WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.700 Hebrews chapter 2, if you're using a red covered Bible. 00:00:08.720 --> 00:00:11.320 1-2-0-2. 00:00:12.800 --> 00:00:18.000 Hebrews chapter 2 starting at verse 10 through to verse 18. 00:00:18.140 --> 00:00:20.760 It's on page 1-2-0-2. 00:00:21.679 --> 00:00:22.519 Thank you Lucy. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.820 So Hebrews chapter 2 verses 10-18. 00:00:34.359 --> 00:00:41.259 In bringing many sons to glory it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, 00:00:41.859 --> 00:00:45.679 should be made the author of their salvation, perfecting it through suffering. 00:00:46.340 --> 00:00:50.240 Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. 00:00:51.039 --> 00:00:53.219 So Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers. 00:00:53.560 --> 00:00:58.000 He says, I will declare your name to my brothers in the presence of the congregation. 00:00:58.340 --> 00:00:59.219 I will sing your praises. 00:00:59.219 --> 00:01:02.379 And again, I will put my trust in him. 00:01:02.820 --> 00:01:06.459 And again he says, here I am and the children that God has given me. 00:01:07.179 --> 00:01:10.359 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared their humanity, 00:01:10.700 --> 00:01:15.879 so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is the devil, 00:01:16.599 --> 00:01:20.819 and free those who all their lives have been held in slavery by their fear of death. 00:01:21.439 --> 00:01:24.739 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but Abraham's descendants. 00:01:24.739 --> 00:01:28.899 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, 00:01:29.079 --> 00:01:34.239 in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, 00:01:34.719 --> 00:01:39.379 and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 00:01:39.379 --> 00:01:44.239 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. 00:01:44.239 --> 00:01:49.239 Thanks Lucy. 00:01:49.439 --> 00:01:50.899 Please keep your Bibles open. 00:01:51.019 --> 00:01:51.599 There are Hebrews. 00:01:52.099 --> 00:01:54.319 There were some sheets going around, some pens. 00:01:55.019 --> 00:01:55.939 You can take notes. 00:01:55.939 --> 00:02:14.099 So let's pray and ask for God's help as we look at his word together, 00:02:14.439 --> 00:02:19.520 and see how it applies to us as we think about the theme of Christmas. 00:02:19.719 --> 00:02:20.240 Let's pray. 00:02:20.240 --> 00:02:26.480 Our Father, we thank you that you do draw near to us, 00:02:26.780 --> 00:02:32.900 and we pray that you would pour out your Holy Spirit upon everyone present here this morning, 00:02:33.280 --> 00:02:37.060 that we would be able to hear you afresh, 00:02:37.780 --> 00:02:40.360 to take what is familiar to our minds, 00:02:40.780 --> 00:02:41.920 to make it real, 00:02:41.919 --> 00:02:46.019 that it would change us, 00:02:47.559 --> 00:02:51.599 that it would help us to see why Jesus came, 00:02:52.500 --> 00:02:56.299 and what it means that God is with us. 00:02:57.959 --> 00:03:03.539 We pray that it would fill our lives with a sense of meaning and a sense of purpose, 00:03:03.539 --> 00:03:10.199 and that not one of us would leave without a renewed love for you, 00:03:11.199 --> 00:03:15.159 and a greater confidence in who you are. 00:03:17.319 --> 00:03:19.000 We pray for your help. 00:03:20.000 --> 00:03:20.399 Amen. 00:03:20.400 --> 00:03:24.659 Well, during this past year, 00:03:25.080 --> 00:03:29.040 we had two very important visitors to our country. 00:03:29.960 --> 00:03:31.319 If you remember back in, 00:03:32.120 --> 00:03:33.480 when was it, April, I think? 00:03:34.120 --> 00:03:34.620 No, May? 00:03:34.759 --> 00:03:34.980 May. 00:03:35.460 --> 00:03:38.640 President Obama flew in for a quick visit. 00:03:38.860 --> 00:03:39.439 Do you remember that? 00:03:39.560 --> 00:03:42.300 Altogether, he was here for 12 hours. 00:03:42.300 --> 00:03:45.520 To make that trip happen, 00:03:45.760 --> 00:03:51.000 there were three pre-visits conducted by his security team. 00:03:51.580 --> 00:03:52.960 There was a site survey, 00:03:53.700 --> 00:03:55.080 a pre-advanced visit, 00:03:55.719 --> 00:03:57.420 and then an advanced trip. 00:03:57.840 --> 00:04:00.200 Total cost, $16 million. 00:04:01.360 --> 00:04:03.160 When he actually did come, 00:04:03.700 --> 00:04:05.660 he brought 500 staff with him, 00:04:05.760 --> 00:04:07.420 including his own personal chef, 00:04:08.120 --> 00:04:09.980 200 security personnel, 00:04:09.979 --> 00:04:13.019 six doctors on his medical team, 00:04:13.560 --> 00:04:16.439 not to mention his fleet of decoy helicopters, 00:04:17.159 --> 00:04:20.639 his $300,000 armoured plate limousine, 00:04:21.019 --> 00:04:22.719 and 30 motorcycles. 00:04:23.800 --> 00:04:26.639 All to have a pint of Guinness in money gone. 00:04:28.779 --> 00:04:31.319 When God arrived on Earth, 00:04:32.300 --> 00:04:34.060 he chose to do it quietly, 00:04:35.019 --> 00:04:36.139 in a courtyard, 00:04:37.099 --> 00:04:38.480 watched by animals. 00:04:39.980 --> 00:04:43.700 The Queen also made her first official visit this year. 00:04:44.280 --> 00:04:46.220 It's reported that when the Queen of England 00:04:46.220 --> 00:04:47.900 goes on one of her royal trips, 00:04:48.300 --> 00:04:49.960 she brings her own hairdresser, 00:04:50.140 --> 00:04:50.720 two valets, 00:04:51.120 --> 00:04:53.439 £4,000 in weight of luggage, 00:04:54.120 --> 00:04:55.640 and a host of other attendants, 00:04:55.740 --> 00:04:57.660 costing $20 million. 00:04:58.400 --> 00:05:01.520 And that doesn't cost the 25 million euro 00:05:01.520 --> 00:05:05.759 for the security for her four-day visits. 00:05:05.759 --> 00:05:09.159 When God came down, 00:05:10.060 --> 00:05:12.060 he chose to conceal himself 00:05:12.060 --> 00:05:15.000 in the tummy of an unknown girl. 00:05:16.339 --> 00:05:18.259 The name given to that child, 00:05:18.740 --> 00:05:20.480 as we've seen already this morning, 00:05:20.800 --> 00:05:21.480 Emmanuel, 00:05:22.599 --> 00:05:24.579 God with us. 00:05:24.980 --> 00:05:26.420 It's what theologians call 00:05:26.420 --> 00:05:27.860 the incarnation, 00:05:28.199 --> 00:05:29.860 God as a man 00:05:29.860 --> 00:05:31.300 coming down 00:05:31.300 --> 00:05:32.920 into this world. 00:05:32.920 --> 00:05:35.020 the message of Christmas. 00:05:36.100 --> 00:05:37.819 And it's the message of Hebrews 2 00:05:37.819 --> 00:05:39.120 that we've just had read. 00:05:40.100 --> 00:05:41.220 Look at chapter 1, 00:05:41.460 --> 00:05:42.140 a minute. 00:05:42.800 --> 00:05:43.939 Chapter 1 of Hebrews, 00:05:44.060 --> 00:05:44.620 verse 2. 00:05:44.920 --> 00:05:45.939 It tells us here 00:05:45.939 --> 00:05:46.540 who 00:05:46.540 --> 00:05:48.180 Jesus is. 00:05:50.680 --> 00:05:51.800 In verse 2, 00:05:51.939 --> 00:05:52.300 it says, 00:05:52.420 --> 00:05:53.439 in these last days, 00:05:53.500 --> 00:05:54.700 what we are right now, 00:05:54.699 --> 00:05:56.759 in these last days, 00:05:56.959 --> 00:05:58.979 God has spoken to us 00:05:58.979 --> 00:06:00.180 by his Son, 00:06:00.360 --> 00:06:00.659 Jesus, 00:06:02.120 --> 00:06:03.439 whom he appointed 00:06:03.439 --> 00:06:05.699 heir of all things, 00:06:06.560 --> 00:06:07.519 and through whom, 00:06:07.759 --> 00:06:09.000 through Jesus, 00:06:10.079 --> 00:06:11.759 he made the universe. 00:06:12.939 --> 00:06:13.639 The Son, 00:06:14.219 --> 00:06:14.519 Jesus, 00:06:14.719 --> 00:06:15.980 is the radiance 00:06:15.980 --> 00:06:17.180 of God's glory. 00:06:17.180 --> 00:06:18.779 He is the exact 00:06:18.779 --> 00:06:19.860 representation 00:06:19.860 --> 00:06:22.240 of his being, 00:06:22.240 --> 00:06:24.960 sustaining all things 00:06:24.960 --> 00:06:27.160 by his powerful word. 00:06:28.439 --> 00:06:29.160 The God, 00:06:29.259 --> 00:06:29.980 think about it, 00:06:30.019 --> 00:06:31.519 who created this universe 00:06:31.519 --> 00:06:33.000 in all its vastness, 00:06:33.060 --> 00:06:34.300 we can't even measure 00:06:34.300 --> 00:06:35.400 the extent of 00:06:35.400 --> 00:06:37.199 the universe in space. 00:06:37.500 --> 00:06:38.519 The God who made 00:06:38.519 --> 00:06:39.420 all of that 00:06:39.420 --> 00:06:41.560 was formed 00:06:41.560 --> 00:06:43.680 as a tiny baby. 00:06:44.720 --> 00:06:46.900 The God who provides 00:06:46.900 --> 00:06:48.340 everything that we have 00:06:48.340 --> 00:06:50.180 for every person 00:06:50.180 --> 00:06:51.819 of the 10 billion 00:06:51.819 --> 00:06:53.139 that live in this planet. 00:06:55.780 --> 00:06:57.400 The God who provides 00:06:57.400 --> 00:06:58.120 everything 00:06:58.120 --> 00:06:59.340 became dependent 00:06:59.340 --> 00:07:01.420 on a teenage mother. 00:07:02.980 --> 00:07:04.819 The God who sustains us 00:07:04.819 --> 00:07:05.920 with the very breath 00:07:05.920 --> 00:07:06.899 that we are breathing 00:07:06.899 --> 00:07:07.740 right now, 00:07:08.019 --> 00:07:09.019 who sustains us 00:07:09.019 --> 00:07:10.399 as we sleep at night, 00:07:11.560 --> 00:07:12.579 used to cry 00:07:12.579 --> 00:07:14.780 for his feed of milk. 00:07:15.720 --> 00:07:17.100 The God who stood 00:07:17.100 --> 00:07:18.399 outside of time 00:07:18.399 --> 00:07:19.779 and space 00:07:19.779 --> 00:07:21.639 entered in 00:07:21.639 --> 00:07:22.699 and intervened 00:07:22.699 --> 00:07:24.299 into our world. 00:07:26.039 --> 00:07:26.879 Philip Yancey 00:07:26.879 --> 00:07:27.659 in his book 00:07:27.659 --> 00:07:29.139 The Jesus I Never Knew 00:07:29.139 --> 00:07:30.620 captures it well. 00:07:30.719 --> 00:07:31.399 He says this, 00:07:31.519 --> 00:07:32.479 unimaginably, 00:07:33.639 --> 00:07:34.279 the maker 00:07:34.279 --> 00:07:35.879 of all things 00:07:35.879 --> 00:07:37.779 shrank down 00:07:37.779 --> 00:07:38.879 and down 00:07:38.879 --> 00:07:39.939 and down 00:07:39.939 --> 00:07:41.500 so small 00:07:41.500 --> 00:07:42.319 as to become 00:07:42.319 --> 00:07:43.079 an oven, 00:07:43.779 --> 00:07:45.560 a single fertilised egg 00:07:45.560 --> 00:07:46.419 barely visible 00:07:46.419 --> 00:07:47.539 to the naked eye, 00:07:47.540 --> 00:07:48.720 an egg that would 00:07:48.720 --> 00:07:49.300 divide 00:07:49.300 --> 00:07:50.760 and re-divide 00:07:50.760 --> 00:07:52.100 until a fetus 00:07:52.100 --> 00:07:52.900 took shape 00:07:52.900 --> 00:07:54.540 enlarging cell 00:07:54.540 --> 00:07:55.480 by cell 00:07:55.480 --> 00:07:57.080 inside a nervous 00:07:57.080 --> 00:07:57.720 teenager. 00:07:59.160 --> 00:08:00.540 God would become 00:08:00.540 --> 00:08:01.700 so vulnerable 00:08:01.700 --> 00:08:03.920 and so fragile 00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:07.259 as a tiny baby. 00:08:08.560 --> 00:08:10.180 It's incomprehensible. 