WEBVTT 00:00:00.520 --> 00:00:02.419 Amen. Please take your seats. 00:00:11.000 --> 00:00:14.080 And if you would, please take your Bibles. 00:00:15.019 --> 00:00:17.820 Let's open them up this evening to the book of 2 Corinthians. 00:00:18.460 --> 00:00:21.960 The book of 2 Corinthians. Our text this evening is just one verse. 00:00:22.640 --> 00:00:26.080 It's chapter 8, verse 9 of the book of 2 Corinthians, 00:00:26.079 --> 00:00:31.699 but it's packed full of truth and meaning for us to unpack this evening. 00:00:31.859 --> 00:00:36.500 If you would, I always encourage our people to have a Bible open in front of you. 00:00:36.539 --> 00:00:40.200 I know it's just one verse tonight, but I'd love for you to be able to see with your eyes 00:00:40.200 --> 00:00:43.539 as you hear with your ears from the truth of God's Word tonight. 00:00:44.019 --> 00:00:48.340 And if you have come here this evening and you don't have a Bible at all, 00:00:48.799 --> 00:00:53.939 please take one of those around you home with you as our early Christmas gift to you. 00:00:53.939 --> 00:00:58.679 It's heavy on our hearts that each one of you would have a copy of God's Word 00:00:58.679 --> 00:01:00.519 and take that home with you. 00:01:01.159 --> 00:01:05.359 2 Corinthians 8, verse 9 says this. 00:01:08.099 --> 00:01:11.680 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:01:12.420 --> 00:01:17.420 that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, 00:01:17.859 --> 00:01:22.239 so that you, by his poverty, might become rich. 00:01:22.239 --> 00:01:31.179 Father, would you take the next few moments as we open up your Word together 00:01:31.179 --> 00:01:36.179 and would you just change eternity even for one soul in this room tonight? 00:01:37.479 --> 00:01:41.419 And God, we ask that you would move each one of us to awe and wonder 00:01:41.419 --> 00:01:44.799 as we consider and think on Christ and who he is and what he's done 00:01:44.799 --> 00:01:46.679 and the glory of Christmas. 00:01:46.899 --> 00:01:49.159 Father, would you be honored and glorified in all that we do? 00:01:49.159 --> 00:01:51.359 We ask in Christ's name. Amen. 00:01:53.140 --> 00:01:57.759 Well, just a couple weeks ago, I was working at a coffee shop. 00:01:57.859 --> 00:02:00.039 Sometimes I like to go and get a good cup of coffee 00:02:00.039 --> 00:02:03.039 and think and type and write and study. 00:02:03.359 --> 00:02:08.659 And I made the mistake of eavesdropping on a couple of women having a conversation. 00:02:09.800 --> 00:02:13.259 Ordinarily, I promise you I try not to listen in, 00:02:13.259 --> 00:02:15.239 but this was hard to avoid. 00:02:15.379 --> 00:02:17.060 I had taken my headphones out. 00:02:17.280 --> 00:02:19.500 I was packing up, getting ready to leave, 00:02:19.659 --> 00:02:24.399 and the conversation was loud enough for everybody in the room to hear what was happening. 00:02:25.120 --> 00:02:29.659 One lady was complaining to the other lady loudly 00:02:29.659 --> 00:02:35.060 about a holiday office Christmas party that she had recently been to. 00:02:35.060 --> 00:02:40.039 For one, I think strikes number one and two for her was that the party was dry, 00:02:40.280 --> 00:02:42.080 and that was an issue for her. 00:02:42.680 --> 00:02:46.379 But also, for another, they had played a white elephant gift exchange, 00:02:47.060 --> 00:02:50.280 and as is usually the case with a white elephant gift exchange, 00:02:50.379 --> 00:02:55.360 there's maybe one, maybe two really, really, really good gifts, 00:02:55.719 --> 00:02:57.219 and everything else is garbage. 00:02:58.379 --> 00:03:01.020 And everybody wants to fight and trade and exchange 00:03:01.020 --> 00:03:03.980 and use their steels to get one of those one or two gifts, 00:03:04.080 --> 00:03:06.600 and then everybody else leaves and goes home disappointed. 00:03:06.800 --> 00:03:09.800 Well, this woman, in her mind at least, 00:03:09.879 --> 00:03:13.700 had brought something really good and worth holding on to. 00:03:13.780 --> 00:03:15.140 She had come there with her treasure, 00:03:15.420 --> 00:03:19.680 but she was complaining that she had left with somebody else's trash. 00:03:20.740 --> 00:03:23.460 And as I listened to them talk and listened to her complain, 00:03:23.540 --> 00:03:27.280 I thought, you know what, this lady has no idea just how Christ-like she is right now. 00:03:28.320 --> 00:03:29.560 And she may not realize it, 00:03:29.560 --> 00:03:30.900 and apart from the complaining, 00:03:31.180 --> 00:03:32.580 but she was a picture, 00:03:32.840 --> 00:03:35.659 an image of the message of Christmas 00:03:35.659 --> 00:03:37.800 and what Christ has come to do. 00:03:37.960 --> 00:03:40.900 Jesus has come bringing his treasure 00:03:40.900 --> 00:03:43.319 in exchange for our trash. 00:03:44.719 --> 00:03:46.439 And the message that we hear tonight 00:03:46.439 --> 00:03:48.599 from the book of 2 Corinthians and Paul, 00:03:48.699 --> 00:03:52.640 it teaches us that at the very heart of this story of Christmas 00:03:52.640 --> 00:03:53.879 is God's plan 00:03:53.879 --> 00:03:56.860 to exchange the treasures of heaven, 00:03:56.860 --> 00:04:00.980 to exchange our sin for Christ's righteousness. 00:04:02.060 --> 00:04:03.400 He gets us, 00:04:03.480 --> 00:04:04.560 and we get him. 00:04:04.620 --> 00:04:08.380 It's the most unfair gift exchange in the history of gift exchanges. 