy. 00:10:48.080 --> 00:10:51.180 Buy more food, better food, and then it will last, right? 00:10:51.179 --> 00:10:52.500 I don't know. 00:10:52.579 --> 00:10:58.919 When I was in the UK, I worked in public transport, so not like high earning, but I had this colleague, 00:10:59.500 --> 00:11:03.199 his wife and two kids, he would spend $10,000 on Christmas presents. 00:11:03.959 --> 00:11:07.139 He'd be saving up for a long time for Christmas. 00:11:07.399 --> 00:11:08.219 I just, why? 00:11:08.399 --> 00:11:09.319 Why so expensive? 00:11:09.539 --> 00:11:13.979 Well, because he really thought, you know, big presents, more happiness. 00:11:13.980 --> 00:11:17.220 So, I need to spend, spend, spend, spend. 00:11:18.539 --> 00:11:21.500 Well, I think that is what most of us think, right? 00:11:21.539 --> 00:11:26.220 If we just had more money, then we could have the Christmas that we need. 00:11:26.980 --> 00:11:31.100 Well, I think that's why we had that first reading from the book of Ecclesiastes. 00:11:31.279 --> 00:11:33.659 I think this is such a helpful reading. 00:11:33.779 --> 00:11:37.200 Now, if you're new to the Bible, it sounded probably really strange. 00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:42.039 This was written, well, presents himself as a king, the king of Jerusalem. 00:11:42.039 --> 00:11:47.079 That's why he gets slaves and multiple wives and that kind of thing, because he's a king 00:11:47.079 --> 00:11:48.299 from thousands of years ago. 00:11:49.079 --> 00:11:52.339 But Ecclesiastes means the teacher, like a philosopher. 00:11:52.559 --> 00:11:55.179 He gathers people and teaches them something. 00:11:55.299 --> 00:12:01.519 And he wrote this pretty miserable book about life, life without, well, life without God. 00:12:01.579 --> 00:12:02.419 And it's pretty depressing. 00:12:02.899 --> 00:12:05.659 You've heard the word vanity a few times. 00:12:05.879 --> 00:12:09.139 And we preached on this book one and a half years ago, but I think half of you weren't here. 00:12:10.179 --> 00:12:10.620 Vanity. 00:12:10.620 --> 00:12:11.980 Well, what is vanity? 00:12:12.580 --> 00:12:13.500 It's vapor. 00:12:14.360 --> 00:12:19.919 It's a kind of, you know, smoke that just disappears and that you just can't grasp with 00:12:19.919 --> 00:12:23.259 your hands because it just, yeah, it disappears so quickly. 00:12:23.740 --> 00:12:24.940 That is what life is like. 00:12:25.039 --> 00:12:27.259 That is what so much in life is like. 00:12:27.279 --> 00:12:29.340 It just disappears so quickly. 00:12:29.860 --> 00:12:33.980 And now, of course, this passage isn't literally about Christmas because it was hundreds of years 00:12:33.980 --> 00:12:34.700 before Jesus. 00:12:35.399 --> 00:12:38.279 But as you've heard, this passage is all about pleasure. 00:12:38.279 --> 00:12:39.159 Right? 00:12:39.240 --> 00:12:42.600 The teacher said to the philosopher, hey, I'm going to try pleasure. 00:12:42.919 --> 00:12:46.039 I'm going to see if I can find meaning in pleasure. 00:12:46.199 --> 00:12:50.199 If I can find joy, lasting joy in pleasure. 00:12:50.519 --> 00:12:52.879 And this guy really tried everything. 00:12:53.019 --> 00:12:53.139 Right? 00:12:53.139 --> 00:12:54.960 Verse 4. 00:12:54.960 --> 00:12:57.100 You know, I made great works. 00:12:57.300 --> 00:13:00.280 I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. 00:13:00.780 --> 00:13:04.759 I made myself gardens and parks and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. 00:13:04.980 --> 00:13:08.440 I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. 00:13:08.440 --> 00:13:12.520 I bought male and female slaves and had slaves who were born in my house. 00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:18.620 I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. 00:13:19.220 --> 00:13:23.620 I gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. 