00:08:11.140 --> 00:08:11.820 Other writers 00:08:11.820 --> 00:08:12.820 of Scripture 00:08:12.820 --> 00:08:13.660 put it like this, 00:08:13.660 --> 00:08:14.980 the word 00:08:14.980 --> 00:08:16.840 who was God 00:08:16.840 --> 00:08:18.640 became flesh 00:08:18.640 --> 00:08:20.020 and lived 00:08:20.020 --> 00:08:20.680 among us. 00:08:21.740 --> 00:08:23.040 The image 00:08:23.040 --> 00:08:23.880 of the invisible 00:08:23.880 --> 00:08:24.400 God, 00:08:25.940 --> 00:08:26.840 the fullness 00:08:26.840 --> 00:08:27.880 of God 00:08:27.880 --> 00:08:28.600 dwelling 00:08:28.600 --> 00:08:30.040 in him, 00:08:32.600 --> 00:08:33.240 who being 00:08:33.240 --> 00:08:34.100 in very nature 00:08:34.100 --> 00:08:34.680 God 00:08:34.680 --> 00:08:35.779 made himself 00:08:35.779 --> 00:08:36.399 nothing, 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:37.700 taking the very 00:08:37.700 --> 00:08:38.240 nature 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:39.779 of a servant. 00:08:39.779 --> 00:08:42.299 and Hebrews 00:08:42.299 --> 00:08:43.299 chapter 2 00:08:43.299 --> 00:08:44.159 verse 14 00:08:44.159 --> 00:08:45.699 puts it 00:08:45.699 --> 00:08:46.139 simply 00:08:46.139 --> 00:08:47.100 like this, 00:08:47.899 --> 00:08:48.579 since the 00:08:48.579 --> 00:08:49.079 children, 00:08:49.240 --> 00:08:49.620 those who 00:08:49.620 --> 00:08:50.419 trust in him, 00:08:50.779 --> 00:08:51.259 those who 00:08:51.259 --> 00:08:51.899 have flesh 00:08:51.899 --> 00:08:52.480 and blood, 00:08:52.639 --> 00:08:53.379 people like us, 00:08:53.899 --> 00:08:54.740 he too 00:08:54.740 --> 00:08:56.220 shared in 00:08:56.220 --> 00:08:57.519 their humanity. 00:08:58.799 --> 00:08:59.559 Verse 17, 00:09:00.620 --> 00:09:01.139 for this 00:09:01.139 --> 00:09:01.679 reason 00:09:01.679 --> 00:09:03.139 he had 00:09:03.139 --> 00:09:04.019 to be made 00:09:04.019 --> 00:09:05.500 like his 00:09:05.500 --> 00:09:05.899 brothers. 00:09:05.899 --> 00:09:07.679 he had 00:09:07.679 --> 00:09:08.059 to be 00:09:08.059 --> 00:09:08.539 made 00:09:08.539 --> 00:09:09.439 just 00:09:09.439 --> 00:09:10.000 like 00:09:10.000 --> 00:09:11.100 you 00:09:11.100 --> 00:09:12.539 and me. 00:09:14.079 --> 00:09:14.740 God 00:09:14.740 --> 00:09:15.299 became 00:09:15.299 --> 00:09:16.779 like one 00:09:16.779 --> 00:09:17.340 of us. 00:09:18.459 --> 00:09:19.139 Why 00:09:19.139 --> 00:09:19.980 did God 00:09:19.980 --> 00:09:21.980 do this? 00:09:23.059 --> 00:09:23.340 Well, 00:09:23.399 --> 00:09:23.759 look back 00:09:23.759 --> 00:09:24.439 at verse 2 00:09:24.439 --> 00:09:25.259 of chapter 10. 00:09:25.379 --> 00:09:25.919 It says there 00:09:25.919 --> 00:09:26.899 about him 00:09:26.899 --> 00:09:27.559 bringing 00:09:27.559 --> 00:09:28.819 many sons 00:09:28.819 --> 00:09:29.340 or many 00:09:29.340 --> 00:09:30.000 children 00:09:30.000 --> 00:09:31.600 to glory. 00:09:32.679 --> 00:09:33.159 God 00:09:33.159 --> 00:09:34.100 came down 00:09:34.100 --> 00:09:35.240 to bring 00:09:35.240 --> 00:09:35.759 us 00:09:35.759 --> 00:09:37.360 to glory. 00:09:38.240 --> 00:09:38.720 He came 00:09:38.720 --> 00:09:39.300 down into 00:09:39.300 --> 00:09:39.960 the mess 00:09:39.960 --> 00:09:40.519 of this 00:09:40.519 --> 00:09:40.980 world 00:09:40.980 --> 00:09:41.779 and of our 00:09:41.779 --> 00:09:42.139 lives 00:09:42.139 --> 00:09:42.639 to bring 00:09:42.639 --> 00:09:43.120 us 00:09:43.120 --> 00:09:43.720 into 00:09:43.720 --> 00:09:44.360 his 00:09:44.360 --> 00:09:44.899 paradise. 00:09:45.560 --> 00:09:45.800 This 00:09:45.800 --> 00:09:46.100 earth, 00:09:46.240 --> 00:09:46.860 this life 00:09:46.860 --> 00:09:47.580 that we're 00:09:47.580 --> 00:09:48.360 experiencing 00:09:48.360 --> 00:09:49.200 right now 00:09:49.200 --> 00:09:50.159 is not 00:09:50.159 --> 00:09:50.700 our 00:09:50.700 --> 00:09:51.540 destiny. 00:09:52.300 --> 00:09:52.639 We were 00:09:52.639 --> 00:09:53.200 created 00:09:53.200 --> 00:09:54.000 for something 00:09:54.000 --> 00:09:54.840 far greater, 00:09:55.019 --> 00:09:55.720 something much 00:09:55.720 --> 00:09:56.360 more beautiful, 00:09:56.800 --> 00:09:57.600 something much 00:09:57.600 --> 00:09:58.360 more wonderful. 00:09:59.480 --> 00:09:59.940 Look back 00:09:59.940 --> 00:10:00.700 at chapter 1 00:10:00.700 --> 00:10:01.360 verse 10. 00:10:01.360 --> 00:10:03.500 Here he's 00:10:03.500 --> 00:10:04.220 speaking about 00:10:04.220 --> 00:10:04.960 the present 00:10:04.960 --> 00:10:05.980 creation, 00:10:06.539 --> 00:10:07.019 the way it 00:10:07.019 --> 00:10:07.899 is right 00:10:07.899 --> 00:10:08.259 now. 00:10:11.200 --> 00:10:12.000 It says 00:10:12.000 --> 00:10:12.840 in chapter 1 00:10:12.840 --> 00:10:13.419 verse 10, 00:10:13.580 --> 00:10:13.940 In the 00:10:13.940 --> 00:10:14.300 beginning, 00:10:14.500 --> 00:10:14.879 O Lord, 00:10:14.980 --> 00:10:15.419 you laid 00:10:15.419 --> 00:10:16.320 the foundations 00:10:16.320 --> 00:10:17.279 of the 00:10:17.279 --> 00:10:17.620 earth, 00:10:17.820 --> 00:10:18.279 and the 00:10:18.279 --> 00:10:18.860 heavens are 00:10:18.860 --> 00:10:19.240 the work 00:10:19.240 --> 00:10:19.500 of your 00:10:19.500 --> 00:10:19.820 hands. 00:10:19.899 --> 00:10:20.060 It's 00:10:20.060 --> 00:10:20.560 talking about 00:10:20.560 --> 00:10:21.019 his 00:10:21.019 --> 00:10:21.680 creation. 00:10:23.200 --> 00:10:23.680 Then he 00:10:23.680 --> 00:10:23.940 says, 00:10:24.019 --> 00:10:24.560 verse 11, 00:10:24.960 --> 00:10:25.860 they will 00:10:25.860 --> 00:10:26.620 perish, 00:10:27.740 --> 00:10:28.560 but you 00:10:28.560 --> 00:10:29.039 remain. 00:10:29.039 --> 00:10:30.599 they will 00:10:30.599 --> 00:10:31.259 all wear 00:10:31.259 --> 00:10:32.579 out like 00:10:32.579 --> 00:10:33.099 a garment, 00:10:34.539 --> 00:10:35.099 just like 00:10:35.099 --> 00:10:35.639 our old 00:10:35.639 --> 00:10:36.879 clothes that 00:10:36.879 --> 00:10:37.579 get holes, 00:10:38.219 --> 00:10:38.719 they get 00:10:38.719 --> 00:10:39.719 thrown away, 00:10:41.579 --> 00:10:42.219 or the 00:10:42.219 --> 00:10:43.000 dirty washing 00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:43.480 that's 00:10:43.480 --> 00:10:44.339 crumpled up 00:10:44.339 --> 00:10:44.599 on the 00:10:44.599 --> 00:10:45.099 floor and 00:10:45.099 --> 00:10:45.579 put into 00:10:45.579 --> 00:10:46.139 the basket. 00:10:46.659 --> 00:10:47.179 Verse 12, 00:10:47.279 --> 00:10:48.000 you'll roll 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:48.599 them up like 00:10:48.599 --> 00:10:49.059 a robe, 00:10:49.159 --> 00:10:49.959 like a garment, 00:10:50.799 --> 00:10:51.559 they will be 00:10:51.559 --> 00:10:52.299 changed, 00:10:53.259 --> 00:10:54.439 but you 00:10:54.439 --> 00:10:55.059 remain the 00:10:55.059 --> 00:10:55.399 same, 00:10:56.120 --> 00:10:56.599 and your 00:10:56.599 --> 00:10:57.980 years will 00:10:57.980 --> 00:10:58.939 never end. 00:10:59.039 --> 00:11:01.279 this is 00:11:01.279 --> 00:11:02.219 the world 00:11:02.219 --> 00:11:02.659 that we 00:11:02.659 --> 00:11:03.259 live in, 00:11:03.459 --> 00:11:03.959 and one 00:11:03.959 --> 00:11:04.339 day he 00:11:04.339 --> 00:11:04.740 says it's 00:11:04.740 --> 00:11:05.099 going to 00:11:05.099 --> 00:11:05.779 be done 00:11:05.779 --> 00:11:06.459 away with, 00:11:06.740 --> 00:11:08.159 it's going 00:11:08.159 --> 00:11:08.759 to go, 00:11:09.259 --> 00:11:09.779 so what's 00:11:09.779 --> 00:11:10.159 going to 00:11:10.159 --> 00:11:10.899 replace it? 00:11:12.219 --> 00:11:12.480 Well, 00:11:12.579 --> 00:11:13.179 jump forward 00:11:13.179 --> 00:11:13.839 to chapter 00:11:13.839 --> 00:11:14.279 11, 00:11:15.599 --> 00:11:17.500 because there 00:11:17.500 --> 00:11:17.939 we're given 00:11:17.939 --> 00:11:18.639 a hint as 00:11:18.639 --> 00:11:19.319 to what 00:11:19.319 --> 00:11:20.099 will replace 00:11:20.099 --> 00:11:20.399 it. 00:11:21.980 --> 00:11:22.519 Chapter 00:11:22.519 --> 00:11:22.879 11, 00:11:22.959 --> 00:11:23.419 a great 00:11:23.419 --> 00:11:24.059 chapter of 00:11:24.059 --> 00:11:24.519 people, 00:11:25.319 --> 00:11:26.599 before Christ 00:11:26.599 --> 00:11:27.059 coming, 00:11:27.339 --> 00:11:28.179 looking forward, 00:11:28.179 --> 00:11:29.519 to something 00:11:29.519 --> 00:11:30.019 that God 00:11:30.019 --> 00:11:30.579 had promised, 00:11:32.299 --> 00:11:32.779 and here 00:11:32.779 --> 00:11:33.199 we're reading 00:11:33.199 --> 00:11:33.939 about Abraham 00:11:33.939 --> 00:11:34.500 in verse 00:11:34.500 --> 00:11:34.959 10, 00:11:35.739 --> 00:11:36.559 chapter 11, 00:11:37.120 --> 00:11:37.459 and it 00:11:37.459 --> 00:11:38.159 tells us 00:11:38.159 --> 00:11:38.479 there that 00:11:38.479 --> 00:11:38.979 he was 00:11:38.979 --> 00:11:39.859 looking forward 00:11:39.859 --> 00:11:40.839 to the 00:11:40.839 --> 00:11:42.000 city with 00:11:42.000 --> 00:11:42.719 foundations 00:11:42.719 --> 00:11:43.739 whose architect 00:11:43.739 --> 00:11:44.959 and builder 00:11:44.959 --> 00:11:45.859 is God. 00:11:47.299 --> 00:11:48.439 Verse 13, 00:11:48.440 --> 00:11:49.440 all these 00:11:49.440 --> 00:11:49.820 people, 00:11:49.920 --> 00:11:50.440 people like 00:11:50.440 --> 00:11:50.880 Abraham, 00:11:51.040 --> 00:11:51.620 were still 00:11:51.620 --> 00:11:52.220 living by 00:11:52.220 --> 00:11:52.800 faith when 00:11:52.800 --> 00:11:53.340 they died, 00:11:53.720 --> 00:11:54.280 they did 00:11:54.280 --> 00:11:54.940 not receive 00:11:54.940 --> 00:11:55.480 the things 00:11:55.480 --> 00:11:55.900 promised, 00:11:56.060 --> 00:11:56.540 they only 00:11:56.540 --> 00:11:57.200 saw them 00:11:57.200 --> 00:11:58.060 and welcomed 00:11:58.060 --> 00:11:58.560 them from 00:11:58.560 --> 00:11:59.140 a distance, 00:11:59.500 --> 00:11:59.780 and they 00:11:59.780 --> 00:12:00.500 admitted that 00:12:00.500 --> 00:12:00.860 they were 00:12:00.860 --> 00:12:01.680 aliens and 00:12:01.680 --> 00:12:02.800 strangers on 00:12:02.800 --> 00:12:03.040 earth, 00:12:03.320 --> 00:12:04.060 just as we 00:12:04.060 --> 00:12:04.300 are, 00:12:04.560 --> 00:12:05.400 strangers and 00:12:05.400 --> 00:12:05.760 aliens, 00:12:05.880 --> 00:12:06.520 this is not 00:12:06.520 --> 00:12:07.520 our home. 00:12:08.500 --> 00:12:09.380 Verse 16, 00:12:10.660 --> 00:12:11.140 instead, 00:12:11.780 --> 00:12:12.400 they were 00:12:12.400 --> 00:12:13.560 longing for a 00:12:13.560 --> 00:12:14.640 better country, 00:12:15.900 --> 00:12:16.640 a heavenly 00:12:16.639 --> 00:12:17.059 one. 00:12:18.179 --> 00:12:18.559 Therefore 00:12:18.559 --> 00:12:19.340 God is not 00:12:19.340 --> 00:12:19.980 ashamed to 00:12:19.980 --> 00:12:20.460 be called 00:12:20.460 --> 00:12:21.139 their God, 00:12:21.960 --> 00:12:22.759 for he 00:12:22.759 --> 00:12:23.740 has prepared 00:12:23.740 --> 00:12:24.500 a city 00:12:24.500 --> 00:12:26.120 for them. 00:12:27.059 --> 00:12:27.659 You see, 00:12:28.220 --> 00:12:29.000 this glory 00:12:29.000 --> 00:12:29.559 that we're 00:12:29.559 --> 00:12:30.179 talking about 00:12:30.179 --> 00:12:31.159 is a picture 00:12:31.159 --> 00:12:31.980 here of a 00:12:31.980 --> 00:12:33.659 city designed, 00:12:34.319 --> 00:12:35.259 crafted and 00:12:35.259 --> 00:12:36.220 built by God, 00:12:36.279 --> 00:12:36.860 a place of 00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:37.319 peace, 00:12:37.980 --> 00:12:38.559 a place of 00:12:38.559 --> 00:12:39.139 protection, 00:12:39.799 --> 00:12:40.399 a place of 00:12:40.399 --> 00:12:40.819 provision, 00:12:41.240 --> 00:12:41.799 a place of 00:12:41.799 --> 00:12:42.620 no wars, 00:12:42.980 --> 00:12:43.700 no fears, 00:12:43.860 --> 00:12:44.480 no famine, 00:12:44.620 --> 00:12:45.340 no pain. 00:12:45.860 --> 00:12:46.439 This is going 00:12:46.440 --> 00:12:46.780 to be 00:12:46.780 --> 00:12:47.820 paradise itself. 