00:04:08.580 --> 00:04:09.720 We get his righteousness, 00:04:10.200 --> 00:04:12.180 and he gets our sin. 00:04:12.300 --> 00:04:13.780 We get his riches, 00:04:14.020 --> 00:04:16.120 and he gets our poverty. 00:04:16.259 --> 00:04:17.920 It's a terribly unfair exchange, 00:04:18.240 --> 00:04:20.920 but this is what Christ came to do. 00:04:20.920 --> 00:04:22.500 And so let's see it in our passage tonight, 00:04:22.580 --> 00:04:25.140 and we'll see it in three parts this evening. 00:04:25.259 --> 00:04:26.420 We'll see who he is, 00:04:27.259 --> 00:04:28.379 who Jesus is, 00:04:29.040 --> 00:04:31.199 what Jesus has come to do, 00:04:31.860 --> 00:04:35.180 and why it matters for us this Christmas. 00:04:35.920 --> 00:04:36.879 Who is he? 00:04:37.759 --> 00:04:39.200 What has he done, 00:04:39.300 --> 00:04:41.160 and why does it matter? 00:04:41.319 --> 00:04:42.300 First, here at Christmas, 00:04:42.379 --> 00:04:44.860 we need to remember who he is, 00:04:44.860 --> 00:04:46.819 and it's almost too easy to miss this. 00:04:47.660 --> 00:04:50.160 As we think about the baby in the manger, 00:04:50.379 --> 00:04:53.020 this little child born to the Virgin Mary, 00:04:53.240 --> 00:04:55.560 this helpless and weak infant. 00:04:55.660 --> 00:04:57.160 By all appearances, 00:04:57.960 --> 00:04:59.860 he's just an ordinary child. 00:05:01.379 --> 00:05:03.300 We set up manger scenes at Christmas. 00:05:03.420 --> 00:05:05.259 We see him laid there in a manger. 00:05:05.400 --> 00:05:07.580 We see him surrounded by the animals. 00:05:07.699 --> 00:05:10.960 It's easy to miss the glory of who this child is. 00:05:10.959 --> 00:05:13.039 Well, Paul here in 2 Corinthians, 00:05:13.180 --> 00:05:15.959 he gives us three truths about who Jesus is. 00:05:16.060 --> 00:05:18.299 Three descriptions here in this one verse. 00:05:18.399 --> 00:05:18.639 He says, 00:05:18.759 --> 00:05:21.120 First, this child is the Lord. 00:05:22.459 --> 00:05:24.680 For you know the grace of our Lord, 00:05:25.319 --> 00:05:26.359 Jesus Christ. 00:05:26.599 --> 00:05:28.939 Jesus is Lord. 00:05:30.379 --> 00:05:33.620 Meaning, he is the one that owns everything. 00:05:34.639 --> 00:05:38.379 Meaning, he has all authority and all power. 00:05:38.379 --> 00:05:40.719 He is the king of heaven and earth. 00:05:40.720 --> 00:05:44.300 This baby in the manger is God in the flesh. 00:05:44.360 --> 00:05:45.720 He is Lord. 00:05:46.980 --> 00:05:48.160 Our problem, 00:05:48.980 --> 00:05:50.800 whether we realize this or not, 00:05:50.840 --> 00:05:53.920 is that we want to be Lord. 00:05:55.160 --> 00:05:57.000 We wrestle with Christ 00:05:57.000 --> 00:05:58.900 and want to kick him off of the throne 00:05:58.900 --> 00:06:01.820 and establish ourselves on the throne of our life. 00:06:01.880 --> 00:06:02.740 We want to be in charge. 00:06:02.900 --> 00:06:03.820 We want to call the shots. 00:06:03.960 --> 00:06:05.940 We want to do what we want to do 00:06:05.940 --> 00:06:07.320 and nobody can tell us otherwise. 00:06:07.320 --> 00:06:10.320 We want to be Lord of our lives. 00:06:10.319 --> 00:06:12.680 But Paul tells us here that this child, 00:06:12.819 --> 00:06:16.339 Jesus, truly is Lord. 00:06:17.319 --> 00:06:18.339 And as Lord, 00:06:18.980 --> 00:06:21.639 he is owed all glory 00:06:21.639 --> 00:06:23.659 and all honor 00:06:23.659 --> 00:06:25.740 and all praise 00:06:25.740 --> 00:06:27.560 and all respect 00:06:27.560 --> 00:06:29.279 and all submission 00:06:29.279 --> 00:06:30.980 and all obedience. 00:06:31.579 --> 00:06:34.819 He is owed everything that you have. 00:06:34.819 --> 00:06:38.800 There is a reason that when the wise men came to visit Mary and Joseph, 00:06:38.980 --> 00:06:40.219 they see the child 00:06:40.219 --> 00:06:41.959 and Matthew says they fall down 00:06:41.959 --> 00:06:43.879 and they worshipped him. 00:06:43.959 --> 00:06:44.259 Why? 00:06:44.980 --> 00:06:47.959 It is because they knew that this was no ordinary child. 00:06:48.060 --> 00:06:50.420 This child is the Lord. 00:06:50.800 --> 00:06:51.639 Not only this. 00:06:52.259 --> 00:06:52.800 Paul says, 00:06:52.800 --> 00:06:55.579 this child is the Christ. 00:06:56.280 --> 00:07:00.819 You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:07:00.980 --> 00:07:03.900 You should know Christ is not Jesus' last name. 00:07:04.420 --> 00:07:05.660 Christ is a title. 00:07:06.540 --> 00:07:08.160 It means anointed one. 00:07:08.740 --> 00:07:09.960 It means Messiah. 00:07:10.819 --> 00:07:12.259 And by calling Jesus the Christ, 00:07:12.379 --> 00:07:15.759 what he is doing is he is showing that Jesus is the one 00:07:15.759 --> 00:07:17.379 that all of the Old Testament 00:07:17.379 --> 00:07:19.240 has been leading up to 00:07:19.240 --> 00:07:22.719 for years and years and years and years. 00:07:22.800 --> 00:07:23.899 The entire Old Testament 00:07:23.899 --> 00:07:26.159 is leaning forward in anticipation 00:07:26.159 --> 00:07:28.439 of when will the Christ come. 00:07:29.500 --> 00:07:31.240 Paul says this child, Jesus, 00:07:32.279 --> 00:07:33.539 he is the one that was promised 00:07:33.539 --> 00:07:35.480 in Genesis chapter 3 00:07:35.480 --> 00:07:37.399 to Eve, the seed of the woman 00:07:37.399 --> 00:07:39.379 who will crush the head of the serpent. 00:07:40.399 --> 00:07:41.279 This child, Jesus, 00:07:41.439 --> 00:07:43.259 is the promised son of Abraham 00:07:43.259 --> 00:07:45.060 who will be a blessing to the nations. 