00:13:24.180 --> 00:13:29.980 I got singers, both men and women, many concubines, the delight of the sons of men. 00:13:30.540 --> 00:13:33.080 Earlier he talked about, you know, wine. 00:13:33.260 --> 00:13:34.240 Let me have lots of wine. 00:13:34.240 --> 00:13:36.259 You know, he tried everything. 00:13:36.820 --> 00:13:39.159 He wanted, okay, let me try everything. 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:42.139 And nothing that I wanted, I kept for myself. 00:13:42.259 --> 00:13:44.680 I just want, I'm going to try everything. 00:13:45.340 --> 00:13:47.060 And yet, verse 11. 00:13:47.860 --> 00:13:53.240 Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it. 00:13:53.759 --> 00:13:57.279 And behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind. 00:13:57.860 --> 00:13:59.860 And there was nothing to be gained under the sun. 00:14:00.700 --> 00:14:02.279 In the end, it was vapor. 00:14:02.560 --> 00:14:04.139 There was nothing gained. 00:14:04.560 --> 00:14:05.460 Nothing lasting. 00:14:05.620 --> 00:14:08.899 No lasting difference from everything I did. 00:14:09.159 --> 00:14:10.840 And look at how much I spent on it. 00:14:10.899 --> 00:14:11.940 Was this really worth it? 00:14:12.419 --> 00:14:12.639 Right? 00:14:12.700 --> 00:14:14.000 If it doesn't last anyway. 00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:16.500 It was fun, but it didn't last. 00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:17.639 Right? 00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:22.039 He would have, I mean, this guy would have an amazing Christmas celebration, but it wouldn't last. 00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:25.879 And back in January, he looks back, the joy is gone. 00:14:25.879 --> 00:14:32.340 And I think what we, what makes this so powerful, again, this is the king of Jerusalem. 00:14:32.340 --> 00:14:32.679 Right? 00:14:32.720 --> 00:14:36.340 He says, I was greater than any king before me. 00:14:36.340 --> 00:14:39.700 I mean, it looks like Solomon. 00:14:39.700 --> 00:14:44.940 King, King Solomon, I know, he had like an annual income of one and a half billion dollars or something. 00:14:45.440 --> 00:14:46.180 Sorry, US dollars. 00:14:46.179 --> 00:14:49.559 That's crazy, right? 00:14:49.559 --> 00:14:54.119 So imagine this is the most rich and powerful guy around. 00:14:54.120 --> 00:14:57.759 And he says, well, pleasure didn't work. 00:14:58.580 --> 00:15:02.940 I mean, imagine if you're the richest guy in the world, what kind of Christmas party would you give? 00:15:04.299 --> 00:15:04.440 Right? 00:15:04.440 --> 00:15:06.440 You wouldn't just play, all I want is Christmas. 00:15:06.600 --> 00:15:09.100 You would fly my Mariah Carey over to come and perform. 00:15:09.580 --> 00:15:09.740 Right? 00:15:11.180 --> 00:15:13.000 Imagine what kind of presents he would give. 00:15:13.100 --> 00:15:15.360 He would give Ferraris to everyone and those kind of things. 00:15:16.880 --> 00:15:18.320 This is the richest guy ever. 00:15:19.380 --> 00:15:21.620 And he says, it doesn't work. 00:15:22.720 --> 00:15:24.520 You know, I spend so much. 00:15:25.620 --> 00:15:28.000 And if he can't do it, well, what hope do we have? 00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:28.220 Right? 00:15:28.220 --> 00:15:35.320 If the richest guy, you know, you look on Amazon and you're browsing and, okay, maybe this will make me happy. 00:15:35.720 --> 00:15:40.060 Well, Jeff Bezos or something, right, who owns Amazon, he wouldn't be happy. 00:15:41.220 --> 00:15:42.620 Then what hope do we have? 00:15:43.820 --> 00:15:45.120 And that's the thing here, right? 00:15:46.440 --> 00:15:54.320 The richest guy with the most money, you still can't find happiness in, well, in presents, in feasting, in consuming. 00:15:55.080 --> 00:15:55.940 You can't. 00:15:56.080 --> 00:15:57.519 That is the message here. 00:15:58.220 --> 00:16:00.360 And maybe that's something you really feel. 00:16:00.560 --> 00:16:01.300 Maybe you're a Christian. 