00:12:48.140 --> 00:12:48.780 This is what 00:12:48.780 --> 00:12:49.120 they were 00:12:49.120 --> 00:12:49.760 looking forward 00:12:49.760 --> 00:12:50.020 to. 00:12:50.500 --> 00:12:51.100 This is what 00:12:51.100 --> 00:12:51.700 we're looking 00:12:51.700 --> 00:12:52.400 forward to. 00:12:53.280 --> 00:12:53.980 God came 00:12:53.980 --> 00:12:55.460 down to 00:12:55.460 --> 00:12:56.120 bring many 00:12:56.120 --> 00:12:57.620 sons and 00:12:57.620 --> 00:12:59.260 daughters to 00:12:59.260 --> 00:12:59.880 his glory. 00:13:02.280 --> 00:13:03.300 But why? 00:13:04.380 --> 00:13:05.280 Why did 00:13:05.280 --> 00:13:06.820 God have 00:13:06.820 --> 00:13:07.840 to become a 00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:08.560 human being? 00:13:09.480 --> 00:13:10.420 Why did 00:13:10.420 --> 00:13:11.940 he choose to 00:13:11.940 --> 00:13:12.620 share in our 00:13:12.620 --> 00:13:13.200 humanity? 00:13:13.920 --> 00:13:14.560 Why did he 00:13:14.560 --> 00:13:15.180 have to make 00:13:15.179 --> 00:13:15.679 all that 00:13:15.679 --> 00:13:16.279 hassle of 00:13:16.279 --> 00:13:17.239 coming down 00:13:17.239 --> 00:13:17.839 as a baby 00:13:17.839 --> 00:13:18.500 and living 00:13:18.500 --> 00:13:19.159 and growing? 00:13:20.120 --> 00:13:20.459 Could he 00:13:20.459 --> 00:13:20.759 not have 00:13:20.759 --> 00:13:21.059 done it 00:13:21.059 --> 00:13:21.559 another way? 00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:24.239 Well, the 00:13:24.239 --> 00:13:24.979 answer is no, 00:13:25.079 --> 00:13:25.599 he couldn't 00:13:25.599 --> 00:13:26.079 have done it 00:13:26.079 --> 00:13:26.639 another way. 00:13:27.299 --> 00:13:28.059 Because there 00:13:28.059 --> 00:13:28.719 are too many 00:13:28.719 --> 00:13:29.839 obstacles and 00:13:29.839 --> 00:13:30.339 too many 00:13:30.339 --> 00:13:31.319 barriers that 00:13:31.319 --> 00:13:32.299 stop us 00:13:32.299 --> 00:13:33.539 getting to 00:13:33.539 --> 00:13:35.039 that promised 00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:35.579 paradise, 00:13:35.919 --> 00:13:36.559 that stop us 00:13:36.559 --> 00:13:37.059 getting to 00:13:37.059 --> 00:13:37.379 glory. 00:13:37.379 --> 00:13:38.259 So God 00:13:38.259 --> 00:13:39.179 had to become, 00:13:39.599 --> 00:13:40.419 like one of us, 00:13:40.419 --> 00:13:41.539 a human being 00:13:41.539 --> 00:13:43.360 to defeat 00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:44.500 and remove 00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:45.699 and destroy 00:13:45.699 --> 00:13:46.839 all those 00:13:46.839 --> 00:13:47.659 barriers that 00:13:47.659 --> 00:13:48.479 stand in the 00:13:48.479 --> 00:13:49.339 way of us 00:13:49.339 --> 00:13:50.839 getting to 00:13:50.839 --> 00:13:51.179 glory. 00:13:51.799 --> 00:13:53.219 To ensure our 00:13:53.219 --> 00:13:54.259 safe and 00:13:54.259 --> 00:13:54.819 guaranteed 00:13:54.819 --> 00:13:55.860 arrival. 00:13:58.539 --> 00:13:59.339 So, 00:13:59.799 --> 00:14:00.839 the first 00:14:00.839 --> 00:14:01.319 barrier 00:14:01.319 --> 00:14:04.860 is that 00:14:04.860 --> 00:14:05.339 death 00:14:05.339 --> 00:14:06.519 has been 00:14:06.519 --> 00:14:07.039 defeated 00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:08.240 by Jesus 00:14:08.240 --> 00:14:08.819 who came 00:14:08.819 --> 00:14:09.159 down 00:14:09.159 --> 00:14:10.779 to us. 00:14:10.879 --> 00:14:11.159 Look at 00:14:11.159 --> 00:14:11.879 verse 14 00:14:11.879 --> 00:14:12.519 of chapter 00:14:12.519 --> 00:14:12.899 2. 00:14:18.219 --> 00:14:19.159 Chapter 2, 00:14:19.240 --> 00:14:19.919 verse 14. 00:14:20.120 --> 00:14:20.519 Since 00:14:20.519 --> 00:14:22.599 the children 00:14:22.599 --> 00:14:24.259 have flesh 00:14:24.259 --> 00:14:25.039 and blood, 00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:28.620 he too 00:14:28.620 --> 00:14:29.519 shared in 00:14:29.519 --> 00:14:30.480 their humanity 00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:32.339 so that 00:14:32.339 --> 00:14:33.120 by his 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:33.559 death 00:14:33.559 --> 00:14:35.179 he might 00:14:35.179 --> 00:14:35.879 destroy 00:14:35.879 --> 00:14:36.620 him who 00:14:36.620 --> 00:14:37.279 holds the 00:14:37.279 --> 00:14:38.019 power of 00:14:38.019 --> 00:14:38.259 death, 00:14:38.320 --> 00:14:38.639 that is 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:39.080 the devil, 00:14:39.440 --> 00:14:40.179 and free 00:14:40.179 --> 00:14:40.860 those who 00:14:40.860 --> 00:14:41.480 all their 00:14:41.480 --> 00:14:42.539 lives were 00:14:42.539 --> 00:14:43.159 held in 00:14:43.159 --> 00:14:44.460 slavery by 00:14:44.460 --> 00:14:45.139 their fear 00:14:45.139 --> 00:14:45.799 of death. 00:14:45.980 --> 00:14:46.379 Do you see 00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:46.519 it? 00:14:46.600 --> 00:14:47.220 He became 00:14:47.220 --> 00:14:47.740 like one 00:14:47.740 --> 00:14:48.259 of us 00:14:48.259 --> 00:14:49.980 to destroy 00:14:49.980 --> 00:14:50.340 death. 00:14:52.120 --> 00:14:52.759 Now I 00:14:52.759 --> 00:14:53.200 know it's 00:14:53.200 --> 00:14:53.860 Christmas and 00:14:53.860 --> 00:14:54.279 we're not 00:14:54.279 --> 00:14:55.179 meant to 00:14:55.179 --> 00:14:55.759 talk about 00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:56.279 death at 00:14:56.279 --> 00:14:56.600 Christmas. 00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:58.600 But it's 00:14:58.600 --> 00:14:59.120 a reality, 00:14:59.340 --> 00:14:59.700 isn't it? 00:15:00.899 --> 00:15:01.659 And it's 00:15:01.659 --> 00:15:02.340 still one of 00:15:02.340 --> 00:15:02.940 our greatest 00:15:02.940 --> 00:15:03.480 fears. 00:15:03.480 --> 00:15:03.639 years. 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:06.639 And as a 00:15:06.639 --> 00:15:07.360 church family 00:15:07.360 --> 00:15:07.980 we have 00:15:07.980 --> 00:15:08.440 come to 00:15:08.440 --> 00:15:09.519 know two 00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:10.120 people in 00:15:10.120 --> 00:15:10.920 recent days 00:15:10.920 --> 00:15:12.220 who have 00:15:12.220 --> 00:15:13.039 suddenly died. 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:14.960 Families who 00:15:14.960 --> 00:15:15.340 have lost 00:15:15.340 --> 00:15:15.920 loved ones. 00:15:17.340 --> 00:15:17.659 And it 00:15:17.659 --> 00:15:18.159 doesn't matter 00:15:18.159 --> 00:15:18.659 whether they 00:15:18.659 --> 00:15:19.240 are young, 00:15:19.940 --> 00:15:20.519 whether they 00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:20.980 are old, 00:15:21.139 --> 00:15:21.519 whether they 00:15:21.519 --> 00:15:21.820 are a 00:15:21.820 --> 00:15:23.420 grandson or 00:15:23.420 --> 00:15:24.279 a granddad. 00:15:25.159 --> 00:15:25.820 The sense 00:15:25.820 --> 00:15:27.060 of loss is 00:15:27.060 --> 00:15:27.820 tangible. 00:15:27.820 --> 00:15:30.680 it's painful 00:15:30.680 --> 00:15:31.220 when we 00:15:31.220 --> 00:15:31.620 lose a 00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:32.040 loved one 00:15:32.040 --> 00:15:33.740 because it 00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:34.240 hurts. 00:15:34.540 --> 00:15:35.400 Because deep 00:15:35.400 --> 00:15:36.160 down we 00:15:36.160 --> 00:15:36.700 know that 00:15:36.700 --> 00:15:37.100 we're not 00:15:37.100 --> 00:15:38.200 meant to 00:15:38.200 --> 00:15:38.980 say goodbye. 00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:41.500 There's 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:42.180 something about 00:15:42.180 --> 00:15:42.720 this world 00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:43.180 that when 00:15:43.180 --> 00:15:44.460 death happens 00:15:44.460 --> 00:15:46.620 it's going 00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:47.420 against what 00:15:47.420 --> 00:15:47.960 should be. 00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:49.680 It robs us 00:15:49.680 --> 00:15:50.500 of our joy 00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:51.180 and our 00:15:51.180 --> 00:15:52.200 happiness and 00:15:52.200 --> 00:15:52.860 it breaks 00:15:52.860 --> 00:15:53.640 us and it 00:15:53.640 --> 00:15:54.920 destroys us. 00:15:56.320 --> 00:15:56.760 And even 00:15:56.759 --> 00:15:57.240 though that 00:15:57.240 --> 00:15:57.759 we know 00:15:57.759 --> 00:15:58.159 it's going 00:15:58.159 --> 00:15:58.639 to happen 00:15:58.639 --> 00:15:59.899 someday, 00:16:00.500 --> 00:16:00.939 the very 00:16:00.939 --> 00:16:01.639 thought of 00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:02.500 it fills 00:16:02.500 --> 00:16:02.939 us with 00:16:02.939 --> 00:16:03.299 fear. 00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:05.139 The reality 00:16:05.139 --> 00:16:06.039 of death 00:16:06.039 --> 00:16:07.159 defeats us 00:16:07.159 --> 00:16:08.819 every single 00:16:08.819 --> 00:16:09.939 time because 00:16:09.939 --> 00:16:10.819 we all know 00:16:10.819 --> 00:16:11.419 that there is 00:16:11.419 --> 00:16:12.419 nothing we 00:16:12.419 --> 00:16:13.600 can do to 00:16:13.600 --> 00:16:14.600 stop it. 00:16:17.659 --> 00:16:18.659 The one 00:16:18.659 --> 00:16:19.340 who holds 00:16:19.340 --> 00:16:20.059 the power 00:16:20.059 --> 00:16:20.740 of death, 00:16:20.840 --> 00:16:21.460 that is the 00:16:21.460 --> 00:16:21.840 devil, 00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:24.539 destroys us 00:16:24.539 --> 00:16:25.740 every single 00:16:25.740 --> 00:16:26.220 time. 00:16:26.759 --> 00:16:28.939 Do you 00:16:28.939 --> 00:16:29.639 fear death? 00:16:31.080 --> 00:16:31.779 Are you 00:16:31.779 --> 00:16:34.059 afraid of 00:16:34.059 --> 00:16:34.840 getting old, 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:35.799 getting ill, 00:16:36.100 --> 00:16:36.620 of something 00:16:36.620 --> 00:16:37.120 happening? 