00:07:45.060 --> 00:07:46.060 This child, Jesus, 00:07:46.199 --> 00:07:48.360 is the promised son of David 00:07:48.360 --> 00:07:49.160 who will be king 00:07:49.160 --> 00:07:50.060 and reign forevermore. 00:07:50.740 --> 00:07:52.000 This child, Jesus, 00:07:52.160 --> 00:07:53.819 is the head and the guarantor 00:07:53.819 --> 00:07:55.680 of a new and perfect, better covenant 00:07:55.680 --> 00:07:58.399 who will write the law of God on our hearts. 00:07:58.879 --> 00:08:00.019 He will be our God 00:08:00.019 --> 00:08:02.019 and we will be his people. 00:08:02.279 --> 00:08:03.939 Every promise of God 00:08:03.939 --> 00:08:05.939 is kept in Christ. 00:08:07.259 --> 00:08:07.939 And as such, 00:08:08.220 --> 00:08:09.639 this child, by right, 00:08:09.759 --> 00:08:10.800 third description, 00:08:11.840 --> 00:08:12.840 is rich 00:08:12.839 --> 00:08:15.319 beyond our wildest imagination. 00:08:17.219 --> 00:08:17.899 Paul says, 00:08:17.979 --> 00:08:20.060 he was rich. 00:08:20.639 --> 00:08:21.459 Now, that's a strange way 00:08:21.459 --> 00:08:22.579 to describe a newborn baby, 00:08:22.659 --> 00:08:22.959 isn't it? 00:08:24.039 --> 00:08:25.139 If a baby is born 00:08:25.139 --> 00:08:26.159 into a wealthy family, 00:08:26.279 --> 00:08:26.739 you might say, 00:08:26.779 --> 00:08:28.019 well, now he's rich 00:08:28.019 --> 00:08:30.299 or he will be very rich. 00:08:30.419 --> 00:08:31.139 Well, Paul says, 00:08:31.179 --> 00:08:32.039 he was rich 00:08:32.039 --> 00:08:32.980 before the moment 00:08:32.980 --> 00:08:33.720 he was born. 00:08:34.720 --> 00:08:36.559 This child in the manger 00:08:36.559 --> 00:08:38.579 is rich in eternity 00:08:38.579 --> 00:08:39.720 before the moment 00:08:39.720 --> 00:08:40.360 when he comes 00:08:40.360 --> 00:08:41.620 and takes on human flesh. 00:08:41.720 --> 00:08:41.940 Why? 00:08:42.240 --> 00:08:44.039 Because this child in the manger 00:08:44.039 --> 00:08:45.899 is God eternal 00:08:45.899 --> 00:08:47.180 in the flesh. 00:08:48.700 --> 00:08:50.320 This child is the eternal 00:08:50.320 --> 00:08:51.240 Son of God. 00:08:51.379 --> 00:08:52.180 By right, 00:08:52.300 --> 00:08:53.399 he is the heir 00:08:53.399 --> 00:08:54.680 of all the glories of heaven. 00:08:55.680 --> 00:08:56.399 And by right, 00:08:56.480 --> 00:08:57.600 he has enjoyed 00:08:57.600 --> 00:08:59.080 for all of eternity 00:08:59.080 --> 00:09:00.379 all the privileges 00:09:00.379 --> 00:09:01.980 and all the pleasures 00:09:01.980 --> 00:09:03.120 of knowing God 00:09:03.120 --> 00:09:04.620 in communion 00:09:04.620 --> 00:09:05.399 and relationship 00:09:05.399 --> 00:09:06.420 for all of eternity. 00:09:06.659 --> 00:09:07.720 He by right 00:09:07.720 --> 00:09:09.500 rules over all things. 00:09:09.500 --> 00:09:10.799 He created all things. 00:09:10.919 --> 00:09:13.000 All things exist for him. 00:09:13.120 --> 00:09:15.139 He owns everything. 00:09:15.940 --> 00:09:17.179 You think of the richest person 00:09:17.179 --> 00:09:17.600 you know. 00:09:17.700 --> 00:09:18.720 It's just but a fraction 00:09:18.720 --> 00:09:20.200 of the richness 00:09:20.200 --> 00:09:21.639 of Christ. 00:09:21.779 --> 00:09:23.220 This is how Paul describes him. 00:09:24.460 --> 00:09:25.320 The eternal 00:09:25.320 --> 00:09:26.899 Son of God. 00:09:29.200 --> 00:09:29.960 But yet, 00:09:30.379 --> 00:09:30.759 second, 00:09:30.940 --> 00:09:32.500 look at what he's done. 00:09:32.679 --> 00:09:33.159 Paul says, 00:09:33.240 --> 00:09:34.240 this King of glory, 00:09:35.480 --> 00:09:36.200 this God, 00:09:36.320 --> 00:09:37.179 this Messiah, 00:09:37.179 --> 00:09:38.819 though he was rich, 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:39.379 yet, 00:09:40.179 --> 00:09:41.319 for your sake, 00:09:41.599 --> 00:09:42.620 he became 00:09:42.620 --> 00:09:44.199 poor. 00:09:46.239 --> 00:09:47.559 This is at the very heart 00:09:47.559 --> 00:09:48.759 of the gospel message. 00:09:48.859 --> 00:09:49.579 If you want to understand 00:09:49.579 --> 00:09:50.839 the message of the gospel, 00:09:50.979 --> 00:09:51.859 we need to understand 00:09:51.859 --> 00:09:52.579 this, 00:09:52.659 --> 00:09:53.699 that the eternal 00:09:53.699 --> 00:09:54.979 Son of God, 00:09:55.099 --> 00:09:56.399 though he was rich, 00:09:56.919 --> 00:09:58.399 he set aside 00:09:58.399 --> 00:09:59.120 his right, 00:09:59.859 --> 00:10:01.539 he humbled himself, 00:10:01.879 --> 00:10:02.479 and he became 00:10:03.199 --> 00:10:03.859 man. 00:10:03.860 --> 00:10:05.500 the eternal 00:10:05.500 --> 00:10:06.340 word of God, 00:10:06.419 --> 00:10:07.279 the one through whom 00:10:07.279 --> 00:10:08.460 all things were made, 00:10:08.539 --> 00:10:09.379 he stepped down 00:10:09.379 --> 00:10:11.019 into his creation 00:10:11.019 --> 00:10:12.139 in order to 00:10:12.139 --> 00:10:12.800 redeem it. 00:10:12.860 --> 00:10:14.039 He wrapped himself 00:10:14.039 --> 00:10:15.399 up with human 00:10:15.399 --> 00:10:16.159 limitations. 00:10:16.340 --> 00:10:16.440 I mean, 00:10:16.500 --> 00:10:17.200 think about it. 00:10:17.720 --> 00:10:18.740 God eternal, 00:10:18.960 --> 00:10:19.980 who has no beginning, 00:10:20.139 --> 00:10:21.279 now has a birthday 00:10:21.279 --> 00:10:22.399 in Jesus Christ. 