00:16:01.440 --> 00:16:08.240 Maybe you wouldn't call yourself a Christian, but you just know that, okay, every year we have Christmas and it feels good, but then it doesn't last. 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:10.399 Am I doing something wrong? 00:16:10.519 --> 00:16:11.259 No, you're not. 00:16:12.220 --> 00:16:12.399 Right? 00:16:12.960 --> 00:16:16.620 It may feel good for a bit, but Christmas doesn't last. 00:16:16.840 --> 00:16:21.240 The presents, the feasting, it doesn't last. 00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:23.580 And even while it's there, it's probably not good enough. 00:16:23.920 --> 00:16:25.960 So I don't know what you're thinking in a few weeks' time. 00:16:25.960 --> 00:16:28.540 Maybe you're optimistic that now you're going to get it right. 00:16:29.019 --> 00:16:36.240 Or maybe you're kind of cynical, yeah, another Christmas, running around, getting presents, and I'm probably going to get disappointed again. 00:16:36.240 --> 00:16:38.580 Well, yeah. 00:16:38.580 --> 00:16:47.960 None of these things can provide the real joy that we want, the thing that lasts, the thing that we have this desire inside for. 00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:51.900 But the Bible says, no, but it is possible. 00:16:52.139 --> 00:16:55.900 The Bible says, yeah, it promises everlasting joy. 00:16:56.180 --> 00:17:00.040 And the problem is not what we seek, but where we seek it. 00:17:00.940 --> 00:17:03.720 And the answer, well, we've heard it in that second reading. 00:17:03.720 --> 00:17:14.000 So if we turn to 1 John or 1 John, depending on where you come from, that letter in the New Testament, John, one of the disciples of Jesus. 00:17:14.339 --> 00:17:20.819 Because this talks about the real Jesus, not the presents, not the trees, not the feasts, the birth of Jesus. 00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:23.960 And this is about lasting joy. 00:17:23.960 --> 00:17:29.200 And it's quite a complicated passage, but let's work backwards. 00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:31.840 Because what is he writing about? 00:17:32.440 --> 00:17:34.460 Well, 1 John 1 verse 4. 00:17:35.120 --> 00:17:38.779 And we are writing this thing so that our joy may be complete. 00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:48.279 Hey, we write this to you so that our joy, you and us together, that we can have full joy, fulfilled, complete joy. 00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:48.720 Right? 00:17:49.079 --> 00:17:52.619 He's saying, hey, I'm going to tell you how to have complete joy. 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:54.980 How to be fully fulfilled. 00:17:55.379 --> 00:17:56.819 And what is that source of joy? 00:17:56.940 --> 00:17:57.720 Well, verse 3. 00:17:58.539 --> 00:18:04.639 That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us. 00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:10.259 And indeed, our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 00:18:11.200 --> 00:18:14.339 He says, hey, I invite you to come and share with us. 00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:15.799 Come and join us. 00:18:15.920 --> 00:18:17.139 Come have fellowship with us. 00:18:17.139 --> 00:18:17.460 Why? 00:18:17.460 --> 00:18:19.220 Well, we have fellowship. 00:18:19.840 --> 00:18:22.900 We share with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. 00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:31.799 We have a relationship with persons, with God, the Trinity, the Father, the Son, the Spirit, the Creator, everything. 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:33.860 We have a relationship, fellowship. 00:18:34.579 --> 00:18:37.140 Come and join that relationship. 00:18:38.600 --> 00:18:44.620 And you can see that Jesus is kind of emphasized, not just the Father and the Son, but his Son, Jesus Christ. 