00:16:38.700 --> 00:16:39.139 Well you know 00:16:39.139 --> 00:16:39.759 what Christmas 00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:40.799 reminds us? 00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:42.319 That we 00:16:42.319 --> 00:16:42.879 don't have 00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:43.100 to. 00:16:44.059 --> 00:16:45.200 God came 00:16:45.200 --> 00:16:46.200 near to 00:16:46.200 --> 00:16:47.639 destroy death 00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:48.860 and to free 00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:49.679 us from 00:16:49.679 --> 00:16:50.519 its fear. 00:16:50.840 --> 00:16:51.340 Look back 00:16:51.340 --> 00:16:51.720 at verse 00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:52.259 nine of 00:16:52.259 --> 00:16:52.939 chapter two. 00:16:52.940 --> 00:16:55.500 it says 00:16:55.500 --> 00:16:55.700 there, 00:16:55.760 --> 00:16:56.040 but we 00:16:56.040 --> 00:16:57.060 see Jesus 00:16:57.060 --> 00:16:57.940 who was 00:16:57.940 --> 00:16:58.560 made a 00:16:58.560 --> 00:16:59.140 little lower 00:16:59.140 --> 00:16:59.640 than the 00:16:59.640 --> 00:17:00.160 angels, 00:17:00.160 --> 00:17:01.280 now crowned 00:17:01.280 --> 00:17:01.960 with glory 00:17:01.960 --> 00:17:02.660 and honour 00:17:02.660 --> 00:17:03.680 because he 00:17:03.680 --> 00:17:04.600 suffered death 00:17:04.600 --> 00:17:06.900 so that by 00:17:06.900 --> 00:17:07.559 the grace 00:17:07.559 --> 00:17:08.220 of God 00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:09.680 he might 00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:10.640 taste death 00:17:10.640 --> 00:17:12.039 for everyone. 00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:12.319 us. 00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:13.039 The 00:17:13.039 --> 00:17:16.059 Christmas story 00:17:16.059 --> 00:17:17.099 tells us 00:17:17.099 --> 00:17:19.000 that Christ 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:19.559 went from 00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:20.099 a crib 00:17:20.099 --> 00:17:21.519 to a 00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:21.920 cross 00:17:21.920 --> 00:17:23.799 and we 00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:24.200 know that 00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:24.859 when Christ 00:17:24.859 --> 00:17:25.440 was hung 00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:25.740 on the 00:17:25.740 --> 00:17:26.119 cross 00:17:26.119 --> 00:17:27.440 when he 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:28.119 cried out 00:17:28.119 --> 00:17:28.839 as he 00:17:28.839 --> 00:17:29.659 was dying 00:17:29.659 --> 00:17:30.799 he cries 00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:31.059 out 00:17:31.059 --> 00:17:31.899 my God 00:17:31.899 --> 00:17:32.940 my God 00:17:32.940 --> 00:17:34.000 why have 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:34.740 you forsaken 00:17:34.740 --> 00:17:35.079 me? 00:17:35.420 --> 00:17:35.920 Why have 00:17:35.920 --> 00:17:36.639 you abandoned 00:17:36.639 --> 00:17:37.019 me? 00:17:37.019 --> 00:17:37.859 and at 00:17:37.859 --> 00:17:38.460 that moment 00:17:38.460 --> 00:17:39.000 in time 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:39.579 as Christ 00:17:39.579 --> 00:17:40.079 died 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:40.759 he was 00:17:40.759 --> 00:17:41.440 separated 00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:42.059 from his 00:17:42.059 --> 00:17:42.579 father. 00:17:45.299 --> 00:17:45.980 Jesus 00:17:45.980 --> 00:17:46.680 tasted 00:17:46.680 --> 00:17:47.339 death 00:17:47.339 --> 00:17:49.559 for us. 00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:50.819 He 00:17:50.819 --> 00:17:51.440 endured 00:17:51.440 --> 00:17:52.539 the separation 00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:53.660 that death 00:17:53.660 --> 00:17:54.259 brings 00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:54.960 so that 00:17:54.960 --> 00:17:55.619 you and 00:17:55.619 --> 00:17:56.000 I 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:56.900 don't have 00:17:56.900 --> 00:17:57.119 to. 00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:58.240 And when 00:17:58.240 --> 00:17:58.680 Christ 00:17:58.680 --> 00:17:59.480 rose from 00:17:59.480 --> 00:18:00.000 the grave 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:00.700 he broke 00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:01.339 its power 00:18:01.339 --> 00:18:02.559 he destroyed 00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:03.799 his enemy 00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:04.779 and he 00:18:04.779 --> 00:18:05.160 broke 00:18:05.160 --> 00:18:05.879 its power 00:18:05.879 --> 00:18:06.259 and its 00:18:06.259 --> 00:18:06.900 hold over 00:18:06.900 --> 00:18:07.500 us so 00:18:07.500 --> 00:18:07.940 that the 00:18:07.940 --> 00:18:08.500 grave 00:18:08.500 --> 00:18:09.100 is no 00:18:09.100 --> 00:18:09.440 longer 00:18:09.440 --> 00:18:10.000 the end 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:11.460 it is 00:18:11.460 --> 00:18:11.800 merely 00:18:11.800 --> 00:18:12.540 the gate 00:18:12.540 --> 00:18:13.960 to glory 00:18:13.960 --> 00:18:15.519 to our 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:16.000 eternal 00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:16.519 city. 00:18:18.060 --> 00:18:18.740 And it's 00:18:18.740 --> 00:18:19.740 because of 00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:20.280 Christmas 00:18:20.280 --> 00:18:22.320 that I 00:18:22.320 --> 00:18:22.900 can say 00:18:22.900 --> 00:18:24.200 with absolute 00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:24.980 confidence 00:18:24.980 --> 00:18:25.800 without a 00:18:25.800 --> 00:18:26.440 hesitation 00:18:26.440 --> 00:18:28.280 that Jamie 00:18:28.280 --> 00:18:29.080 little Jamie 00:18:29.080 --> 00:18:30.780 and Wally 00:18:30.780 --> 00:18:32.140 are at 00:18:32.140 --> 00:18:32.440 home 00:18:32.440 --> 00:18:33.759 in heaven 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:34.500 in that 00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:35.000 eternal 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:35.460 city. 00:18:35.460 --> 00:18:36.860 and we've 00:18:36.860 --> 00:18:37.240 got to 00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:37.840 draw 00:18:37.840 --> 00:18:38.440 our 00:18:38.440 --> 00:18:39.000 comfort 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:40.079 from that 00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:40.559 today 00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:41.620 because that 00:18:41.620 --> 00:18:42.059 is the 00:18:42.059 --> 00:18:42.420 hope 00:18:42.420 --> 00:18:43.559 of Christmas. 00:18:44.940 --> 00:18:45.680 God 00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:46.720 came near 00:18:46.720 --> 00:18:47.440 to us 00:18:47.440 --> 00:18:48.960 to defeat 00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:49.519 death 00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:50.900 to destroy 00:18:50.900 --> 00:18:51.299 it 00:18:51.299 --> 00:18:52.519 to bring 00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:53.000 us 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:54.700 to glory. 00:18:54.700 --> 00:18:55.180 sin. 00:18:55.180 --> 00:19:00.500 The second 00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:01.299 barrier that 00:19:01.299 --> 00:19:01.799 gets in 00:19:01.799 --> 00:19:02.200 the way 00:19:02.200 --> 00:19:04.500 is sin 00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:06.960 and Jesus 00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:07.700 has come to 00:19:07.700 --> 00:19:08.519 save us 00:19:08.519 --> 00:19:09.700 from it all. 00:19:10.360 --> 00:19:10.720 Look at 00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:11.519 verse 17 00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:12.420 of chapter 2 00:19:12.420 --> 00:19:16.900 for this 00:19:16.900 --> 00:19:17.420 reason 00:19:17.420 --> 00:19:18.980 he had to 00:19:18.980 --> 00:19:19.560 be made 00:19:19.560 --> 00:19:20.340 like his 00:19:20.340 --> 00:19:20.720 brothers. 00:19:21.420 --> 00:19:21.980 He had to 00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:22.500 become 00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:23.519 like one 00:19:23.519 --> 00:19:23.860 of us 00:19:23.860 --> 00:19:24.800 in every 00:19:24.800 --> 00:19:25.240 way. 00:19:26.400 --> 00:19:26.740 He came 00:19:26.740 --> 00:19:27.800 to experience 00:19:27.800 --> 00:19:29.380 life as 00:19:29.380 --> 00:19:30.259 we experience 00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:30.940 life with 00:19:30.940 --> 00:19:31.420 all its 00:19:31.420 --> 00:19:33.060 up times, 00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:33.500 all its 00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:34.340 down times, 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:35.340 the joyful 00:19:35.340 --> 00:19:35.880 times, 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:37.180 the struggling 00:19:37.180 --> 00:19:37.920 times. 00:19:37.920 --> 00:19:39.759 he was 00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:40.759 made in 00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:41.279 every way 00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:41.920 like us 00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:42.759 in order 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.320 that he 00:19:43.320 --> 00:19:44.300 might become 00:19:44.300 --> 00:19:46.160 a merciful 00:19:46.160 --> 00:19:47.880 and faithful 00:19:47.880 --> 00:19:48.700 high priest 00:19:48.700 --> 00:19:49.320 in service 00:19:49.320 --> 00:19:49.820 to God 00:19:49.820 --> 00:19:50.600 that he 00:19:50.600 --> 00:19:51.240 might make 00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:51.860 atonement 00:19:51.860 --> 00:19:52.279 for the 00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:52.779 sins 00:19:52.779 --> 00:19:55.300 of people 00:19:55.300 --> 00:19:56.019 like us. 00:19:57.740 --> 00:19:58.400 You know 00:19:58.400 --> 00:19:58.759 if we were 00:19:58.759 --> 00:19:59.360 to define 00:19:59.360 --> 00:20:00.000 sin it's 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:00.580 not a list 00:20:00.580 --> 00:20:01.080 of bad 00:20:01.080 --> 00:20:01.720 things we 00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:02.759 do or 00:20:02.759 --> 00:20:03.360 good things 00:20:03.360 --> 00:20:03.860 we don't 00:20:03.860 --> 00:20:05.400 do but 00:20:05.400 --> 00:20:05.880 sin is 00:20:05.880 --> 00:20:06.740 the removal 00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:07.320 of God 00:20:07.319 --> 00:20:07.720 from the 00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:07.960 very 00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:08.579 centre 00:20:08.579 --> 00:20:08.960 of our 00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:09.480 lives. 00:20:10.879 --> 00:20:11.419 Sin is 00:20:11.419 --> 00:20:12.019 an attitude 00:20:12.019 --> 00:20:12.439 of the 00:20:12.439 --> 00:20:12.720 heart 00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:13.099 where we 00:20:13.099 --> 00:20:13.619 replace 00:20:13.619 --> 00:20:14.039 God 00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:14.259 with 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:14.619 things 00:20:14.619 --> 00:20:14.839 and 00:20:14.839 --> 00:20:15.259 people. 