00:10:23.300 --> 00:10:24.899 God omnipresent, 00:10:25.000 --> 00:10:25.539 who's everywhere, 00:10:25.700 --> 00:10:26.320 in all places, 00:10:26.399 --> 00:10:26.980 at all times, 00:10:26.980 --> 00:10:28.159 is now located 00:10:28.159 --> 00:10:29.100 in a manger 00:10:29.100 --> 00:10:30.980 in Bethlehem. 00:10:31.700 --> 00:10:33.000 God omnipotent, 00:10:33.000 --> 00:10:33.860 who's all powerful, 00:10:33.980 --> 00:10:34.600 who's stronger 00:10:34.600 --> 00:10:36.200 than any imaginal thing, 00:10:36.419 --> 00:10:37.820 is now wrapped up 00:10:37.820 --> 00:10:38.799 in human weakness 00:10:38.799 --> 00:10:39.759 as a child 00:10:39.759 --> 00:10:41.039 who can cry 00:10:41.039 --> 00:10:42.080 and feel pain 00:10:42.080 --> 00:10:43.139 and who eventually 00:10:43.139 --> 00:10:43.700 will grow 00:10:43.700 --> 00:10:44.460 and will die. 00:10:45.899 --> 00:10:46.700 God omniscient, 00:10:46.779 --> 00:10:47.799 who knows all things, 00:10:47.899 --> 00:10:48.759 will grow 00:10:48.759 --> 00:10:49.620 in wisdom 00:10:49.620 --> 00:10:50.980 and in stature. 00:10:51.100 --> 00:10:51.639 He'll learn, 00:10:51.779 --> 00:10:52.700 he'll develop 00:10:52.700 --> 00:10:54.419 like you and I. 00:10:57.000 --> 00:10:57.980 He was rich, 00:10:58.120 --> 00:10:58.419 and yet, 00:10:58.559 --> 00:10:59.299 he became 00:10:59.299 --> 00:11:00.879 poor. 00:11:01.360 --> 00:11:01.840 We've been walking 00:11:01.840 --> 00:11:02.480 through the book 00:11:02.480 --> 00:11:03.019 of Philippians 00:11:03.019 --> 00:11:04.139 together on Sunday mornings. 00:11:04.759 --> 00:11:06.000 In Philippians chapter 2, 00:11:06.120 --> 00:11:07.000 it says it like this. 00:11:07.100 --> 00:11:07.560 Paul says, 00:11:07.660 --> 00:11:08.240 Though he was 00:11:08.240 --> 00:11:09.220 in the form of God, 00:11:09.300 --> 00:11:10.379 he did not count 00:11:10.379 --> 00:11:11.720 equality with God 00:11:11.720 --> 00:11:13.240 a thing to be grasped, 00:11:13.660 --> 00:11:14.879 but emptied himself 00:11:14.879 --> 00:11:16.720 by taking the form 00:11:16.720 --> 00:11:17.280 of a servant, 00:11:18.160 --> 00:11:18.820 being born 00:11:18.820 --> 00:11:19.700 in the likeness 00:11:19.700 --> 00:11:20.300 of men, 00:11:21.220 --> 00:11:21.940 and being found 00:11:21.940 --> 00:11:22.700 in human form. 00:11:22.820 --> 00:11:24.200 He humbled himself 00:11:24.200 --> 00:11:25.259 by becoming obedient 00:11:25.259 --> 00:11:26.500 to the point of death, 00:11:26.540 --> 00:11:27.259 even death 00:11:27.259 --> 00:11:28.360 on a cross. 00:11:28.560 --> 00:11:28.940 Therefore, 00:11:28.940 --> 00:11:30.240 God has highly 00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:31.360 exalted him 00:11:31.360 --> 00:11:32.880 and bestowed on him 00:11:32.880 --> 00:11:33.320 the name 00:11:33.320 --> 00:11:33.860 that is above 00:11:33.860 --> 00:11:34.540 every name, 00:11:35.200 --> 00:11:36.020 so that at the name 00:11:36.020 --> 00:11:36.540 of Jesus 00:11:36.540 --> 00:11:37.720 every knee should bow 00:11:37.720 --> 00:11:38.220 in heaven 00:11:38.220 --> 00:11:39.040 and on earth 00:11:39.040 --> 00:11:40.220 and under the earth, 00:11:40.380 --> 00:11:41.320 and every tongue 00:11:41.320 --> 00:11:42.520 confess that Jesus 00:11:42.520 --> 00:11:44.200 Christ is Lord 00:11:44.200 --> 00:11:45.260 to the glory 00:11:45.260 --> 00:11:46.080 of God 00:11:46.080 --> 00:11:46.800 the Father. 00:11:48.060 --> 00:11:48.360 Friends, 00:11:48.420 --> 00:11:49.880 we should marvel 00:11:49.880 --> 00:11:51.100 at this fact. 00:11:52.520 --> 00:11:54.180 We should be in awe 00:11:54.180 --> 00:11:55.080 at this. 00:11:55.080 --> 00:11:56.960 that God 00:11:56.960 --> 00:11:57.940 has become 00:11:57.940 --> 00:11:59.120 a servant. 00:12:00.639 --> 00:12:02.060 That he who is rich 00:12:02.060 --> 00:12:04.139 has become poor. 00:12:04.240 --> 00:12:04.940 This is what we see 00:12:04.940 --> 00:12:05.520 in the manger. 00:12:06.460 --> 00:12:07.560 We see God himself 00:12:07.560 --> 00:12:08.300 wrapped up 00:12:08.300 --> 00:12:08.960 in the weakness 00:12:08.960 --> 00:12:09.960 of human flesh. 00:12:10.120 --> 00:12:11.280 He stepped into 00:12:11.280 --> 00:12:11.900 the mess 00:12:11.900 --> 00:12:12.720 of this broken 00:12:12.720 --> 00:12:13.960 and fallen creation 00:12:13.960 --> 00:12:15.879 in order to redeem it. 00:12:15.940 --> 00:12:16.540 He didn't have 00:12:16.540 --> 00:12:17.420 to become weak. 00:12:17.639 --> 00:12:18.460 He became weak 00:12:18.460 --> 00:12:19.900 because we are weak. 00:12:21.000 --> 00:12:21.900 He didn't have 00:12:21.900 --> 00:12:22.980 to become poor. 00:12:22.980 --> 00:12:23.860 He became poor 00:12:23.860 --> 00:12:25.519 because we are poor. 00:12:26.080 --> 00:12:27.279 He did not have 00:12:27.279 --> 00:12:29.060 to step into our mess, 00:12:29.180 --> 00:12:29.940 but he came 00:12:29.940 --> 00:12:31.840 because he loves sinners 00:12:31.840 --> 00:12:32.639 and he wants 00:12:32.639 --> 00:12:33.279 to redeem 00:12:33.279 --> 00:12:34.000 what's broken. 00:12:36.000 --> 00:12:36.800 We sang one of our, 00:12:37.639 --> 00:12:38.340 one of my favorite 00:12:38.340 --> 00:12:38.980 Christmas hymns 00:12:38.980 --> 00:12:39.639 just a minute ago. 00:12:39.759 --> 00:12:40.879 I love the line 00:12:40.879 --> 00:12:41.440 that we sang 00:12:41.440 --> 00:12:42.920 from Hark the Herald Angels 00:12:42.920 --> 00:12:43.340 sing, 00:12:43.740 --> 00:12:44.940 Mild he lays 00:12:44.940 --> 00:12:45.940 his glory by, 00:12:46.940 --> 00:12:47.980 Born that man 00:12:47.980 --> 00:12:48.980 no more may die. 00:12:50.100 --> 00:12:51.180 Born to raise 00:12:51.180 --> 00:12:52.440 the sons of earth. 