00:18:44.619 --> 00:18:48.000 Jesus is, well, his human name. 00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:51.700 The name that he got in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago. 00:18:51.700 --> 00:18:54.140 And that is at the heart of this passage. 00:18:54.140 --> 00:19:02.740 And that is at the heart of this passage, the mystery of Christmas, the mystery of Jesus' birth, that he was, well, fully God and fully man, both of them. 00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:04.059 Because that's the key. 00:19:04.059 --> 00:19:12.879 And if we can see who Jesus is, I think that says why Jesus is the one who can provide that lasting joy. 00:19:12.880 --> 00:19:20.680 Because first, I think one thing that John really emphasizes is that, well, Jesus was fully human, fully man. 00:19:21.020 --> 00:19:23.280 And that means he's kind of physical, right? 00:19:23.340 --> 00:19:24.380 You hear the physical. 00:19:24.900 --> 00:19:30.360 Hey, that's what we have seen and heard and touched, right? 00:19:30.359 --> 00:19:32.159 We touched with our hands. 00:19:32.839 --> 00:19:34.099 We could touch this. 00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:39.659 Jesus was a physical human being, born 2,000 years ago as a human baby. 00:19:40.639 --> 00:19:44.799 Now, why does it matter that it's physical? 00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:49.719 I think it kind of affirms our desire for joy, right? 00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:53.839 Because actually, if we think of joy, we usually think of that physically, right? 00:19:53.859 --> 00:19:58.319 We think of food and drink and activities and those kind of things. 00:19:58.319 --> 00:20:01.579 And then you hear, you know, relationship with God. 00:20:01.659 --> 00:20:06.159 And that sounds like, you know, floating, nothingness, kind of airy-fairy. 00:20:07.579 --> 00:20:09.460 And that is not the thing here. 00:20:09.579 --> 00:20:11.220 Because anyway, that doesn't feel right, right? 00:20:11.240 --> 00:20:12.359 We are physical people. 00:20:12.819 --> 00:20:15.119 We enjoy, we have physical joy. 00:20:16.379 --> 00:20:20.059 And Jesus says, no, no, I have come here. 00:20:20.519 --> 00:20:21.859 Yeah, he's become human. 00:20:22.339 --> 00:20:23.339 Joy is good. 00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:25.519 Feasting and presence in a way are good. 00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:27.279 We are physical people. 00:20:27.920 --> 00:20:29.139 And Jesus, well, came. 00:20:29.539 --> 00:20:30.859 And he became physical. 00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:31.680 He became a human. 00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:34.720 And yet, so much more. 00:20:34.839 --> 00:20:39.639 If he was only physical, only material, I mean, all material things run out, right? 00:20:40.500 --> 00:20:42.700 He couldn't provide everlasting joy then. 00:20:42.900 --> 00:20:44.799 But what does John say? 00:20:44.920 --> 00:20:46.619 Well, what became physical? 00:20:47.400 --> 00:20:50.480 Well, that which was from the beginning, right? 00:20:50.480 --> 00:20:53.360 The one who was there before everything else. 00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:55.960 The one who made everything, right? 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:56.880 Or what does he say? 00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:58.360 The word of life. 00:20:58.860 --> 00:21:00.460 The life was made manifest. 00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:06.559 We proclaim the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us, right? 00:21:06.960 --> 00:21:08.279 That is who Jesus is. 00:21:08.360 --> 00:21:10.019 He is the life. 00:21:10.420 --> 00:21:11.519 Not a life. 00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:13.079 Not someone who has life. 00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:15.179 He is the life. 00:21:15.339 --> 00:21:17.339 The eternal life. 00:21:18.019 --> 00:21:19.899 The everlasting source of life. 00:21:20.579 --> 00:21:23.339 That source of life, he became human. 