00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:16.480 We fill 00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:17.019 our lives 00:20:17.019 --> 00:20:17.879 with things 00:20:17.879 --> 00:20:19.019 and other 00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:19.519 people and 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:20.059 God gets 00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:20.839 pushed out. 00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:22.399 And the 00:20:22.399 --> 00:20:23.179 results are 00:20:23.179 --> 00:20:23.859 evident all 00:20:23.859 --> 00:20:24.339 around us. 00:20:24.419 --> 00:20:24.939 A broken 00:20:24.939 --> 00:20:25.700 and a 00:20:25.700 --> 00:20:26.460 hurting world 00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:26.899 full of 00:20:26.899 --> 00:20:27.539 chaos and 00:20:27.539 --> 00:20:28.019 disorder 00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:28.539 where 00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:29.159 relationships 00:20:29.159 --> 00:20:29.519 and 00:20:29.519 --> 00:20:30.019 families 00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:30.639 break. 00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:32.960 All 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:33.899 because we 00:20:33.899 --> 00:20:35.039 push God 00:20:35.039 --> 00:20:35.740 out and 00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:36.299 we fill 00:20:36.299 --> 00:20:36.819 our lives 00:20:36.819 --> 00:20:37.539 with things 00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:38.220 and people. 00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:39.939 And that's 00:20:39.939 --> 00:20:40.460 a huge 00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:41.119 big problem 00:20:41.119 --> 00:20:41.599 because 00:20:41.599 --> 00:20:42.519 paradise 00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:43.480 this city 00:20:43.480 --> 00:20:44.279 that God 00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:45.319 has is 00:20:45.319 --> 00:20:46.000 the absence 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:46.539 of all 00:20:46.539 --> 00:20:46.819 sin. 00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:47.899 It's the 00:20:47.899 --> 00:20:48.359 place where 00:20:48.359 --> 00:20:48.960 God takes 00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:49.619 centre stage 00:20:49.619 --> 00:20:50.059 where he 00:20:50.059 --> 00:20:50.939 rules his 00:20:50.939 --> 00:20:51.519 world with 00:20:51.519 --> 00:20:52.299 justice and 00:20:52.299 --> 00:20:52.700 goodness. 00:20:54.039 --> 00:20:54.579 So unless 00:20:54.579 --> 00:20:55.339 sin is dealt 00:20:55.339 --> 00:20:56.279 with we can 00:20:56.279 --> 00:20:57.099 have no part 00:20:57.099 --> 00:20:57.379 of it. 00:20:57.639 --> 00:20:57.919 And the 00:20:57.919 --> 00:20:58.740 Christmas story 00:20:58.740 --> 00:20:59.220 is there to 00:20:59.220 --> 00:20:59.859 tell us that 00:20:59.859 --> 00:21:00.859 Jesus was 00:21:00.859 --> 00:21:01.839 made like 00:21:01.839 --> 00:21:02.639 one of us 00:21:02.640 --> 00:21:04.000 to deal 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:04.380 with the 00:21:04.380 --> 00:21:04.820 barrier 00:21:04.820 --> 00:21:05.400 of sin. 00:21:08.360 --> 00:21:09.040 Now we're 00:21:09.040 --> 00:21:09.600 going to have 00:21:09.600 --> 00:21:10.100 our Christmas 00:21:10.100 --> 00:21:10.820 celebrations 00:21:10.820 --> 00:21:12.180 next weekend 00:21:12.180 --> 00:21:13.740 but I want 00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:14.200 to introduce 00:21:14.200 --> 00:21:14.880 you to a 00:21:14.880 --> 00:21:15.220 Jewish 00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:15.980 festival. 00:21:16.980 --> 00:21:17.660 It happened 00:21:17.660 --> 00:21:18.180 way back 00:21:18.180 --> 00:21:19.000 in October. 00:21:19.640 --> 00:21:20.240 It's called 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:21.220 Yom Kippur 00:21:21.220 --> 00:21:23.180 the day of 00:21:23.180 --> 00:21:23.720 atonement. 00:21:23.880 --> 00:21:24.259 You can read 00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:24.860 all about it 00:21:24.860 --> 00:21:25.480 in Leviticus 00:21:25.480 --> 00:21:26.140 16. 00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:27.759 Atonement 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:28.279 it's mentioned 00:21:28.279 --> 00:21:28.860 here also 00:21:28.860 --> 00:21:29.860 in verse 17 00:21:29.860 --> 00:21:31.000 reminds us 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:32.660 about how 00:21:32.660 --> 00:21:33.700 God turns 00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:34.460 aside or 00:21:34.460 --> 00:21:35.259 takes away 00:21:35.259 --> 00:21:36.480 his anger 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:37.180 so that we 00:21:37.180 --> 00:21:37.660 can be at 00:21:37.660 --> 00:21:38.660 one and be 00:21:38.660 --> 00:21:39.160 at peace 00:21:39.160 --> 00:21:39.539 with him 00:21:39.539 --> 00:21:40.160 and be right 00:21:40.160 --> 00:21:40.660 with him. 00:21:41.579 --> 00:21:42.079 And when it 00:21:42.079 --> 00:21:42.620 talks about 00:21:42.620 --> 00:21:43.360 God being 00:21:43.360 --> 00:21:44.240 angry or 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:45.360 wrathful it's 00:21:45.360 --> 00:21:46.440 not uncontrolled 00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:47.259 and temper like 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:47.819 he's not a 00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:48.720 grumpy so and 00:21:48.720 --> 00:21:49.339 so who just 00:21:49.339 --> 00:21:50.740 flies off at 00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:51.140 somebody. 00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:52.480 It is his 00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:53.640 just and 00:21:53.640 --> 00:21:54.799 fair and 00:21:54.799 --> 00:21:55.380 controlled 00:21:55.380 --> 00:21:57.559 response to 00:21:57.559 --> 00:21:58.400 all that is 00:21:58.400 --> 00:21:59.160 in opposition 00:21:59.160 --> 00:21:59.839 to him. 00:22:01.100 --> 00:22:01.720 And in this 00:22:01.720 --> 00:22:02.420 festival of 00:22:02.420 --> 00:22:03.180 Yom Kippur 00:22:03.180 --> 00:22:03.740 the day of 00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:04.220 atonement 00:22:04.220 --> 00:22:04.960 there would 00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:05.740 be a priest 00:22:05.740 --> 00:22:07.220 and he would 00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:08.120 make a sacrifice 00:22:08.120 --> 00:22:09.000 for the people 00:22:09.000 --> 00:22:09.720 and they would 00:22:09.720 --> 00:22:10.220 take this 00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:11.240 animal a goat 00:22:11.240 --> 00:22:14.319 and the priest 00:22:14.319 --> 00:22:14.880 would come and 00:22:14.880 --> 00:22:15.799 put his hand 00:22:15.799 --> 00:22:16.920 on that animal 00:22:16.920 --> 00:22:19.880 as a sign 00:22:19.880 --> 00:22:20.740 of identifying 00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:22.339 with that 00:22:22.339 --> 00:22:22.740 animal. 00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:24.400 And what it 00:22:24.400 --> 00:22:25.319 symbolised was 00:22:25.319 --> 00:22:25.599 there was 00:22:25.599 --> 00:22:26.180 almost a 00:22:26.180 --> 00:22:27.120 transferal 00:22:27.120 --> 00:22:28.240 not literally 00:22:28.240 --> 00:22:29.779 but symbolically 00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:30.839 that the 00:22:30.839 --> 00:22:31.240 sins 00:22:31.240 --> 00:22:31.799 that the 00:22:31.799 --> 00:22:32.500 failings of 00:22:32.500 --> 00:22:33.000 the people 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:33.859 would be 00:22:33.859 --> 00:22:34.440 somehow 00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:35.279 transferred 00:22:35.279 --> 00:22:36.279 from them 00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:37.240 to this 00:22:37.240 --> 00:22:37.759 animal 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:39.359 just symbolically 00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:41.639 and then 00:22:41.639 --> 00:22:41.939 they would 00:22:41.939 --> 00:22:42.399 take that 00:22:42.399 --> 00:22:43.019 animal and 00:22:43.019 --> 00:22:43.219 it would 00:22:43.219 --> 00:22:43.859 be sent 00:22:43.859 --> 00:22:45.159 out into 00:22:45.159 --> 00:22:45.740 the wilderness 00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:46.979 into a 00:22:46.979 --> 00:22:47.859 desert place. 00:22:48.639 --> 00:22:48.899 It was 00:22:48.899 --> 00:22:49.519 basically a 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:49.959 place of 00:22:49.959 --> 00:22:50.479 punishment 00:22:50.479 --> 00:22:51.500 a place of 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:51.799 death. 00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:52.399 nothing 00:22:52.399 --> 00:22:53.339 survived out 00:22:53.339 --> 00:22:53.480 there. 00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:53.740 There was 00:22:53.740 --> 00:22:54.159 nothing to 00:22:54.159 --> 00:22:54.480 drink 00:22:54.480 --> 00:22:55.240 nothing to 00:22:55.240 --> 00:22:55.419 eat 00:22:55.419 --> 00:22:56.139 and an 00:22:56.139 --> 00:22:56.539 animal 00:22:56.539 --> 00:22:57.159 was sent 00:22:57.159 --> 00:22:57.599 out there 00:22:57.599 --> 00:22:57.980 and it 00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:58.740 would die. 00:23:00.639 --> 00:23:01.039 And it 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:01.720 all stood 00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:02.319 there as 00:23:02.319 --> 00:23:03.119 an example 00:23:03.119 --> 00:23:05.180 as a sign 00:23:05.180 --> 00:23:05.799 of sin 00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:06.440 being dealt 00:23:06.440 --> 00:23:07.200 with that 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:07.859 God was 00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:08.759 angry 00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:11.839 with the 00:23:11.839 --> 00:23:12.379 way in which 00:23:12.379 --> 00:23:12.859 the world 00:23:12.859 --> 00:23:13.319 had gone 00:23:13.319 --> 00:23:13.740 and the way 00:23:13.740 --> 00:23:14.039 in which 00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:14.659 people were 00:23:14.659 --> 00:23:15.019 living. 00:23:16.180 --> 00:23:16.599 And it 00:23:16.599 --> 00:23:17.200 taught them 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:18.119 that somebody 00:23:18.119 --> 00:23:19.879 would have to 00:23:19.879 --> 00:23:20.700 die in their 00:23:20.700 --> 00:23:21.200 place. 00:23:21.840 --> 00:23:22.319 Somebody 00:23:22.319 --> 00:23:22.779 would have 00:23:22.779 --> 00:23:23.200 to die 00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:23.539 in their 00:23:23.539 --> 00:23:23.940 place. 