00:12:52.440 --> 00:12:54.020 Born to give them 00:12:54.020 --> 00:12:55.100 second birth. 00:12:55.240 --> 00:12:55.920 This is why 00:12:55.920 --> 00:12:56.840 he's come. 00:12:58.460 --> 00:12:59.120 When we see 00:12:59.120 --> 00:12:59.900 this child 00:12:59.900 --> 00:13:00.980 in the manger 00:13:00.980 --> 00:13:01.700 and we see 00:13:01.700 --> 00:13:02.440 the weakness 00:13:02.440 --> 00:13:03.160 and we see 00:13:03.160 --> 00:13:03.980 the lowliness 00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:04.560 and we see 00:13:04.560 --> 00:13:06.120 the humbleness 00:13:06.120 --> 00:13:06.620 of it all, 00:13:06.700 --> 00:13:07.880 we ought to marvel 00:13:07.880 --> 00:13:09.260 because this is 00:13:09.260 --> 00:13:10.220 God 00:13:10.220 --> 00:13:11.400 setting aside 00:13:11.400 --> 00:13:11.880 his riches 00:13:11.880 --> 00:13:12.440 and glory 00:13:12.440 --> 00:13:13.100 to come 00:13:13.100 --> 00:13:14.600 for our 00:13:14.600 --> 00:13:15.700 sake. 00:13:17.900 --> 00:13:18.720 So third, 00:13:18.840 --> 00:13:19.480 why does it matter 00:13:19.480 --> 00:13:20.019 for us? 00:13:21.720 --> 00:13:22.440 Why does it matter 00:13:22.440 --> 00:13:22.899 for you? 00:13:23.060 --> 00:13:24.940 Maybe you've heard 00:13:24.940 --> 00:13:25.680 this before 00:13:25.680 --> 00:13:26.460 and this is all 00:13:26.460 --> 00:13:27.500 familiar information 00:13:27.500 --> 00:13:28.000 for you. 00:13:28.060 --> 00:13:28.779 Maybe you just 00:13:28.779 --> 00:13:29.800 don't really understand 00:13:29.800 --> 00:13:31.200 or see what difference 00:13:31.200 --> 00:13:32.440 it makes for your life. 00:13:32.519 --> 00:13:33.519 Just look again 00:13:33.519 --> 00:13:34.860 to 2 Corinthians 8 00:13:34.860 --> 00:13:35.279 verse 9 00:13:35.279 --> 00:13:36.220 and see what Paul says. 00:13:37.279 --> 00:13:37.920 He says, 00:13:37.919 --> 00:13:39.240 he became poor 00:13:39.240 --> 00:13:40.819 so that you 00:13:40.819 --> 00:13:42.839 by his poverty 00:13:42.839 --> 00:13:45.360 might become 00:13:45.360 --> 00:13:46.899 rich. 00:13:49.139 --> 00:13:49.879 Would it make 00:13:49.879 --> 00:13:50.819 a difference for you 00:13:50.819 --> 00:13:51.759 for your life 00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:52.339 if I told you 00:13:52.339 --> 00:13:53.179 you could be rich 00:13:53.179 --> 00:13:53.599 tomorrow? 00:13:55.240 --> 00:13:56.139 If I told you 00:13:56.139 --> 00:13:56.939 that tomorrow morning 00:13:56.939 --> 00:13:57.620 and you're stocking 00:13:57.620 --> 00:13:58.899 you got 10 million dollars, 00:13:59.579 --> 00:14:00.000 would that make 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:00.699 a difference for you? 00:14:01.699 --> 00:14:02.259 How about 00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:02.839 100 million? 00:14:02.840 --> 00:14:05.080 A million, 00:14:05.300 --> 00:14:05.620 million. 00:14:06.379 --> 00:14:07.320 The highest number 00:14:07.320 --> 00:14:08.340 you could possibly imagine. 00:14:08.460 --> 00:14:09.139 If I told you 00:14:09.139 --> 00:14:09.460 you could have 00:14:09.460 --> 00:14:09.960 all the money 00:14:09.960 --> 00:14:10.379 in the world, 00:14:10.480 --> 00:14:10.800 would that make 00:14:10.800 --> 00:14:11.160 a difference 00:14:11.160 --> 00:14:11.759 for your life? 00:14:13.720 --> 00:14:14.019 Friend, 00:14:14.080 --> 00:14:15.180 Paul says, 00:14:15.980 --> 00:14:16.360 Christ 00:14:16.360 --> 00:14:17.780 who owns 00:14:17.780 --> 00:14:18.180 all 00:14:18.180 --> 00:14:19.100 who is truly 00:14:19.100 --> 00:14:19.660 rich 00:14:19.660 --> 00:14:20.620 came to offer 00:14:20.620 --> 00:14:21.280 and to give 00:14:21.280 --> 00:14:21.800 sinners 00:14:21.800 --> 00:14:22.860 who are poor 00:14:22.860 --> 00:14:23.759 true 00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:24.800 riches. 00:14:26.379 --> 00:14:27.220 What does it mean 00:14:27.220 --> 00:14:28.100 to be truly rich, 00:14:28.300 --> 00:14:28.639 church? 00:14:29.920 --> 00:14:31.120 Those who know 00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:31.720 God 00:14:31.720 --> 00:14:33.299 are truly rich. 00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:35.840 Those who have 00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:36.759 had their sins 00:14:36.759 --> 00:14:37.399 forgiven 00:14:37.399 --> 00:14:39.500 are truly rich. 00:14:40.799 --> 00:14:41.820 Those who no longer 00:14:41.820 --> 00:14:42.639 carry this burden 00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:43.240 of sin 00:14:43.240 --> 00:14:44.259 and shame 00:14:44.259 --> 00:14:45.139 and guilt 00:14:45.139 --> 00:14:45.799 on their back, 00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:46.820 that is what it means 00:14:46.820 --> 00:14:48.080 to be truly rich. 00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:49.740 Those who have 00:14:49.740 --> 00:14:50.560 the joy 00:14:50.560 --> 00:14:51.480 and peace 00:14:51.480 --> 00:14:52.000 of knowing 00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:52.960 the source 00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:53.600 and the fountain 00:14:53.600 --> 00:14:54.779 of everlasting life 00:14:54.779 --> 00:14:55.180 and light, 00:14:55.259 --> 00:14:55.860 that's what it means 00:14:55.860 --> 