00:21:23.500 --> 00:21:24.500 He came to us. 00:21:25.319 --> 00:21:26.460 And that changes everything. 00:21:26.599 --> 00:21:29.480 I mean, if someone has life, they can lose it. 00:21:29.859 --> 00:21:30.819 And it can run out. 00:21:30.819 --> 00:21:36.079 If someone is life, he would have to stop existing, right? 00:21:36.119 --> 00:21:36.980 It doesn't run out. 00:21:36.980 --> 00:21:48.339 And so, at the heart of Christmas, here is a person who is life himself, everlasting, never-ending life that will never run out. 00:21:48.660 --> 00:21:50.259 And he didn't stay up there. 00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:52.039 He didn't stay distant from us. 00:21:52.099 --> 00:21:55.099 He came to us here in this world where we look for joy. 00:21:55.900 --> 00:21:57.099 That is who Jesus is. 00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:59.819 Fully man, fully God, right? 00:21:59.819 --> 00:22:05.720 Fully everlasting life and yet here as a human for us. 00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:08.559 So that we can enjoy life with him. 00:22:08.619 --> 00:22:09.759 So we can relate to him. 00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:13.659 And those things you see all throughout Jesus' life. 00:22:13.740 --> 00:22:14.639 Not just as a baby. 00:22:15.179 --> 00:22:21.720 I mean, when Jesus grew up and started ministering, do you notice how much feasting he did? 00:22:22.879 --> 00:22:23.099 Right? 00:22:23.099 --> 00:22:27.579 He constantly had meals with people and ate with and invited everyone. 00:22:27.740 --> 00:22:30.099 All the tax collectors and sinners and outcasts. 00:22:30.699 --> 00:22:32.459 They were all welcome to come and eat with him. 00:22:32.919 --> 00:22:35.879 And he went to a wedding and made hundreds of bottles of wine, right? 00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:38.759 You know, he doesn't mind feasting. 00:22:39.179 --> 00:22:40.699 He is no ascetic, right? 00:22:41.039 --> 00:22:43.000 Here is feasts. 00:22:43.240 --> 00:22:46.279 And yet, all the time giving spiritual life to people. 00:22:47.159 --> 00:22:48.439 And even the future, right? 00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:50.779 So, you think of heaven, whatever. 00:22:51.219 --> 00:22:52.419 The new creation. 00:22:52.420 --> 00:22:54.259 How is that described in the Bible? 00:22:55.220 --> 00:22:56.360 Well, a wedding feast. 00:22:56.640 --> 00:22:58.180 A wedding feast that lasts forever. 00:22:58.720 --> 00:23:00.120 Why a feast and a banquet? 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:02.400 Because that is what brings us joy, right? 00:23:03.140 --> 00:23:05.519 It's just something far better than any Christmas dinner. 00:23:06.380 --> 00:23:08.660 But that is a banquet, right? 00:23:08.940 --> 00:23:10.900 That kind of joy is what he's offering. 00:23:11.100 --> 00:23:15.680 And yet, not just any banquet, but the throne of God at the center. 00:23:15.960 --> 00:23:21.300 And then, like rivers of life flowing from the throne and bringing life everywhere. 00:23:21.299 --> 00:23:22.819 That's the picture of the future. 00:23:22.819 --> 00:23:27.059 A banquet, yeah, with a river of life coming to us. 00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:33.180 And so, that is, yeah, that's what John promises is the answer. 00:23:34.299 --> 00:23:37.519 And in a way, that's not something strange to us, right? 00:23:37.539 --> 00:23:38.899 It's almost, it's what we were made for. 00:23:38.900 --> 00:23:41.700 Why do we have this desire for joy? 00:23:41.820 --> 00:23:44.200 Why do we want true life? 00:23:44.280 --> 00:23:47.460 Well, because we were made by the source of life himself. 