00:23:26.080 --> 00:23:26.480 And in 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:27.240 verse 17 00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:27.880 we're told 00:23:27.880 --> 00:23:29.380 that he 00:23:29.380 --> 00:23:30.180 became like 00:23:30.180 --> 00:23:30.799 one of us 00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:31.460 to become 00:23:31.460 --> 00:23:32.980 the faithful 00:23:32.980 --> 00:23:34.340 high priest 00:23:34.340 --> 00:23:35.360 so that he 00:23:35.360 --> 00:23:36.080 might make 00:23:36.080 --> 00:23:37.900 atonement 00:23:37.900 --> 00:23:39.319 for our 00:23:39.319 --> 00:23:39.620 sin. 00:23:40.380 --> 00:23:40.840 But he 00:23:40.840 --> 00:23:41.279 didn't just 00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:41.720 come into 00:23:41.720 --> 00:23:42.100 the world 00:23:42.100 --> 00:23:42.819 to make 00:23:42.819 --> 00:23:43.900 the sacrifice. 00:23:45.920 --> 00:23:46.440 Jesus 00:23:46.440 --> 00:23:47.539 was 00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:48.480 the 00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:49.039 sacrifice. 00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:53.220 Hebrews is 00:23:53.220 --> 00:23:53.720 full of 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.539 that whole 00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:55.059 imagery. 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:56.000 Just let's 00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:56.400 have a look 00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:56.779 at one 00:23:56.779 --> 00:23:57.279 briefly. 00:23:57.460 --> 00:23:58.220 Chapter 9 00:23:58.220 --> 00:24:00.059 verse 26. 00:24:04.840 --> 00:24:05.860 Hebrews 9 00:24:05.860 --> 00:24:06.880 verse 26. 00:24:06.880 --> 00:24:15.260 He's 00:24:15.260 --> 00:24:15.920 talking and 00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:16.700 referring back 00:24:16.700 --> 00:24:17.260 to what 00:24:17.260 --> 00:24:18.000 they had 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:18.440 to do 00:24:18.440 --> 00:24:19.580 and we'll 00:24:19.580 --> 00:24:20.020 pick it up 00:24:20.020 --> 00:24:20.680 midway 00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:21.020 through 00:24:21.020 --> 00:24:22.060 verse 26. 00:24:23.660 --> 00:24:24.680 But now 00:24:24.680 --> 00:24:25.640 he has 00:24:25.640 --> 00:24:26.180 appeared 00:24:26.180 --> 00:24:27.280 once for 00:24:27.280 --> 00:24:27.700 all 00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:28.640 at the 00:24:28.640 --> 00:24:28.940 end of 00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:29.500 it ages 00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:30.000 to do 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.400 away 00:24:30.400 --> 00:24:31.060 with sin 00:24:31.060 --> 00:24:31.600 by the 00:24:31.600 --> 00:24:32.160 sacrifice 00:24:32.160 --> 00:24:33.180 of 00:24:33.180 --> 00:24:33.660 himself. 00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:34.620 Just as 00:24:34.620 --> 00:24:35.120 man is 00:24:35.120 --> 00:24:35.840 destined to 00:24:35.840 --> 00:24:36.420 die once 00:24:36.420 --> 00:24:36.840 and after 00:24:36.840 --> 00:24:37.279 that to 00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:37.740 face the 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.120 judgment 00:24:38.120 --> 00:24:39.680 so Christ 00:24:39.680 --> 00:24:40.660 was 00:24:40.660 --> 00:24:41.340 sacrificed 00:24:41.340 --> 00:24:42.120 once 00:24:42.120 --> 00:24:43.740 to take 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:44.340 away 00:24:44.340 --> 00:24:45.600 the sins 00:24:45.600 --> 00:24:46.680 of many 00:24:46.680 --> 00:24:47.180 people 00:24:47.180 --> 00:24:49.180 and he 00:24:49.180 --> 00:24:49.740 will appear 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:50.160 a second 00:24:50.160 --> 00:24:50.580 time 00:24:50.580 --> 00:24:51.360 not to 00:24:51.360 --> 00:24:51.960 bear sin 00:24:51.960 --> 00:24:54.019 but to 00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:54.600 bring us 00:24:54.600 --> 00:24:55.440 salvation 00:24:55.440 --> 00:24:57.220 to those 00:24:57.220 --> 00:24:57.580 who are 00:24:57.580 --> 00:24:58.019 waiting 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:59.420 for him. 00:25:00.279 --> 00:25:00.660 This 00:25:00.660 --> 00:25:01.440 is the 00:25:01.440 --> 00:25:02.039 amazing 00:25:02.039 --> 00:25:03.019 grace 00:25:03.019 --> 00:25:03.840 goodness 00:25:03.840 --> 00:25:04.220 and 00:25:04.220 --> 00:25:04.779 generosity 00:25:04.779 --> 00:25:05.500 of God 00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:06.680 this 00:25:06.680 --> 00:25:07.059 is what 00:25:07.059 --> 00:25:07.420 sets 00:25:07.420 --> 00:25:08.139 Christianity 00:25:08.139 --> 00:25:08.920 apart 00:25:08.920 --> 00:25:09.200 from 00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:09.839 every 00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:10.299 other 00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:10.759 religion 00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:11.039 and 00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:11.319 every 00:25:11.319 --> 00:25:11.539 other 00:25:11.539 --> 00:25:12.160 philosophy 00:25:12.160 --> 00:25:12.420 and 00:25:12.420 --> 00:25:12.660 every 00:25:12.660 --> 00:25:12.899 other 00:25:12.899 --> 00:25:13.460 system 00:25:13.460 --> 00:25:13.720 that 00:25:13.720 --> 00:25:13.879 there 00:25:13.879 --> 00:25:14.019 is. 00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:14.639 It's not 00:25:14.639 --> 00:25:15.279 about us 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:16.279 down here 00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:17.079 trying to 00:25:17.079 --> 00:25:17.420 somehow 00:25:17.420 --> 00:25:18.279 find our 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:18.940 way to 00:25:18.940 --> 00:25:19.379 get to 00:25:19.379 --> 00:25:19.700 God 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:20.259 but it 00:25:20.259 --> 00:25:20.579 is all 00:25:20.579 --> 00:25:20.859 about 00:25:20.859 --> 00:25:21.279 God 00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:21.500 who 00:25:21.500 --> 00:25:21.859 comes 00:25:21.859 --> 00:25:22.079 from 00:25:22.079 --> 00:25:22.599 there 00:25:22.599 --> 00:25:23.879 down 00:25:23.879 --> 00:25:24.119 to 00:25:24.119 --> 00:25:24.559 us 00:25:24.559 --> 00:25:25.579 to be 00:25:25.579 --> 00:25:26.139 near us. 00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:27.460 It's not 00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:27.960 about us 00:25:27.960 --> 00:25:28.440 trying to 00:25:28.440 --> 00:25:28.839 perform 00:25:28.839 --> 00:25:29.460 and outdo 00:25:29.460 --> 00:25:29.980 one another 00:25:29.980 --> 00:25:30.700 and trying 00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:31.299 to better 00:25:31.299 --> 00:25:31.920 ourselves. 00:25:33.079 --> 00:25:33.500 It's all 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.240 about Christ 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:34.660 who has 00:25:34.660 --> 00:25:35.279 performed 00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:36.180 for us 00:25:36.180 --> 00:25:36.519 on our 00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:37.059 behalf. 00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:38.500 And Christmas 00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:39.440 is telling us 00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:40.140 the story 00:25:40.140 --> 00:25:41.259 that God 00:25:41.259 --> 00:25:42.000 came down 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:43.259 to identify 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:43.860 with us. 00:25:44.140 --> 00:25:44.819 He became 00:25:44.819 --> 00:25:45.339 like one 00:25:45.339 --> 00:25:45.599 of us. 00:25:45.700 --> 00:25:46.039 It's like 00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:46.740 he literally 00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:47.640 put his 00:25:47.640 --> 00:25:48.059 hands 00:25:48.059 --> 00:25:49.200 upon us 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:50.279 and identified 00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:50.940 with us 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:52.140 so humanly 00:25:52.140 --> 00:25:52.599 speaking 00:25:52.599 --> 00:25:54.460 that our 00:25:54.460 --> 00:25:55.039 sin was 00:25:55.039 --> 00:25:55.640 transferred 00:25:55.640 --> 00:25:57.000 from us 00:25:57.000 --> 00:25:58.480 onto him. 00:25:59.980 --> 00:26:00.779 And he 00:26:00.779 --> 00:26:01.220 went to 00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:01.720 the cross 00:26:01.720 --> 00:26:02.099 and was 00:26:02.099 --> 00:26:02.660 punished. 00:26:03.920 --> 00:26:04.279 And the 00:26:04.279 --> 00:26:04.660 wrath of 00:26:04.660 --> 00:26:05.240 God fell 00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:05.920 on him 00:26:05.920 --> 00:26:07.700 on the 00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:08.240 atoning 00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:09.120 sacrifice. 00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:11.180 And the 00:26:11.180 --> 00:26:11.579 wrath of 00:26:11.579 --> 00:26:12.059 God is 00:26:12.059 --> 00:26:12.860 turned away 00:26:12.860 --> 00:26:13.700 from us 00:26:13.700 --> 00:26:15.500 forever 00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:17.839 so that 00:26:17.839 --> 00:26:18.380 we can be 00:26:18.380 --> 00:26:19.079 loved and 00:26:19.079 --> 00:26:19.740 treasured 00:26:19.740 --> 00:26:20.360 by him. 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:22.599 We 00:26:22.599 --> 00:26:23.220 are 00:26:23.220 --> 00:26:23.819 treated 00:26:23.819 --> 00:26:26.480 as 00:26:26.480 --> 00:26:27.079 Christ 00:26:27.079 --> 00:26:27.920 deserves 00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:28.299 to be 00:26:28.299 --> 00:26:28.660 treated 00:26:28.660 --> 00:26:29.980 and Christ 00:26:29.980 --> 00:26:30.259 is 00:26:30.259 --> 00:26:30.680 treated 00:26:30.680 --> 00:26:32.180 as we 00:26:32.180 --> 00:26:32.600 deserve 00:26:32.600 --> 00:26:33.000 to be 00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:33.320 treated. 00:26:33.840 --> 00:26:34.279 This is 00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:34.820 the grace, 00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:35.300 this is 00:26:35.300 --> 00:26:36.279 the amazing 00:26:36.279 --> 00:26:37.460 message 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:38.600 of Christmas. 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:40.360 It's 00:26:40.360 --> 00:26:40.779 unique, 00:26:40.920 --> 00:26:41.120 it's 00:26:41.120 --> 00:26:41.480 different. 00:26:45.820 --> 00:26:46.720 But there's 00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:47.440 another barrier 00:26:47.440 --> 00:26:48.380 that Jesus 00:26:48.380 --> 00:26:48.880 has to 00:26:48.880 --> 00:26:49.420 overcome 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:51.820 and that's 00:26:51.820 --> 00:26:52.540 the barrier 00:26:52.540 --> 00:26:53.460 of temptation. 