00:14:56.720 to be truly rich. 00:14:58.039 --> 00:14:58.580 Those who have 00:14:58.580 --> 00:14:59.680 been united 00:14:59.680 --> 00:15:00.240 to God 00:15:00.240 --> 00:15:01.039 and united 00:15:01.039 --> 00:15:01.820 to one another 00:15:01.820 --> 00:15:02.320 and brothers 00:15:02.320 --> 00:15:02.860 and sisters 00:15:02.860 --> 00:15:03.759 in a church family, 00:15:03.860 --> 00:15:04.500 that's what it means 00:15:04.500 --> 00:15:05.519 to be truly rich. 00:15:06.680 --> 00:15:07.440 Those who have 00:15:07.440 --> 00:15:08.360 the guarantee 00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:09.500 of the Holy Spirit 00:15:09.500 --> 00:15:10.139 in us 00:15:10.139 --> 00:15:11.299 and all the fruits 00:15:11.299 --> 00:15:11.840 that He bears 00:15:11.840 --> 00:15:12.480 in our life, 00:15:12.560 --> 00:15:12.899 life, 00:15:13.100 --> 00:15:13.440 joy, 00:15:13.620 --> 00:15:13.919 peace, 00:15:14.080 --> 00:15:14.500 patience, 00:15:15.180 --> 00:15:15.500 kindness, 00:15:15.680 --> 00:15:15.899 goodness, 00:15:16.080 --> 00:15:16.399 gentleness, 00:15:16.560 --> 00:15:16.980 faithfulness, 00:15:16.980 --> 00:15:17.659 self-control, 00:15:17.779 --> 00:15:18.460 that's what it means 00:15:18.460 --> 00:15:19.460 to be truly rich. 00:15:21.399 --> 00:15:22.440 I used to be 00:15:22.440 --> 00:15:23.659 the poorest man 00:15:23.659 --> 00:15:24.139 on earth. 00:15:24.899 --> 00:15:25.680 I still don't have 00:15:25.680 --> 00:15:26.220 much money. 00:15:27.960 --> 00:15:28.639 But you are looking, 00:15:28.740 --> 00:15:29.480 nobody in this room 00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:30.279 is richer than me. 00:15:31.800 --> 00:15:33.180 By the grace of God, 00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:35.800 He who was rich 00:15:35.800 --> 00:15:36.759 for my sake 00:15:36.759 --> 00:15:37.580 became poor 00:15:37.580 --> 00:15:39.480 so that I 00:15:39.480 --> 00:15:40.480 by His poverty 00:15:40.480 --> 00:15:42.899 might become rich. 00:15:43.519 --> 00:15:44.720 He was born of man 00:15:44.720 --> 00:15:45.680 that we might be born 00:15:45.680 --> 00:15:46.180 of God. 00:15:46.279 --> 00:15:47.279 He stooped low 00:15:47.279 --> 00:15:48.899 that we might be raised up. 00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:49.980 He became like us 00:15:49.980 --> 00:15:51.240 that we might become 00:15:51.240 --> 00:15:51.920 like Him. 00:15:51.980 --> 00:15:52.560 He died 00:15:52.560 --> 00:15:53.879 that we might live. 00:15:53.940 --> 00:15:55.500 He became sin for us 00:15:55.500 --> 00:15:56.680 so that in Him 00:15:56.680 --> 00:15:57.420 we might become 00:15:57.419 --> 00:15:58.039 the righteousness 00:15:58.039 --> 00:15:58.759 of God. 00:15:58.860 --> 00:16:00.120 He became poor 00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:01.039 so that in Him 00:16:01.039 --> 00:16:02.479 we might become 00:16:02.479 --> 00:16:04.719 truly rich. 00:16:06.799 --> 00:16:07.620 John Calvin 00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:08.620 says it like this. 00:16:09.620 --> 00:16:10.159 He says, 00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:11.939 This is the wondrous exchange 00:16:11.939 --> 00:16:12.719 made by His 00:16:12.719 --> 00:16:13.699 boundless goodness. 00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:15.879 Having become with us 00:16:15.879 --> 00:16:16.620 the Son of Man, 00:16:16.699 --> 00:16:17.639 He has made us 00:16:17.639 --> 00:16:18.459 with Himself 00:16:18.459 --> 00:16:19.620 sons of God. 00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:21.679 By His own descent 00:16:21.679 --> 00:16:22.360 to the earth, 00:16:22.459 --> 00:16:23.199 He has prepared 00:16:23.199 --> 00:16:24.240 our ascent 00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:24.839 to heaven. 00:16:25.700 --> 00:16:26.460 Having received 00:16:26.460 --> 00:16:27.320 our mortality, 00:16:27.540 --> 00:16:28.560 He has bestowed 00:16:28.560 --> 00:16:30.200 on us His immortality. 00:16:30.899 --> 00:16:31.639 Having undertaken 00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:32.240 our weakness, 00:16:32.440 --> 00:16:33.139 He has made us 00:16:33.139 --> 00:16:34.440 strong in His strength. 00:16:35.300 --> 00:16:35.940 Having submitted 00:16:35.940 --> 00:16:36.800 to our poverty, 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:37.680 He has transferred 00:16:37.680 --> 00:16:38.759 to us His riches. 00:16:39.700 --> 00:16:40.680 Having taken upon 00:16:40.680 --> 00:16:41.620 Himself the burden 00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:42.759 of unrighteousness 00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:43.480 with which we were 00:16:43.480 --> 00:16:43.899 oppressed, 00:16:44.019 --> 00:16:45.139 He has clothed us 00:16:45.139 --> 00:16:46.840 with His righteousness. 00:16:47.080 --> 00:16:48.200 Does this sound 00:16:48.200 --> 00:16:49.180 like a fair exchange 00:16:49.180 --> 00:16:49.580 to you? 00:16:50.680 --> 00:16:51.460 It's not. 00:16:53.259 --> 00:16:53.879 I'll give you 00:16:53.879 --> 00:16:54.400 another quote. 00:16:54.399 --> 00:16:55.139 R.G. Lee, 00:16:55.759 --> 00:16:56.720 he says it like this. 00:16:56.759 --> 00:16:58.100 He describes the glory 00:16:58.100 --> 00:16:58.799 and the mystery 00:16:58.799 --> 00:16:59.959 of the incarnation 00:16:59.959 --> 00:17:01.759 as the deep descent 00:17:01.759 --> 00:17:02.459 of Christ. 