00:23:47.720 --> 00:23:50.400 I mean, you know, life doesn't come from non-life, doesn't it? 00:23:50.800 --> 00:23:53.840 We have life because it was given to us by the life. 00:23:54.460 --> 00:23:55.560 The one who made us. 00:23:56.360 --> 00:23:59.540 The famous saying by Augustine hundreds of years ago, 00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:01.460 you have made us for yourself. 00:24:01.800 --> 00:24:05.440 And our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you. 00:24:05.440 --> 00:24:07.100 Makes sense, right? 00:24:07.140 --> 00:24:08.640 My phone was made for electricity. 00:24:09.080 --> 00:24:09.799 That's what it needs. 00:24:09.900 --> 00:24:11.080 My car was made for fuel. 00:24:11.559 --> 00:24:12.380 That's what it needs. 00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:13.820 We were made for Jesus. 00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:15.840 And that is who we need. 00:24:16.759 --> 00:24:19.940 And not that he needs us, that he needs our worship or our singing. 00:24:20.539 --> 00:24:21.460 He doesn't need anything. 00:24:21.980 --> 00:24:23.600 He's got the Father and the Spirit, right? 00:24:24.460 --> 00:24:27.180 But he just loves to share his joy. 00:24:27.299 --> 00:24:28.840 He loves to share his love. 00:24:28.839 --> 00:24:33.319 And knowing that, that is our greatest joy. 00:24:33.579 --> 00:24:35.599 That is where we find meaning and purpose. 00:24:36.119 --> 00:24:38.980 That is what life is about, finding the fullness of joy, 00:24:39.099 --> 00:24:42.399 finding complete joy in relationship with Jesus. 00:24:42.579 --> 00:24:45.519 A joy that will not last just for one year, 00:24:45.619 --> 00:24:49.859 that in a billion years from now is still a treasure, 00:24:49.859 --> 00:24:54.379 an eternal delight, unlimited for us. 00:24:55.300 --> 00:24:59.540 And it sounds too good to be true, except that it's not. 00:24:59.800 --> 00:25:00.540 It's real. 00:25:01.260 --> 00:25:02.380 Because that's what John says, right? 00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:03.240 This is real. 00:25:03.940 --> 00:25:04.900 We've seen it. 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:06.080 We've heard it. 00:25:06.140 --> 00:25:06.860 We've touched it. 00:25:07.400 --> 00:25:09.400 I mean, back then you couldn't take photos and videos. 00:25:10.380 --> 00:25:11.940 But we've got eyewitnesses. 00:25:12.020 --> 00:25:13.360 We testify to it. 00:25:13.380 --> 00:25:14.080 This is real. 00:25:14.440 --> 00:25:15.360 We've seen it. 00:25:15.580 --> 00:25:17.060 We've experienced this life. 00:25:17.380 --> 00:25:19.020 We've experienced this relationship. 00:25:19.740 --> 00:25:20.880 You can have it too. 00:25:21.080 --> 00:25:23.240 And that's why John, he wants to share it. 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:26.759 He wants to, we proclaim this so you can join us. 00:25:27.120 --> 00:25:31.599 And you can have this everlasting joy, this complete joy. 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:33.259 Come to Jesus. 00:25:33.620 --> 00:25:35.000 And that's what he wants to share. 00:25:35.120 --> 00:25:38.240 And with everyone, and with everyone here today, 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:40.779 no matter who you are. 00:25:41.859 --> 00:25:43.299 So again, maybe you were here, 00:25:43.359 --> 00:25:44.779 you wouldn't call yourself a Christian. 00:25:45.440 --> 00:25:47.440 This is the joy you were made for. 00:25:48.620 --> 00:25:50.380 I don't know if you've looked at it much. 00:25:50.380 --> 00:25:52.640 Isn't it worth investigating? 00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:54.560 If you feel empty, 00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:56.840 if you feel like there's something missing, 00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:58.540 well, check out Jesus. 00:25:58.660 --> 00:26:01.640 Because he promises that this is the real thing. 