00:26:55.300 --> 00:26:56.100 Look at 00:26:56.100 --> 00:26:56.900 verse 18. 00:26:58.660 --> 00:27:00.300 chapter 2. 00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:06.900 He comes 00:27:06.900 --> 00:27:07.640 down to 00:27:07.640 --> 00:27:09.960 share in 00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:10.180 our 00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:10.840 humanity. 00:27:12.759 --> 00:27:13.820 He becomes 00:27:13.820 --> 00:27:14.580 like one 00:27:14.580 --> 00:27:15.100 of us. 00:27:15.880 --> 00:27:16.340 Verse 18, 00:27:16.460 --> 00:27:17.180 because he 00:27:17.180 --> 00:27:17.820 himself 00:27:17.820 --> 00:27:18.440 suffered 00:27:18.440 --> 00:27:19.740 when he 00:27:19.740 --> 00:27:20.460 was tempted, 00:27:21.660 --> 00:27:22.360 he was 00:27:22.360 --> 00:27:22.840 able to 00:27:22.840 --> 00:27:23.500 help those 00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:23.880 who are 00:27:23.880 --> 00:27:24.160 being 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:24.640 tempted. 00:27:24.640 --> 00:27:24.680 tempted. 00:27:26.860 --> 00:27:27.720 I find 00:27:27.720 --> 00:27:28.180 that so 00:27:28.180 --> 00:27:28.759 encouraging. 00:27:30.160 --> 00:27:30.900 Any of 00:27:30.900 --> 00:27:31.480 you find 00:27:31.480 --> 00:27:32.340 temptation 00:27:32.340 --> 00:27:33.000 this week? 00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:34.880 Or am 00:27:34.880 --> 00:27:35.140 I the 00:27:35.140 --> 00:27:35.560 only one? 00:27:38.120 --> 00:27:38.700 He 00:27:38.700 --> 00:27:39.160 became 00:27:39.160 --> 00:27:39.680 like one 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:40.200 of us 00:27:40.200 --> 00:27:41.540 and he 00:27:41.540 --> 00:27:42.120 suffered 00:27:42.120 --> 00:27:43.340 the 00:27:43.340 --> 00:27:44.020 struggles 00:27:44.020 --> 00:27:44.540 that we 00:27:44.540 --> 00:27:44.980 all go 00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:45.220 through 00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:45.720 when we 00:27:45.720 --> 00:27:46.080 face 00:27:46.080 --> 00:27:46.759 temptation. 00:27:47.280 --> 00:27:47.540 All 00:27:47.540 --> 00:27:47.860 those 00:27:47.860 --> 00:27:48.280 inward 00:27:48.280 --> 00:27:48.860 battles, 00:27:49.560 --> 00:27:49.820 he 00:27:49.820 --> 00:27:50.259 faced 00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:50.820 that same 00:27:50.820 --> 00:27:51.400 temptation 00:27:51.400 --> 00:27:52.020 because he 00:27:52.020 --> 00:27:52.500 was like 00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:52.860 one of 00:27:52.859 --> 00:27:53.240 us. 00:27:56.839 --> 00:27:57.359 The 00:27:57.359 --> 00:27:57.679 problem 00:27:57.679 --> 00:27:58.139 with us 00:27:58.139 --> 00:27:58.479 is we 00:27:58.479 --> 00:27:58.779 always 00:27:58.779 --> 00:27:59.219 give in 00:27:59.219 --> 00:27:59.339 to 00:27:59.339 --> 00:27:59.899 temptation. 00:28:02.379 --> 00:28:02.479 We 00:28:02.479 --> 00:28:02.719 just, 00:28:03.059 --> 00:28:03.179 the 00:28:03.179 --> 00:28:04.219 pressure 00:28:04.219 --> 00:28:04.899 increases 00:28:04.899 --> 00:28:06.500 and we 00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:06.719 just 00:28:06.719 --> 00:28:07.119 fail. 00:28:08.079 --> 00:28:08.559 So what 00:28:08.559 --> 00:28:08.899 hope 00:28:08.899 --> 00:28:09.359 have we 00:28:09.359 --> 00:28:09.799 of ever 00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:10.339 getting to 00:28:10.339 --> 00:28:10.979 glory if 00:28:10.979 --> 00:28:11.379 we keep 00:28:11.379 --> 00:28:11.740 messing 00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:12.119 up? 00:28:13.719 --> 00:28:13.979 Well, 00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:14.439 this is the 00:28:14.439 --> 00:28:15.119 story of 00:28:15.119 --> 00:28:15.479 one who 00:28:15.479 --> 00:28:16.240 came into 00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:16.799 our world 00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:17.459 to be 00:28:17.459 --> 00:28:17.899 like one 00:28:17.899 --> 00:28:18.159 of us, 00:28:18.199 --> 00:28:18.679 to face 00:28:18.679 --> 00:28:19.159 everything 00:28:19.159 --> 00:28:19.679 that we 00:28:19.679 --> 00:28:20.119 face, 00:28:20.819 --> 00:28:21.339 to deal 00:28:21.339 --> 00:28:21.699 with it, 00:28:21.740 --> 00:28:22.259 to overcome 00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:22.640 it, 00:28:22.940 --> 00:28:23.339 to bring 00:28:23.339 --> 00:28:23.759 us to 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:24.279 his glory. 00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:28.140 One of 00:28:28.140 --> 00:28:29.019 our great 00:28:29.019 --> 00:28:29.619 family 00:28:29.619 --> 00:28:30.099 traditions 00:28:30.099 --> 00:28:30.599 when we 00:28:30.599 --> 00:28:31.039 were growing 00:28:31.039 --> 00:28:31.460 up was 00:28:31.460 --> 00:28:31.839 to go 00:28:31.839 --> 00:28:33.019 on these 00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:33.819 ridiculous 00:28:33.819 --> 00:28:35.240 long walks 00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:36.160 on St. 00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:36.759 Stephen's 00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:36.940 Day. 00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:38.019 Don't know 00:28:38.019 --> 00:28:38.400 why we 00:28:38.400 --> 00:28:38.619 did. 00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:39.480 Mother 00:28:39.480 --> 00:28:39.920 used to 00:28:39.920 --> 00:28:40.200 say it 00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:40.460 was something 00:28:40.460 --> 00:28:41.039 about needing 00:28:41.039 --> 00:28:41.740 fresh air 00:28:41.740 --> 00:28:42.299 after all 00:28:42.299 --> 00:28:42.680 the rich 00:28:42.680 --> 00:28:43.240 food and 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:43.640 that sort 00:28:43.640 --> 00:28:44.000 of thing. 00:28:45.039 --> 00:28:45.480 Five 00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:46.220 miles in, 00:28:46.700 --> 00:28:47.400 six hours 00:28:47.400 --> 00:28:47.900 later, 00:28:49.240 --> 00:28:49.640 hail, 00:28:49.839 --> 00:28:50.099 rain, 00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:50.559 everything, 00:28:50.640 --> 00:28:51.019 didn't matter, 00:28:51.019 --> 00:28:51.440 we had to 00:28:51.440 --> 00:28:51.740 go for 00:28:51.740 --> 00:28:52.299 this walk. 00:28:52.720 --> 00:28:53.000 It was 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:53.619 no surprise 00:28:53.619 --> 00:28:54.019 that me 00:28:54.019 --> 00:28:54.420 being the 00:28:54.420 --> 00:28:54.680 youngest 00:28:54.680 --> 00:28:55.379 would always 00:28:55.379 --> 00:28:55.879 be left 00:28:55.879 --> 00:28:56.440 behind, 00:28:56.680 --> 00:28:57.139 strolling 00:28:57.139 --> 00:28:57.579 along. 00:28:58.379 --> 00:28:58.859 Invariably 00:28:58.859 --> 00:28:59.460 somebody would 00:28:59.460 --> 00:28:59.779 have to 00:28:59.779 --> 00:29:00.259 come back 00:29:00.259 --> 00:29:01.500 and help 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:02.379 me to 00:29:02.379 --> 00:29:02.839 the end, 00:29:03.339 --> 00:29:03.879 maybe even 00:29:03.879 --> 00:29:04.319 pick me 00:29:04.319 --> 00:29:04.539 up, 00:29:04.700 --> 00:29:05.339 carry me. 00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:07.639 Look at 00:29:07.639 --> 00:29:08.299 verse 18. 00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:10.279 It tells us 00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:10.879 that Jesus 00:29:10.879 --> 00:29:12.000 is our 00:29:12.000 --> 00:29:12.480 helper, 00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:14.379 one who is 00:29:14.379 --> 00:29:15.099 able to 00:29:15.099 --> 00:29:16.119 help us 00:29:16.119 --> 00:29:17.259 through our 00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:17.900 journey in 00:29:17.900 --> 00:29:18.720 life because 00:29:18.720 --> 00:29:19.619 we can't get 00:29:19.619 --> 00:29:20.379 there on 00:29:20.379 --> 00:29:20.859 our own. 00:29:21.079 --> 00:29:21.559 We can't 00:29:21.559 --> 00:29:22.119 do it. 00:29:23.179 --> 00:29:24.000 And he's 00:29:24.000 --> 00:29:25.079 already completed 00:29:25.079 --> 00:29:25.699 the journey 00:29:25.699 --> 00:29:26.819 for us and 00:29:26.819 --> 00:29:27.479 now he comes 00:29:27.479 --> 00:29:28.439 near to us to 00:29:28.439 --> 00:29:29.179 help us get 00:29:29.179 --> 00:29:29.659 to our 00:29:29.659 --> 00:29:30.339 destination. 00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:33.759 And to 00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:34.539 better understand 00:29:34.539 --> 00:29:35.139 this, look at 00:29:35.139 --> 00:29:35.839 chapter 4 00:29:35.839 --> 00:29:36.919 verse 15. 00:29:40.399 --> 00:29:41.399 You think you 00:29:41.399 --> 00:29:42.239 struggle alone 00:29:42.239 --> 00:29:42.859 and you're, 00:29:43.439 --> 00:29:44.439 those moments 00:29:44.439 --> 00:29:45.279 of greatest 00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:46.000 temptation, 00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:47.059 whatever it 00:29:47.059 --> 00:29:47.639 may be, 00:29:49.059 --> 00:29:51.099 you think 00:29:51.099 --> 00:29:51.639 you're alone 00:29:51.639 --> 00:29:52.339 and nobody 00:29:52.339 --> 00:29:53.299 understands what 00:29:53.299 --> 00:29:53.740 it's like, 00:29:53.859 --> 00:29:54.559 the struggles 00:29:54.559 --> 00:29:55.019 you go 00:29:55.019 --> 00:29:55.339 through. 00:29:56.220 --> 00:29:56.720 Well look at 00:29:56.720 --> 00:29:57.359 verse 15. 00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:58.379 We do not 00:29:58.379 --> 00:29:59.099 have a high 00:29:59.099 --> 00:30:00.539 priest who 00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:01.419 is unable 00:30:01.419 --> 00:30:02.559 to sympathise 00:30:02.559 --> 00:30:02.960 with our 00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:03.399 weaknesses. 00:30:05.319 --> 00:30:06.119 But we 00:30:06.119 --> 00:30:06.759 have one 00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:07.659 who has 00:30:07.659 --> 00:30:08.419 been tempted 00:30:08.419 --> 00:30:09.819 in every 00:30:09.819 --> 00:30:10.200 way, 00:30:11.539 --> 00:30:12.220 just as we 00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:12.480 are, 00:30:13.539 --> 00:30:14.039 yet was 00:30:14.039 --> 00:30:14.759 without sin. 00:30:14.759 --> 00:30:16.519 isn't that a 00:30:16.519 --> 00:30:16.859 comfort? 00:30:18.079 --> 00:30:18.779 That God 00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:19.279 would come 00:30:19.279 --> 00:30:20.140 near to 00:30:20.140 --> 00:30:20.619 go through 00:30:20.619 --> 00:30:21.279 that full 00:30:21.279 --> 00:30:22.299 range of 00:30:22.299 --> 00:30:23.220 emotion and 00:30:23.220 --> 00:30:24.279 struggle and 00:30:24.279 --> 00:30:25.000 temptation. 