00:17:02.559 --> 00:17:03.519 I love this quote. 00:17:03.600 --> 00:17:04.099 Listen to this. 00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:05.960 From the heights 00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:06.539 of glory 00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:07.180 to the depths 00:17:07.180 --> 00:17:07.720 of shame. 00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:09.440 From the wonders 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:10.039 of heaven 00:17:10.039 --> 00:17:11.099 to the wickedness 00:17:11.099 --> 00:17:11.680 of earth. 00:17:11.819 --> 00:17:13.119 From exaltation 00:17:13.119 --> 00:17:14.279 to humiliation. 00:17:15.059 --> 00:17:15.980 From the throne 00:17:15.980 --> 00:17:16.980 to the tree. 00:17:17.819 --> 00:17:18.680 From dignity 00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:19.779 to debasement. 00:17:20.339 --> 00:17:21.299 From worship 00:17:21.299 --> 00:17:22.119 to wrath. 00:17:22.259 --> 00:17:22.839 From the halls 00:17:22.839 --> 00:17:23.319 of heaven 00:17:23.319 --> 00:17:24.359 to the nails 00:17:24.359 --> 00:17:25.000 of earth. 00:17:25.659 --> 00:17:26.720 From coronation 00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:27.639 to the curse. 00:17:27.639 --> 00:17:28.700 From the glory 00:17:28.700 --> 00:17:29.220 place 00:17:29.220 --> 00:17:30.159 to the gory 00:17:30.159 --> 00:17:30.779 place. 00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:32.240 In Bethlehem, 00:17:32.319 --> 00:17:33.379 humility and glory 00:17:33.379 --> 00:17:34.299 in their extremes 00:17:34.299 --> 00:17:35.519 were joined, 00:17:35.679 --> 00:17:36.740 born in a stable, 00:17:36.859 --> 00:17:38.039 cradled in a cattle 00:17:38.039 --> 00:17:38.599 trough, 00:17:38.919 --> 00:17:39.960 wrapped in swaddling 00:17:39.960 --> 00:17:40.960 clothes of poverty. 00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:42.279 No room for Him 00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:43.339 who made all rooms. 00:17:44.159 --> 00:17:45.179 No place for Him 00:17:45.179 --> 00:17:45.639 who made 00:17:45.639 --> 00:17:46.859 and knows all places. 00:17:47.819 --> 00:17:48.000 Oh, 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:49.420 the deep humiliation 00:17:49.420 --> 00:17:50.279 of the Creator 00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:50.920 to be born 00:17:50.920 --> 00:17:51.619 of the creature. 00:17:51.619 --> 00:17:52.420 But, 00:17:52.900 --> 00:17:55.200 in His descent 00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:56.259 was the dawn 00:17:56.259 --> 00:17:57.119 of mercy. 00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:58.859 Because we 00:17:58.859 --> 00:18:00.099 cannot ascend 00:18:00.099 --> 00:18:00.759 to Him, 00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:03.099 He descends 00:18:03.099 --> 00:18:04.460 to us. 00:18:04.460 --> 00:18:08.100 this is what 00:18:08.100 --> 00:18:08.880 we celebrate 00:18:08.880 --> 00:18:10.100 at Christmas. 00:18:11.620 --> 00:18:12.140 Christ 00:18:12.140 --> 00:18:13.600 has come 00:18:13.600 --> 00:18:14.519 down 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:15.319 to us 00:18:15.319 --> 00:18:16.779 to bring 00:18:16.779 --> 00:18:17.900 sinners like us 00:18:17.900 --> 00:18:18.440 who cannot 00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:19.360 climb our way 00:18:19.360 --> 00:18:20.279 to God 00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:21.579 to bring us 00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:22.400 back up 00:18:22.400 --> 00:18:23.420 to Him. 00:18:27.420 --> 00:18:28.840 Are you rich 00:18:28.840 --> 00:18:29.559 this Christmas? 00:18:29.559 --> 00:18:29.700 friends, 00:18:30.859 --> 00:18:33.000 friend, 00:18:33.099 --> 00:18:33.919 do not leave 00:18:33.919 --> 00:18:34.519 here 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:35.819 without knowing 00:18:35.819 --> 00:18:36.980 for certain 00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:38.179 that Christ 00:18:38.179 --> 00:18:38.980 has exchanged 00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:39.679 the glories 00:18:39.679 --> 00:18:40.440 of His riches 00:18:40.440 --> 00:18:41.419 for your poverty. 00:18:42.460 --> 00:18:43.599 Do not leave 00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:44.339 here this evening 00:18:44.339 --> 00:18:44.899 without knowing 00:18:44.899 --> 00:18:45.480 for certain 00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:46.019 that tomorrow 00:18:46.019 --> 00:18:46.759 morning when you 00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:47.399 wake up on 00:18:47.399 --> 00:18:48.159 Christmas morning 00:18:48.159 --> 00:18:48.980 that you are 00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:50.319 reconciled with 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:51.019 the Holy God 00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:52.599 by faith in Christ. 00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:53.579 This is totally 00:18:53.579 --> 00:18:53.980 unfair, 00:18:54.220 --> 00:18:54.759 but it's a gift 00:18:54.759 --> 00:18:55.899 of God's grace. 00:18:56.299 --> 00:18:57.240 Do you know 00:18:57.240 --> 00:18:57.859 the grace 00:18:57.859 --> 00:18:58.500 of our Lord 00:18:58.500 --> 00:18:59.299 Jesus Christ? 