00:26:02.920 --> 00:26:05.200 And yeah, because you do need to come to it. 00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:05.980 It's not automatic. 00:26:06.620 --> 00:26:09.140 It's not that Jesus came and now everyone in the world has joy. 00:26:09.320 --> 00:26:10.300 Just like John says, 00:26:10.600 --> 00:26:13.220 hey, we invite you to come and join. 00:26:13.220 --> 00:26:14.220 All right. 00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:16.339 Because even though we were made for it, 00:26:17.079 --> 00:26:18.839 why don't we experience it now? 00:26:19.180 --> 00:26:20.579 Well, kind of we've walked away. 00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:24.059 The fact that we're currently not experiencing this is, 00:26:24.420 --> 00:26:26.000 well, because we've walked away from it, right? 00:26:26.039 --> 00:26:29.279 We've walked away and tried to find our joy in other things. 00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:33.519 But the wonderful thing is Jesus, 00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:36.559 he'd love to have us back, right? 00:26:36.620 --> 00:26:38.220 He died to forgive us. 00:26:38.220 --> 00:26:39.880 And he welcomes us and he says, 00:26:40.140 --> 00:26:42.140 come back, come and find your joy in me again. 00:26:42.200 --> 00:26:45.660 And not in all those empty things that you know don't work, 00:26:45.740 --> 00:26:46.960 that you know don't satisfy. 00:26:48.779 --> 00:26:50.059 But even as Christians, 00:26:50.299 --> 00:26:51.740 we believe this, 00:26:51.819 --> 00:26:53.620 we say yes and amen to this. 00:26:54.480 --> 00:26:54.660 You know, 00:26:55.019 --> 00:26:56.140 is this really real? 00:26:56.440 --> 00:26:58.019 Where do we find our joy? 00:26:58.660 --> 00:26:58.839 You know, 00:26:58.900 --> 00:27:00.079 as we look to Christmas, 00:27:00.700 --> 00:27:02.420 we're probably preparing for it, 00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:04.019 maybe buying presents, right? 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:05.680 I've got some carousel notifications. 00:27:05.680 --> 00:27:06.880 And, you know, 00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:08.680 we're looking to prepare. 00:27:11.140 --> 00:27:12.920 But do we think it makes us happy? 00:27:13.700 --> 00:27:13.860 Right? 00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:16.039 When you're doing your last minute Christmas shopping 00:27:16.039 --> 00:27:17.680 on the 23rd or 24th, 00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:18.880 you know, 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:20.500 and you're stressed. 00:27:20.600 --> 00:27:21.500 Why are you stressed? 00:27:22.620 --> 00:27:24.720 Maybe because you're not meeting people's expectations. 00:27:25.620 --> 00:27:26.940 Or maybe do you think that, 00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:27.080 well, 00:27:27.120 --> 00:27:29.060 I need to get this right to get a good Christmas. 00:27:30.320 --> 00:27:31.320 We can relax. 00:27:31.640 --> 00:27:31.779 You know, 00:27:31.960 --> 00:27:34.180 the real joy doesn't come from the presents, 00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:34.400 right? 00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:36.300 The real joy comes from Jesus. 00:27:36.519 --> 00:27:38.100 And we can relax, 00:27:38.340 --> 00:27:38.480 right? 00:27:38.519 --> 00:27:39.400 We can find joy. 00:27:39.780 --> 00:27:40.940 Just lift your eyes to Jesus. 00:27:41.460 --> 00:27:42.620 Or maybe it's January 00:27:42.620 --> 00:27:46.080 and it's like Christmas never happened. 00:27:47.460 --> 00:27:48.120 It doesn't matter, 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:48.420 right? 00:27:48.440 --> 00:27:49.460 Because we have Jesus. 