00:30:25.940 --> 00:30:26.559 He would go 00:30:26.559 --> 00:30:27.059 through it all. 00:30:27.180 --> 00:30:27.619 In fact, 00:30:28.420 --> 00:30:29.119 he endured 00:30:29.119 --> 00:30:29.859 so much 00:30:29.859 --> 00:30:30.619 greater than 00:30:30.619 --> 00:30:31.079 us because 00:30:31.079 --> 00:30:31.700 he never 00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:32.299 gave in. 00:30:33.019 --> 00:30:33.539 We give 00:30:33.539 --> 00:30:34.079 in and so 00:30:34.079 --> 00:30:34.680 it lessens. 00:30:35.000 --> 00:30:35.619 But for him 00:30:35.619 --> 00:30:36.339 the pressure 00:30:36.339 --> 00:30:37.140 increased all 00:30:37.140 --> 00:30:37.599 the time but 00:30:37.599 --> 00:30:38.220 he defeated 00:30:38.220 --> 00:30:38.559 it. 00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:39.839 He was the 00:30:39.839 --> 00:30:40.920 perfect man 00:30:40.920 --> 00:30:42.279 who finished 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.799 the journey 00:30:42.799 --> 00:30:43.720 on our behalf 00:30:43.720 --> 00:30:44.799 so that he 00:30:44.799 --> 00:30:45.460 is able to 00:30:45.460 --> 00:30:45.900 help us. 00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:46.680 Verse 16, 00:30:47.100 --> 00:30:48.200 so then let 00:30:48.200 --> 00:30:49.000 us approach 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.759 the throne 00:30:49.759 --> 00:30:50.400 of grace 00:30:50.400 --> 00:30:51.660 with confidence. 00:30:53.180 --> 00:30:53.640 It's not 00:30:53.640 --> 00:30:54.259 about coming 00:30:54.259 --> 00:30:55.240 with perfection. 00:30:55.880 --> 00:30:56.259 Come with 00:30:56.259 --> 00:30:56.680 all your 00:30:56.680 --> 00:30:57.519 mess and 00:30:57.519 --> 00:30:57.880 all your 00:30:57.880 --> 00:30:59.100 failure and 00:30:59.100 --> 00:31:00.360 come confidently 00:31:00.360 --> 00:31:02.720 so that we 00:31:02.720 --> 00:31:03.539 may receive 00:31:03.539 --> 00:31:05.220 mercy and 00:31:05.220 --> 00:31:06.200 find grace 00:31:06.200 --> 00:31:08.000 to help us 00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:08.600 in our time 00:31:08.600 --> 00:31:09.079 of need. 00:31:11.319 --> 00:31:12.079 The truth 00:31:12.079 --> 00:31:12.839 is we fall 00:31:12.839 --> 00:31:13.139 and we 00:31:13.139 --> 00:31:13.539 fail. 00:31:14.659 --> 00:31:15.099 But when 00:31:15.099 --> 00:31:15.599 we do 00:31:15.599 --> 00:31:16.740 Christ 00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:17.619 will respond 00:31:17.619 --> 00:31:18.899 in mercy. 00:31:20.099 --> 00:31:20.859 He won't 00:31:20.859 --> 00:31:21.959 desert us. 00:31:22.399 --> 00:31:22.799 He won't 00:31:22.799 --> 00:31:23.319 leave us 00:31:23.319 --> 00:31:23.859 to our own 00:31:23.859 --> 00:31:24.579 devices and 00:31:24.579 --> 00:31:25.139 say that's 00:31:25.139 --> 00:31:25.559 too many 00:31:25.559 --> 00:31:26.539 times tough 00:31:26.539 --> 00:31:26.859 luck. 00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:28.740 He will 00:31:28.740 --> 00:31:29.480 reach out 00:31:29.480 --> 00:31:29.959 to us 00:31:29.959 --> 00:31:30.679 in mercy. 00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:32.059 He will 00:31:32.059 --> 00:31:32.659 not treat 00:31:32.659 --> 00:31:33.299 us as we 00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:33.899 deserve to 00:31:33.899 --> 00:31:34.399 be treated 00:31:34.399 --> 00:31:35.099 but he 00:31:35.099 --> 00:31:35.599 will forgive 00:31:35.599 --> 00:31:35.959 us. 00:31:35.960 --> 00:31:39.460 And the 00:31:39.460 --> 00:31:39.980 truth is 00:31:39.980 --> 00:31:40.380 that by 00:31:40.380 --> 00:31:40.860 ourselves 00:31:40.860 --> 00:31:41.319 we are 00:31:41.319 --> 00:31:41.900 just too 00:31:41.900 --> 00:31:42.299 weak. 00:31:43.120 --> 00:31:43.500 We give 00:31:43.500 --> 00:31:43.960 in so 00:31:43.960 --> 00:31:44.759 easily to 00:31:44.759 --> 00:31:45.360 temptation 00:31:45.360 --> 00:31:46.140 but what 00:31:46.140 --> 00:31:46.680 does and how 00:31:46.680 --> 00:31:47.039 does he 00:31:47.039 --> 00:31:47.799 respond to 00:31:47.799 --> 00:31:48.039 us? 00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:49.519 Verse 16 00:31:49.519 --> 00:31:49.980 he gives 00:31:49.980 --> 00:31:50.620 us grace. 00:31:51.600 --> 00:31:52.019 He's not 00:31:52.019 --> 00:31:52.480 going to 00:31:52.480 --> 00:31:53.299 abandon us. 00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:54.840 We're his 00:31:54.840 --> 00:31:55.519 children. 00:31:56.200 --> 00:31:56.920 He was made 00:31:56.920 --> 00:31:57.519 like one of 00:31:57.519 --> 00:31:57.799 us to 00:31:57.799 --> 00:31:58.799 identify with 00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:59.319 us to 00:31:59.319 --> 00:31:59.860 bring us 00:31:59.860 --> 00:32:00.200 to his 00:32:00.200 --> 00:32:00.700 home to 00:32:00.700 --> 00:32:01.220 his city 00:32:01.220 --> 00:32:01.620 to his 00:32:01.620 --> 00:32:02.579 glory to 00:32:02.579 --> 00:32:03.079 paradise. 00:32:03.079 --> 00:32:03.319 Christ. 00:32:04.199 --> 00:32:04.980 He's not 00:32:04.980 --> 00:32:05.460 going to 00:32:05.460 --> 00:32:06.279 abandon us. 00:32:06.779 --> 00:32:07.039 He will 00:32:07.039 --> 00:32:07.839 give us all 00:32:07.839 --> 00:32:08.359 the grace 00:32:08.359 --> 00:32:08.740 that we 00:32:08.740 --> 00:32:09.159 need. 00:32:10.919 --> 00:32:11.740 Christ came 00:32:11.740 --> 00:32:13.379 near to 00:32:13.379 --> 00:32:14.439 triumph over 00:32:14.439 --> 00:32:16.759 temptation to 00:32:16.759 --> 00:32:17.419 bring us 00:32:17.419 --> 00:32:18.759 to glory. 00:32:20.899 --> 00:32:21.779 The big 00:32:21.779 --> 00:32:22.259 theme of 00:32:22.259 --> 00:32:22.919 Christmas and 00:32:22.919 --> 00:32:23.379 if you can 00:32:23.379 --> 00:32:23.899 take this 00:32:23.899 --> 00:32:24.960 away with 00:32:24.960 --> 00:32:26.079 you for 00:32:26.079 --> 00:32:26.699 this week 00:32:26.699 --> 00:32:28.159 is that 00:32:28.159 --> 00:32:28.919 God came 00:32:28.919 --> 00:32:30.799 down to 00:32:30.799 --> 00:32:31.220 bring us 00:32:31.220 --> 00:32:31.740 to glory. 00:32:33.079 --> 00:32:34.299 because Christ 00:32:34.299 --> 00:32:35.220 defeated death 00:32:35.220 --> 00:32:35.799 for us. 00:32:36.819 --> 00:32:37.319 He saved 00:32:37.319 --> 00:32:37.699 us from 00:32:37.699 --> 00:32:38.099 sin. 00:32:38.879 --> 00:32:39.199 He's 00:32:39.199 --> 00:32:39.980 triumphed 00:32:39.980 --> 00:32:40.539 over 00:32:40.539 --> 00:32:41.199 temptation. 00:32:41.879 --> 00:32:42.939 He will 00:32:42.939 --> 00:32:44.559 bring us 00:32:44.559 --> 00:32:45.699 to glory. 00:32:46.899 --> 00:32:47.480 Look at 00:32:47.480 --> 00:32:48.099 verse 11. 00:32:50.419 --> 00:32:51.339 Both the 00:32:51.339 --> 00:32:51.879 one who 00:32:51.879 --> 00:32:52.919 makes people 00:32:52.919 --> 00:32:55.059 holy and 00:32:55.059 --> 00:32:55.699 those who 00:32:55.699 --> 00:32:56.199 are being 00:32:56.199 --> 00:32:57.139 made holy 00:32:57.139 --> 00:32:59.480 are of the 00:32:59.480 --> 00:33:00.199 same family. 00:33:01.659 --> 00:33:02.119 We're of 00:33:02.119 --> 00:33:02.500 the same 00:33:02.500 --> 00:33:04.259 family as 00:33:04.259 --> 00:33:04.699 Christ. 00:33:05.799 --> 00:33:06.759 So Jesus 00:33:06.759 --> 00:33:07.279 is not 00:33:07.279 --> 00:33:07.979 ashamed to 00:33:07.979 --> 00:33:08.599 call them 00:33:08.599 --> 00:33:10.479 brothers and 00:33:10.479 --> 00:33:10.879 sisters. 00:33:11.559 --> 00:33:11.939 That's what 00:33:11.939 --> 00:33:12.379 he calls 00:33:12.379 --> 00:33:12.619 them. 00:33:13.419 --> 00:33:13.979 If we 00:33:13.979 --> 00:33:14.500 trust in 00:33:14.500 --> 00:33:15.479 him, a 00:33:15.479 --> 00:33:17.039 brother and 00:33:17.039 --> 00:33:17.539 a sister. 00:33:19.299 --> 00:33:19.719 Christmas 00:33:19.719 --> 00:33:20.579 tells us that 00:33:20.579 --> 00:33:21.399 God came to 00:33:21.399 --> 00:33:22.559 share in our 00:33:22.559 --> 00:33:24.779 humanity so 00:33:24.779 --> 00:33:25.279 that we 00:33:25.279 --> 00:33:26.039 might share 00:33:26.039 --> 00:33:27.700 in his 00:33:27.700 --> 00:33:28.180 glory. 00:33:29.759 --> 00:33:31.559 Emmanuel, God 00:33:31.559 --> 00:33:32.200 with us. 00:33:33.319 --> 00:33:34.200 Let's pray. 00:33:34.200 --> 00:33:48.140 God's 00:33:48.140 --> 00:33:49.100 our 00:33:49.100 --> 00:33:49.920 father God, we 00:33:49.920 --> 00:33:50.700 stand back 00:33:50.700 --> 00:33:51.279 amazed. 00:33:51.680 --> 00:33:52.319 Our little 00:33:52.319 --> 00:33:53.940 minds, we 00:33:53.940 --> 00:33:54.539 cannot 00:33:54.539 --> 00:33:55.480 comprehend 00:33:55.480 --> 00:33:57.420 the vastness 00:33:57.420 --> 00:33:57.779 and the 00:33:57.779 --> 00:33:58.400 wonder and 00:33:58.400 --> 00:33:58.940 the greatness 00:33:58.940 --> 00:34:00.220 of God 00:34:00.220 --> 00:34:02.640 coming down, 00:34:02.640 --> 00:34:04.520 down, down, 00:34:04.520 --> 00:34:06.020 down, and 00:34:06.020 --> 00:34:06.940 down to us. 00:34:08.099 --> 00:34:09.039 To become 00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:09.700 like one of 00:34:09.700 --> 00:34:10.019 us. 00:34:10.400 --> 00:34:11.079 To feel what 00:34:11.079 --> 00:34:11.660 we feel. 00:34:12.480 --> 00:34:13.300 To grieve what 00:34:13.300 --> 00:34:13.960 we grieve. 00:34:14.780 --> 00:34:16.039 To experience 00:34:16.039 --> 00:34:16.640 what we 00:34:16.640 --> 00:34:17.320 experience. 00:34:19.400 --> 00:34:20.200 To live 00:34:20.200 --> 00:34:20.980 life as we 00:34:20.980 --> 00:34:21.400 have lived 00:34:21.400 --> 00:34:23.539 life, but 00:34:23.539 --> 00:34:24.099 yet to do 00:34:24.099 --> 00:34:25.059 so perfectly. 00:34:27.700 --> 00:34:28.860 To overcome 00:34:28.860 --> 00:34:29.559 death, to 00:34:29.559 --> 00:34:30.380 destroy it. 00:34:30.380 --> 00:34:32.880 to face 00:34:32.880 --> 00:34:34.260 sin and 00:34:34.260 --> 00:34:35.160 defeat it. 00:34:36.680 --> 00:34:37.480 To go 00:34:37.480 --> 00:34:37.740 through 00:34:37.740 --> 00:34:38.420 temptation 00:34:38.420 --> 00:34:40.180 and overcome 00:34:40.180 --> 00:34:41.820 it, all 00:34:41.820 --> 00:34:44.019 for us, so 00:34:44.019 --> 00:34:44.599 that we can 00:34:44.599 --> 00:34:46.099 go to be 00:34:46.099 --> 00:34:46.660 with him. 00:34:48.180 --> 00:34:49.099 God came 00:34:49.099 --> 00:34:50.599 down for 00:34:50.599 --> 00:34:52.280 us so 00:34:52.280 --> 00:34:52.860 that we can 00:34:52.860 --> 00:34:53.800 share in 00:34:53.800 --> 00:34:54.320 all that he 00:34:54.320 --> 00:34:54.720 has. 00:34:55.720 --> 00:34:56.420 We praise 00:34:56.420 --> 00:34:56.800 you for 00:34:56.800 --> 00:34:57.559 Christmas, we 00:34:57.559 --> 00:34:58.200 praise you for 00:34:58.200 --> 00:34:58.940 the whole year 00:34:58.940 --> 00:34:59.960 because it's 00:34:59.960 --> 00:35:00.700 relevant to 00:35:00.700 --> 00:35:01.019 the whole 00:35:01.019 --> 00:35:01.360 year. 00:35:03.260 --> 00:35:04.139 Help us to 00:35:04.139 --> 00:35:04.820 celebrate you 00:35:04.820 --> 00:35:06.320 today, this 00:35:06.320 --> 00:35:07.000 coming week. 00:35:08.059 --> 00:35:09.099 We praise you 00:35:09.099 --> 00:35:09.980 in Jesus' name. 00:35:11.099 --> 00:35:11.460 Amen. 00:35:11.460 --> 00:35:11.619 Amen.