00:19:00.419 --> 00:19:01.859 Though He was rich, 00:19:02.039 --> 00:19:03.019 yet for your sake 00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:03.919 He became poor 00:19:03.919 --> 00:19:05.419 so that you 00:19:05.419 --> 00:19:06.279 by His poverty 00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:07.299 might become 00:19:07.299 --> 00:19:08.539 rich. 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:11.059 This verse 00:19:11.059 --> 00:19:12.159 inspired one of 00:19:12.159 --> 00:19:12.940 my favorite 00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:13.799 Christmas hymns. 00:19:13.839 --> 00:19:14.319 We didn't sing it 00:19:14.319 --> 00:19:14.639 tonight. 00:19:15.079 --> 00:19:15.740 Our church has 00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:16.319 sung it before. 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:17.319 It's not one of 00:19:17.319 --> 00:19:17.899 the more popular 00:19:17.899 --> 00:19:18.460 ones, okay? 00:19:18.599 --> 00:19:19.460 I realize that. 00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:19.819 It's called 00:19:19.819 --> 00:19:21.159 Thou Who Was Rich 00:19:21.159 --> 00:19:22.419 Beyond All Splendor. 00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:23.319 It goes like this. 00:19:24.819 --> 00:19:25.859 Thou Who Was Rich 00:19:25.859 --> 00:19:27.119 Beyond All Splendor 00:19:27.119 --> 00:19:29.440 All for love's sake 00:19:29.440 --> 00:19:30.420 becameest poor. 00:19:31.519 --> 00:19:32.799 Thrones for a manger 00:19:32.799 --> 00:19:33.820 didst surrender. 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:35.680 Sapphire paved 00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:36.620 courts for stable 00:19:36.620 --> 00:19:37.039 floor. 00:19:38.140 --> 00:19:39.019 Thou Who Was Rich 00:19:39.019 --> 00:19:40.320 Beyond All Splendor 00:19:40.320 --> 00:19:41.740 All for love's sake 00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:42.860 becameest poor. 00:19:44.019 --> 00:19:45.220 Thou Who Art God 00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:46.380 Beyond All Praising 00:19:46.380 --> 00:19:47.640 All for love's sake 00:19:47.640 --> 00:19:48.539 becameest man. 00:19:49.340 --> 00:19:50.620 Stooping so low, 00:19:50.740 --> 00:19:52.259 but sinners raising 00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:53.220 heavenward by 00:19:53.220 --> 00:19:54.420 Thine eternal plan. 00:19:54.860 --> 00:19:55.799 Thou Who Art God 00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:56.920 Beyond All Praising 00:19:56.920 --> 00:19:58.440 all for love's sake 00:19:58.440 --> 00:19:59.960 becameest man. 00:20:00.440 --> 00:20:01.300 Thou Who Art Love 00:20:01.300 --> 00:20:02.519 Beyond All Telling 00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:03.820 Savior and King 00:20:03.820 --> 00:20:05.100 we worship Thee. 00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:06.400 Emmanuel 00:20:06.400 --> 00:20:07.960 within us dwelling. 00:20:08.779 --> 00:20:09.700 Make us what Thou 00:20:09.700 --> 00:20:10.600 wouldst have us be. 00:20:11.580 --> 00:20:12.460 Thou Who Art Love 00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:13.460 Beyond All Telling 00:20:13.460 --> 00:20:15.060 Savior and King 00:20:15.060 --> 00:20:17.160 we worship Thee. 00:20:18.100 --> 00:20:18.840 Let's pray. 00:20:19.300 --> 00:20:19.759 Father, 00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:24.400 we worship Thee 00:20:24.400 --> 00:20:25.319 this evening. 00:20:26.759 --> 00:20:27.759 And we worship You, 00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:28.220 Father, 00:20:28.359 --> 00:20:29.579 for Your glorious 00:20:29.579 --> 00:20:30.660 plan of salvation. 00:20:32.140 --> 00:20:33.259 We worship You, 00:20:33.400 --> 00:20:33.779 Christ, 00:20:33.879 --> 00:20:34.319 for coming. 00:20:35.359 --> 00:20:36.099 We worship You, 00:20:36.180 --> 00:20:36.400 Christ, 00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:37.279 for setting aside 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:38.299 Your glory in heaven 00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:39.279 and coming down 00:20:39.279 --> 00:20:40.359 in weakness 00:20:40.359 --> 00:20:41.359 and in frailty. 00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:42.200 Father, 00:20:42.359 --> 00:20:43.180 You didn't have 00:20:43.180 --> 00:20:43.839 to do this. 00:20:43.900 --> 00:20:44.160 Christ, 00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:44.779 You didn't have 00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:45.379 to do this. 00:20:45.440 --> 00:20:45.819 And yet, 00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:47.480 out of love's sake 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:49.420 for sinners like me. 00:20:50.360 --> 00:20:51.079 You came. 00:20:52.420 --> 00:20:53.099 We praise You 00:20:53.099 --> 00:20:53.579 for this, 00:20:53.700 --> 00:20:53.839 Lord. 00:20:53.940 --> 00:20:55.079 We pray that You 00:20:55.079 --> 00:20:56.079 would be honored. 00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:56.940 We pray our hearts 00:20:56.940 --> 00:20:58.000 would be fixed on You 00:20:58.000 --> 00:20:58.620 this Christmas. 00:20:58.799 --> 00:20:59.420 We pray You would be 00:20:59.420 --> 00:20:59.880 exalted. 00:21:00.460 --> 00:21:01.480 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:02.720 Amen.