00:27:49.620 --> 00:27:50.840 Whatever else didn't last, 00:27:51.100 --> 00:27:52.040 we're still with him. 00:27:52.360 --> 00:27:53.400 He still loves us. 00:27:53.720 --> 00:27:55.380 We can know him and talk to him. 00:27:55.460 --> 00:27:56.980 And one day we'll be with him. 00:27:57.040 --> 00:27:58.540 He's got everything you want and need. 00:27:58.580 --> 00:27:59.060 And it's okay. 00:28:00.340 --> 00:28:02.380 You can even tone down Christmas a bit, 00:28:02.420 --> 00:28:02.600 right? 00:28:02.940 --> 00:28:03.860 We can share. 00:28:03.859 --> 00:28:06.019 We can go and do something good in the world. 00:28:06.119 --> 00:28:07.399 We can help the poor and needy. 00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:13.419 We don't need to spend all our time on just the best Christmas because we know it doesn't work and we already have Jesus. 00:28:14.199 --> 00:28:14.379 You know, 00:28:14.459 --> 00:28:15.959 can we make some shoe boxes? 00:28:16.139 --> 00:28:17.459 Can you volunteer with a charity? 00:28:17.619 --> 00:28:19.419 It's a good way to tell yourself, 00:28:19.519 --> 00:28:19.799 actually, 00:28:20.059 --> 00:28:20.319 you know, 00:28:20.799 --> 00:28:22.879 I don't find my joy in this. 00:28:23.740 --> 00:28:24.439 Maybe parents, 00:28:24.599 --> 00:28:24.839 you know, 00:28:25.679 --> 00:28:25.939 are you, 00:28:26.159 --> 00:28:26.599 of course, 00:28:26.639 --> 00:28:28.119 it's great to get presents for your kids, 00:28:28.119 --> 00:28:31.539 but are you also teaching them that this is not the real thing that gives the real joy? 00:28:32.659 --> 00:28:32.839 Now, 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:34.459 you need to work out what it means for you. 00:28:34.719 --> 00:28:34.839 But, 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:36.779 yeah, 00:28:37.059 --> 00:28:38.399 where do we find our real joy? 00:28:39.939 --> 00:28:40.479 But ultimately, 00:28:40.579 --> 00:28:41.959 I don't want that to be a kind of no, 00:28:42.099 --> 00:28:42.959 say no to this, 00:28:43.019 --> 00:28:43.759 say no to that, 00:28:43.819 --> 00:28:43.959 right? 00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:45.220 What does John want? 00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:47.440 He wants us not to say no to presents. 00:28:47.559 --> 00:28:49.259 He wants us to say yes to Jesus, 00:28:49.940 --> 00:28:50.120 right? 00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:52.039 It's about finding our joy in him, 00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:57.299 seeing the great treasure he is and savoring and delighting in him. 00:28:57.299 --> 00:28:57.559 So, 00:28:57.700 --> 00:28:59.299 can I encourage you to do that? 00:28:59.819 --> 00:29:00.700 This Advent, 00:29:00.840 --> 00:29:01.880 why do we start early? 00:29:02.660 --> 00:29:02.920 Well, 00:29:03.100 --> 00:29:04.860 because our hearts need time to warm up, 00:29:04.920 --> 00:29:05.059 right? 00:29:05.400 --> 00:29:10.860 We need time to find joy in Jesus when we are too distracted with other things. 00:29:11.000 --> 00:29:11.140 So, 00:29:11.559 --> 00:29:13.160 take time to meditate. 00:29:13.160 --> 00:29:16.140 Take time to know him more by faith, 00:29:16.220 --> 00:29:16.820 by the spirit. 00:29:17.680 --> 00:29:21.759 Take time to delight in how you will know him even more later, 00:29:22.160 --> 00:29:23.100 what you have now. 00:29:23.160 --> 00:29:24.019 And the more we meditate, 00:29:24.580 --> 00:29:27.160 the more we'll be excited in the midst of stress, 00:29:27.700 --> 00:29:29.220 in the midst of disappointments. 00:29:29.759 --> 00:29:31.160 And when Christmas lets you down, 00:29:31.540 --> 00:29:33.060 when everything else lets you down, 00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:36.820 you can have the deep joy in Jesus, 00:29:37.040 --> 00:29:41.120 all because he came with Christmas 2000 years ago. 00:29:41.820 --> 00:29:42.900 Isn't that wonderful? 00:29:43.160 --> 00:29:49.259 Jinx moral. 00:29:49.940 --> 00:29:50.779 I'm going to silence.